Kim Min-jae (actor, born 1996)

Kim studied composition and piano-playing at a music academy in middle school. Kim then auditioned for CJ E&M and became a first generation trainee of the company{{cite web|title=Which K-drama actors almost debuted as K-pop idols?|url=https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/celebrity/article/3109128/park-bo-gum-and-4-other-k-drama-actors-who-first-trained|website=South China Morning Post|language=en|date=November 10, 2020|access-date=November 22, 2020|archive-date=November 11, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201111102709/https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/celebrity/article/3109128/park-bo-gum-and-4-other-k-drama-actors-who-first-trained|url-status=live }} for four years from his first year of high school, at Seoul Performing Arts High School (SOPA).

Since March 2016, Kim attends Chung-Ang University.{{Cite news|url=http://www.osen.co.kr/article/G1110285620|script-title=ko:19살 스타들, 대입 준비하거나 포기하거나 [종합]|language=ko|work={{ill|Osen (newspaper)|ko|OSEN|lt=OSEN}}|date=November 4, 2015|access-date=January 22, 2017|archive-date=June 28, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230628130411/http://osen.mt.co.kr/article/G1110285620|url-status=live}}

Kim was featured in music stages of CJ E&M artists as a rapper since 2014 and was one of the first generation of trainees from CJ E&M.{{cite web|url=http://tenasia.hankyung.com/archives/489533|title=My Name, '칠전팔기 구해라' 사기준, 김민재 (1)|date=April 8, 2015|website=TenAsia|language=ko|access-date=January 22, 2017|archive-date=February 2, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202021403/http://tenasia.hankyung.com/archives/489533|url-status=dead}}

Kim debuted as an actor in 2014 in a joint South Korean-Vietnamese drama Forever Young. He also had a cameo role in the tvN drama I Need Romance 3 (2014) as an idol singer preparing for debut.

While he was preparing for his debut as an idol singer, he was cast in Mnet's drama Perseverance Goo Hae-ra in 2015 after going through several auditions.{{cite web|url=http://joynews.inews24.com/php/news_view.php?g_serial=894789&g_menu=090753|script-title=ko:김민재, '칠전팔기 구해라'가 거둔 최고의 수확(인터뷰)|date=April 24, 2015|website=inews24|language=ko|access-date=September 10, 2018|archive-date=September 10, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180910095058/http://joynews.inews24.com/php/news_view.php?g_serial=894789&g_menu=090753|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=http://tenasia.hankyung.com/archives/489556|title=My Name, '칠전팔기 구해라' 사기준, 김민재 (2) 노력으로 완성한 꿈의 결정체|date=April 8, 2015|website=TenAsia|language=ko|access-date=September 10, 2018|archive-date=September 10, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180910095002/http://tenasia.hankyung.com/archives/489556|url-status=dead}}

Kim then made a cameo appearance in KBS2's drama The Producers as one of 2 Days & 1 Night – Season 5 cast members.{{Cite news|url=http://biz.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2015/06/27/2015062701082.html|script-title=ko:김민재, 인증샷 공개 "프로듀사 촬영 좋은 경험이였다"|language=ko|work=Biz Chosun|date=June 27, 2015|access-date=January 22, 2017|archive-date=February 2, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202004628/http://biz.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2015/06/27/2015062701082.html|url-status=live}} In June the same year, Kim joined the rap competition Show Me the Money 4 as a contestant.{{cite web|url=http://news.naver.com/main/read.nhn?mode=LSD&mid=sec&oid=465&aid=0000001804&sid1=001|script-title=ko:김민재│① "요즘은 집에서 쉴 때 강아지만 보고 있어요"|date=January 17, 2016|work=Naver News|language=ko|access-date=January 22, 2017|archive-date=April 2, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170402115056/http://news.naver.com/main/read.nhn?mode=LSD&mid=sec&oid=465&aid=0000001804&sid1=001|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://www.newsen.com/news_view.php?uid=201507241700193410|script-title=ko:'프로듀사' 김민재 "대스타 공효진-김수현, 편하게 대해줘"[포토엔]|date=July 24, 2015|website=Newsen|language=ko|access-date=September 10, 2018|archive-date=September 10, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180910131352/http://www.newsen.com/news_view.php?uid=201507241700193410|url-status=live}}

