Kim Seol-hyun

Kim Seol-hyun
Kim waving at the camera
Kim in 2022
Born (1995-01-03) January 3, 1995 (age 31)
Bucheon, South Korea
EducationGyeonggi Arts High School
Occupations
  • Actress
  • singer
AgentThe Present Company
Musical career
GenreK-pop
InstrumentVocals
Years active2012–present
LabelFNC
Member of
Korean name
Hangul
김설현
Hanja
金雪炫
RRGim Seolhyeon
MRKim Sŏrhyŏn

Kim Seol-hyun (Korean: 김설현; born January 3, 1995), better known by her mononym Seolhyun, is a South Korean actress and singer. She is a former member of the South Korean girl group AOA and she has starred in television dramas Orange Marmalade (2015), My Country: The New Age (2019), Awaken (2020–2021), and film Memoir of a Murderer (2017).

Early life and education

Seolhyun was born on January 3, 1995, in Ojeong-gu, Bucheon, South Korea. She has an older sister named Joo-hyun, who is a fashion editor for Cosmopolitan. She attended Kachiul Elementary School, Sungkok Middle School and Gyeonggi Arts High School.

Career

2012–2014: AOA and acting debut

Kim in 2013

In 2010, Seolhyun won the 8th Smart Model Contest (스마트 모델 선발 대회), a competition in which ordinary students wear uniforms. At the event, several talent agencies were present, including FNC Entertainment, whom Seolhyun was scouted by. She has also appeared in the music video for boy band F.T. Island's song "Severely" from the EP Grown-Up.

On July 30, 2012, Seolhyun made her debut as a member of AOA on Mnet's M Countdown with the song "Elvis" from their debut single album, Angels' Story. Soon afterwards, she made her acting debut in the television drama Seoyoung, My Daughter, playing the role of Lee Jung-shin's girlfriend.

In 2013, she was cast in the daily drama Ugly Alert. She played the youngest daughter of the family, a bright girl who dreams of becoming an actress. Seolhyun stated, "I'm nervous about doing a new project, and I'm also burdened. But I want to work hard again by thinking of it as another learning experience. I also want to touch the hearts of people".

2015–present: Acting roles and rising popularity

Kim performing in 2016

Seolhyun first attracted attention with her appearance on the KBS variety show, Brave Family (2015), where she charmed viewers with boyish and unaffected demeanor. Later that year, she gained fame through a commercial for SK Telecom which led to increased advertising offers for the star.

The same year, Seolhyun starred in KBS's vampire romance Orange Marmalade. Although it racked a mere two percent viewer ratings, the show brought her praise for her acting. She also featured in the action noir film Gangnam Blues, and won a "popular star" award at the 36th Blue Dragon Film Awards. Seolhyun, along with Gangnam co-star Lee Min-ho were selected as promotional ambassadors for "Visit Korea Year".

In January 2016, Seolhyun was named "Model of the Year" at the 2015 TVCF Awards; having modeled for noteworthy brands across industries such as fashion, food and beverage, cosmetics and e-commerce. She placed second in a study conducted by Korea Broadcast Advertising Corporation (Kobaco) to select the top spokesmodel by consumers. In March 2016, Seolhyun was selected as an official ambassador to Korea national elections in 2016.

In May 2017, Seolhyun was cast in historical film The Great Battle, directed by Kim Kwang-sik. Principal photography started in August and the film premiered in 2018. She then starred in the thriller Memoir of a Murderer, playing the role of a murderer's daughter.

In 2019, Seolhyun was cast as female lead in JTBC's historical drama My Country: The New Age. This marks her first small-screen role in four years.

In 2020, Seolhyun was cast in tvN's romantic mystery drama Awaken, which aired November 30, 2020.

Kim in November 2021

At the end of 2021, Seolhyun hosted the KBS Song Festival along with Cha Eun-woo and Rowoon.

In October 2022, Seolhyun decided not to renew her contract with FNC Entertainment. In November, Seolhyun signed with Ieum Hashtag.

