Lim Ji-yeon

Who Is Lim Ji-yeon?

Lim Ji-yeon is one of South Korea’s most celebrated actresses. She was born on June 23, 1990, in Seoul, South Korea.

She is best known internationally for her chilling portrayal of Park Yeon-jin in the Netflix hit series The Glory (2022–2023). Her performance earned her the Best Supporting Actress award at the prestigious 59th Baeksang Arts Awards — one of the most coveted honors in Korean entertainment.

She is currently managed by Artist Company and continues to build a filmography that commands global attention.

Early Life: A Dream Born at the Theatre

Growing Up in Seoul

Lim Ji-yeon was born and raised in Seoul, South Korea. From an early age, she was drawn to performance. Her dream of becoming an actress was ignited after watching the iconic musical Cats as a child.

However, the path to her dream was not straightforward. Her parents opposed her acting ambitions. Because of their opposition, she initially attended a humanities-focused high school rather than an arts school.

Persuading Her Parents and Entering K-Arts

Eventually, Lim Ji-yeon persuaded her parents to support her. In 2009, she took the entrance exam for the Korea National University of Arts (K-Arts) — South Korea’s most prestigious arts institution. She successfully gained admission to the Acting Department of the School of Drama.

During her university years, she threw herself into her craft. She actively participated in short films to gain experience, appearing in approximately two to three short films per semester. This relentless work ethic laid the foundation for everything that followed.

She graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Acting from Korea National University of Arts.

Career Journey: From Short Films to Global Fame

Feature Film Debut and Early Recognition (2014–2015)

After appearing in a number of short films and plays, she had her first feature film role in Obsessed (2014).

The role was immediately recognized by the industry. It earned her Best New Actress nominations at the 35th Blue Dragon Film Awards and 51st Baeksang Arts Awards, and wins at the 51st Grand Bell Awards and 23rd Buil Film Awards.

It was a remarkable entry into the industry. She had gone from university short films to winning national awards with her very first feature film appearance.

Building Her Résumé (2015–2020)

After her debut, Lim Ji-yeon worked consistently across both film and television. She starred in the chaebol drama High Society (2015), the historical film The Treacherous (2015), the period drama The Royal Gambler (2016), and the fantasy action film Spiritwalker (2020).

In May 2020, she signed with Artist Company — one of South Korea’s most prominent talent agencies. She also starred in Welcome 2 Life, a fantasy romantic comedy about a skilled lawyer who enters a parallel world due to an unfortunate accident.

The Game-Changer: The Glory (2022–2023)

Everything changed with The Glory.

Park Yeon-jin was the leader and most devious of the group of bullies — the spoiled daughter of a wealthy family who ensured she never faced consequences for her crimes. Eighteen years later, she’s a famous local weathercaster, married to a powerful man and devoted to her adorable young daughter. However, her past catches up with her when Dong-eun becomes her daughter’s homeroom teacher.

The Glory was a hit with audiences and well-received among critics. Lim’s portrayal was met with favorable reviews, being described as her life’s character, earning her Best Supporting Actress wins at the Baeksang Arts Awards and Blue Dragon Series Awards.

Specifically, she won Best Supporting Actress at the 59th Baeksang Arts Awards for her role as Park Yeon-jin in The Glory on Netflix.

She gained international acclaim for the Netflix hit series The Glory (2022–2023), winning Best Supporting Actress at the 59th Baeksang Arts Awards.

The role became a global phenomenon. It introduced Lim Ji-yeon to tens of millions of viewers worldwide who had never seen her work before.

Lies Hidden in My Garden and Industry Recognition (2023)

In August 2023, Lim was selected by the Korean Film Directors Association at the 2023 Bechdel Day as Actor of the Year for her performance in The Glory and Lies Hidden in My Garden.

This recognition was significant. It came not from a public vote but from Korean directors themselves — peers who understood the craft behind her performances.

The Tale of Lady Ok (2024–2025): A Commanding Lead Role

In 2024, Lim Ji-yeon proved she was more than a scene-stealing villain. She took on the lead role of Gudeok / Ok Tae-yeong in the JTBC historical drama The Tale of Lady Ok.

In this period drama, she plays the scruffy and lovable Gudeok, a runaway slave who assumes the identity of Lady Ok Tae-young, a young and wealthy Joseon noblewoman. As Lady Ok, Gudeok becomes a legal advocate who fights for equal rights, putting her in the crosshairs of powerful people and threatening to expose her double life. Her chemistry with co-star Choo Young-woo, who won Baeksang Best Actor for his role, is considered one of the series’ highlights.

