Im Ye-jin (born Im Ki-hee on January 24, 1960) is a South Korean actress. As a teenage actress, she reached the peak of her popularity in the 1970s with the "Really Really" film

trilogy A trilogy is a set of three works of art that are connected and can be seen either as a single work or as three individual works. They are commonly found in literature, film, and video games, and are less common in other art forms. Three-part wor ...

, which include '' Never Forget Me'', '' I Am Really Sorry'' and ''I Really Really Like You''. She is currently active in television.

Career

Im Ki-hee began modeling in popular teen magazines when she was in junior high school. Using the

stage name A stage name is a pseudonym used by performers and entertainers—such as actors, comedians, singers, and musicians. Such professional aliases are adopted for a wide variety of reasons and they may be similar, or nearly identical, to an individu ...

Im Ye-jin, she made her acting debut in

Kim Ki-young Kim Ki-young (October 10, 1919According to official documents, Kim was born in 1919. However, Kim insisted he was actually born in 1922. – February 5, 1998) was a South Korean film director, known for his intensely psychosexual and melodr ...

's '' Transgression'' in 1974. In 1975, Im played a high schooler in love with her teacher in ''Graduating School Girls'', for which she won Best New Actress at the

Grand Bell Awards The Grand Bell Awards (), also known as the Daejong Film Awards, is an awards ceremony presented annually by The Motion Pictures Association of Korea for excellence in film in South Korea. The Grand Bell Awards retains prestige as the oldest co ...

. But it was a year later when she would be catapulted to stardom. Im headlined '' Never Forget Me'' (also known as ''Really Really Don't Forget'', 1976) and its sequels '' I Am Really Sorry'' (also known as ''I'm Really Really Sorry'', 1976) and ''Crazy For You'' (also known as ''I Really Really Like You'', 1977) -- movies about teenage friendship, romance, and aspirations that became massive box office hits, screening to sold out theaters. In an era when Korean cinema was in a dark period resulting from severe censorship by an authoritarian government, this led to the emergence of the teenage demographic as a major consumer of pop culture. Im had an innocent, girlish image, whose acting was charming and sweet without being saccharine, and she became hugely popular among middle school and high school students; girls wanted to be like her, and boys had her picture in their pockets. The "Really Really" series established Im as the most popular young actress of that period, and for the next several years, youth melodramas starring her dominated the theaters in quick succession, often with

Lee Deok-hwa Lee Deok-hwa (born May 8, 1952) is a South Korean actor. Career Lee Deok-hwa studied theater and film at Dongguk University, and made his acting debut in 1972. He and his father, movie star Lee Ye-chun starred together in the 1975 horror film '' ...

as her leading man: ''Prayer of a Girl'' (1976), ''Ever So Much Good!'' (1976), ''I Really Have a Dream'' (1976), ''I've Never Felt Like This Before'' (1976), and ''Nobody Knows'' (1977). Im entered college in 1979, studying Theater and Film at

Dongguk University Dongguk University (Korean: 동국대학교, Hanja: 東國大學校) is a private, coeducational university in South Korea, fundamentally based on Buddhism. Established in 1906 as Myeongjin School (명진학교; 明進學校) by Buddhist pioneers ...

. By this time, she wanted to transition out of teen movies, and into more adult roles. She starred opposite

Shin Seong-il Shin Seong-il (May 8, 1937 – November 4, 2018) was a South Korean actor, film director, producer, and former politician. A legendary actor with 500 films in over 40 years, Shin debuted in director Shin Sang-ok's 1960 film ''A Romantic Papa'' an ...

in ''Love Song in a Peanut Shell'', but it was poorly received, with audiences not prepared to see her break out of her "pure" image. Despite a supporting role in ''

A Fine, Windy Day ''A Fine, Windy Day'' () is a 1980 South Korean film written and directed by Lee Jang-ho. Plot The lives of three young working-class male friends are followed in the film. Chun-shik works at a barbershop where he is in love with Miss Yu, a co-wor ...

