Kim Min-ha is a rising South Korean actress who gained international recognition for her powerful performance as the young Sunja in the globally acclaimed Apple TV+ series Pachinko (2022). With her emotionally nuanced acting and elegant screen presence, Kim Min-ha has captured the attention of both domestic and international audiences. Born and raised in South Korea, she is part of a new generation of actors bridging traditional Korean storytelling with modern global narratives.
Before her breakout role, Kim Min-ha was relatively unknown outside of South Korea. However, her portrayal in Pachinko — a sweeping epic that spans generations of a Korean family living in Japan — brought her widespread acclaim. Despite sharing the spotlight with veteran actors like Youn Yuh-jung and Lee Min-ho, Kim held her own, earning praise for her poise, sensitivity, and depth of performance. She trained rigorously for her role, even learning Japanese and adapting her accent to play the part with authenticity.
Apart from Pachinko, Kim Min-ha has appeared in a variety of dramas and films, steadily building her résumé. She’s been featured in Korean series like School 2017, and films like After Spring (2018). Known for her grace and humility, Kim has a strong passion for the craft of acting and often talks about her desire to take on challenging and diverse roles.
Off-screen, she is known for her thoughtful interviews and dedication to personal growth. Kim is also gaining popularity for her fashion sense, often featured in high-end editorial shoots and attending international fashion events.
As she continues to receive offers from global productions and participates in prestigious festivals and interviews, Kim Min-ha is fast becoming a prominent figure in Korea’s cultural wave, known as Hallyu. Her future in film and television looks immensely promising.
Personal Life
| Original/Real Name | Kim Min-ha |
|---|---|
| Other/Nickname | N/A |
| Profession/Occupation | Actress |
| Birthplace | Seoul, South Korea |
| Nationality | South Korean |
| Age | 29 years (as of 2025) |
| Date of Birth | September 1, 1995 |
| Hometown | Seoul, South Korea |
| Caste/Religion | N/A (Presumed Christian or non-religious) |
| Zodiac sign/Sun sign | Virgo |
| Current career status | Active |
Physical Appearance
| Height (Centimeters) | 165 cm (5’5”) |
|---|---|
| Weight (Kilograms) | 50 kg (approx.) |
| Body Measurements | 32-24-34 (approx.) |
| Hair Color | Black |
| Eye’s Color | Dark Brown |
Family Relatives & Siblings
| Parents | Not publicly disclosed |
|---|---|
| Father’s name | Not Known |
| Mother’s name | Not Known |
| Brother’s name | Not Known |
| Sister’s name | Not Known |
Marital Status, Affairs, Boyfriends, Kids & Relationship
| Boyfriend | N/A |
|---|---|
| Dating | N/A |
| Marital Status | Unmarried |
| Spouse/Husband | N/A |
| Son | N/A |
| Daughter | N/A |
Education Qualification and Schooling/College
| School | Unknown |
|---|---|
| College/ University | Hanyang University – Department of Theater and Film |
| Educational Qualification | Degree in Acting & Theatre |
Controversies
Kim Min-ha has largely stayed out of controversies and is known for her professionalism and quiet off-screen life. She has received only positive recognition for her role in Pachinko and has avoided tabloid headlines thus far.
Favorite Things and Likes & Dislikes
| Favorite Food | Korean traditional dishes, Sushi |
|---|---|
| Favorite Movie | In the Mood for Love (by Wong Kar-wai) |
| Favorite Actor | Song Kang-ho |
| Favorite Actress | Youn Yuh-jung |
| Favorite Color | Pastel Pink |
| Favorite Designer | Chanel |
| Favorite Destination | Paris |
| Favorite Cafe | Not known |
| Favorite Daily Wear Brand | Ader Error |
| Favorite Book | Norwegian Wood by Haruki Murakami |
| Favorite Athlete | N/A |
Money/Net Worth
| Salary | Not Disclosed |
|---|---|
| Net Worth | Estimated $1–2 million USD (as of 2025) |
Contact Information
| Official Website | N/A |
|---|---|
| E-Mail Address | Not known |
| Phone Number | Not known |
| House Address | Seoul, South Korea |
Social Media
| Wikipedia | Kim Min-ha |
|---|---|
| N/A | |
| N/A | |
| @minhakim |
Personal Quote:
“To act is to live many lives in one — it’s the most human way of storytelling.”
Early Life and Career
Born on September 1, 1995, in Seoul, South Korea, Kim Min-ha grew up with a passion for storytelling and performance. From a young age, she was drawn to film and theater, which eventually led her to pursue acting at Hanyang University’s Department of Theater and Film — one of Korea’s most prestigious institutions for aspiring actors.
Her early career involved small roles in television and short films. She made appearances in School 2017 and gained experience in indie productions that built her acting foundation. She worked hard behind the scenes, training in both modern and classical acting techniques and immersing herself in character studies.
Kim’s breakout came in 2022 with the Apple TV+ series Pachinko. Based on the best-selling novel by Min Jin Lee, the show traces the life of a Korean family across generations in Korea and Japan. Kim portrayed the young Sunja with striking vulnerability and strength — a role that required her to perform in multiple languages and settings. Her work won the admiration of critics and audiences globally and established her as a serious actor with great potential.
Current Life/Events
Since Pachinko, Kim Min-ha has been courted by international projects and recognized at major award ceremonies, including the BAFTA Breakthrough initiative in 2022. In 2023 and 2024, she appeared in indie Korean dramas and continued her ascent in the film industry. She is currently in talks for both Korean and Hollywood films, as her global recognition continues to grow.
She also walks red carpets at international film festivals and fashion weeks, becoming a favorite among luxury fashion houses. Her growing influence in both the entertainment and fashion world marks her as one of the leading young figures of Hallyu’s global expansion.
Facts: Here’s some interesting lesser-known facts about Kim Min-ha
- She learned Japanese from scratch for her role in Pachinko and worked with a dialect coach to master the Busan accent.
- Kim Min-ha is also trained in ballet and modern dance.
- She was selected as a “BAFTA Breakthrough” honoree in 2022 — one of the few Korean actors to receive this distinction.
- Before acting, she once considered a career in fine arts due to her love for painting.
- She’s a vocal advocate for women’s empowerment in media and often chooses scripts that reflect strong, layered female characters.
- Despite being soft-spoken in interviews, she has a deep and resonant voice, which she uses to great effect in her performances.
- She is close friends with her Pachinko co-stars and maintains a tight-knit group of fellow actor friends from university.
- Kim loves collecting vintage cameras and often takes photos on film during her travels.
- She has expressed a desire to direct in the future, especially stories highlighting women’s experiences in Korean society.
- Kim avoids mainstream celebrity life and prefers a low-key, art-focused public image.
