Kim So-won

Kim So-won
Kim posing for the camera in February 2020
Kim in 2019
Born
Kim So-jeong

(1995-12-07) December 7, 1995 (age 30)
Seoul, South Korea
EducationSungshin Women's University – Department of Media and Film Acting
Occupations
  • Singer
  • actress
Years active2015–present
AgentHaky Entertainment
Musical career
Also known asSowon
GenreK-pop
InstrumentVocals
Years active
  • 2015–2021
  • 2024–2025
LabelSource
Member ofGFriend
Korean name
Hangul
김소정
RRGim Sojeong
MRKim Sojŏng
Stage name
Hangul
김소원
RRGim Sowon
MRKim Sowŏn
Signature
Signature of Kim

Kim So-jeong (Korean: 김소정; born December 7, 1995), known professionally as Kim So-won (김소원), is a South Korean singer and actress. She is best known as the leader of South Korean girl group GFriend.

Early life and education

Kim was born on December 7, 1995, in Gupabal-dong, Eunpyeong District, Seoul, South Korea. She graduated from Hanlim Multi Arts High School in 2014, majored in modeling. She got accepted into the Department of Media and Film Acting at Sungshin Women's University in 2016.

Career

2010–2014: Pre-debut

Prior to debut, Kim trained with DSP Media for 4 years. After leaving DSP Media, she joined Source Music as trainee in 2013, where she trained for 1 year and 6 months before debuting as a member of GFriend.

2015–2020: Debut with GFriend, solo activities and contract termination

On January 15, 2015, Kim debuted as a member and sub-vocal of South Korean girl group GFriend under the stage name Sowon with the released of EP Season of Glass.

On July 25, 2018, Kim was cast as the main host for MBC's Look at Me beauty program, marking her first time hosting a television program. On October 17, Kim made her debut as runway model for D-Antidote at S/S Hera Seoul Fashion Week 2019.

On May 18, 2021, Source Music announced that the agency and members of GFriend including Kim have agreed not to renew contracts. The group officially disbanded on May 22.

2021–present: Acting career and other ventures

On August 2, 2021, it was announced that she has signed with IOK Company as an actress under her birth name. On September 30, she made her acting debut in the television film My Chilling Roommate alongside iKon's Jung Chan-woo. On December 1, Kim was cast in the short-form horror film 4:44 Seconds. The film is set to release on November 1, 2024.

On November 15, 2022, it was announced that Kim had signed a contract with Oui Entertainment, continuing her acting career under stage name "Kim So-won".

On August 8, 2024, Oui Entertainment announced that Kim would be leaving the company after agreeing not to renew her exclusive contract. On September 29, 2025, Kim signed a contract with Haky Entertainment. On November 13, 2025, Kim announced the launch of her own skincare brand Neovea, which was officially launched on November 17.

Public image

Sowon has received attention for her beauty and physical fitness. On the Korea's Corporation Reputation Research Institution Monthly "Individual Girl Group Members Brand Power Ranking", Sowon placed number two on the January 2019 search and number 36 on the October 2019 search.

Discography

Composition credits

All song credits are adapted from the Korea Music Copyright Association's database unless stated otherwise.

List of songs, showing year released, artist name, and name of the album
Title Year Artist Album Composer Lyricist
"Hope" 2019 GFriend Fever Season No Yes
"Better Me" 2020 回:Walpurgis Night Yes Yes

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2024 Astro Boy Cora Voice-over for the Korean-dubbed version
4:44 Seconds Choi Hee-young

Television series

Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2022 My Chilling Roommate Jung Se-ri Television film
2024–2025 Who Is She Seo Chan-mi
TBA The Chain TBA

Television shows

Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2012 DSP BOYZ – Making the Star Contestant With A-Jax
2018 Look at Me Host
2019 Trend by Me Cast member

Music videos appearances

Year Title Artist Ref.
2011 "To Me" (내게로..) Rainbow
2022 "Endless Night" (긴밤) Kim Min-jong

Awards and nominations

Name of the award ceremony, year presented, category, nominee of the award, and the result of the nomination
Award ceremony Year Category Nominee(s) / Work(s) Result Ref.
Korea First Brand Awards 2018 Beauty Icon Sowon Won

Notes

  1. ↑ Hosted by the Korea Consumer Brand Committee and the Korea Consumer Forum, the Korea First Brand Awards bases its winners on a nationwide South Korean survey.

