Kim was born as Kim Soo-hyun in South Korea, on 25 January 1985.[1] She spent six years of her childhood in the United States before returning to South Korea.[2] Her dream in middle school was to become aninternational lawyer, and in high school she hoped to become a TV anchor. She was inspired by watchingCNN's headline news anchor Karuna Shinsho in Asia.[3] She completed her studies abroad to continue her dream of becoming an anchor and enteredEwha Womans University as an International Studies (DIS) major. While enrolled, she worked as a reporter and announcer for three years in the school's English-language newspaper,Ewha Voice.[4] She also worked as an intern reporter forThe Korea Times andArirang TV.[3]
Kim's interests in music, film, and other entertainment led her to participate in a Korea-Chinamodeling competition in 2005,[4][5] which she won top prize in. Kim was the first winner of the award who had never worked as a model.[citation needed]
Producer Oh Se-kang saw Kim on a morning talk show, which led to her acting debut in the television seriesQueen of the Game (2006).[6] Kim plays Park Joo-won, a friend of Lee Shin-jeon (Joo Jin-mo) and a law firm's international lawyer who loves him.[4] For the drama, she won the New Star award at the 2006SBS Awards for Acting.[7]
In 2019, Italian fashion houseMax Mara invited her to attend the annual "Women in Film Gala", which has advocated for women and gender equality in the entertainment industry since 1973.[10][unreliable source?] Hence, she became the first Korean actress to the attend that event.[11]
Kim marriedKorean-American businessman Matthew Shampine on 14 December 2019, at theHotel Shilla inSeoul.[17] They have a daughter, born on 1 October 2020.[18] Kim announced her divorce after five years of marriage on 23 September 2024.[19]
^Kim, Yu-jin (28 September 2022).수현, 넷플릭스 시리즈 '경성크리처' 출연...미스터리 활약 예고 [공식입장] [Soohyun to appear in the Netflix series 'Kyungseong Creature'... Mystery activity notice [Official position]] (in Korean). X-ports News.Archived from the original on 2 October 2022. Retrieved2 October 2022 – viaNaver.
^Park, Jung-sun (2 May 2025).수현, 조진웅 소속사 사람엔터 전속계약 [Suhyun and Jo Jinwoong sign exclusive contracts with Saram Entertainment].JTBC (in Korean). Retrieved2 May 2025.
^Bae Hyo-joo (11 August 2025)."수현, 부산국제영화제 폐막식 단독 사회‥할리우드 배우다운 행보" [Soo-hyun Hosts Busan International Film Festival Closing Ceremony… A Hollywood Star-Like Action].Newsen (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved11 August 2025.
^Choi, Young-joo (1 October 2020).배우 수현, 엄마 됐다 [Actress Soo-hyun becomes a mother].No Cut News.Archived from the original on 1 June 2024. Retrieved1 June 2024 – viaNaver.
^Yoon, Seong-yeol (23 September 2024).[단독]수현, 결혼 5년만 파경..위워크 전 대표 차민근과 합의 이혼 [[Exclusive] Soo-hyun breaks up after 5 years of marriage...divorces by agreement with former WeWork CEO Cha Min-geun] (in Korean). MT Star News.Archived from the original on 23 September 2024. Retrieved23 September 2024 – viaNaver.
^Jo Ji-young (13 October 2022).[공식] 설경구X장동건X김희애X수현, 허진호 감독 신작 '더 디너'로 뭉쳤다...9월 말 크랭크 업 [[Official] Seol Kyung-gu X Jang Dong-gun X Kim Hee-ae X Soo-hyeon, and director Huh Jin-ho's new film 'The Dinner' are teamed up... Crank up at the end of September] (in Korean).Sports Chosun.Archived from the original on 13 October 2022. Retrieved13 October 2022 – viaNaver.
^Hwang Chae-hyun (27 September 2021).박해수X수현X이희준 '키마이라' 10월30일 첫방송 [공식] [Park Hae-soo X Soo-hyeon X Lee Hee-jun 'Kimira' first broadcast on October 30 [Official]].Sports Kyunghyang (in Korean).Archived from the original on 8 October 2021. Retrieved27 September 2021 – viaNaver.
^Choi, Hee-jae (17 October 2022).이서진, 매니저 됐다...조여정→수현, 역대급 라인업 공개 (연예인 매니저로 살아남기) [Seojin Lee became the manager... Jo Yeo-jeong → Soo-hyun, all-time lineup revealed (Surviving as a celebrity manager)].X-ports News (in Korean).Archived from the original on 17 October 2022. Retrieved17 October 2022 – viaNaver.
^Kim Seong-hyeon (28 September 2022).박서준·한소희·위하준, 넷플릭스 '경성크리처' 공개 확정 [Park Seo-joon, Han So-hee, and Wi Ha-jun confirmed to release Netflix 'Kyungseong Creature'] (in Korean).YTN.Archived from the original on 28 September 2022. Retrieved28 September 2022 – viaNaver.
^Moon Ji-yeon (6 September 2023).[공식] 장기용·천우희 '히어로는 아닙니다만' 연기 맛집 라인업 완성 [[Official] Jang Ki-yong and Chun Woo-hee's 'I'm Not a Hero' acting restaurant line-up completed] (in Korean).Sports Chosun.Archived from the original on 6 September 2023. Retrieved6 September 2023 – viaNaver.
^Park, So-young (6 May 2025).주지훈x김태리 최우수→'폭싹' 아이유x박보검은 빈손..대상='흑백요리사' '하얼빈' [61th 백상예술대상](종합) [Joo Ji Hoon x Kim Tae Ri Best → 'Boomssak' IU x Park Bo Gum empty handed.. Grand Prize = 'Black and White Chef' 'Harbin' [61st Baeksang Arts Awards] (Comprehensive)] (in Korean).OSEN.Archived from the original on 6 May 2025. Retrieved6 May 2025 – viaNaver.
