Whether it’s emerging as a larger-than-life on-screen figure who stuns audiences with his heroic displays or being a real-life hero who braved a life-altering cancer diagnosis and came out stronger – Kim Woo-bin is a champion. Rising from the dark phase and returning to business in full force, the K-drama star’s journey has been truly inspiring. A lot of you might know him as Choi Young-do in The Heirs or Lee Jung-do in Officer Black Belt and other fictional avatars, but not many are aware of his incredible rise to stardom. Let’s familiarise you with some lesser-known facts about Kim Woo-bin you probably didn’t know.
“You only have six months to live,” Kim Woo-bin recalled his doctor’s tear-jerking revelation after being diagnosed with a rare cancer in 2017. Cut to 2024, he’s shining in the spotlight and gauging love from all over the globe. Always stealing the limelight with his striking performances, relationship with K-drama leading lady Shin Min-ah, philanthropic efforts and more – he keeps us hooked with every move. Here’s an up close and personal account of his life. Keep reading.
Lesser-known facts about Officer Black Belt star Kim Woo-bin
1. Runway to screen: Kim Woo-bin started his career as a model
Tall, lean and handsome, Kim Woo-bin always wanted to be a model since high school. His dream was fructified when he debuted as a runway model at the age of 20 and started appearing in prêt-à-porter and Seoul Fashion Week collections. Talking to The Chosun Ilbo about his desire for modelling, Woo-bin said, “I was always pretty tall, and my mom was very interested in fashion. This naturally led me to dream of becoming a fashion model.” Furthermore, the actor even received the New Star Award at the Asia Model Festival Awards in 2013.
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2. Kim Woo-bin’s real name is Kim Hyun-joong
Surprising, isn’t it? For those of you who don’t know, the actor’s real name is Kim Hyun-joong. He only adapted Kim Woo-bin as a stage name because he didn’t want to be confused with another star of the same name. As for the other Kim Hyun-joong, he’s another K-drama star famous as a member of the OG K-pop group, SS501 and for his roles in Boys Over Flowers and Playful Kiss.
3. He was diagnosed with nasopharyngeal cancer in 2017
Back in May 2017, Kim Woo-bin’s agency announced that the actor would be taking a hiatus following his nasopharyngeal cancer diagnosis. The Officer Black Belt star revealed some chilling details about his illness in a recent appearance on the YouTube channel Zzanbro Shin Dong Yup.
While Kim is now cancer-free, there was a time when the doctor told him he only had six months to live. He was even exempted from the mandatory military service because of his illness. In 2019, right before the pandemic halted the world at large, the actor gave out the happy news that he had made a full recovery.
Reflecting on this dark phase of his life, he mentioned, “It was like a scene from a drama when the doctor suddenly said, ‘If it’s short, you only have six months to live.’ I was shocked and scared, and I wished it were just a dream.” Despite this, he maintained a positive mindset and received the treatment intending to come back stronger. He never once thought, “What if I can’t overcome this?”.
The actor says that the wishes of his supporters and loved ones gave him strength to recover. He now wants to “pass on the prayers I received to as many people as possible.”
4. The actor’s K-drama peers love him for his thoughtful and giving nature
One of the most interesting facts about Kim Woo-bin is that he finds joy in giving and is known for his larger-than-life personality in the K-drama world. To name a few instances of his thoughtfulness, Kim Woo-bin, in the midst of his cancer treatment, sent a coffee truck to his close pal EXO’s D.O., on his film set as a testament of support.
He’s also best friends with School 2013 co-star Lee Jong-suk. The latter also shed light on their tight-knit bond and Kim Woo-bin’s nurturing nature in an interview. According to Soompi, Suk recalled a scene from their 2013 show, mentioning, “When we were shooting the reconciliation scene, it was a really cold day so it was hard to focus on my emotions. But Kim Woo Bin helped me a lot. We both cried our eyes out.”
5. He’s in a steady relationship with K-drama actress Shin Min-ah
Kim Woo-bin and Shin Min-ah are one of the K-drama power couples, going strong since 2015. The duo apparently met on a campaign for Giordano, only to develop feelings for each other. Despite being a part of an industry where everyone refrains from or is tight-lipped about their relationships, the duo made their romance public and have been supportive of each other since.
According to reports, Shin Min-ah offered unwavering support to her beau during his battle with cancer. She was even seen accompanying him to the hospital for treatment. Once Kim Woo-bin returned to showbiz in 2022, the couple even worked together in the Korean drama Our Blues. The couple hasn’t shared any wedding plans yet.
6. Kim Woo-bin is trained professionally in martial arts
The actor goes into the depths of each of his characters and morphs himself to justify his on-screen avatars. So was the case with his recent Netflix film, Officer Black Belt, where he plays the role of Lee Jeong Do, a martial arts expert with a 9th-dan ranking in Taekwondo, Kendo, and Judo.
Talking about the prep for his role during the film’s production presentation, he mentioned getting trained in “Kendo, Judo, and Taekwondo for three to four hours a day under the guidance of a martial arts director.” Not only this, he gained eight kilos for the role to establish a commanding presence, appear strong and enact someone who can overpower others.
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7. He’s a top pick for luxury ambassadorship roles
South Korean stars are surely ruling the luxury fashion space. And, one of the A-listers who seems to be a top pick for brands is Kim Woo-bin. In 2021, The Heirs star scored the role of Swiss luxury watch brand Jaeger-LeCoultre’s ambassador. Apart from this, he has actively represented Ralph Lauren as well as Jo Malone and other brands for campaigns and events.
Kim Woo-bin was also the first East Asian model for Calvin Klein. He became the face of the fashion house’s newest watches in 2015, thus achieving the feat.
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8. Kim Woo-bin is big on philanthropy and charitable causes
Lastly, Kim Woo-bin is all about embracing the spirit of giving back to society. At the beginning of 2024, he reportedly made a massive donation of ₩100 million KRW (approximately HKD 5,94,067 ) to the Asan Medical Center. The donation aims to aid underprivileged families in need of healthcare needs. Not only this, he personally delivered gifts to 200 children battling cancer on Christmas Eve.
Back in 2022, he even extended financial aid to the Hope Bridge Disaster Relief Association to help the victims of the massive wildfires that started in Uljin, Gyeongbuk and also spread to Samcheok, Gangwon.
So, which of these facts about Kim Woo-bin intrigued you the most?
(Hero and feature image credit: ____kimwoobin/ Instagram)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Kim Woo-bin, who took a hiatus from acting around 2017 following his cancer diagnosis, has recovered and made a comeback. He was recently seen in the Netflix film 'Officer Black Belt'.
In 2017, Kim Woo-bin was diagnosed with nasopharyngeal cancer.
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Written by
Kriti Nayyar
Senior Digital Writer, Wellness, Culture, Astrology, Tech
Kriti is a stay-at-home dog mama, whose knack for telling interesting stories keeps her erstwhile monotonous life sane. A literature & journalism degree holder, you'll find her binging on Agatha Christie novels while critiquing the everyday state of affairs. On Kriti's seldom social outings, she's seen devouring coffee sangria with appetizing bread on the side.
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