References

  1. ↑ "여자친구 리더 소원은 '김포 불손'"...'아이돌룸'에서 펼쳐진 '리더 재선거전'. The Asia Business Daily (in Korean). January 15, 2019. Archived from the original on October 5, 2021. Retrieved January 30, 2021.
  2. ↑ Delgado, Sara (November 9, 2020). "GFRIEND Take on Disco Glamour in "MAGO" Music Video". Teen Vogue. Archived from the original on November 18, 2020. Retrieved January 30, 2021.
  3. 1 2 Lee, Ji-seok (August 2, 2015). '여친소' 화제의 걸그룹 '여자친구'의 자기소개 (in Korean). Archived from the original on February 4, 2021. Retrieved October 1, 2021 – via Naver.
  4. ↑ Lee, Seung-rok (February 2, 2015). 어느 날, 여섯 명의 '여자친구'가 생겼다(인터뷰). My Daily (in Korean). Archived from the original on August 9, 2019. Retrieved June 22, 2021 – via Naver.
  5. ↑ Hwang, Hye-jin (February 17, 2016). 여자친구 측 "소원 성신여대 미디어영상연기학과 16학번 합격". Newsen (in Korean). Archived from the original on January 21, 2025. Retrieved January 30, 2021.
  6. 1 2 Ji, Seung-hoon (July 28, 2018). 멤버를 알면 '진짜' 여자친구가 보인다(언니 라인). Yonhap News Agency (in Korean). Archived from the original on October 5, 2021. Retrieved January 31, 2021.
  7. ↑ 여자친구, 데뷔앨범 하이라이트 메들리 공개..'소녀감성'. The Chosun Ilbo (in Korean). January 14, 2015. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved March 19, 2019.
  8. 1 2 Lee, Ji-hyun (July 25, 2018). 여자친구 소원, 뷰티 프로그램 MC 발탁...신흥 '뷰티돌' 탄생. Sports Chosun (in Korean). Archived from the original on October 5, 2021. Retrieved January 30, 2021.
  9. ↑ 여자친구 소원, 첫 런웨이 도전..19일 서울패션위크 무대 선다 (in Korean). Archived from the original on February 2, 2022. Retrieved July 31, 2020 – via Naver.
  10. ↑ Jeong, Hee-yeon (May 18, 2021). 여자친구 계약종료...각자 길 간다 [공식입장]. Sports Donga (in Korean). Archived from the original on May 18, 2021. Retrieved May 18, 2021 – via Naver.
  11. ↑ Hwang, Hye-jin (May 19, 2021). 여자친구, 자필편지로 전한 해체 심경 "아파할 팬들 안아주고파"(종합). Newsen (in Korean). Archived from the original on May 19, 2021. Retrieved May 19, 2021 – via Naver.
  12. ↑ Kim, Soo-young (August 2, 2021). 여자친구 소원, 아이오케이와 전속계약...배우 김소정으로 새출발 [공식] [Girlfriend Sowon, exclusive contract with IOK... A fresh start as actress Kim So-jeong [Official]]. The Korea Economic Daily Ilbo (in Korean). Archived from the original on August 2, 2021. Retrieved August 2, 2021 – via Naver.
  13. 1 2 Hwang, Hye-jin (September 30, 2021). 여자친구 출신 배우 김소정, 시네라마 '오싹한 동거' 주연 캐스팅(공식) [Actress Kim So-jeong from girlfriend, cast as the lead in Cinemarama 'Chilling Co-Habitation' (official)]. Newsen (in Korean). Archived from the original on September 30, 2021. Retrieved September 30, 2021 – via Naver.
  14. ↑ Jung, Hee-yeon (December 1, 2021). 유지애·김소정→온유·성열 '4분 44초' 캐스팅 [공식] [Yoo Ji-ae, Kim So-jeong → Onew, Seong-yeol's '4:44' Casting [Official]]. Sports Donga (in Korean). Archived from the original on December 1, 2021. Retrieved December 1, 2021 – via Naver.
  15. ↑ Kang, Nae-ri (October 14, 2024). 샤이니 온유 주연 스낵 호러 '4분 44초', 11월 1일 개봉 [SHINee Onew Starring Snack Horror '4 Minutes 44 Seconds' to be Released on November 1]. YTN (in Korean). Archived from the original on December 10, 2024. Retrieved October 17, 2024 – via Naver.
  16. ↑ Lee, Seung-rok (November 15, 2022). [단독] 여자친구 소원, 활동명 '김소원' 배우 새출발...위아이와 한식구 됐다 (종합) [[Exclusive] GFRIEND's Sowon, a new start as an actress under the stage name 'Kim Sowon'... Became a Korean family with Wei (Comprehensive)]. My Daily (in Korean). Archived from the original on November 15, 2022. Retrieved November 15, 2022 – via Naver.
  17. ↑ Oh, Se-rin (August 8, 2024). "서로 의견 존중" 여자친구 김소원, 위엔터테인먼트와 이별...전속 계약 종료 (전문) ["Respect each other's opinions" Girlfriend Kim So-won, breaks up with We Entertainment... Exclusive contract ends (Full text)]. Top Star News (in Korean). Archived from the original on August 9, 2024. Retrieved August 9, 2024.
  18. ↑ Kim, Myung-mi (September 29, 2025). 여자친구 김소원, 배우로 인생 2막...하키엔터 전속계약+프로필 공개[공식] [Kim So-won, a girlfriend, begins her second act as an actress... Signs exclusive contract with Hockey Entertainment + reveals profile [Official]]. Newsen (in Korean). Archived from the original on January 6, 2026. Retrieved September 29, 2025.
