Lim Ji-yeon

2011–2021: Beginnings and wider recognition

Lim debuted in 2011 through the short film Dear Catastrophe. She also appeared in other short films such as When September Ends in 2013.^[8][9] In 2013, while still a student, Lim was cast in the erotic romance film Obsessed directed by Kim Dae-woo.^[10] The film was released in 2014,^[11] and her performance as Jong Ga-heun earned her Best New Actress accolades from the prestigious Blue Dragon Film Awards, Grand Bell Awards, Buil Film Awards and Baeksang Arts Awards.^[12]

In 2015, Lim took on the role of ambitious concubine Dan-hee in period drama film The Treacherous directed by Min Kyu-dong.^[13] In June 2015, she made her small screen debut as Lee Ji-yi in High Society. The bubbly and lovable character brought her the New Star Award at the SBS Drama Awards,^[14] and the Best New Actress at the Korea Drama Awards.^[15] During this period, she also hosted the MBC entertainment news program Section TV^[16] and the 2015 SBS Drama Awards.^{[citation needed]} The same year, she won the Excellence Award in the Music/Talk Category at the MBC Entertainment Awards.^[17]

In the first half of 2016, Lim appeared in historical drama The Royal Gambler as Dam-seo, a sword-wielding noblewoman bent on revenge.^[18] She made a cameo appearance in the hit series The Doctors because of her close relationship with writer Ha Myung-hee, whom she previously worked with High Society.^[19] Later that year, she starred in comedy film Luck Key directed by Lee Gae-byok.^[20] From August 2016 to February 2017, Lim starred in weekend drama Blow Breeze as a cheerful and positive North Korean defector living in South Korea.^[21] For her role as Kim Mi-poong, she won the Excellence Award, Actress in a Serial Drama at the MBC Drama Awards.

In 2019, Lim returned to the small screen in Welcome 2 Life, a fantasy romantic comedy about a skilled lawyer who enters a parallel world due to an unfortunate accident.^[22] She received the Top Excellence Award, Actress in a Monday-Tuesday Miniseries at the MBC Drama Awards for this performance.^[23] She then starred as Young-mi in crime film Tazza: One Eyed Jack.

In May 2020, Lim signed with the Artist Company.^[24]

In 2021, the character Moon Jin-ah in action fantasy film Spiritwalker brought her a Best Supporting Actress nod at the Grand Bell Awards.^[25][26] The web series The Magic, which Lim had filmed in 2017, was released through OTT media service Seezn in 2021 as well.^[27]

2022–present: Rise in popularity and critical acclaim

In 2022, Lim took on the role of Ji-na in the web series Rose Mansion, alongside Yoon Kyun-sang.^[28] In December the same year, she appeared in Part 2 of Netflix's original series Money Heist: Korea – Joint Economic Area where she played the role of Seoul, a character that was not in the original work.^[29]

At the end of 2022, Lim challenged her first villain role in Netflix's original series The Glory, where she played the role of Park Yeon-jin, a weather presenter who had led a group of delinquents in bullying and physically abusing the protagonist during high school. The Glory was a hit with audiences and well-received among critics; Lim's portrayal was met with favorable reviews, being described as her life's character,^[30][31][32] and earning her Best Supporting Actress wins at the Baeksang Arts Awards^[33] and Blue Dragon Series Awards.^[34]

In June 2023, she starred alongside Kim Tae-hee in mystery thriller Lies Hidden in My Garden.^[35] Her performance as a domestic violence victim was commended for being a 180° transformation from her previous role in The Glory.^[36] In particular, a viral scene showing Lim's character after the death of her husband was praised by critics for its depiction of liberation with a hint of madness.^[37] Her next project, crime drama The Killing Vote, premiered in August 2023.^[38]

In August 2023, Lim was selected by the Korean Film Directors Association at the 2023 Bechdel Day as Actor of the Year for her performance in The Glory and Lies Hidden in My Garden. Judges evaluated her performance in The Glory as not confining the character as just a "flat villainess" but carving a path of complex desires that had never been seen before in a villain. Regarding her acting in Lies Hidden in My Garden, it was noted that she showed the animalistic instinct of not wanting to let the child in her womb starve even in the moment of chilling revenge, convincingly proving the extreme temperature difference within one person.^[39] In April 2024, Lim received her first Best Actress nomination at the Baeksang Arts Awards for Lies Hidden in My Garden.^[40]

In the second half of 2024, her appearance as the mysterious Jeong Yoon-sun in action film Revolver, alongside Jeon Do-yeon and Ji Chang-wook,^[41] brought Lim a Best Supporting Actress win at the Buil Film Awards,^[42] and nominations at the Blue Dragon Film Awards and Baeksang Arts Awards. She was further honored as Best Actor at the London East Asia Film Festival. The committee cited that Lim showed off her charisma and deep acting in Revolver and delivered the most powerful and charming performance in East Asian film that year.^[43]

In November 2024, she headlined The Tale of Lady Ok, seven years since her last historical drama The Royal Gambler.^[44][45] Lim garnered positive reviews for her portrayal of Goo-deok, a runaway slave who disguised herself as noblewoman Ok Tae-young after the real Ok Tae-young died, with her character being described as "a strong and independent female lead" that captivated viewers.^[46]

In 2025, she starred in romantic comedy Nice to Not Meet You as a justice driven reporter, alongside Lee Jung-jae.^[47]

In 2026, Lim took on the leading role in fantasy romantic comedy My Royal Nemesis, playing a notorious villainess from the Joseon dynasty who transmigrated to the modern era and possessed the body of an unknown actress.^[48][49] Lim’s dual portrayal of Kang Dan Shim/Shin Seori was met with praise by critics for balancing slapstick comedy, emotional depth and romantic tension without making the fantasy setup feel exaggerated or cartoonish. ^[50] Her effort for distinguishing the two characters through variations in speech, vocal delivery, expressions, and mannerisms was further commended for allowing viewers to perceive them as distinct individuals.^[51]

Ambassadorship

On May 30, 2023, Lim was appointed as an honorary police officer for the Seodaemun District Police Agency in Seoul; she would be publicizing major police legislation, various security activities, and drug crime prevention for the next two years.^[54]

Endorsements

In August 2014, Amorepacific's Hanyul cosmetics selected Lim as their model, explaining that, "her charm, in which Eastern elegance and modern beauty coexist, aligns well with our brand concept of pursuing Korean beauty".^[55]

In February 2024, she was announced as the new brand ambassador for Spanish luxury fashion brand Loewe.^[56]

In July 2025, she was chosen as the first ambassador of the Culture Voyage x Ambassador program to commemorate the 40th anniversary of Hansung Motor, the official dealer of Mercedes-Benz.^[57] Mercedes-Maybach S 580 vehicle was presented to Lim during the event.^[58]

Relationship

On April 1, 2023, Artist Company confirmed that Lim is dating actor Lee Do-hyun, whom she met while filming The Glory.^[59][60]

Activism and donations

In July 2023, Lim donated ₩10 million (~$6,500) to help support the construction of South Korea's first ALS care hospital.^[61]

She was one of the celebrities who donated their items to an auction in October 2024. All proceeds were used to support children and adolescents from low-income and vulnerable households in South Korea, as well as communities vulnerable to the climate crisis.^[62]

In March 2025, Lim quietly donated ₩50 million (~$33,000) to support recovery efforts from wildfire damage in South Korea.^[63]

Film

Television series

Web series

Television shows

MCing

Awards and nominations

Listicles