In October 2025, Seolhyun left Ieum Hashtag and signed with new agency The Present Company.

Personal life

Philanthropy

In February 2018, Kim and CNBLUE's Lee Jung-shin traveled to Kalaw, Myanmar to volunteer at the 4th LOVE FNC school for underprivileged children.[unreliable source?]

Discography

Filmography

Key
† Denotes films that have not yet been released

Film

Film appearances
Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2015 Gangnam Blues Kang Seon-hye
2017 Memoir of a Murderer Kim Eun-hee
2018 The Great Battle Baek-ha
2020 P1H: The Beginning of a New World Seolhyun Special appearance

Television series

Television series appearances
Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2012 Seoyoung, My Daughter Seo Eun-soo
2013 Ugly Alert Gong Na-ri
2015 Orange Marmalade Baek Ma-ri
2016 Click Your Heart The school goddess Cameo
2019 My Country: The New Age Han Hee-jae
2020–2021 Awaken Gong Hye-won
2022 The Killer's Shopping List Do Da-hee
Summer Strike Lee Yeo-reum
2024 Light Shop Lee Ji-young
TBA Show Business † Min-hui Post-production

Television shows

Television show appearances
Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2015 Brave Family Main cast
2016 Law of the Jungle in Tonga Episodes 208–211
2021 Document ON – Forest, Embracing People Narrator

Hosting

Hosting appearances
Year Title Notes Ref.
2015 KBS Entertainment Awards With Shin Dong-yup and Sung Si-kyung
2016 KBS Song Festival With Park Bo-gum
2017 One K Concert In Manila With Choi Min-ho
2018 2018 KBS Entertainment Awards With Shin Hyun-joon and Yoon Shi-yoon
2019 SBS Gayo Daejeon With Jun Hyun-moo
2021 KBS Song Festival With Cha Eun-woo and Rowoon
2022 31st Seoul Music Awards With Kim Sung-joo and Boom

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 / Work Result Ref.
APAN Star Awards 2015 Best New Actress Orange Marmalade Nominated
Asia Artist Awards 2018 New Wave Award Kim Seol-hyun Won
Asian Film Awards 2016 Best Newcomer Gangnam Blues Nominated
Baeksang Arts Awards 2015 Best New Actress – Film Nominated
Blue Dragon Film Awards 2015 Popular Star Award Kim Seol-hyun Won
Best New Actress Gangnam Blues Nominated
Fashionista Awards 2016 Best Fashionista – Red Carpet Category Kim Seol-hyun Nominated
2017 Nominated
Grand Bell Awards 2015 Best New Actress Gangnam Blues Nominated
2018 Woori Bank Star Award Kim Seol-hyun Won
InStyle Star Icon 2016 Best Body – Female Celebrity Nominated
KBS Drama Awards 2015 Popularity Award, Actress Orange Marmalade Won
Best New Actress Nominated
Best Couple Award Kim Seol-hyun (with Yeo Jin-goo)
Orange Marmalade		 Nominated
KBS Entertainment Awards 2015 Best Newcomer Award Brave Family Won
Korea Drama Awards 2015 Best New Actress Orange Marmalade Nominated
LA Web Fest 2023 Outstanding Female Performance (Drama) Summer Strike Won
Marie Claire Film Festival 2016 Rookie Award Gangnam Blues Won
Max Movie Awards Rising Star Award Won
SBS Entertainment Awards 2016 Best Entertainer Award Law of the Jungle in Tonga Won
Seoul TV CF Awards 2016 Model of the Year Kim Seol-hyun Won
Style Icon Asia 2016 Awesome Syndrome Won
The Seoul Awards 2017 Best New Actress (Film) Memoir of a Murderer Nominated

Listicles

Name of publisher, year listed, name of listicle, and placement
Publisher Year Listicle Placement Ref.
Forbes 2016 Korea Power Celebrity 40 33rd
2019 16th

References

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