Kim was then cast in supporting roles in the dramas Second 20s (2015){{cite web|url=http://www.bntnews.co.uk/app/news.php?nid=24596|title=Son Na Eun And Kim Min Jae Are A Fresh Campus Couple|date=August 14, 2015|website=BNT News|access-date=September 10, 2018|archive-date=August 15, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200815215520/http://www.bntnews.co.uk/app/news.php?nid=24596|url-status=dead}} and My First Time (2015).{{Cite news|url=http://interfootball.heraldcorp.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=53928|script-title=ko:'처음이라서' 민호-박소담-김민재-이이경-조혜정 캐스팅 완료 '기대만발'|date=July 15, 2015|website=Herald Corp|language=ko|access-date=September 10, 2018|archive-date=September 10, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180910095040/http://interfootball.heraldcorp.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=53928|url-status=live}} Kim also featured in the singles "Our Feeling" for the soundtrack of My First Time with Park So-dam and Lee Yi-kyung,{{cite web|url=https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=213&aid=0000778120|script-title=ko:'처음이라서' OST '우리느낌', 박소담-김민재-이이경 피처링 가세|date=October 8, 2015|website=TV Report|language=ko|access-date=September 10, 2018|archive-date=September 10, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180910094951/https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=213&aid=0000778120|url-status=live}} and "Star" for the soundtrack of Second 20s with Mamamoo's Solar.{{Cite news|url=http://www.asiae.co.kr/news/view.htm?idxno=2015100213421059265|script-title=ko:'두번째 스무살' 김민재, 솔라 '별' 통해 유엣 '환상의 시너지'|website=10Asia|date=October 2, 2015|access-date=January 22, 2017|language=ko|archive-date=February 2, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202012436/http://www.asiae.co.kr/news/view.htm?idxno=2015100213421059265|url-status=live}}

On November 21, 2015, Kim, alongside Kim Sae-ron, started hosting MBC's music program Show! Music Core.{{Cite news|url=https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/culture/2016/09/386_191015.html|title=Kim Sae-ron, Kim Min-jae to host 'Music Core'|date=November 15, 2015|newspaper=The Korea Times|language=en|access-date=January 22, 2017|archive-date=February 2, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202012045/http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/culture/2016/09/386_191015.html|url-status=live}} They left the show in September 2016.{{Cite web|url=http://www.mydaily.co.kr/new_yk/html/read.php?newsid=201609231723201116&ext=na|script-title=ko:[공식입장] MBC '음중' 김민재 하차 김새론 잔류...후임 곧 발표|website=My Daily|access-date=January 22, 2017|language=ko|date=September 23, 2016|archive-date=February 3, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170203125330/http://www.mydaily.co.kr/new_yk/html/read.php?newsid=201609231723201116&ext=na|url-status=live}}

In 2016, Kim featured in MBC's family drama My Little Baby.{{Cite web|url=http://www.xportsnews.com/jenter/?ac=article_view&entry_id=695739&_REFERER=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com.sg%2F|script-title=ko:김민재, '마이리틀베이비'서 꽃미남 바리스타로 변신|date=February 23, 2016|website=Xports News|language=ko|access-date=September 10, 2018|archive-date=September 8, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200908221233/http://www.xportsnews.com/jenter/?ac=article_view&entry_id=695739&_REFERER=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com.sg%2F|url-status=live}} Kim then featured in the medical drama Dr. Romantic and received a New Star award for his role at the SBS Drama Awards.{{cite web|url=http://stoo.asiae.co.kr/news/view.htm?idxno=2016092409494701020|script-title=ko:김민재, '낭만닥터 김사부' 출연 확정...한석규·서현진과 호흡|date=September 24, 2016|website=Asia Economic Daily|language=ko|access-date=September 10, 2018|archive-date=October 23, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211023090850/http://stoo.asiae.co.kr/news/view.htm?idxno=2016092409494701020|url-status=dead}} He also made a special appearance in tvN's hit fantasy drama Guardian: The Lonely and Great God (2016), which garnered him increased recognition.{{cite web|url=http://tenasia.hankyung.com/archives/1074063|script-title=ko:'도깨비' 김민재의 재발견|date=December 3, 2016|website=TenAsia|language=ko|access-date=September 10, 2018|archive-date=September 10, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180910094801/http://tenasia.hankyung.com/archives/1074063|url-status=dead}}

