Kim Ju-yeon

Kim Ju-yeon (born May 11, 1993) is a South Korean musical, stage and television actress. She is best known for her role in Netflix Original Series Move to Heaven (2021) and Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha (2021).

Early years
Kim Ju-yeon was born on May 11, 1993, in Jeju, South Korea as the youngest of three daughters. Growing up in Jeju, she had limited exposure to theater or musical performances. However, her life took a different path when she met art teacher Ko Seong-woo during her third-grade year of elementary school. In her school's team for the national folk song competition, Kim played a male role, and their performance won the grand prize. This experience played a significant role in gradually transforming her shy personality.

Kim developed a keen interest in music after becoming a fan of the indie band Jaurim. She started taking singing lessons from a former professor at Seoul Institute of The Arts. Based on the professor's recommendation, she enrolled at Anyang Arts High School, where she became a member of the school's musical club. Her first taste of acting came when she participated in the school's production of the musical Beauty and The Beast. After completing high school, Kim relocated to Seoul and pursued a degree in the Department of Theater and Film at Dongguk University.

Debut and early careers
Kim's career beginnings can be attributed to her student-mentor relationship with producer Kim Soo-ro, who was her acting professor at Dongguk University. In the autumn of 2015, Kim made her debut as a theater actress, assuming the role of Yoo Hwa-yi, the female lead in Jang Jin's play Taxi Driver. The 12th production of 'Taxi Driver' in 2015 was a collaborative effort between Jang Jin and producer Kim Soo-ro as part of Kim Soo-ro’s Project. Following that, Kim became a member of Double K Film and Theater agency, which was established by Kim Soo-ro and Kim Min-jong.

In 2016, Kim made her debut as a musical actress in the production of the musical "Interview." She was double-cast as Joan, an 18-year-old girl who had suffered a mysterious accident, alongside the more senior actress Moon Jin-ah. The musical was produced by Kim Soo-ro, who served as the curator of Hyundai Card Understage. It was a musical production that unraveled a murder case from a decade ago, with the story seamlessly shifting between the past and the present through interviews.

Also in 2016, Kim expanded her acting repertoire by joining the cast of the Korean creative musical "Peste," which was based on Albert Camus' novel The Plague (La Peste). The musical ran from August to October at the LG Arts Center, and Kim took on the challenging role of Jan on her own. "Peste" generated high anticipation as it was composed by Seo Taiji and arrangement by Kim Seong-su, which added to its appeal and popularity among audiences.

Throughout 2017, Kim remained busy with her acting career. Her talent as an actress shone brightly when she reprised her role as Joan for a special performance of the musical "Interview" in Tokyo, Japan. Additionally, she captivated theater audiences with her impressive portrayal of Natasha in the Korean adaptation of Maxim Gorky's classic play The Lower Depths. Her unique interpretation of the role added tension and a fresh twist to the character, earning her the nickname 'Daehak-ro Kim Tae-hee' due to her beauty and skill on stage.

Later that year, from June to October, Kim took on the supporting role of Seon in an encore performance of the musical "The Great Catsby," which was adapted from a popular webtoon by Kang Do-ha. The musical's talented creative team, including dramaturge Oh Se-hyuk, director Byun Jeong-ju, music director Huh Su-hyun, and choreographer Kwon Young-im, played instrumental roles in the success of the production.

Kim's big break came in 2018 when she starred in the 20th production of the musical "Laundry," portraying the role of Son Na-young. Premiered in 2005, the musical depicts the hardships faced by ordinary people through the story of Son Na-young, a bookstore clerk, and Solongo, a Mongolian migrant worker.

Later that year, Kim joined the principal cast of the musical Maybe Happy Ending as the helperbot Claire for an encore performance in Japan. She was double-cast alongside actress Song Sang-eun, who had previously performed in the Japanese premiere. Kim also shared the stage with Yesung, Seven, and Seong-je, who were triple-cast as helperbot Oliver. Additionally, Kim Nam-ho and Ra-jun were double-cast as Oliver's former owner, James. The production took place in Yokohama and Osaka in May.

