Im Soo-hyang (Korean임수향; born April 19, 1990) is a South Korean actress. She rose to fame playing leading roles in the television series New Tales of Gisaeng (2011) and Inspiring Generation (2014). After a series of supporting roles, she gained wide recognition for her performances in the campus romance My ID is Gangnam Beauty (2018) and the smash-hit mystery drama Graceful Family (2019). She then starred in When I Was the Most Beautiful (2020), Woori the Virgin (2022), and Doctor Lawyer (2022).

Im Soo-hyang
Im in March 2024
Born (1990-04-19) April 19, 1990 (age 34)
Busan, South Korea[1]
Other namesLim Soo-hyang
Alma materChung-Ang University (Theater and Film)[2]
OccupationActress
Years active2009–present
AgentFN Entertainment[a]
Korean name
Hangul
임수향
Hanja
林秀香
Revised RomanizationIm Suhyang
McCune–ReischauerIm Suhyang

Career

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2011–2017: New Tales of Gisaeng and diverse roles

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After making a bit-part appearance in the 2009 film 4th Period Mystery while she was still a student at Chung-Ang University, Im landed her breakthrough role when she was cast as Dan Sa-ran, a prideful, lower-middle class dancer, in the 2011 popular television series New Tales of Gisaeng. Cast alongside Sung Hoon and Han Hye-rin, the series explored the premise that the gisaeng, the Korean equivalent of a geisha or courtesan, still existed in modern-day Korea.[4] Im was nominated for several newcomer awards for her performance and won the SBS Drama Award for Best New Star and the Korea Drama Award for Best New Actress.[5] That same year, she had a prominent supporting role in Paradise Ranch and made a cameo appearance in Salamander Guru and The Shadows.[6]

 
Im at the Iris II: New Generation press conference in 2013

To develop her range, Im increased her profile with starring roles as diverse as a feisty chairman's daughter in I Do, I Do (2012), a cool assassin in Iris II: New Generation (2013), the calculating stepdaughter of a high official in Inspiring Generation (2014), a college dropout in Five Enough (2015) and the female antagonist in Blow Breeze (2015).[7][8] In 2016, Im played the title character in the prison romance film Eunha.[9]

In 2017, Im was cast in the leading role of a widowed policewoman in Lovers in Bloom, for which she received a KBS Drama Award for Best Actress in a Daily Drama.[10] Also that year, she made a cameo appearance as a serial killer who pretends to be a victim in tvN's crime procedural drama Criminal Minds, based on the American series of the same name.[11]

2018–present: My ID is Gangnam Beauty and rising popularity

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Im at the Atelier Cologne photo call event in 2018

In 2018, Im rose in popularity when she starred opposite Cha Eun-woo of Astro in the JTBC romantic comedy series Gangnam Beauty. For her performance as Kang Mi-rae, Im won the Top Excellence Award for Actress in a Drama at the 26th Korea Culture and Entertainment Awards.[12][13]

In 2019, Im received critical acclaim for her portrayal of Mo Seok-hee, a confident, charismatic and savage chaebol heiress, in the mystery drama Graceful Family. The series premiered with high viewership ratings for MBN network and attracted media attention in Korea and internationally.[14][15] In 2020, Im next starred in the romance melodrama When I Was the Most Beautiful opposite Ji Soo and Ha Seok-jin, portraying an optimistic ceramic artist who falls in love with two brothers. Im was again praised for her acting and she went on to gain the Top Excellence prize at the 39th MBC Drama Awards.[16]

In 2022, she played the titular role of Oh Woo-ri in the SBS romantic comedy drama Woori the Virgin based on American series Jane the Virgin, reuniting with New Tales of Gisaeng co-star Sung Hoon.[17] The same year she starred in the MBC medical-legal drama Doctor Lawyer in the role of a prosecutor.[18] Later in July, Im joined the 'Bubble for Actors' platform.[19]