In 2017, Kim starred in KBS2' variety drama Hit the Top.{{cite web|url=http://hei.hankyung.com/news/app/newsview.php?aid=201703163936H|script-title=ko:윤시윤·김민재, 유호진PD 신작 '최고의 한방' 주연 확정|work=The Korea Economic Daily|date=March 16, 2017|language=ko|access-date=March 16, 2017|archive-date=March 17, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170317143031/http://hei.hankyung.com/news/app/newsview.php?aid=201703163936H|url-status=live}}

The same year, Kim was cast in the film Love+Sling which marked his big screen debut.{{cite web|url=http://www.koreanfilm.or.kr/jsp/news/news.jsp?pageIndex=1&blbdComCd=601006&seq=4419&mode=VIEW&returnUrl=&searchKeyword=|title=YOO Hae-jin and KIM Min-jae Take a Ride on LOVESWING|date=August 14, 2017|website=Korean Film Biz Zone|access-date=August 21, 2017|archive-date=May 6, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210506213435/https://www.koreanfilm.or.kr/jsp/news/news.jsp?pageIndex=1&blbdComCd=601006&seq=4419&mode=VIEW&returnUrl=&searchKeyword=|url-status=live}} He was also cast in Feng Shui, the third installment of the "divining art trilogy" by Han Jae-rim.{{cite web|url=http://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/article/article.aspx?aid=3035828|title=Moon Chae-won, Kim Min-jae join film|website=Korea JoongAng Daily|date=July 14, 2017|access-date=July 29, 2017|archive-date=July 14, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170714014126/http://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/article/article.aspx?aid=3035828|url-status=live}}

In 2018, Kim was cast to play a wealthy playboy in MBC's romance thriller Tempted.{{Cite news|url=https://www.hancinema.net/the-great-seducer-kim-min-jae-i-is-a-busy-casanova-115908.html|title="The Great Seducer" Kim Min-jae-I Is a Busy Casanova|date=February 25, 2018|website=HanCinema|publisher=Newsen|access-date=September 10, 2018|archive-date=October 11, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211011081853/https://www.hancinema.net/the-great-seducer-kim-min-jae-i-is-a-busy-casanova-115908.html|url-status=live}}

In 2019, Kim starred in the youth historical drama Flower Crew: Joseon Marriage Agency which marked his first leading role.{{cite web|date=March 18, 2019|script-title=ko:김민재, 박지훈 만날까.."'꽃파당' 주연 확정"(공식입장)|url=https://entertain.naver.com/now/read?oid=609&aid=0000077180|website=Newsen|language=ko|access-date=March 18, 2019|archive-date=March 4, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220304133738/https://entertain.naver.com/now/read?oid=609&aid=0000077180|url-status=live}} In June, Kim signed up with a new agency YamYam Entertainment.{{Cite news|url=http://enews.imbc.com/News/RetrieveNewsInfo/261894|script-title=ko:김민재, 냠냠엔터와 전속계약 체결 "전방위적인 활동 지원할 것"|date=June 14, 2019|website=iMBC|author=Park Han-il|language=ko|access-date=June 17, 2019|archive-date=June 17, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190617004305/http://enews.imbc.com/News/RetrieveNewsInfo/261894|url-status=live}}

In 2020, Kim reprised his role of Park Eun-tak in Dr. Romantic 2.{{cite web|url=https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/art/2020/02/688_278590.html|title=Actor Kim Min-jae calls first period drama 'gift'|date=November 12, 2019|website=The Korea Times|access-date=February 3, 2020|archive-date=February 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200203121035/https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/art/2020/02/688_278590.html|url-status=live}}

The same year he starred in SBS drama Do You Like Brahms?, playing Park Joon-young, a world-renowned pianist for which he received Excellence Award, Actor in a Miniseries Fantasy/Romance Drama and Best Couple Award with Park Eun-bin at 2020 SBS Drama Awards.