The show aired from November 2024 through early 2025 and rated at 8.5 on MyDramaList, confirming it as one of the most beloved Korean dramas of its era.

Nice to Not Meet You (2025)

In 2025, Lim Ji-yeon demonstrated her range with the tvN romantic comedy Nice to Not Meet You, playing Wi Jeong-sin — a respected political journalist forced to cover entertainment. The show explored an unlikely romance, with Lim Ji-yeon delivering a warm, comedic performance very different from her earlier dramatic work.

My Royal Nemesis (2026): Netflix Time-Slip Fantasy

My Royal Nemesis is a 2026 South Korean romantic comedy fantasy television series written by Kang Hyun-joo, directed by Han Tae-seop, and starring Lim Ji-yeon, Heo Nam-jun, and Jang Seung-jo.

In the series, a Joseon-era villain doomed to die opens her eyes in modern-day Seoul — where a ruthless chaebol heir may be her last chance to rewrite her fate.

Lim Ji-yeon brings to life Kang Dan-sim, a royal concubine who has been dubbed Joseon’s most notorious “villainess.” The show aired on SBS and streamed globally on Netflix from May 8 to June 20, 2026.

Fan response was overwhelming. Viewers praised her performance as brilliant and described her character as one of the most difficult roles she has tackled, with many falling in love with her portrayal of Kang Dan-sim.

Wicked World (2026 — Post-Production)

Lim Ji-yeon continues to work at full speed. She is currently in post-production on Wicked World, where she plays the dual roles of Shin Seo-ri and Kang Dan-shim. The project is highly anticipated by her growing global fanbase.

Acting Style and Range

Lim Ji-yeon’s greatest gift as an actress is her range. She can play cold, calculating antagonists with terrifying precision. She can also play vulnerable, warm-hearted heroines with equal conviction.

Her performance in The Glory showed her command of stillness and menace. Her work in The Tale of Lady Ok showcased her physical comedy, warmth, and emotional depth. Her turn in My Royal Nemesis blended both — sharp wit and deep feeling.

Many fans and critics have called her one of the greatest villainess performers of her generation, while also acknowledging her ability to make audiences forget her villainous roles entirely when she takes on a heroine.

Complete Filmography

Television

Year	Title	Channel / Platform	Role	Notes
2016	Windy Mi-poong	MBC	—	—
2016	The Royal Gambler	MBC	—	—
2016	Doctors	KBS2	—	—
2019	Welcome 2 Life	MBC	—	—
2022–2023	The Glory	Netflix	Park Yeon-jin	Baeksang & Blue Dragon Best Supporting Actress
2023	Lies Hidden in My Garden	Wavve	—	Bechdel Day Actor of the Year
2024–2025	The Tale of Lady Ok	JTBC	Gudeok / Ok Tae-yeong	Lead role
2025	Nice to Not Meet You	tvN	Wi Jeong-sin	Lead role
2026	My Royal Nemesis	SBS / Netflix	Shin Seo-ri / Kang Dan-sim	Lead role
2026	Wicked World	TBA	Shin Seo-ri / Kang Dan-shim	Post-production

Film

Year	Title	Role	Notes
2014	Obsessed	Jong Ga-heun	Feature film debut; Grand Bell & Buil Best New Actress
2015	The Treacherous	—	—
2015	High Society	Lee Ji-yi	—
2019	Tazza: One Eyed Jack	—	—
2020	Spiritwalker	—	Action/fantasy
2024	Revolver	Jeong Yoon-sun	Baeksang Best Supporting Actress — Film nomination

Awards and Nominations (Selected)

Year	Award	Category	Work	Result
2014	35th Blue Dragon Film Awards	Best New Actress	Obsessed	Nominated
2015	51st Baeksang Arts Awards	Best New Actress (Film)	Obsessed	Nominated
2015	51st Grand Bell Awards	Best New Actress	Obsessed	Won
2015	23rd Buil Film Awards	Best New Actress	Obsessed	Won
2023	59th Baeksang Arts Awards	Best Supporting Actress – Television	The Glory	Won
2023	2nd Blue Dragon Series Awards	Best Supporting Actress – OTT	The Glory	Won
2023	Bechdel Day	Actor of the Year	The Glory / Lies Hidden in My Garden	Won
2024	60th Baeksang Arts Awards	Best Actress – Television	The Glory	Nominated
2025	51st Baeksang Arts Awards	Best Supporting Actress – Film	Revolver	Nominated

Personal Life

Lim Ji-yeon keeps her personal life largely private. She stands at 1.66 m (5’5″) tall. She is signed to Artist Company, the agency she joined in May 2020.