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Gong Min-jeung

South Korean actress (born 1986) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Kim Min-jung (Korean: 김민정; born 30 September 1986), known professionally as Gong Min-jeung (공민정), is a South Korean actress recognized for her work in theater, television dramas and independent cinema.[2][3] She is best known for her roles in drama series Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha (2021) and Marry My Husband (2024).[4] For her performance as prosecutor Na Ye-jin in the 2022 SBS drama One Dollar Lawyer, she received the Best Supporting Actress Award at the 2022 SBS Drama Awards.[5] Her television career also includes notable supporting roles in Temperature of Love (2017), Familiar Wife (2018), and Sweet Munchies (2020).[6]

Born
Kim Min-jung

(1986-09-30) 30 September 1986 (age 39)
Seoul, South Korea
OthernameKim E-jung
EducationKonkuk University (BFA in Film Studies)
OccupationActress
Quick facts Born, Other name ...
Gong Min-jeung
Gong in 2020
Born
Kim Min-jung

(1986-09-30) 30 September 1986 (age 39)
Seoul, South Korea
Other nameKim E-jung
EducationKonkuk University (BFA in Film Studies)
OccupationActress
Years active2011–present
AgentFantagio
Height169 cm (5 ft 7 in)[1]
Spouse
Jang Jae-ho
​
(m. 2024)​
Children1
Korean name
Hangul
김민정
RRGim Minjeong
MRKim Minjŏng
Stage name
Hangul
공민정
RRGong Minjeong
MRKong Minjŏng
WebsiteAgency Official Website
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In addition to her television work, Kim is a prolific figure in independent film. She is a frequent collaborator of director Hong Sang-soo, appearing in his films Yourself and Yours, On the Beach at Night Alone, and Grass. In 2020, she won the Fantastic Best Actor Special Mention Award in the 24th Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival for Zombie Crush: Heyri.[7][8]

Early life and education

Born on 30 September 1986 in Jongno District, Seoul, Kim Min-jung was a shy child whose personality reportedly became more outgoing following the birth of her younger brother. Her interest in comedy and acting developed during her school years, catalyzed by a favorable response to a class president election speech and her attendance at a performance of the musical Subway Line 1.[9]

Although initially hesitant to pursue a career in the performing arts, Kim later enrolled in the Konkuk University. She subsequently graduated with a bachelor's degree from the university's Film Art Department.[10]

Career

2009 to 2014: Early career

In 2009, Kim made her acting debut in A Perfect Sight, which won Best Short Film at the 30th Blue Dragon Film Awards. After graduating, she appeared in various independent and low-budget films. In 2011, she ventured into theater, debuting in the open-run play Rooftop Cat as a multi-girl.[9][11][12]

Under her stage name Kim E-jeong, she made her feature film debut in Kim Seung-hyun's independent film Your Time is Up [ko], where she portrayed Hee-young, a femme fatale and bar hostess.[13][14] After appearing on invitation at the New Currents section of the Busan International Film Festival to positive reviews, Kim described herself as motivated to further her career.[15][16]

In 2014, Kim starred as the female lead in the short film A Familiar Taste, directed by Kim In-sun. She played Kyung-eon, an elementary school teacher facing her father's absence following her mother's remarriage.[17] The film, which explored themes of distance and reconnection, appeared at several film festivals, winning some awards.[18]

In the following year Kim acted in short films Sunshine.[11][19] Also in 2015, she starred in the film Byeong-gu (Allergy), opposite actor Seo Hyun-woo, which won the Grand Prize at the 2016 Fukuoka Independent Film Festival.[20][21]

2016 to 2017: Rising career in independent film industry

In 2016 Kim reunited with Seo Hyun-woo in Choi Ki-yoon's independent film A Man in the Basement, in the supporting role.[22][23]

The short film Love Triangle, directed and written by Hyung Seul-woo and produced by Cho Hyun-yeol, premiered in 2016 at the 42nd Seoul Independent Film Festival in the Special Invitation Category. The story follows close friends Min-ji (Kim Min-jung) and Han-na (Kim Han-na), both in love with Jun-ho (Jo Hyeong-rae), as they experience an awkward moment while driving to the beach.[24] In 2017, the film was also featured at several festivals: the 27th Yubari International Fantastic Film Festival in Japan, the 16th Mise-en-scène Short Film Festival the 11th Guam International Film Festival, where Kim Han-na won the Acting Award, and the 3rd Gosichon Short Film Festival, where it received the Silver Award. In 2018, it was invited to the 1st Hongseong International Short Film Festival in the Domestic Competition.[25]

