Kim Tae Ri has proven how worthy she is to be one of Korea’s most notable actresses even when she was still in her rookie days. From starring as a pickpocket with sneaky hands to a spaceship captain with greasy hair, this model-actress has earned the respect of directors, co-actors, and viewers alike with her flawless performances. That said, as much as we love seeing her in character, today we're getting to know the woman behind the screen.
Here are 10 things you need to know about Kim Tae Ri:
1. She's a Taurus
Tae Ri was born in Seoul, South Korea, on April 24, 1990.
2. She graduated from Kyung Hee University’s Department of Journalism and Broadcasting
Tae Ri started with the intention of becoming a news anchor on television, so she took up a college degree in journalism and communications in Kyung Hee University. However, it was also in that same college where she joined a theatre club which ignited in her a different dream and sparked her new love for acting.
3. She worked behind the scenes before hitting the big screen
In 2011, before venturing into acting in broadcast media, Tae Ri joined the Iru Theatre Troupe and worked as a lights and sounds staff. She spent more time backstage until she began to get cast in plays such as Spoonface Steinberg and Pansy a year later.
4. She bagged multiple awards for her film debut in “The Handmaiden”
At 26 years old, Tae Ri scored her first big movie role by besting 1,500 others who auditioned for the female lead of The Handmaiden, a 2016 romantic drama directed by Park Chan Wook. By exceptionally playing the role of Nam Sook-hee, an orphaned pickpocket, Tae Ri was able to win a slew of Best Actress Awards from multiple institutions such as the 37th Blue Dragon Film Awards, 25th Buil Film Awards, and 16th Director’s Cut Awards.
5. Her first K-Drama project was in 2018
Only 2 years after her debut in The Handmaiden, Tae Ri’s acting career skyrocketed and landed her more projects with famous networks, including the role of Go Ae-shin in tvN’s historical drama Mr. Sunshine, alongside Lee Byung Hun.
In case you want to check out her impeccable acting skills, you may stream Mr. Sunshine on Netflix!
6. Her favorite drama is "Ruler of Your Own World"
It turns out even the stars of the productions we binge-watch love to do the same as well! When asked about the shows and movies she most enjoyed in an interview, Tae Ri expressed her love for Ruler of Your Own World, her favorite drama. “I’m watching it again these days, it’s so much fun. It’s a drama that I love so much!” she shared expressively. Ruler of Your Own World is a touching South Korean TV drama from 2002 starring Yang Dong Geun and Lee Na Young.
7. She's an introvert
In Tae Ri’s VLIVE streams, she's expressed that she has no intention of revealing her MBTI to the public. However, in an interview last November, the actress finally shared that she actually took the test several times and kept getting different results. “It’s not fixed, so if I said in an interview that I’m [a certain type], I would just be considered as that type of person. I think that would make me uncomfortable," she explained. Although, one thing that's never changed in her attempts is that she's always classified as introverted.
8. She's a BTS fan
That’s right, Tae Ri is a fan of the Bangtan Boys. “I like seeing myself being a fangirl,” she shared in an interview. "When I’m watching BTS clips on my smartphone, sometimes my face reflects on the black screen. I realize that without even being aware, I have a really delighted expression on my face. To be honest, it’s my first time ‘fangirling’ since I became an adult and I really like the time where I can just enjoy something.”
9. She took fencing lessons for her role in “Twenty-Five Twenty-One”
Tae Ri never fails to bring justice to the strong characters she portrays on screen. So, when the 31-year-old actress landed the role for Na Hee-do, a fencing athlete in tvN’s upcoming heartwarming drama Twenty-Five Twenty One, she made sure to undergo three months of proper fencing lessons. “It’s really, really such a fun exercise,” she said in an interview for the show. “I learned really enjoyably, to the point where if I was born again, I’d want to do fencing.”
When asked to describe her character, Tae Ri says “Hee-do first began learning fencing as a fencing prodigy, but from a certain moment on, she falls into a slump and continuously struggles. However, she’s someone who proudly moves forwards towards her dream.”
Twenty-Five, Twenty-One also stars Nam Joo Hyuk and will be streaming on Netflix starting February 12, 2022.
10. You can find her on Instagram
Tae Ri has a personal Instagram where she often shares photos featuring her casual selfies, classy photoshoots, and candid behind-the-scenes moments whenever she's filming. The actress launched this account last February 5 2021, the same release date of her first sci-fi movie, Space Sweepers, on Netflix.
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