'', Im's film career was in a slump, so she shifted her focus to television and radio in the 1980s. After a few years of forgettable television dramas, Im's career was revitalized by

Kim Soo-hyun Kim Soo-hyun (; born February 16, 1988) is a South Korean actor. One of the highest-paid actors in South Korea, his accolades include four Baeksang Arts Awards, two Grand Bell Awards and one Blue Dragon Film Award. From 2012 to 2016 and in ...

, one of the most famous TV writers in Korea. Among Kim's dramas that Im starred in were 사랑합시다 (1981), ''Yesterday and Tomorrow'' (1982), ''Love and Truth'' (1984), ''Love and Ambition'' (1987), ''Farewell'' (1994), and ''

Childless Comfort ''My Kids Give Me a Headache'' () is a 2012 South Korean television series, starring Lee Soon-jae, Kim Hae-sook, Yoo Dong-geun and Uhm Ji-won. It is about three generations of the Ahn family who are all living in one house in the suburbs of Seoul ...

'' (2012). In ''Farewell'', she shocked audiences by playing a ''

Fatal Attraction ''Fatal Attraction'' is a 1987 American psychological thriller film directed by Adrian Lyne from a screenplay by James Dearden, based on his 1980 short film '' Diversion''. Starring Michael Douglas, Glenn Close, and Anne Archer, the film centers ...

''-esque villain for the first time. Im also played the character Dal-soo in a series of one-act dramas for '' MBC Best Theater'' from 1995 to 2005. As Im grew older, she remained active on television and the occasional film, in supporting roles as

ajumma Ajumma ( ko, 아줌마), sometimes spelled ajoomma, is a Korean word for a married, or middle-aged woman. It comes from the Korean word ''ajumeoni'' ( ko, 아주머니). Although it is sometimes translated "aunt An aunt is a woman who is a si ...

s, aunts or mothers. As if coming full circle, she played one of the adult characters in a 2010

musical theatre Musical theatre is a form of theatrical performance that combines songs, spoken dialogue, acting and dance. The story and emotional content of a musical – humor, pathos, love, anger – are communicated through words, music, movemen ...

adaptation of her early hit ''I Really Really Like You''. From 2008 to 2010, Im was a popular panelist on the variety show '' Quiz to Change the World'', for which she was recognized at the MBC Entertainment Awards. In 2014, Im signed with the talent agency

YG Entertainment YG Entertainment Inc. () is a South Korean multinational entertainment agency established in 1996 by Yang Hyun-suk. The company operates as a record label, talent agency, music production company, event management and concert production compa ...

. In December 2019, it was confirmed that her contract with YG Entertainment has expired and decided not to renew.

Personal life

In 1989, Im married Choi Chang-wook, a TV director and producer at MBC.

Filmography

Film

*''

Trade Your Love ''Trade Your Love'' is a 2019 South Korean romantic comedy film directed by Park Ho-chan and Park Soo-jin. It stars Kim Dong-wook and Ko Sung-hee. Plot Sung-seok and Hae-joo meet at a blind date and decide to enter into a contract marriage to g ...

'' (2019) *'' Secret Love'' (2010) *''

My Mighty Princess ''My Mighty Princess'' (; lit. ''The impossible female student'') is a 2008 South Korean film directed by Kwak Jae-yong. Synopsis Kang So-Hwi is a college student and martial artist who possesses super-human strength and supernatural agility th ...

'' (2008) *''

Miss Gold Digger ''Miss Gold Digger'' (; lit. "Prudent/Careful Miss Shin") is a 2007 South Korean romantic comedy film. Plot Shin Mi-soo is juggling relationships with four different men, adopting a different persona for each one. But her love life becomes incre ...

'' (2007) *''

Dasepo Naughty Girls ''Dasepo Naughty Girls'' (; lit. "Dasepo Girl" or "Multi-cell Girl") is a 2006 South Korean musical comedy film. It is based on the popular webtoon ''Dasepo Girls'' by B-rate Dalgung (Chae Jeong-taek), which has also been adapted into a TV series. ...

