If 2026 has had a breakout K-drama star, it’s Kim Jae Won. 6While many viewers first discovered him through the Netflix teen drama Hierarchy or the hit rom-com King the Land, 2026 has firmly established him as one of Hallyu’s breakout young actors thanks to his standout performances in Yumi’s Cells 3 and The Art of Sarah.
Whether you fell for him as Shin Soon Rok or spotted him hosting Music Bank, here are 8 essential facts every new fan should know about K-drama’s hottest rising star.
Kim Jae Won — Profile Overview
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Birth Name | Kim Jae Won (김재원) |
| Birthday | February 9, 2001 |
| Age | 25 |
| Height | 187.8 cm (6’2″) |
| MBTI | ENTJ |
| Agency | Mystic Story |
| Education | Chung-Ang University (Performing Arts) |
| Debut | 2018 (model) / 2021 (actor) |
8 Must-Know Facts About Kim Jae Won
1. 🏊 He Was a Competitive Swimmer for 8 Years
Before the cameras, there were swimming lanes. 4In elementary school, Jaewon was a swimmer in the swim club for roughly 8 years. That athletic discipline clearly carried over to his career — the man’s work ethic is unmatched.
2. 👔 He Debuted as a Fashion Model First
11 Kim Jae-won made his debut as a fashion model in 2018, and subsequently commencing his acting journey in 2021 with the Filipino-Korean web series Love From Home directed by Kristel Fulgar. 3 He made his debut as a model in late 2018 when he appeared as part of the brand Solid Homme’s Spring/Summer (S/S) collection.
3. 🌊 His Breakout Moment Was in “Our Blues”
11 In 2022, Kim made his notable appearance in the television drama Our Blues on tvN, portraying the character of a young Cha Seung-won. After playing the role he received immense adoration from the viewers and left a lasting impression. A single role — and he was on everyone’s radar.
4. 🎤 He’s a Music Bank MC
19 On February 6, Music Bank announced that actor Kim Jae Won and izna’s Bang Jeemin will be the 40th MC duo for the program, following the previous MCs Moon Sang Min and ILLIT’s Minju. 22 Kim Jae Won and Bang Jeemin’s versatility in leading the K-Pop music show has earned praise from fans of both K-pop and K-drama genres.
5. 💕 He’s Yumi’s Final Love Interest
9 In Season 3, Kim Jae Won plays Yumi’s new love interest Soon Rok, an editorial PD at Julie Publishing. The role made him a household name — and the noona romance with Kim Go Eun became one of the most talked-about pairings of 2026.
6. 🎬 He Has an Impressive & Diverse Filmography
6 Whether he is playing devoted younger love interests in noona romances, troubled chaebol heirs or quietly dependable doctors, Kim Jae-won continues to prove his versatility, onscreen charisma and leading-man presence.
His major dramas include:
| Drama | Year | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Our Blues | 2022 | Young Choi Han Soo |
| King the Land | 2023 | Lee Ro Woon |
| Hierarchy | 2024 | Kim Ri An (Lead) |
| The Tale of Lady Ok | 2024 | Seong Do Gyeom |
| The Trauma Code | 2025 | Seo Dong Ju |
| You and Everything Else | 2025 | Lead |
| The Art of Sarah | 2026 | Kang Ji Hwan |
| Yumi’s Cells 3 | 2026 | Shin Soon Rok (Lead) |
7. 🐕 He’s a Total Dog Person
4 He is a dog person. He stops when he comes across a dog and pets them if the owner lets him. His adorable nicknames include “Baby puppy,” “Baby tiger,” “Beast tiger,” and “Chocoheim.” 4 He prefers the sea over the mountains. 4 His favorite season is winter.
8. 🎥 His Next Project Is a Bold Romance Film
2 On April 8, ACEMAKER confirmed Kim Jae Won and Chung Su Bin as the cast for the new film My First Graduation (literal title) and shared that filming has begun. The film marks a dramatic shift in tone — it’s a dark youth romance about a high school student and a mysterious transfer student.
Why Kim Jae Won Is 2026’s Biggest Rising Star?
The numbers speak for themselves. 373,319 Fans on MyDramaList, 22like many rising Korean actors, Kim Jae Won has gained a growing international following through streaming platforms and social media. Global audiences can easily discover his dramas, interviews, and behind-the-scenes content online. This worldwide accessibility has helped Kim Jae Won build a loyal fanbase beyond South Korea.
His co-star Kim Go Eun also praised his attitude on set: 9“From our first meeting, Kim Go Eun told me it was okay to speak comfortably to her, so once I started using informal speech, we were able to become close quickly.”
For a complete overview of Kim Jae Won’s career, awards, and filmography, visit his Wikipedia page.
What’s Next for Kim Jae Won?
With Yumi’s Cells 3 wrapping up, The Art of Sarah streaming on Netflix, a new film in production, and Music Bank hosting duties — Kim Jae Won is everywhere in 2026. 22With his talent, charm, and increasing popularity, Kim Jae Won is quickly becoming one of the most promising faces in the K-drama world.
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