Kim also acted in Kwon Hang's short film Terrific Weather. It was screened at the 19th Korea National University of Arts' Film Department Graduation Film Festival in February 2017. The movie begins with weather forecaster Yeon-joo (played by Kim Min-jung) predicting the weather. The story revolves around people who perceive weathercasters as mere eye candy for broadcasting rather than professionals are discussing different aspects.[26]

In the same year, Kim achieved a career milestone through her supporting roles in two feature films by Hong Sang-soo, namelyYourself and Yours, followed by On the Beach at Night Alone. Also in 2017, she made her television debut in the SBS drama series Temperature of Love.[27]

2017 to 2019: Rebrand with new the stage name and further acclaim in independent film industry

In 2018, she received acclaim for her performances in the drama Familiar Wife, where she played a supporting role.[27] She was also cast as the lead in Hong Sang-soo's film Grass (2018), credited as Gong Min-jeung, her new stage name. She portrayed Mi-na, who meets Hong-soo (Ahn Jae-hong) at a coffeehouse. She initially mentions a planned trip to Europe, later revealed as a lie. Their conversation turns sour when they discuss a deceased mutual friend, with Mi-na insisting they both share some responsibility.[28] Notably, Grass also featured actors including Kim Min-hee, Jeong Jin-young, Ki Joo-bong, Seo Yeong-hwa, and Kim Sae-byeok.[29] Grass had its premiere at the 68th Berlin International Film Festival on 16 February 2018,[30][31] and it was also screened in the "Korean Cinema Today – Panorama" program at the 23rd Busan International Film Festival.[11] In the same year, Gong also starred in commercial feature films The Vanished.[32]

Gong in short film Coming of Age (2018)

In that same year, Gong also did several independent film projects. In Oh Jeong-min's short film Coming of Age, Gong acted opposite Kim Mi-kyung as Baek-seol, a 29-year-old college student in Seoul facing a crossroads after failing to secure a full-time job. The film was invited to several festivals in 2018, including the 16th Asiana International Short Film Festival, the 19th Jeonju International Film Festival, the 17th Mise-en-scène Short Film Festival, the 19th Daegu Short Film Festival, the 23rd Indie Forum New Film Exhibition and the 20th Jeongdongjin Independent Film Festival. In the following year, it was also invited to the 17th Florence Korean Film Festival.[18][33]

In Lee Ga-hong's short film I Should Have Killed That Bastard, Gong acted alongside Lim Seong-mi, Kim Ye-eun, and Jeong Soo-ji. The story revolves around the crisis faced by the drama "Descendants of Unicorn" due to the departure of male actors. Officials, unable to halt the airing, convene an emergency response meeting.[34] It was screened at the 2018 20th Jeongdongjin Independent Film Festival and the 17th Mise-en-scène Short Film Festival.[35] In Park Je-beom's independent film I Am Home, Gong portrayed Gyeong-ran, the best friend of Lee Yoo-young's character Eun-seo. The film was premiered in the 'Today - Panorama' section of the Korean Film Festival at the 24th Busan International Film Festival in October.[36][37]

"I was satisfied with every scene. When filming the scene where the three siblings are riding in the car together, the three actors seemed like real siblings. I liked the scene with the three of them in one room, I liked the scene where they chatted with their aunt, and although it's a shame it was edited out in the end, I really liked the scene where Eun-young comforts Ji-young by hugging her and telling her not to get sick. I thought every scene shined. Even though the screenplay was much shorter than planned, I felt that the audience liked the scenes in which Eunyoung appeared. The character of Eun-young has such energy, and she believes that this was possible because she is Min-jeong. She is a character I love."