'' (2006) *''Ssunday Seoul'' (2006) *''

Windstruck ''Windstruck'' (; lit. "Let me introduce (you to) my girlfriend") is a 2004 South Korean romantic drama. It stars Jun Ji-hyun, Jang Hyuk, and was directed by Kwak Jae-yong. The film held its premiere in Hong Kong, attended by Jang and Jun, on 28 Ma ...

'' (2004) *'' The Classic'' (2003) *''Crack of the Halo'' (1998) *''Love's Scribble'' (1988) *''

'' (1980) *''Love Song in a Peanut Shell'' (1979) *''The Hey Days of Youth 77'' (1979) *''Cheerful High School Class'' (1978) *''Fire'' (1978) *''Nobody Knows'' (1977) *''Our World'' (1977) *''I Really Really Like You'' (1977) *''The Double Rainbow Hill'' (1977) *''Goodbye, Sir!'' (1977) *''The First Snow'' (1977) *''When We Grow Up...'' (1977) *''Angry Apple'' (1977) *''I've Never Felt Like This Before'' (1976) *'' I'm Really Really Sorry'' (1976) *''Blue Classroom'' (1976) *''I Really Have a Dream'' (1976) *''Ever So Much Good!'' (1976) *''Prayer of a Girl'' (1976) *'' Really Really Don't Forget'' (1976) *''Graduating School Girls'' (1975) *''Red Shoes'' (1975) *'' Transgression'' (1974)

Television series

* ''

Young Lady and Gentleman ''Young Lady and Gentleman'' () is a South Korean television series starring Ji Hyun-woo, Lee Se-hee and Cha Hwa-yeon, and directed by Shin Chang-seok. The weekend drama revolves around Lee Yong-gook, a widower with three children and a live-in ...

'' (KBS2, 2021) * ''

Lie After Lie ''Lie After Lie'' () is a South Korean television series starring Lee Yu-ri and Yeon Jung-hoon. It aired on Channel A from September 4 to October 24, 2020, every Friday and Saturday at 22:50 ( KST). The drama is also simulcast on Drama Cube, Dr ...

'' (Channel A, 2020) *'' My Only One'' (KBS2, 2018) *''

A Korean Odyssey ''A Korean Odyssey'' () is a South Korean fantasy television series starring Lee Seung-gi, Cha Seung-won, Oh Yeon-seo, Lee Hong-gi, and Jang Gwang. Written by the Hong sisters, the drama is a modern spin-off of the Chinese classic 16th-century n ...

'' (tvN / 2017-2018) - Bangmooljangsoo (peddler) *''

Hit the Top ''Hit the Top'' () is a South Korean television series starring Yoon Shi-yoon, Lee Se-young, Kim Min-jae and Cha Tae-hyun. The drama aired on KBS2, from June 2 to July 22, 2017, on Fridays and Saturdays at 23:00 ( KST) for 32 episodes. ''Hit t ...

'' (KBS2, 2017) *'' The Liar and His Lover'' (tvN, 2017) *''

Splash Splash Love ''Splash Splash Love'' () is a South Korean television series starring Kim Seul-gi and Yoon Doo-joon. It initially aired on web platform Naver TV Cast in a 10-episode format. It was then broadcast by MBC on December 13 and 20, 2015 in two 60-mi ...

'' (MBC, 2015) *'' The Producers'' (KBS2, 2015) *''

Rosy Lovers ''Rosy Lovers'' () is a 2014 South Korean television series starring Lee Jang-woo and Han Sun-hwa. It aired on MBC from October 18, 2014 to April 12, 2015 on Saturdays and Sundays at 20:40 for 52 episodes. Plot Baek Jang-mi is a sophomore major ...

'' (MBC, 2014) *''

Marriage, Not Dating ''Marriage, Not Dating'' () is a 2014 South Korean television series starring Yeon Woo-jin, Han Groo, Jeong Jin-woon, Han Sun-hwa, Heo Jung-min, and Yoon So-hee. It aired on tvN from July 4 to August 23, 2014 on Fridays and Saturdays at 20:40 ( K ...

