Kim Sung-kyun (; born May 25, 1980) is a South Korean character actor. He began his career in theater in 2003, remaining active as a theater actor in Daehangno (akin to Off-Broadway) from 2004 to 2012. In 2012, he transitioned to film, making his Chungmuro debut in a series of formidable villain roles. These included a gangster in Nameless Gangster: Rules of the Time, a serial killer in The Neighbor, a National Intelligence Service agent in Secretly, Greatly, and a knifeman in Hwayi: A Monster Boy. He ventured into television with supporting roles in Reply 1994 (2013), Reply 1988 (2015–2016), and Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo (2016), as well as leading roles in series D.P. (2021–2023) and Divorce Attorney Shin (2023).
Career Kim Sung-kyun was born on May 25, 1980 and spent his childhood in Daegu. He debuted in the 2003 play Romeo and Juliet. His acting career truly commenced in Daehangno after he moved to Seoul in 2004, where he dedicated a decade to theater, starring in productions like Liar, Room Number 13, and I Miss You. He attended Gaya University's Department of Theater and Film for two years before dropping out and marrying in 2010.
Kim made his film debut in 2012 with Yoon Jong-bin's gangster film starring Choi Min-sik and Ha Jung-woo. He appeared as Park Chang-woo, the right-hand man of Ha Jung-woo's character. His performance garnered praise from the lead actors, leading him to be dubbed a "Chungmuro blue chip." He received nominations for Best New Actor at seven awards ceremonies, winning three: at the Baeksang Arts Awards, the Buil Film Awards, and the Korean Culture and Entertainment Awards.
His second film, the thriller The Neighbor, centers on a serial killer residing in the same apartment building as his victims, one of whom is a murdered girl, and the neighbors who become aware of his presence. In the film, Kim portrays Seung-hyeok, a deep-sea fishing boat crew member and the serial killer. His portrayal earned him the Best New Actor award from the Busan Film Critics Awards in 2012, as well as the Grand Bell Awards and the Korean Association of Film Critics Awards in the same year.
In 2013, Kim successfully broadened his scope to television, taking on a comedic role in tvN's Reply 1994. This unexpected comedic turn, marked by his innocent expressions and dialect acting, garnered him significant popularity and the nickname 'Pobely' (Samcheonpo + Lovely).
In 2025, Kim starred in Netflix's crime thriller television series Karma directed by Lee Il-hyung. It is based on the Kakao webtoon of the same name by Choi Hee-seon, about people who are unexpectedly entangled and destroy each other while pursuing their own desires.
Personal life Kim met his wife as college classmate and later married her in 2010. They have two sons and one daughter. He enjoys carpentry, having built a handmade swing for each child.
Filmography Film Year Title Role Notes 2012 Nameless Gangster: Rules of the Time Park Chang-woo The Neighbor Ryu Seung-hyuk 577 Project Himself documentary 2013 Man on the Edge Choon-bong South Bound Bong Man-deok Secretly, Greatly Seo Soo-hyuk Hwayi: A Monster Boy Dong-beom Fasten Your Seatbelt Jo-rong The Suspect Ri Kwang-jo 2014 Kundo: Age of the Rampant Mr. Jang We Are Brothers Park Ha-yeon 2015 Chronicle of a Blood Merchant Geun-ryong The Deal Seung-hyun Summer Snow Seo-jung's manager The Chosen: Forbidden Cave Jin-myeong 2016 Phantom Detective Kang Sung-il 2017 The Prison Doctor Kim The Sheriff in Town Duk-man The Poet and the Boy Friend Special appearance The Preparation In-gyoo Wretches Detective Kang 2018 Golden Slumber Geum-chul Feng Shui Kim Byeong-gi The Witness Hyung Gyun I Have a Date with Spring Adidas man 2019 Story of Villains The Divine Move 2: The Wrathful Heo Il-do 2021 Waiting for Rain Academy lecturer Cameo Sinkhole Park Dong-won 2022 Hansan: Rising Dragon Kato Seoul Vibe Director Lee Hyun Kyun 2023 Don't Buy the Seller Detective Joo 12.12: The Day Kim Jun-yeop 2024 Officer Black Belt Kim Sun-min