— Director Kim Do-young talks about Gong Min-jeung, Cine21 Interview

Also in 2019, she reached a career milestone by taking on the role of Kim Eun-young, the eldest of three siblings, in Kim Do-young's feminist-themed film Kim Ji-young: Born 1982.[38] Gong expressed a strong desire to portray Eun-young during auditions, stating her preference despite being offered other roles. Director Kim Do-young, moved by Gong's audition, wiped away her tears and remarked that her performance was exceptional, saying she couldn't envision anyone else in the role.[39] Released in October 2019, the film, based on the novel of the same name,[40] received numerous accolades and achieved commercial success, with 3.7 million admissions and grossing $27.16 million.[41][39]

In the omnibus film Midday Picnic, Gong appeared in the third segment titled "Call Me If You Need Me," directed by Lim Oh-jeong. The film premiered at the 44th Seoul Independent Film Festival in November 2019. The storyline follows Choi Young-shin (portrayed by Gong), who leaves home after a disagreement with her husband and unexpectedly visits Woo-hee (Lee Woo-jeong), a freelance designer in her 30s living alone. The film explores themes of emotional coldness and the longing for warmth, highlighting Young-shin's unawareness of her own loneliness and her realization of being stuck in a stagnant phase of life.[11]

Gong's performances in Hong Sang-soo's films, along with her role in Midday Picnic, garnered significant attention from industry professionals, who praised her as a talented actress. As her reputation grew, Gong continued to receive opportunities to participate in various projects.[11] In November 2019, Gong was featured in the 4th Oh Theater Audience Programmer Film Festival held at Oh Theater, an independent film venue. The festival took place from 18 to 24 November. As part of the event, three of Gong's short films were showcased on 19 November: The Taste of Dad (Kim In-seon, 2014), Coming of Age Ceremony (Oh Jeong-min, 2018), and Two Waters and a Lighter (Cho Hee-young, 2019).[42] In December 2019, Gong made a supporting appearance in the second feature-length film by director Lee Sang-deok, Film Adventure.[43]

In March 2020, Gong signed an exclusive contract with Star Village Entertainment.[44] She played Ji-won in Cho Hee-young's short film Two Waters and a Lighter alongside Moon Hye-in.[45] Gong also portrayed Geum-hee, the third daughter, in Jeong Seung-oh's debut feature film Move the Grave,[11] which expands on his short story When the Birds Come Back. The film combines dark humor and horror, depicting the story of five siblings and their elders in a dispute over relocating their father's grave.[46][15][47][unreliable source?] Move the Grave received widespread recognition, winning the CGV Arthouse Award at the Jeonju International Film Festival, the Grand Prize in the New Director Competition,[39] the main prize in the 1-2 Competition, and the NETPAC Jury Award at the Warsaw International Film Festival. Gong's vibrant and captivating performances have established her as an acclaimed actress known for her talent and powerful on-screen presence.[27]

That same year, Gong took on the role of Gong Jin-seon in Jang Hyun-sang's comical action-adventure film Zombie Crush: Heyri. Produced by GATE6, the story centers on the struggles of three musketeers—Jin-seon (Gong), Hyuna (Lee Min-ji), and Ga-yeon (Park So-jin) —as they attempt to save a village infected by a zombie virus.[48] Gong received the Fantastic Best Actor Special Mention Award at the 24th Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival for her performance.[7][8]

Her next project, the drama Sweet Munchies is a romantic comedy written by Park Seung-hye and produced by Song Ji-won, where Gong played Yoo Sung-eun, a freelance broadcasting scriptwriter.[46] She also appeared in the TV series Please Don't Date Him, both of which aired in November 2020.[4]

On 17 November 2020, Indie Plus at the Seoul Cinema Center announced plans to host the "Rising Star - Actor Gong Min-jung Exhibition" from 19 to 23 November. The exhibition showcased a total of 14 works, including five feature films and seven short films divided into two sections, along with two personal recommendations from Gong. Featured films included Everyone Wants to Die by My Name (2012), Yourself and Yours (2016), Grass (2017), Kim Ji-young: Born 1982 (2019), Move the Grave (2019), Call Me If You Need Me (2018), Allergy (2015), Two Waters and a Lighter (2020), A Familiar Taste (2014), The Distance Between Us (2016), Coming-of-age (2018), and I Should Have Killed the Bastard (2018). Gong's recommendations included Blue Valentine (2010) and American Honey (2016).[49]

