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Kim Hye-su

Kim Hye-su

Actor · Born September 5, 1970 (56) · Busan, South Korea

Kim Hye-soo (김혜수) is a veteran South Korean actress. She was born on September 5, 1970 in Busan. She has worked regularly since the 1980s and as starred in some of the biggest Korean blockbusters including The Thieves (2012), Tazza: The High Rollers (2006), The Face Reader (2013), and Kick the Moon (2001). She is also the recipient of numerous awards including the Blue Dragon Best Actress award for First Love (1993), Dr. Bong (1995), and Tazza: The High Rollers (2006), and the Grand Bell Best Actress award for Hypnotized (2004).

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Biography from TMDB.

Born
September 5, 1970 (56)
From
Busan, South Korea
Works as
Actor
Titles
19 on MovieCove · 65 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 37 days to Oct 26Up 16% in 30 days

What are Kim Hye-su's films like?

Across their 18 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Power and Morality.

Genres

Action5 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 75th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Action movies
Comedy5 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 62nd percentile
: browse their Comedy movies

Their MovieCove films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Power
21%
Morality
21%
Survival
19%
Bonds
18%
Self
13%
Ideas
4%
Society
4%
Family bonds6 titles, browse their movies with this themeGreed4 titles, browse their movies with this themeJustice3 titles, browse their movies with this themeSurvival4 titles, browse their movies with this themeDeception3 titles, browse their movies with this themeTrauma3 titles, browse their movies with this themePower2 titles, browse their movies with this themeAmbition3 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 13 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Stylized: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their stylized movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

Grounded 4 · Stylized 6 · Heightened 3

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

Gentle 1 · Charged 6 · Intense 6

Shifting: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their shifting movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

Steady 3 · Shifting 6 · Whiplash 4

Some laughs: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their some laughs movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

Straight-faced 6 · Some laughs 7 · Funny 0

Even-paced: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their even-paced movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 5 · Even-paced 7 · Relentless 1

Engaged: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their engaged movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 3 · Engaged 7 · Full focus 3

Open-ended: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their open-ended movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

A split, not a type: Resolved 7 · Open-ended 4 · Ambiguous 2

Roles they play

17 analyzed roles

Usually the Hero: 6 of 17 analyzed roles.

Hero
6 of 17
Shapeshifter
4 of 17
Shadow
3 of 17
Ally
2 of 17
Herald
2 of 17
Show the 17 roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
15
Melancholic
8
Contemplative
6
Thrilling
4
Dread
2
Other
13

How their films linger

Thought-provoking9 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet8 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHaunting4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteUnsettling4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 6 with a twist

  • Bittersweet15
  • Tragic1
  • Ambiguous2

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Kim Hye-su's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 13 of their 19 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (6).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Kim Hye-su's titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

65 credits, 19 with a MovieCove page; 5 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • The Affair Was Just the Beginning (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2026)

    Show 8 episodes · as Kyung-hee

  • Unmasked(2025)

    Show 12 episodes · as Oh So-ryong

    Midcredits score: 64th percentile of all shows

  • Smugglers(2023)

    as Jo Choon-ja

    Midcredits score: 58th percentile of all films

  • Under the Queen's Umbrella(2022)

    Show 16 episodes · as Queen Im Hwa-ryeong

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all shows

  • Juvenile Justice(2022)

    Show 10 episodes · as Sim Eun-seok

    Midcredits score: 91st percentile of all shows

  • The Day I Died: Unclosed Case (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2020)

    as Hyun-soo

  • Hyena(2020)

    Show 16 episodes · as Jung Geum-ja

    Midcredits score: 78th percentile of all shows

  • Default(2018)

    as Han Si-hyun

    Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all films

  • A Special Lady(2017)

    as Hyun-jung

    Midcredits score: 32nd percentile of all films

  • Dr. Romantic(2016)

    Show 1 episode · as Lee Young-jo

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all shows

  • Infinite Challenge - Muhan Company (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2016)

    as Cha Soo-Hyun

  • Muhan Company (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2016)

    Show 2 episodes · as Detective Cha Soo Hyun

  • Familyhood(2016)

    as Go Ju-yeon

    Midcredits score: 62nd percentile of all films

  • Signal(2016)

    Show 24 episodes · as Cha Soo-hyun

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all shows

  • Coin Locker Girl(2015)

    as Ma Woo-hee

    Midcredits score: 75th percentile of all films

  • The Face Reader(2013)

    as Yeon-hong

    Midcredits score: 75th percentile of all films

  • The Queen of Office (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)

    Show 16 episodes · as Miss Kim

  • 방랑식객 식사하셨어요? (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • The Thieves(2012)

    as Pepsee

    Midcredits score: 75th percentile of all films

  • Villain and Widow(2010)

    as Yeon-ju

    Midcredits score: 59th percentile of all films

  • Home Sweet Home (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)