In 2023, she played the role of Han Gye-jeol in the MBC romantic fantasy drama Kokdu: Season of Deity opposite Kim Jung-hyun portraying an ER doctor who graduated from the lowest-ranking medical school in the country.[20] In 2024, she played the role of Park Do-ra in the KBS2 drama Beauty and Mr. Romantic opposite Ji Hyun-woo.[21]

Philanthropy

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On March 16, 2023, Im donated sanitary napkins for vulnerable women through the NGO G Foundation.[22]

Filmography

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Film

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Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2009 4th Period Mystery Number one fan Im Soo-hyang Bit part
2013 Iris 2: The Movie Kim Yeon-hwa
2014 Love of the Sea (海洋之戀) Chinese film [23]
2016 Eun-ha Eun-ha [9]

Television series

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Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2011 New Tales of Gisaeng Dan Sa-ran [4]
Paradise Ranch Lee Da-eun [6]
2012 Salamander Guru and The Shadows Im Soo-min Cameo (episode 8) [24]
I Do, I Do Yeom Na-ri / Jang Na-ri [25]
2013 Iris II: New Generation Kim Yeon-hwa [7]
2014 Inspiring Generation Teguchi Gaya [8]
2015 Great Stories: The Golden Days of Young-ja Oh Young-ja [26]
2016 Five Enough Jang Jin-joo [27]
Blow Breeze Park Shin-ae / Kang Mi-jung [28]
2017 Lovers in Bloom Moo Goong-hwa [10]
Criminal Minds Song Yoo-kyung Cameo [11]
2018 Gangnam Beauty Kang Mi-rae [29]
Top Star U-back Herself Cameo (episode 3) [30]
2019 Graceful Family Mo Seok-hee [15]
2020 When I Was the Most Beautiful Oh Ye-ji [31]
2022 Woori the Virgin Oh Woo-ri [32]
Doctor Lawyer Geum Seok-yeong [33][34]
2023 Kokdu: Season of Deity Han Gye-jeol [35]
2024 Beauty and Mr. Romantic Park Do-ra [36]

Television shows

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Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2015–2016 Shaolin Clenched Fists Cast Member [37]
2017 Beauty Bible 2017 Host [38]
2018 Romance Package [39]
2018–2019 Village Survival, the Eight Cast Member Season 1–2 [40]
2019 The Quack Philosophers [41]
2022 Jump Like a Witch [42]

Theater

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Theater play performances of Im Soo-hyang
Year Title Role Venue Date Ref.
English Korean
2023 Our Little Sister 바닷마을 다이어리 Yoshino Seoul Arts Center October 8 to November 19 [43]

Discography

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Singles

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Title Year Album
"Goodbye"[44] 2022 Woori the Virgin OST Part 7

Awards and nominations

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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.
Baeksang Arts Awards 2012 Best New Actress – Television New Tales of Gisaeng Nominated [45]
KBS Drama Awards 2014 Excellence Award, Actress in a Mid-length Drama Inspiring Generation Nominated [46]
Netizen Award, Actress Nominated
Best Couple Award Im Soo-hyang with Kim Hyun-joong
Inspiring Generation
Nominated
2016 Excellence Award, Actress in a Serial Drama Five Enough Nominated [47]
2017 Excellence Award, Actress in a Daily Drama Lovers in Bloom Won [48]
Korea Culture and Entertainment Awards 2018 Top Excellence Award, Actress in a Drama Gangnam Beauty Won [49]
Korea Drama Awards 2011 Best New Actress New Tales of Gisaeng Won [50]
MBC Drama Awards 2012 Excellence Award, Actress in a Miniseries I Do, I Do Nominated [51]
2016 Golden Acting Award, Actress in a Serial Drama Blow Breeze Nominated [52]
2020 Top Excellence Award, Actress in a Wednesday-Thursday Miniseries When I Was The Prettiest Won [16]
Best Couple Award Im Soo-hyang with Ji Soo
When I Was The Prettiest
Nominated [53]
2022 Top Excellence Award, Actress in a Miniseries Doctor Lawyer Nominated [54]
2023 Top Excellence Award, Actress in a Miniseries Kokdu: Season of Deity Nominated [55]
SBS Drama Awards 2011 New Star Award New Tales of Gisaeng Won [56]
2022 Top Excellence Award, Actress in a Miniseries Romance/Comedy Drama Woori the Virgin Nominated [57]
Best Couple Award Im Soo-hyang with Sung Hoon and Shin Dong-wook
Woori the Virgin
Nominated [58]
Soompi Awards 2019 Best Couple Im Soo-hyang with Cha Eun-woo
Gangnam Beauty
Nominated [59]