Television series Year Title Role Notes 2013 I Can Hear Your Voice Detective Cameo (episode 1) Reply 1994 Sam Cheon-po 2014 Cunning Single Lady Head of IT security Cameo (episode 3) 2015 Reply 1988 Kim Sung-kyun 2016 Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo Choi Ji-mong Entourage Himself Cameo (episode 4) 2017 Untouchable Jang Ki-seo 2019–2024 The Fiery Priest Gu Dae-young Season 1–2 2020 Hospital Playlist Jung-won's second eldest brother Cameo (episode 1) 2023 Divorce Attorney Shin Jang Hyeong-geun 2021–2023 D.P. Park Bum-gu Season 1–2 2022 Grid Kim Man-ok / Lee Si-won Weak Hero Class 1 Gyu-jin Special appearance 2023 Moving Lee Jae-man 2025 Karma Jang Gil-ryong Nine Puzzles Yang Jeong-ho
Web series Year Title Role Notes 2013 After School: Lucky or Not himself Cameo (episode 6)
Television show Year Title Role 2023 Follow Hyung to Maya Cast member 2025–2026Reply 1988 10th Anniversary
Stage Concert and musical +Concert and musical play performancesYearTitleRoleVenueDateEnglishKorean 2007 to 2008 Dugeun Dugeun 두근두근 Lonely manMuscular Famous Acapella Singer of Daehakro Danmak Theater November 15, 2007 – May 12, 2008 2008 Daehakro Danmak Theater June 19, 2008 – April 30, 2009 2nd Busan Summer Musical Festival - Dugeun Dugeun 제2회 부산썸머뮤지컬페스티벌 - 두근두근 Kyungsung University Yeno Small Theater July 26 – August 17 Dugeun Dugeun (Heartbeat) 두근두근 Dongbang Arts Theater December 24 – December 25 2014 Reply 1994 Drama Concert 응답하라 1994 드라마 콘서트 Expert Grand Peace Palace, Kyung Hee University February 15 – February 15
Theater +Theater play performancesYearTitleRoleVenueDateEnglishKorean 2005 Kang Full's Pure Love Comic 순정만화 colspan="2" 2005 Room No. 13 룸넘버13 colspan="2" 2006 Suspense Hamlet 서스펜스 햄릿 Theater Actor Former Daehakro Dongsung Stage Small Theater June 15 – September 3 2008 Liar 1 Shot 라이어 1탄 Bobby Franklin Gangnam Dongyang Art Hall April 11, 2008 – January 1, 2012 2008I Want to See You, Missing You 보고싶습니다 Dok-hee Kyungsung University Yeno Small Theater December 22, 2008 – December 31, 2008 2009 Yeollim Hall November 28, 2008 – January 4, 2009 Mudis Hall January 9 – April 19 Kyungsung University Yeno Small Theater February 6 – March 1 Culture and Arts Exclusive Theater CT May 8 – June 14 2009 to 2010 Talk During the Last 20 Minutes 마지막 20분 동안 말하다 Haphazard Multi-man Lemon Art Hall (formerly Arts Play Theater Hall 2) October 9, 2009 – January 3, 2010 2010 I Want to See You, Missing You 보고싶습니다 Dok-hee KBS Suwon Art Hall January 16 – February 28 2010 to 2013 Liar 1 Shot 라이어 1탄 Bobby Franklin Happy Theater April 1, 2010 – January 20, 2013 2011 Gyeongnam Culture and Arts Center (Jinju Culture and Arts Center) April 1 – April 3
Awards and nominations + Name of the award ceremony, year presented, category, nominee of the award, and the result of the nomination Award ceremony Year Category Nominee / Work Result Asian Film Awards 2013 Best Newcomer Nameless Gangster: Rules of the Time Baeksang Arts Awards 2012 Best New Actor 2014 Best New Actor (TV) Reply 1994 Blue Dragon Film Awards 2012 Best New Actor Nameless Gangster: Rules of the Time Blue Dragon Series Awards 2024 Best Supporting Actor Moving Buil Film Awards 2012 Best New Actor Nameless Gangster: Rules of the Time Busan Film Critics Awards 2012 The Neighbor Grand Bell Awards 2012 The Neighbor Best Supporting Actor Nameless Gangster: Rules of the Time Best New Actor Korea Drama Awards 2014 Best Couple Award Kim Sung-kyun Reply 1994 2023 Excellence Award, Actor D.P. Korean Association of Film Critics Awards 2012 Best New Actor The Neighbor Korean Culture and Entertainment Awards 2012 Nameless Gangster: Rules of the Time SBS Drama Awards 2016 Special Acting Award, Actor in a Fantasy Drama Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo 2019 Excellence Award, Actor in a Mid-Length Drama The Fiery Priest tvN10 Awards 2016 Scene-Stealer, Actor Reply 1988
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