Kim's final project for the year was her portrayal of Emily in "Disappear Into Thin Air" (2018), the Korean adaptation of "Disappearance," a play by Japanese playwright and director Keralino Sandorovich. The production was produced by Yeonwoo Stage.

Temple and other theater projects
In early 2019, Kim showcased her acting skills by portraying Mary Warren in the Korean adaptation of Arthur Miller's play The Crucible (1953) at the Lee Haerang Theatre of Art Seoul. The production was produced by her agency, Double K Film and Theater. Kim also took on the role of Chae Kyung in "Hot Summer" (2019), a production by Theater Ganda, where she was double-cast with Hong Ji-hee. The musical ran at the Yes24 Stage 3 Hall from May 17 to June 30, 2019.

Later that year, Kim landed the lead role in the period musical "Create-ing 2nd Work: Nangrang Kisaeng," produced by Jeongdong Theater. The musical was inspired by the true story of Kang Hyang-ran (姜香蘭), the first short-haired kisaeng in Joseon. Kang enrolled at Hannam Kwonbeon at the age of 14, and due to her exceptional skills, she became one of the most popular kisaengs of her time. In her quest to attend school, Kang cut her hair short and disguised herself as a man in a suit, but her secret was eventually revealed, resulting in a scandal that made headlines on the third page of the Dong-A Ilbo on June 22, 1922. Directed by Kang Yu-mi, the musical ran at Jeongdong Theater from July 26 to August 18, 2019.

Kim's standout performance of the year was in the physical play "Temple" by Theater Ganda, where she portrayed the character of Temple Grandin. The play's plot was based on the true story of Temple Grandin, a professor at Colorado State University who achieved great success as a zoologist despite being autistic. Kim shared the role of Temple with actress Park Hee-jung, and she was recommended for the role by assistant director Shim Sae-in, whom she had previously worked with on the play "Hot Summer". To prepare for the role, Kim conducted extensive research, thoroughly reading Temple Grandin's book "The Story of a Certain Autistic Man". She also drew inspiration from the performances of Cho Seung-woo in the film Marathon and Kim Hyang-gi in the film Innocent Witness. The play premiered at the Goyang Cultural Foundation in 2019.

Kim later returned to Theater Ganda productions, taking on the role of Ann in the Korean premiere of the musical Murderer (2019). This work was based on Georg Kaiser's play The Raft of Medusa and was performed from September 20 to November 17 at Daehangno TOM 2.

The year 2020 proved to be a busy one for Kim as she took on various acting projects. From January to March, Kim, alongside Lee Ji-soo, portrayed Julie, the eccentric and wacky weaver who swallowed a magnet, in composer Kim Dae-ri's notable musical "Julie & Paul" (2020). The musical was produced by Yeonwoo Stage.

Following that, from March to April, Kim played the dual roles of Demian and Sinclair in the musical "Demian" (2020), which was based on the novel by Hermann Hesse. This unique two-hander musical play employed a gender-blind casting concept, where one male and one female actor alternated playing Sinclair or Demian. The actors also portrayed other characters from the novel, including Cromer, Sinclair's father, Pistorius, and Mrs. Eva.

From June to September, Kim and Lee Ah-jin took turns playing the supporting role of Layla, a bold and clever character, in the play Dear Elena (2020). Written in 1980 by Ljudmila Razumovskaya, the play poignantly explores the inner conflicts of humanity.

In October and November, Kim reprised her role as Temple Grandin in the movement play "Temple" for Welcome Daehakro-Welcome Theater 2020. Her outstanding acting skills earned her praise, with some even referring to her as "Temple herself." Critics noted her significant growth as an actor, showcasing a dramatic change in her acting style compared to her previous works such as the musicals "Julie and Paul" and "Demian." 