2021 to present: Mainstream popularity and accolades

In 2021, Gong portrayed Hee-soo in Jeong Gam-won's independent film The Train Passed By. Hee-soo embodies a woman who exists and does not exist simultaneously. As the protagonist, she embarks on a tranquil, solitary journey between the Daegu Dyeing Industrial Complex and a fishing village in Gangwon-do. Along the way, she briefly encounters various individuals, including her former lover, a grandmother with a broken radio, a middle-aged woman at a guesthouse, and a male student on a bicycle.[50][51]

In May, Gong began filming the drama series Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha, remake of the 2004 film Mr. Handy, Mr. Hong, in Pohang. Gong achieved some success with the role of Pyo Mi-seon, a dental hygienist and the best friend of Shin Min-a's character, Yoon Hye-jin. Gong mentioned that she made an effort to fully immerse herself in the role. The atmosphere on set was so delightful that she would occasionally forget she was acting. When she was in Seoul, fans would recognize her on the streets and warmly greet her as "Unnie Mi-seon." Moreover, her parents requested her autograph for their acquaintances for the first time. Gong regards Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha as an endearing and fulfilling project.[52][53][54][55]

In November, Gong made a return to independent film with the movie Sprinter. The film was screened at the 47th Seoul Independent Film Festival, which took place at CGV Art House Apgujeong and CGV Apgujeong from 25 November to 3 December. Prior to the screening, Gong participated in a press conference held at Art Nine in Sadang-dong on December 3rd alongside her co-actors from the film, Lim Ji-ho, Jeon Hwan-hwan, Song Deok-ho, Choi Jun-hyuk, and Choi Seung-yeon.[56] On 29 November 2021, the Korea Independent Film Association announced a special exhibition titled "Isn't It Our Sphere?" at the Naver Indie Theater, scheduled to run from 29 November to 28 December 2021. The exhibition showcased five films featuring Gong, including Family Portrait and I Should Have Killed That Bastard, both directed by Kim Hye-jun.[57] In that same month, her film Nothing Serious was released. For her role as Seon-bin, best friend of Jeon Jong-seo's character Ja-young,[58] She was nominated in best supporting actress in 58th Grand Bell Awards.[59]

In April 2022, Gong signed an exclusive contract with HB Entertainment.[60][61] That year, she reunited with director Cho Hee-young for two consecutive projects: the short film The Owners, which screened at the Jeonju International Film Festival,[62] and the feature-length indie film The Continuing Land. The latter received an invitation to the Seoul Independent Film Festival following its screening at the 28th Busan International Film Festival. It centers on Ho-rim, an international student in London who encounters various people after finding a camcorder on the street.[62] In June 2022, Gong played Yook Min-jeong in the Just for Laugh! short omnibus project, specifically in the third sequence, Family Portrait directed by Kim Hyeon.[63][unreliable source?]

In 2022, Gong played a supporting role as Jang Ma-ri, a reporter at YBC news agency, in the tvN drama series Little Woman.[64][65] This was followed by her performance as Na Ye-jin, a prosecutor with a high-end lifestyle, in One Dollar Lawyer,[66] which earned her the Best Supporting Actress award at the 2022 SBS Drama Awards.[67]

In 2023, Gong returned to indie film with Lee Rang's short film Thank You for Your Cinema, which depicts a conversation between two female indie film directors. She portrayed Director Gong Min-jeung, starring alongside Kim Sae-byeok. This project was the second campaign film of Indieplex Season 4 and was released simultaneously on 17 July on the Indieground and Marie Claire Korea YouTube channels.[68][69][70]

In 2024, Gong portrayed Yang Joo-ran in the drama series Marry My Husband, where she is the assistant manager of U&K Food Marketing Team 1 and the assistant to Kang Ji-won (Park Min-young). Initially timid, her character undergoes significant transformation due to Ji-won's influence.[71][72][73] Adapted by Shin Yoo-dam from a web novel and a webtoon of the same name,[74][75] it achieved triple box office success, ranking first in average viewership among all tvN Monday-Tuesday dramas and topping domestic and global daily TV show rankings on TVING and Amazon Prime Video, respectively. As a result, Gong took her first reward vacation to Vietnam in March.[76][77] In October 2024, she signed with a new agency, Fantagio.[78]