In 2021, Kim participated in composing the lyrics of "I'm Jealous" on his label mate Punch's second mini album FULL BLOOM. Later that year, Kim starred in the drama Dali & Cocky Prince, which premiered in September on KBS2. He played the role of Jin Moo-hak, rich young man who has little education and no background but knows to make money{{cite web|url=https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/article/052/0001643414|author=Kim Seong-hyun|script-title=ko:'달리와 감자탕' 김민재, 일자무식 캐릭터 완벽 소화→코믹 변신 성공|trans-title='Dali and Gamjatang' Kim Min-jae, perfect digestion of ignorant characters → Success in comic transformation|work=YTN|via=Naver|date=September 23, 2021|access-date=March 16, 2022|language=ko|archive-date=March 16, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220316194821/https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/article/052/0001643414|url-status=live}} for which he received Excellence Award, Actor in a Miniseries at 2021 KBS Drama Awards.

In 2022, Kim played the titular Yoo Se-poong in the tvN historical medical drama Poong, the Joseon Psychiatrist.{{cite web|url=https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/article/469/0000647077|author=Jeong Han-byul|script-title=ko:[단독] 김상경, '조선 정신과 의사 유세풍'으로 안방극장 복귀|trans-title=[Exclusive] Kim Sang-kyung returns to the small screen with 'Joseon Psychiatrist Yoo Se-poong'|work=Hankook Ilbo|via=Naver|date=December 16, 2021|access-date=March 14, 2022|language=ko|archive-date=March 14, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220314141751/https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/article/469/0000647077|url-status=live}}

In 2023, Kim reprised his role of Park Eun-tak in Dr. Romantic 3.{{Cite web|script-title=ko:김민재, '낭만닥터 김사부3' 출연 확정...세 시즌 연속|url=https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=079&aid=0003703729|access-date=May 22, 2023|website=entertain.naver.com|language=ko|archive-date=May 22, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230522220553/https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=079&aid=0003703729|url-status=live }}

In February 2023, Kim told the media that he plans to enlist in the mandatory military service this year or in 2024.{{cite web|url=https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=609&aid=0000687545|last=Park|first=Soo-in|script-title=ko:김민재 "올해·내년 중 군입대 예정, 쉬는시간 가져다줄 거란 기대"[EN:인터뷰]|trans-title=Kim Min-jae "I plan to enlist in the military this year or next year, I expect that it will bring me a break" [EN: Interview]|publisher=Newsen|via=Naver|date=February 10, 2023|access-date=February 11, 2023|language=ko|archive-date=February 11, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230211140422/https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=609&aid=0000687545|url-status=live}} On September 6, 2023, Kim's agency announced that Kim would enter military service on September 18. After completing basic training, Kim will be sent to the Army band Unit.{{cite web|url=https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=001&aid=0014175984|last=Hwang|first=Jae-ha|script-title=ko:배우 김민재, 18일 현역으로 입대…육군 군악대 복무|trans-title= Actor Kim Min-jae, enlisted in active duty on 18th...Army military band service|publisher=Yonhap News Agency|via=Naver|date=September 6, 2023|access-date=September 6, 2023|language=ko}} Kim was officially discharged on March 17, 2025.{{cite news|script-title=ko:김민재, 오늘(17일) 전역 "많은 것 배운 시간 귀중한 경험"|url=https://m.entertain.naver.com/article/437/0000433567|work=JTBC|via=Naver|last=Hwang|first=So-young|date=March 17, 2025|access-date=March 26, 2025|language=ko}}

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Category:1996 births

Category:Living people

Category:Male actors from Daegu

Category:Musicians from Daegu

Category:South Korean male child actors

Category:South Korean male rappers

Category:South Korean male television actors

Category:South Korean male film actors

Category:South Korean male web series actors

Category:21st-century South Korean male actors

Category:School of Performing Arts Seoul alumni

Category:Chung-Ang University alumni