In December, Kim joined Dream Theater Company's renowned play "Touch Your Love," written and directed by Jung Hyung-seok. The play, which premiered in Daehak-ro in the fall of 2013, tells the story of three characters - Dong-wook, Eun-ju, and Yoon-hee - who carry emotional wounds caused by love and people. In the 6th encore performance of the play, Kim and Lee Seo-kyung were double-cast as the female lead, Eun-ju, a character known for her clear subjectivity and free-spirited personality.

2021 to present: screen roles and recent stage works
From December 2020 to February 2021, Kim had the opportunity to fully portray the character of Jin Se-hee in the play "What's Your Macbeef?" written by Shin So-won. The play was based on "Richard McBeef" by Seung-Hui Cho, and Kim had previously participated in a full-length reading performance of the play on June 21, 2019, when it was selected for the 2019 Juda Creative Contest. "What's Your Macbeef?" is set in the theater class of an international high school on the outskirts of the city, where theater teacher Jeong Dong-woo and his three students - Jin Yoo, Lee Ji-soo, and Jin Se-hee - prepare for a performance with the recommendation of their homeroom teacher, Yoon Young-jun. Alongside Kim, Seo Hye-won and Yoo Yu-jin were also triple-cast as Jin Se-hee. Directed by Kim Ji-ho, "What's Your Macbeef?" premiered at the Dream Art Center Hall 3 in Seoul and the official premiere received critical acclaim.

In January 2021, it was announced that Kim had been cast as Yun Shim-deok, the first soprano in Joseon, in the play "Government Ferry" directed by Lee Ki-bum for the theater company Player Sang Sang, Steps. The play is set on the Tokujumaru government ferry from Japan to Busan and begins with the premise that Yun Shim-deok is still alive. Hong Seok-ju, who is hiding in a boat, saves Yun Shim-deok when she jumps into the sea while everyone is asleep, and they form a relationship. The play portrays their conflicts in living different lives but also highlights their understanding, shared friendships, and shared hopes. "Government Ferry" was performed at the Jayu Theater in Daehangno, Seoul.

Kim made her first television appearance in a minor role in the OCN drama series Watcher in 2019. In 2021, she had three credited television appearances, all in supporting roles. She played Jin Ha-young in miniseries Do Do Sol Sol La La Sol and a nurse in Youth of May, both aired on network KBS2. Kim also made a cameo appearance as Han Geu-ra's mom in the Netflix Original Series Move to Heaven. Her first major television role in a supporting cast was in the healing drama Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha (2021), where she portrayed Ham Yung-kyung, a pregnant young mother who runs a mini-mart named after her daughter Bora. Kim acted alongside her "Temple" co-star Yoon Seok-hyun, who played her husband, Choi Geum-chul.

In the same year, Kim confirmed her appearance in her debut film "Jochiwon Commentary" produced by Blue Cucumber and directed by Choi Yang-hyun. The film is inspired by the story of Hamlet, one of Shakespeare's four great tragedies, and incorporates Korean sentiment. The local dialect of Chungcheong Province is also added to maximize the tragedy.

Kim made a theater comeback as Emma in the musical "Vampire Arthur" (2021-2022) at the Black Theater, Chungmu Art Center in Seoul. The musical is set in 1930s London and tells the story of the growth and love between a vampire named Arthur and Emma, an illiterate girl from a poor background. The show was directed by Kim Dong-yeon and ran from November 9, 2021, to February 6, 2022. In the recent replay of "Vampire Arthur", a new creative team consisting of writer Park Hae-rim and music director Choi Hee-young joined as the screenwriter and music director, respectively.

"Vampire Arthur" was originally created by writer Seo Hwi-won and composer Kim De-ri. It premiered in 2017 through the story writer's debut program 'Black and Blue Season 4'. The showcase took place on March 23–24, 2018, and the premiere was staged at the Black Theater, Chungmu Art Center in Seoul from November 30, 2018, to February 2, 2019, also under the direction of Kim Dong-yeon.