    Show 16 episodes · as Kim Jinseo

  • Style (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2009)

    Show 16 episodes · as Park Ki-Ja

  • Forgiveness (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)

    Actor

  • Modern Boy (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)

    as Cho Nan-sil

  • My 11th Mother (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    as Woman

  • Skeletons in the Closet(2007)

    as Oh Mi-kyung

    Midcredits score: 75th percentile of all films

  • A Good Day to Have an Affair (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    as Dewdrop

  • Tazza: The High Rollers(2006)

    as Madam Jeong

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all films

  • The Red Shoes (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    as Sun-jae

  • Han River Ballad (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    Show 40 episodes · Actor

  • The Hypnotized(2004)

    as Ji-su

    Midcredits score: 43rd percentile of all films

  • Jang Hee Bin (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    Show 100 episodes · as Jang Hee bin

  • YMCA Baseball Team (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    as Min Jung-rim

  • Three(2002)

    as Wife (segment "Memories")

    Midcredits score: 47th percentile of all films

  • Memories (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    as Wife

  • Kick the Moon (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    as Min Ju-ran

  • Golden Era (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    Show 20 episodes · as 김희경

  • 곰탕 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    Show 2 episodes · Actor

  • 국희 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    Show 20 episodes · Actor

  • Did We Really Love? (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    Show 44 episodes · Actor

  • Doctor K (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    as Pyo Ji-soo

  • Too Tired to Die(1998)

    as Anouk

    Midcredits score: 35th percentile of all films

  • Tie a Yellow Ribbon (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    as Chae-young

  • Revenge and Passion (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    Show 16 episodes · as Mi-kyung Jung

  • Mr. Condom (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    as Seong-hee

  • Change (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    as Subway woman

  • Basics of Love (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    Show 1 episode · as Il Young

  • Dr. Bong (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    as Hwang Yeo-jin

  • Bitter and Sweet (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    as Hye-soo

  • The Eternal Empire (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    as Yoon Sang-ah

  • Partner (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    Show 2 episodes · Actor

  • Blue Seagull (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    as Chae-rin (voice)

  • Life and Death of the Hollywood Kid (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    Actor

  • 도깨비가 간다 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    Show 16 episodes · as 최인영

  • I Wish for What Is Forbidden to Me (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    Actor

  • Pilot (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    Show 16 episodes · as Lee Ji Won

  • First Love (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    as Park Young-shin

  • Terminal Basement (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    as Miss Park

  • Lost Love (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    Actor

  • Oseam (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    Actor

  • Legend of Chunhyang (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    Show 1 episode · as Seong Chunhyang

  • Grown-ups Just Don't Understand (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    Actor

  • That Last Winter (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    Actor

  • My Daughter Saved from Den of Evil 2 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    Actor

  • Kam-bo (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    as Na-young

Career shape

Star power in the 99th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 65 titles from 1986 to 2026; peak year 2016.

Biggest box office

The Thieves (2012)

$87M worldwide

Highest rated

Signal (2016)

Midcredits 98th

Film career

MilestoneBreakout
19862026

Peak 2016 · fewer prominent film roles lately. Top draw in 8 MovieCove titles. Film roles by billing, audience size and rating; 25+ votes. A show carries a single first-air date, so shows are not on the curve.

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting65 of 65: 65 only acting, 0 with another role · typical Midcredits score75th

By decade

1980s5 · acting1990s22 · acting2000s17 · acting2010s14 · acting2020s7 · acting

Billing

usually 1st · top billed in 70% of 10 roles

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30.

How do Kim Hye-su's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 62nd percentile, the median of all 13; across their 13 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 63rd percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

63rdpercentile
Typical film, the median of 13

Approval · how many liked their films

63rdpercentile
Typical film, the median of 13

Reach · how many have seen their films

77thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 13

Midcredits score across 19 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up10
  • 50th to 74th5
  • 25th to 49th4

Shape of the crowd

10 of their 19 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved3
  • Crowd Pleaser10
  • Broadly Agreed1
  • Mixed5

Most divisive · actor

Too Tired to Die (1998)

66th percentile spread · 28% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Signal (2016)

Midcredits 98th · 93% liked

Reviewers score the acting 77/100 in their films, across 12 reviewed titles; fans 81, detractors 53. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Is Kim Hye-su's work okay for kids?

Across a limited sample of up to 4 MovieCove titles with content scores.

Their medianMedian of all films
Sex & Nudity4 titlesmedian 33 · mildMedian of all films: 32

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted.

Who does Kim Hye-su work with?

People who share at least 2 of Kim Hye-su's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Shin Min-kyeong shares the most, 5.

Directors

Actors

Composers, cinematographers and editors

Producers