Notes

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  1. ^ formerly Hanyang E&M[3]

References

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  1. ^ 임수향. Cinefox (씨네폭스) (in Korean). Retrieved October 16, 2024.
  2. ^ "Im Soo-hyang "I am from the same year as Shin Se-kyung and Kim Soo-hyun but we are so busy"". HanCinema. July 24, 2011. Archived from the original on December 4, 2022. Retrieved May 28, 2018.
  3. ^ 임수향, 현 소속사 한양E&M과 재계약 체결(공식입장) (Lim Soo-hyang re-signs with Hanyang E&M (official position). Maeil Business Newspaper. March 29, 2017. Archived from the original on February 10, 2024. Retrieved April 2, 2017.
  4. ^ a b <임수향 "'신기생뎐' 처음부터 다시 하고파">. Yonhap News Agency (in Korean). June 15, 2011. Archived from the original on July 28, 2018. Retrieved July 28, 2018.
  5. ^ "ONE Exclusive Interview – Lim Su Hyang". ONE TV ASIA. March 28, 2013. Archived from the original on November 4, 2015. Retrieved August 2, 2013.
  6. ^ a b 임수향·주상욱, '파라다이스목장' 지각 편성 '수혜'. Edaily [ko] (in Korean). January 20, 2011. Archived from the original on July 10, 2018. Retrieved May 28, 2018.
  7. ^ a b "Female warrior Im Soo-hyang's mission". HanCinema. The Dong-A Ilbo. November 15, 2012. Archived from the original on March 2, 2022. Retrieved May 28, 2018.
  8. ^ a b Lee, Sun-min (August 8, 2013). "Iris 2 star takes lead role in new drama". Korea JoongAng Daily. Archived from the original on March 2, 2022. Retrieved February 12, 2014.
  9. ^ a b Kim, June (April 28, 2015). "EUN-HA Casts LEE Jung-jin and LIM Su-hyang". Korean Biz Zone. Archived from the original on November 15, 2021. Retrieved April 28, 2015.
  10. ^ a b "EXCLUSIVE: The casts of 'Lovers in Bloom' will make us bloom in summer!". KBS World. May 29, 2017. Archived from the original on November 15, 2021. Retrieved May 28, 2018.
  11. ^ a b '크리미널마인드' 임수향, 피해자 목숨 담보로 NCI와 살벌한 대치. TenAsia (in Korean). August 15, 2017. Archived from the original on July 10, 2018. Retrieved May 28, 2018.
  12. ^ ""My ID is Gangnam Beauty" Im Soo-hyang Enjoys Taking on New Role". HanCinema. Dailian [ko]. July 26, 2018. Archived from the original on October 24, 2022. Retrieved July 28, 2018.
  13. ^ "Lim Soo-hyang has a new voice after 'Gangnam Beauty' role: Starring in the hit drama was a chance for the actor to show off her personality". Korea JoongAng Daily. September 29, 2018. Archived from the original on March 1, 2022. Retrieved September 30, 2018.
  14. ^ ""Graceful Family" Cast Explains Why They Joined the Drama". HanCinema. August 26, 2019. Archived from the original on April 5, 2023. Retrieved September 17, 2019.
  15. ^ a b "MBN's weekly drama "Graceful Family" gains huge popularity overseas". Pulse by Maeil Business News Korea. September 2, 2019. Archived from the original on October 27, 2020. Retrieved September 12, 2019.