In March 2022, it was announced that Kim would be cast in the first work of The 9th Best Plays Festival in April 2022. The play is "The Nature of Forgetting" from the British production Theater Re, which received praise for its movement full of the blessings of life when it premiered in London in 2017 under the direction of Guillaume Pigé and composer Alex Judd. "The Nature of Forgetting" was premiered in Korea in 2019 by the Wooran Foundation for the Performing Arts and The Best Play, and its success led to all seats being sold out. In the recent 2022 replay, Kim portrayed dual roles as the wife and daughter of the character played by actor Kim Ji-cheol, who portrayed a man suffering from early dementia and memory loss.

Kim's next projects included two overlapping works: the play "Helmet" and the creative musical "Sylvia Lives." In the fourth performance of "Helmet," Kim had a dual role as Helmet B, alongside Jeong In-jeong, in a gender-blind casting. The play, written by Ji Yi-sun, known for her works "Capone Trilogy" and "Bunker Trilogy," was skillfully directed by Kim Tae-hyung. It took place at the Small Theater of Hongik University Daehak-ro Art Center from May 17 to August 11, 2022.

In "Sylvia Lives," Kim skillfully portrayed the Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Sylvia Plath (1932-1963), sharing the role with Ju Da-on and Choi Tae-yi, who had also played the character prior to the 2022 production. To prepare for the role, Kim immersed herself in Sylvia's persona by delving into "The Diary of Sylvia Plath" and her poetry. The musical was showcased at Daehak-ro TOM 2 Building from July 12 to August 28, 2022. It was a highly acclaimed production by Performance Studio Production, overseen by writer and director Jo Yoon-ji, composer Kim Seung-min, music director Lee Han-mil, and choreographer Choi Seong-dae. The Seoul Foundation for Arts and Culture selected "Sylvia Lives" following its successful runs at the Arko-Han Ye-jong Musical Academy in 2020 and the Yes24 Stage Showcase in 2021.

Kim's next musical, set to premiere in September 2022 at Dream Art Center 2 in Daehak-ro, is titled "L'art reste." This production tells the captivating story of Kim Hyang-an (1916-2004), a prominent Korean-Asian modern and contemporary artist, and her love life. Kim takes on the role of Byeon Dong-rim, a younger version of Kim Hyang-an, who engages in a passionate affair with the poet Lee Sang. The musical interweaves narratives between Kim Hyang-an and her husband Kim Whan-ki, as well as flashbacks to her youthful self as Byeon Dong-rim.

In November 2022, Kim Joo-yeon made a return to the stage with two plays: Clumsy People and Orphans. Clumsy People, originally premiered at the Seoul Theater Festival in 1995, is a noteworthy work by Jang Jin, that marks the reunion of Kim Joo-yeon and Jang Jin following their collaboration on Kim's debut play, Taxi Driver. Kim Joo-yeon, Choi Ha-yoon, and Park Ji-ye share the role of Yoo Hwa-yi, a character who possesses a lively and cheerful charm, despite being both talkative and reserved.

In the play Orphans, Kim takes on the role of Philip, alongside Choi Soo-jin, Hyun Seok-jun, and Shin Joo-hyeop. Written by Lyle Kessler and originally premiered in Los Angeles in 1983, this play garnered immense acclaim. Following its successful Korean premiere in 2017 and encore in 2019, Orphans received rave reviews and sold-out shows. It also won the Stagetalk Audience Choice Awards (SACA) in 2017 and 2019.

In March 2023, upon concluding the aforementioned two plays, Kim was cast as Actress D in the third iteration of the Korean adaptation of the esteemed Japanese modern play, The Dressing Room (Gakuya). Written by Kunio Shimizu, the play centers around four actresses as they prepare for a staging of Anton Chekhov's The Seagull. However, as the narrative unfolds, it becomes apparent that things are far from straightforward. "The Dressing Room" delves into the themes of flawed memory and the enduring presence of memory even after death.

In April 2023, it was announced by Hong Company that Kim Joo-yeon had reprised her role as Byeon Dong-rim in the revival of the musical "L'art reste." The premiere of the revival was scheduled for June 2023.