Personal life

While working on the set of Marry My Husband (2024), Gong met Jang Jae-ho, who portrayed Gong's character's husband.[79] They married in September 2024 in a small ceremony.[80] The following January, Gong gave birth to a girl.[81]

Filmography

Key
† Denotes films that have not yet been released

Short film

More information Year, Title ...
List of acting performances in short film
Year Title Role Note Ref.
English Korean
2009 A Perfect Sight 구경 Female [82]
2010 Please Please Me 날 놓아줘 Ji-ae [83]
2013 Jane, we know 월동준비 Female 2 [84]
2014 A Familiar Taste 아빠의 맛 Hwang Kyung-eon [85]
2015 Saengilkeik 생일케익 Da-rae [86]
Allergy 병구 Min-ji Main role [87][88][89]
Greed; Ghost Light 도깨비불 Wife [90]
2016 Terrific Weather 끝내 주는 날씨 Yeon-ju [91]
Love Triangle 그 냄새는 소똥냄새였어 Min-ji [92]
A Man in the Basement 지하의 남자 love girl [93]
The Distance Between Us 윤리거리규칙 Choi Eun-jin (teacher) [94]
2016 Live Club Greyhound 라이브 하드 Jo Eun-jeong Main role [95]
2017 Alone 의자 위 여자 Social Worker [96]
2018 A Room of One's Own 두 개의 방 Ja-hui [97]
Coming of Age 성인식 Baek Seol Main lead [98]
I Should Have Killed that Bastard 그 새끼를 죽였어야 했는데 Movie production staff [99]
2019 Midday Picnic — Act 3: Call me if you need me <한낮의 피크닉> 세 번째 에피소드 <내가 필요하면 전화해>의 Choi Yeong-sin [100][101]
2020 Two Waters and a Lighter 두 개의 물과 한 개의 라이터 Ji-won [102]
Homework 귀를 기울이면 Min-jeong [103]
The Girl Malsook 소녀 말숙 Mi-hyun [104]
2021 Just For Laughs!
Segment: Family Portrait
우스운게 딱! 좋아!:
떨어져 있어야 가족이다
Yuk Min-jeong Main role [105][106]
[107]
2022 Schrodinger's Deserted Island 평행관측은 6살부터 Mother TVING short film [108][109]
The Owners 주인들 Min-jeong [110]
2023 Thank You for Your Cinema 잘 봤다는 말 대신 Director Gong Min-jeung Indieplex 4th Season [111]
TBA Method Acting † 메소드연기 Director Lim [112][113]
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Feature film

More information Year, Title ...
List of acting performances in feature films
Year Title Role Note Ref.
English Korean
2011 Mama 마마 Emergency room nurse 1 Bit part [114]
2012 Your Time Is Up 누구나 제명에 죽고싶다 Park Jeong-jae Supporting role [115]
2015 Sunshine 설지 Broadcast writer Minor role [116]
No Tomorrow 섬. 사라진 사람들 Township office employee [117]
Beauty Inside 뷰티 인사이드 Neurology resident [118]
Dog Eat Dog 개: Dog Eat Dog Female reporter [119]
2016 Yourself and Yours 당신자신과 당신의 것 So-yeon Supporting role [120][121]
2017 On the Beach at Night Alone 밤의 해변에서 혼자 Ma-ri [122][121]
2018 Grass 풀잎들 Mi-na Main role [123][30][121]
The Vanished 사라진 밤 Hee-yeon Supporting role [124]
Live Hard 라이브 하드 Jo Eun-jeong Main role (Feature film version of short film Live Club Greyhound) [125][126]
2019 I Am Home 집 이야기 Kyeong-ran Supporting role [127]
The Boy From Nowhere 파도를 걷는 소년 Voice appearance [128]
Kim Ji-young: Born 1982 82년생 김지영 Kim Eun-young Supporting role [129][121][130]
Film Adventure 영화로운 나날 Director Supporting role [131][132]
2020 Move the Grave 이장 Geum-hee Main role [133][130]
2021 Zombie Crush In Heyri 좀비크러쉬: 헤이리 Gong Jin-seon Main role [134][135][136]
Kids Are Fine 아이들은 즐겁다 Teacher Supporting role [137]
Nothing Serious 연애 빠진 로맨스 Seon-bin [138][130]
Ssanahee pure love 싸나희 순정 Hong A-ran (football coach) [139]
The Train Passed by 희수 Hee-soo Main role [140][141]
2022 Drown (Paroho) 파로호 Hyeon-ji (Detective) Supporting role [142][130]
How Have You Been 오랜만이다 Min-jeong Supporting role [143][130]
2023 Sprinter 스프린터 Ji-hyun Main role [144][145]
Concrete Utopia 콘크리트 유토피아 Hyo-jin Friendship appearance [146]
2024 The Continuing Land 이어지는 땅 Lee Won Main role [147]
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Television series