'' (tvN, 2014) *''

Can We Fall in Love, Again? ''Can We Fall in Love, Again?'' () is a 2014 South Korean television series starring Eugene, Uhm Tae-woong, Kim Yoo-mi, Choi Jung-yoon and Kim Sung-soo. It aired on JTBC from January 6 to March 11, 2014 for 20 episodes. The series is based on ...

'' (jTBC, 2014) *''

Miss Korea Miss Korea ( ko, 미스코리아) is a national beauty pageant in South Korea. Lee Seung-hyeon won the title on October 26, 2022. History The first Miss Korea competition took place in 1957 and was sponsored by the Korean newspaper Hankook I ...

'' (MBC, 2013) *'' Princess Aurora'' (MBC, 2013) *''

7th Grade Civil Servant ''7th Grade Civil Servant'' () is a 2013 South Korean television series starring Choi Kang-hee and Joo Won as rookie spies who trained together, and later become NIS agents who must hide their real identities from each other even as they fall i ...

'' (MBC, 2013) *''

'' (jTBC, 2012) *''Immortal Classic'' (Channel A, 2012) *''Iron Daughters-in-Law'' (MBC, 2011) *'' Romance Town'' (KBS2, 2011) *''Sweet Palpitations'' (KBS2, 2011) *'' My Princess'' (MBC, 2011) *'' Smile, Mom'' (SBS, 2010) *''

You Don't Know Women ''You Don't Know Women'' () is a television drama series from South Korea starring Kim Ji-ho, Go Se-won and Im Ho. The morning soap opera aired on SBS on Mondays to Fridays at 8:40 a.m. from August 2 to December 31, 2010 for 109 episodes. Ca ...

'' (SBS, 2010) *''

Life Is Beautiful ''Life Is Beautiful'' ( it, La vita è bella, ) is a 1997 Italian comedy drama film directed by and starring Roberto Benigni, who co-wrote the film with Vincenzo Cerami. Benigni plays Guido Orefice, a Jewish Italian bookshop owner, who employ ...

'' (SBS, 2010) ( cameo) *''Life Is Good'' (MBC, 2009) *''

Queen Seondeok Queen Seondeok of Silla ( ko, 선덕여왕 ; 595~610 – 17 February 647/January 8, Lunar Calendar) reigned as Queen Regnant of Silla, one of the Three Kingdoms of Korea, from 632 to 647. She was Silla's twenty-seventh ruler, and its first re ...

'' (MBC, 2009) *'' The Road Home'' (KBS1, 2009) *''

Boys over Flowers , is a Japanese ''shōjo'' manga series written and illustrated by Yoko Kamio and set in Tokyo, Japan, and the fictional "Eitoku Academy" (an elite school for children from rich families). It tells the story of Tsukushi Makino, a girl fr ...

'' (KBS2, 2009) *''Little Mom Scandal - Season 2'' (CGV, 2008) *''Lawyers of the Great Republic of Korea'' (MBC, 2008) *''Little Mom Scandal'' (CGV, 2008) *''Winter Bird'' (MBC, 2007) *''MBC Best Theater'' "동네 한바퀴" (MBC, 2006) *''

Which Star Are You From ''Which Star Are You From'' () is a South Korean television drama that aired on MBC in 2006. Plot Kim Rae-won plays Choi Seung-hee, a young director who just made a successful international film debut. Following his success in Australia, he ...

'' (MBC, 2006) *''

Princess Hours ''Princess Hours'' (; lit. ''Palace'') is a 2006 South Korean television series, starring Yoon Eun-hye, Ju Ji-hoon, Kim Jeong-hoon and Song Ji-hyo. It is based on Korean manhwa ''Goong'' by Park So-hee. It aired on MBC from January 11 to Mar ...

'' (MBC, 2006) *''MBC Best Theater'' "달수, 성매매특별법에 걸리다" (MBC, 2005) *''Love and Sympathy'' (SBS, 2005) *''MBC Best Theater'' "달수, 아들 과외하다" (MBC, 2004) *''

Ireland Ireland ( ; ga, Éire ; Ulster Scots dialect, Ulster-Scots: ) is an island in the Atlantic Ocean, North Atlantic Ocean, in Northwestern Europe, north-western Europe. It is separated from Great Britain to its east by the North Channel (Grea ...

