Love Next Door is the K-drama of the season and its lead actress Jung So-min is the new Hallyu heartthob fans can’t stop gushing over. In more than 10 years of her showbiz career, she has given us an array of memorable characters to cherish for a lifetime. From Alchemy of Souls, Love Reset to Love Next Door, Min’s magnetic charm only grows with each appearance. Her phenomenal journey from a rookie to a star is definitely one for the books. If you’ve just entered the ‘Jung So-min fandom’, let’s familiarise you with some unheard facts about the actress you’ll be surprised to know.
Jung’s is a roster of incredible performances. From the awkward high schooler Oh Ha-ni in Playful Kiss romancing the popular Baek Seung-jo (Kim Hyun-joong) to Alchemy of Souls’ Mu-deok leading a saga of romance, betrayal, and magic – Jung So-min has become such an intrinsic part of South Korean dramas, and rightly so. For all K-drama fans curious to get an up close and personal account of her life, from her childhood to relationships and more, here’s your ultimate Jung So-min cheatsheet.
Lesser-known facts about K-drama actress Jung So-min
1. Her childhood dream was to become a radio DJ (and she fulfilled it)
If Jung So-min’s childhood dream were to come true, you would probably know her as a radio DJ. Unlike many others, the actress actually got to live her dream in 2018. She got to host her radio show, Jung So Min’s Young Street, broadcast by SBS Power FM. The show saw Jung So-min interacting with notable celebrities like Kim Jae Wook, DAY6, and Seventeen.
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2. She graduated from Korea National University of Arts as a dance major
After entering showbiz with Playful Kiss and Bad Guy, Jung So-min decided to shift gears and complete her studies. In 2011, she graduated from the Korea National University of Arts with top scores as a dance major. The following year, she returned to acting with the sitcom Standby.
3. Jung So-min made her movie debut alongside Kim Soo-hyun
While Jung So-min first gained attraction with the 2010 drama Bad Guy, her acting debut happened a year prior with none other than Queen of Tears‘ hottie, Kim Soo-hyun. So-min starred in a short film Worst Friends, as a part of a project under her college’s Department of Film. The film was headlined by another debutante Kim Soo-hyun, who played the lead Jun-ki.
4. She’s a gifted singer who has crooned official soundtracks of her dramas
Apart from being an incredible actress, Jung So-min has great vocals too. And if you hadn’t noticed yet, she lent her vocals to the official soundtracks of two of her shows, namely Because This Is My First Life and The Smile Has Left Your Eyes (the latter being a duet with Seo In-guk)
5. Jung So-min was in a serious relationship with actor Lee Joon
Jung So-min met Lee Joon on the sets of the 2017 drama Father Is Strange, and the duo was soon confirmed to be dating. The couple maintained their relationship through Joon’s mandatory military service, which started in October 2017, with him sparing time to meet the actress whenever he could.
Three years later, in June 2020, Dispatch (via Soompi) reported that the actors’ representatives announced their separation. A source said that they spent a long time away from each other and grew apart, however, they would continue to remain on good terms.
6. The actress shares interesting bits of her life on her YouTube channel
If you really want to know what goes behind action and cut, then head to Jung So-min’s YouTube channel. The actress has uploaded a number of engaging vlogs of her daily life around family, BTS from projects and much more.
7. Jung So-min’s father was against her decision to become an actress
Did you know Jung So-min’s parents weren’t happy with her decision to become an actress? In an appearance on SBS’s My Little Old Boy (via Soompi), the actress revealed she had an awkward relationship with her father as he opposed the idea of her becoming an actress. “Honestly, we weren’t very close originally too. My father is very taciturn. However, he’s now a father who’s loving of his daughter. I think he’s become more gentle with age,” the Love Next Door star added.
8. Jung So-min has made cameo appearances in many K-dramas
Jung So-min doesn’t need plenty of screen time to create impact. The actress has made cameo appearances in multiple K-dramas, leaving a lasting impression with her short performances. These include Miss Korea, What’s Wrong with Secretary Kim, Abyss, Be Melodramatic, and My Roommate Is a Gumiho.
Which of these facts about Jung So-min did you find most fascinating?
(Hero and feature image credit: somin_jj/ Instagram)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Jung So-min gained attention with her 2010 TV series debut with 'Bad Guy', followed by a lead role in 'Playful Kiss'.
The actress is known for her roles in 'Love Next Door', 'Playful Kiss', 'Alchemy of Souls' and 'Love Reset'.
No, Jung So-min isn't married.
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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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