  16. ^ a b Hong Se-young (December 30, 2020). "[2020 MBC 연기대상] 임수향 수목 여자 최우수상". sports.donga (in Korean). Archived from the original on November 15, 2021. Retrieved December 30, 2020.
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  20. ^ Yeon Hwi-seon (January 28, 2023). 임수향, '꼭두의 계절' 첫방부터 1인 2역 열연...사극X현대극 다 되네 (in Korean). OSEN [ko]. Archived from the original on January 28, 2023. Retrieved January 29, 2023 – via Naver.
  21. ^ Kim, Hyun-jung (June 22, 2023). [단독] 임수향, KBS 새 주말 '미녀와 순정남' 여주인공...지현우와 호흡 [Exclusive: Lim Soo-hyang, the female lead in KBS' new weekend drama Beauty and Mr. Romantic.. Working with Ji Hyun-woo] (in Korean). Xports News. Archived from the original on February 5, 2024. Retrieved February 5, 2024 – via Naver.
  22. ^ Lee, Ye-ju (March 16, 2023). 임수향, 취약계층 여성에 생리대 16만 장 기부 [Lim Soo-hyang donates 160,000 sanitary pads to vulnerable women] (in Korean). Sports Kyunghyang. Archived from the original on April 5, 2023. Retrieved March 16, 2023 – via Naver.
  23. ^ "韩星林秀香担纲中国影片《海洋之恋》女主角". Yonhap News Agency (in Chinese). July 22, 2014. Archived from the original on July 25, 2014. Retrieved May 28, 2018.
  24. ^ 임수향, '도롱뇽 도사'서 커트 머리 '미소년' 변신. Seoul Broadcasting System. March 5, 2012. Archived from the original on March 2, 2022. Retrieved May 28, 2018.
  25. ^ 임수향 '아이두 아이두' 합류...김선아와 연기대결. JoongAng Ilbo (in Korean). March 15, 2012. Archived from the original on July 10, 2018. Retrieved May 28, 2018.
  26. ^ 임수향, tvN 단막극 '영자의 전성시대' 주인공. Yonhap News Agency (in Korean). January 21, 2015. Archived from the original on March 2, 2022. Retrieved May 28, 2018.
  27. ^ 임수향, KBS2 새 주말극 '아이가 다섯' 출연. Yonhap News Agency (in Korean). December 16, 2015. Archived from the original on May 29, 2018. Retrieved May 28, 2018.
  28. ^ "[POP이슈]'불어라 미풍아' 오지은→임수향, 주연 교체 위기 극복할까". Herald Corporation (in Korean). October 4, 2016. Archived from the original on August 24, 2018. Retrieved May 28, 2018.
  29. ^ "'Gangnam Beauty' searches for true meaning of beauty". The Korea Times. July 27, 2017. Archived from the original on October 2, 2018. Retrieved July 28, 2018.
  30. ^ '톱스타 유백이' 임수향, 특급 카메오 등장...코믹 연기 폭발. Star News (in Korean). November 29, 2018. Archived from the original on December 24, 2018. Retrieved December 23, 2018.
  31. ^ '내가 가장 예뻤을 때' 임수향 "요즘엔 없는 옛날 드라마 감성". Yonhap News Agency. August 19, 2020. Archived from the original on November 30, 2024. Retrieved November 30, 2024.
  32. ^ Ahn Tae-hyun (October 6, 2021). 오늘부터 우리는' 임수향·성훈·신동욱·홍지윤, 로코 케미로 뭉친다 [From Today On' Lim Soo-hyang, Sung-hoon, Shin Dong-wook, Hong Ji-yoon, Rocco Chemie Unite]. News1 (in Korean). Archived from the original on October 6, 2021. Retrieved October 5, 2021 – via Naver.
  33. ^ Shim Eom-kyung (August 20, 2021). [단독]'믿보배' 임수향, '닥터로이어' 여자주인공 확정...소지섭과 호흡 [[Exclusive] Im Soo-hyang of 'Treasure Bae' confirmed as the female lead in 'Doctor Lawyer'... So Ji-sub and breathing]. SpoTV News (in Korean). Naver. Archived from the original on August 20, 2021. Retrieved August 20, 2021.