'' (MBC, 2004) *''

Full House ''Full House'' is an American television sitcom created by Jeff Franklin for ABC. The show is about widowed father Danny Tanner who enlists his brother-in-law Jesse Katsopolis and childhood best friend Joey Gladstone to help raise his three dau ...

'' (KBS2, 2004) *''People of the Water Flower Village'' (MBC, 2004) *''MBC Best Theater'' "Do 야 love me?" (MBC, 2003) *''MBC Best Theater'' "달려라 장 부장" (MBC, 2002) *''Honest Living'' (SBS, 2002) *''Affection'' (SBS, 2002) *''Wonderful Days'' (SBS, 2001) *''Blue Mist'' (KBS2, 2001) *''LA Arirang'' (SBS, 2000) *''MBC Best Theater'' "달수, 부메랑을 맞다" (MBC, 1999) *''Crush'' (KBS2, 1998) *''See and See Again'' (MBC, 1998) *사랑한다는 것은 (EBS, 1998) *''MBC Best Theater'' "달수의 홀로 아리랑" (MBC, 1997) *''MBC Best Theater'' "달수, 효도법 어기다" (MBC, 1997) *''OK Ranch'' (SBS, 1997) *''MBC Best Theater'' "황금빛 정원" (MBC, 1996) *''MBC Best Theater'' "달수의 차, 차, 차" (MBC, 1996) *''MBC Best Theater'' "달수 아들 학교 가다" (MBC, 1996) *''Three Kingdoms'' (KBS2, 1996) *''MBC Best Theater'' "달수의 집짓기" (MBC, 1995) *''MBC Best Theater'' "달수의 재판" (MBC, 1995) *''Love and Marriage'' (MBC, 1995) *''Partner'' (MBC, 1994-1997) *''Farewell'' (SBS, 1994) *''Mountain Wind'' (MBC, 1993) *''Professor Oh's Family'' (SBS, 1993) *''Mozart the Janitor'' (KBS1, 1992) *''A Rainy Afternoon'' (KBS2, 1991) *''Ancient Geum Jan-di'' (KBS1, 1991) *''Freezing Point'' (KBS2, 1990) *꼴찌 수색대 (MBC, 1990) *''Sunrise'' (KBS2, 1989) *''Legacy'' (MBC, 1989) *또래와 뚜리 (MBC, 1988) *''Love and Ambition'' (MBC, 1987) *''First Love'' (MBC, 1986) *''Love and Truth'' (MBC, 1984) *''Sunflower in Winter'' (MBC, 1983) *''Friend, My Friend'' (MBC, 1982) *''Yesterday and Tomorrow'' (MBC, 1982) *사랑합시다 (MBC, 1981) *''Han River'' (MBC, 1981) *''Anguk-dong Madam'' (MBC, 1980) *''White Dandelion'' (MBC, 1979) *''Frugal Family'' (MBC, 1979) *X 수색대 (MBC, 1978) *''South Wind'' (MBC, 1978) *봄처녀 오셨네 (MBC, 1977) *''Third Class'' (MBC, 1977) *귀로 (MBC, 1975) *''Jade Flute'' (TBC, 1975)

Variety show

*''

Sunday Sunday Night ''Sunday Night'' () is the longest-running South Korean television entertainment programme airing on MBC. It runs for 175 minutes, including roughly fifteen minutes of advertising. Previously named ''Big March of Sunday Night'' () when it debut ...

Parody Theater'' "

Temptation Temptation is a desire to engage in short-term urges for enjoyment that threatens long-term goals.Webb, J.R. (Sep 2014). Incorporating Spirituality into Psychology of temptation: Conceptualization, measurement, and clinical implications. Sp ...

of the

Legacy In law, a legacy is something held and transferred to someone as their inheritance, as by will and testament. Personal effects, family property, marriage property or collective property gained by will of real property. Legacy or legacies may refer ...

of the

Queen of Housewives ''Queen of Housewives'' (; also known as ''My Wife Is a Superwoman'') is a 2009 South Korean romantic comedy television series, starring Kim Nam-joo, Oh Ji-ho, Yoon Sang-hyun, Lee Hye-young, Choi Cheol-ho, and Sunwoo Sun. It depicts the li ...