  19. ↑ Yang, Won-mo (November 13, 2025). 여자친구 소원, 스킨케어 브랜드 론칭... "1년 넘게 배우며 준비" [RE:스타] [Girlfriend's Sowon Launches Skincare Brand... "Prepared While Learning for Over a Year" [RE:Star]]. TV Report (in Korean). Archived from the original on May 28, 2026. Retrieved May 28, 2026.
  20. ↑ Hwang, Yeon-do (January 7, 2023). "Kim So-won "A new start as an actress, the infinite support of the GFRIEND members is reassuring" [Star@Style]". Newsen (in Korean). Archived from the original on April 11, 2023. Retrieved April 11, 2023.
  21. ↑ Park, Dong-je (January 19, 2019). 블랙핑크 제니, 1월 걸그룹 개인 브랜드평판 1위..여자친구 소원·신비 상위권 [BLACKPINK Jennie, January Girl Group Individual Brand Reputation Ranking 1st..GFriend Sowon & Mystery Top Rank]. Break News Korea (in Korean). Archived from the original on January 4, 2025. Retrieved April 11, 2023.
  22. ↑ Park, Ji-hoon (October 18, 2019). "[Brand Reputation] Results of big data analysis of girl group personal brands in August 2019... ITZY Yeji in 1st place, BLACKPINK Jennie in 2nd place, Mamamoo Hwasa in 3rd place". futurekorea.com (in Korean). Archived from the original on April 11, 2023. Retrieved April 11, 2023.
  23. ↑ "Songs Registered Under KIM SO-JEONG (10022149)". Korea Music Copyright Association (in Korean). Archived from the original on June 13, 2022. Retrieved September 24, 2022.
  24. ↑ Lee, Ha-neul (December 12, 2023). '아톰 새로운 시작', 조병규·여자친구 김소원·김강현 더빙...2024년 1월 개봉 ['Atom New Beginning', Jo Byeong-gyu, girlfriend Kim So-won, Kim Kang-hyeon dubbing... Released in January 2024]. Ten Asia (in Korean). Archived from the original on January 27, 2024. Retrieved January 27, 2024.
  25. ↑ Choi, Song-hee (October 23, 2024). 함연지부터 이진기·임나영·권현빈까지...'4분 44초' 실종자 포스터 공개 [From Ham Yeon-ji to Lee Jin-ki, Im Na-young, and Kwon Hyun-bin... '4 Minutes 44 Seconds' Missing Person Posters Revealed]. Aju Economy (in Korean). Archived from the original on November 5, 2024. Retrieved October 26, 2024.
  26. ↑ Jeong, Seo-young (December 10, 2024). '수상한 그녀' 진영의 패밀리 군단, 차화연-이화겸-이달-김소원-오지연! 유니스 엔터테인먼트 식구로 뭉친다! ['Suspicious Partner' Jinyoung's family corps, Cha Hwa-yeon, Lee Hwa-gyeom, Lee Dal, Kim So-won, Oh Ji-yeon! Unite as a Eunice Entertainment family!]. Vision 21 (in Korean). Archived from the original on January 21, 2025. Retrieved December 14, 2024.
  27. ↑ Kwon, Gu-hyeon (August 22, 2023). [단독] 여자친구 출신 김소원, '더 체인' 출연...박기웅-유인영과 호흡 [[Exclusive] Kim So-won from GFriend appears in 'The Chain'...Working with Park Ki-woong and Yoo In-young]. Hanryu Times (in Korean). Archived from the original on August 22, 2023. Retrieved February 2, 2024.
  28. ↑ Kim, Na-yeon (December 3, 2018). [NI스타] 이주의 생일, 방탄소년단 진·구구단 미나·위키미키 김도연·소녀시대 유리·여자친구 소원·샤이니 민호. News Inside (in Korean). Archived from the original on February 9, 2021. Retrieved January 30, 2021.
  29. ↑ Kim, Tae-gon (January 15, 2019). 소유·소원·리지·남보라 참여 KBS JOY '트렌드 위드 미', 유튜브 라이브로 관심 UP. NBNTV (in Korean). Archived from the original on October 4, 2021. Retrieved January 30, 2021.
  30. ↑ [M/V]레인보우(Rainbow) - TO ME(내게로..) (in Korean). DSP Entertainment. April 8, 2011. Archived from the original on March 7, 2018. Retrieved September 30, 2021 – via YouTube.
  31. ↑ Kim, Ji-soo (February 22, 2022). 여자친구 출신 김소정, 김민종 '긴밤' 뮤비 출연...배우활동 시동 [Former girlfriend Kim So-jung and Kim Min-jong appear in 'Endless Night' MV... start acting]. Newsis (in Korean). Retrieved February 22, 2022 – via Naver.
  32. ↑ Kang, Mi-hwa (December 17, 2019). [영상M] 오마이걸, 2020년 기대되는 '여자아이돌'. Maeil Daily (in Korean). Archived from the original on December 17, 2019. Retrieved January 30, 2021.
  33. ↑ [영상M] 스트레이 키즈 방찬 "음악으로 저희의 메시지 전할게요" | 대한민국 퍼스트브랜드 대상 포토월. 매일일보 (in Korean). December 19, 2018. Archived from the original on December 20, 2018. Retrieved December 2, 2020.