More information Year, Title ...
List of acting performances in television series
Year Title Role Notes Ref.
English Korean
2017 Temperature of Love 사랑의 온도 Soo-yeong [6]
My Golden Life 황금빛 내 인생 Song Mi-heon
2018 Familiar Wife 아는 와이프 Choi Hye-jeong [148]
Drama Stage 문집 Shin So-i (adult) one act-drama [149]
2020 My Holo Love 나 홀로 그대 Choi Seung-kwon
Sweet Munchies 야식남녀 Yoo Seong-eun [150]
2020–2021 Please Don't Date Him 제발 그 남자 만나지 마요 Tak Ki-hyun [4][151]
2021 Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha 갯마을 차차차 Pyo Mi-seon [52]
2022 Little Women 작은 아씨들 Jang Ma-ri [152]
One Dollar Lawyer 천원짜리 변호사 Na Ye-jin [153]
2023 Daily Dose of Sunshine 정신병동에도 아침이 와요 Heo Ji-an [154]
2024 Marry My Husband 내 남편과 결혼해줘 Yang Joo-ran [155]
Sorry Not Sorry 오늘도 지송합니다 Choi Ha-na [156]
2026 Boyfriend on Demand 월간남친 Yun Song [157]
Reborn Rookie 신입사원 강회장 Gangwon-do governor's aide Cameo (Episode 4) [158]
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Web series

More information Year, Title ...
List of acting performances in web series
Year Title Role Ref.
English Korean
2017 Green Fever 웹드라마 내일부터 우리는 Ma-ri
2018 Top Management 탑 매니지먼트 JTBS employee
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Stage

Hosting

More information Year, Title ...
List of hosting performances in film festivals
Year Title Notes Ref.
2021 Opening ceremony of Indie Forum Film Festival 2021 with Ryu Kyung-soo [159]
2022 Closing ceremony of 48th Seoul Independent Film Festival with Seo Hyun-woo [160]
2023 Closing ceremony of 49th Seoul Independent Film Festival [161]
2024 Opening ceremony of 26th Jeondongjin Independent Film Festival with Ryu Kyung-soo [162]
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Theater

More information Year, Title ...
List of acting performances in theater
Year Title Role Theater Date Ref.
English Korean
2011–2012 Rooftop Cat 옥탑방 고양이 Multi-girl Sindorim Prime Art Hall 8 July – 29 January [9]
2012 BS Busan Bank Joeun Theater Hall 1 10 February – 11 March
2012–2013 Gangnam Oriental Art Hall 2 March – 3 February
2016 I am Getting Married in May 오월엔 결혼할꺼야 Eom Jeong-eun Daehangno Sori Art Hall 1 8 March – 14 July [163]
2018 People of Justice 정의의 사람들 Dora (Governor-General's Wife) Daehakro Dream Art Center Building 2 2–21 October [164]
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Awards and nominations

More information Award ceremony, Year ...
Name of the award ceremony, year presented, category, nominee of the award, and the result of the nomination
Award ceremony Year Category Nominee / Work Result Ref.
Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival 2021 Fantastic Best Actor Special Mention Award Zombie Crush: Heyri Won [4]
Grand Bell Awards 2022 Best Supporting Actress Nothing Serious Nominated [165]
SBS Drama Awards 2022 Best Supporting Actress in a Miniseries Romance/Comedy One Dollar Lawyer Won [67]
Seoul Global Movie Awards 2024 Best Acting Award in the Drama category Daily Dose of Sunshine Won [166]
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