" (MBC, 2009) *'' Quiz to Change the World'' (MBC, 2008-2010) - panelist *''Oasis'' (SBS, 2008) - MC *''Truth Game'' (SBS, 2005-2007) - panelist *''Vitamin'' (KBS2, 2006-2007) - panelist *''Lee Jae-yong and Im Ye-jin's Good Day'' (MBC, 2006-2007) - MC *''My Mom's the Best'' (GTV, 1995) - MC *영11 (MBC, 1981-1982) - MC *''MBC Campus Song Festival'' (1978, 1979, 1981) - MC *''

King of Mask Singer ''The King of Mask Singer'' () is a South Korean singing competition program presented by Kim Sung-joo, with introductions by voice actor . It airs on MBC on Sunday, starting from April 5, 2015 as a part of MBC's '' Sunday Night'' programming ...

'' (MBC, 2017) – Contestant as "The Goal Is Marriage Report Juliet" (episode 99)

Music video

T-ara T-ara (; ko, 티아라) are a South Korean girl group formed by MBK Entertainment in 2009, consists of four members: Qri, Eunjung, Hyomin and Jiyeon. T-ara's career is marked by hook-heavy dance-pop music, a result of their close partner ...

- " Roly-Poly" (2011) *

Joo Hyun-mi Joo Hyun Mi (Hangul: 주현미, born September 27, 1961) also known as Choo Hyun-mi, Ju Hyun-mi, Zhou Xuanmei or Chow Shiuan-mei, is a South Korean legendary singer, who is one of the nation's most successful trot singers. She debuted in 1984, ...

and

Seohyun Seo Ju-hyun (; born June 28, 1991), known professionally as Seohyun, is a South Korean singer, actress and songwriter. She debuted as a member of girl group Girls' Generation (and later its subgroup Girls' Generation-TTS) in August 2007, which ...

- "Jjarajajja" (2009) *

Psy Park Jae-sang (, ; born December 31, 1977), known professionally as Psy (stylized in all caps as PSY) (; ; ), is a South Korean singer, rapper, songwriter, and record producer. Psy is known domestically for his humorous videos and stage perf ...

feat.

Snoop Dogg Calvin Cordozar Broadus Jr. (born October 20, 1971), known professionally as Snoop Dogg (previously Snoop Doggy Dogg and briefly Snoop Lion), is an American rapper. His fame dates back to 1992 when he featured on Dr. Dre's debut solo single, " ...

- "Hangover" (2014)

Theater

*''I Really Really Like You'' (2010)

Radio program

*'' Hopeful Music at Noon'' (

MBC Radio Missinipi Broadcasting Corporation, or MBC Radio, is a radio network in Canada, serving First Nations and Métis communities in the province of Saskatchewan. The network's flagship station is CJLR in La Ronge. The MBC network broadcasts to more ...

, 1980-1984) *''Song Chang-ho and Im Ye-jin's Ode to Youth'' (

, 1980-1981) *''The

and Im Ye-jin Show'' (TBC Radio, 1978-1979)

Awards

*2009 MBC Entertainment Awards: Female Excellence Award in Variety ('' Quiz to Change the World'') *2008 MBC Entertainment Awards: Best Entertainer Award ('' Quiz to Change the World'') *

2007 MBC Drama Awards The 2007 MBC Drama Awards () is a ceremony honoring the outstanding achievement in television on the Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) network for the year of 2007. It was held on December 30, 2007 and hosted by Shin Dong-yup and Hyun Young. ...

: Best TV Host (''Good Day'') *1975

: Best New Actress (''Graduating School Girls'')

References

External links

* * * {{DEFAULTSORT:Im, Ye-jin Actresses from Seoul 20th-century South Korean actresses 21st-century South Korean actresses South Korean film actresses South Korean television actresses Dongguk University alumni Living people 1959 births