  34. ^ Park Soo-in (November 25, 2021). 임수향 '닥터로이어' 출연 확정, 소지섭과 연기 호흡 [Im Soo-hyang confirmed to appear in 'Doctor Lawyer', acting with So Ji-sub] (in Korean). Newsen. Archived from the original on November 25, 2021. Retrieved November 25, 2021 – via Naver.
  35. ^ Yoo Jeong-min (September 26, 2022). 김정현·임수향, '꼭두의 계절' 캐스팅...탄탄한 호흡 예고 [Kim Jung-hyeon and Im Soo-hyang cast in 'Season of Kkokdu'... Strong breathing notice] (in Korean). iMBC. Archived from the original on November 3, 2022. Retrieved September 26, 2022 – via Naver.
  36. ^ Kang Min-kyung (February 1, 2024). [공식] 임수향, 돈 버는 기계서 추락한 톱배우...지현우와 로맨스('미녀와 순정남') [[Official] Lim Soo-hyang, a top actor who fell from a money-making machine... Romance with Ji Hyun-woo ('Beauty and the Pure Man')]. Ten Asia (in Korean). Naver. Archived from the original on February 1, 2024. Retrieved February 1, 2024.
  37. ^ "After School′s Uee, Kara′s Goo Hara and miss A′s Fei are Ready to Kick Butt in ′Fists of Shaolin Temple′ Poster". Mwave. October 6, 2015. Archived from the original on August 24, 2018. Retrieved May 28, 2018.
  38. ^ 임수향, KBS드라마 채널 '뷰티 바이블 2017' 진행. Yonhap News Agency (in Korean). April 7, 2017. Archived from the original on April 10, 2017. Retrieved May 28, 2018.
  39. ^ 전현무X임수향 로맨스패키지, 정규 첫방...파일럿과 다른 점은?. Seoul Broadcasting System (in Korean). May 2, 2018. Archived from the original on December 4, 2022. Retrieved May 28, 2018.
  40. ^ 유재석X제니X김상호X손담비, SBS 예능 '아름다운 가을마을, 미추리' 합류[공식입장]. OSEN [ko] (in Korean). October 1, 2018. Archived from the original on May 17, 2021. Retrieved October 5, 2018.
  41. ^ '개똥이네 철학관' 션X스윙스X최현석, 첫회 출연 "16일 첫방송"(공식). Newsen. July 4, 2019. Archived from the original on July 4, 2019. Retrieved August 14, 2019.
  42. ^ Hwang Hye-jin (January 24, 2022). 허니제이→임수향 '마녀체력 농구부' 출연 확정, 운동꽝 언니들 도전기(공식) [Honey J → Im Soo-hyang confirmed to appear in 'Witch Fitness Basketball Club', challenged by athletic sisters (official)] (in Korean). Newsen. Archived from the original on October 10, 2022. Retrieved January 24, 2022 – via Naver.
  43. ^ Shin, Young-eun (August 14, 2023). 한혜진·박하선·임수향, '바닷마을 다이어리' 캐스팅 공개 [Han Hye-jin, Park Hae-sun, Lim Soo-hyang, 'The Seaside Diaries' casting revealed]. Maeil Business Newspaper (in Korean). Archived from the original on November 12, 2023. Retrieved November 12, 2023 – via Naver.
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  53. ^ announced online
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  59. ^ Pravitri Retno Widyastuti (March 3, 2019). "Daftar Nominasi Soompi Awards 2019, BTS dan EXO Mendominasi". Tribun news (in Indonesian). Archived from the original on June 16, 2021. Retrieved September 10, 2024.
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Note 6