Skip to content
MovieCove
Kim Hae-sook

Kim Hae-sook

Actor · Born December 30, 1955 (70) · Busan, South Korea

Kim Hae-Sook (born December 30, 1955) is a South Korean actress. She made her acting debut in 1974. She has won numerous awards for her various roles in countless television dramas and films. You can find her in dramas and films such as, “I Hear Your Voice” (2013), “Pinocchio” (2015), “My Father is Strange” (2017), “Mother of Mine” (2019), “Thirst” (2009), “The Handmaiden” (2016), and “Tomorrow” (2022).

Read more

Biography from TMDB.

Born
December 30, 1955 (70)
From
Busan, South Korea
Works as
Actor
Titles
49 on MovieCove · 130 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 156 days to Oct 27Down 12% in 30 days

What are Kim Hae-sook's films like?

Across their 32 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Bonds and Morality.

Genres

Drama8 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 83rd percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Drama movies
Action4 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 64th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Action movies
Comedy2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 54th percentile
: browse their Comedy movies
Crime2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 48th percentile
: browse their Crime 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
Bonds
39%
Morality
26%
Self
12%
Survival
10%
Power
7%
Ideas
4%
Society
3%
Family bonds14 titles, browse their movies with this themeRomantic love10 titles, browse their movies with this themeJustice9 titles, browse their movies with this themeSurvival3 titles, browse their movies with this themeDeception3 titles, browse their movies with this themeTrauma4 titles, browse their movies with this themeRevenge3 titles, browse their movies with this themeIdentity3 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 16 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Serious: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their serious movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

A split, not a type: Light 2 · Serious 4 · Dark 10

Stylized: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their stylized movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

A split, not a type: Grounded 7 · Stylized 5 · Heightened 4

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

Gentle 1 · Charged 3 · Intense 12

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

Steady 2 · Shifting 12 · Whiplash 2

Straight-faced: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their straight-faced movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

Straight-faced 11 · Some laughs 3 · Funny 2

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

Slow burn 3 · Even-paced 12 · 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 4 · Engaged 9 · Full focus 3

Heavy: How much it costs you emotionally; whether you need recovery time. Browse their heavy movies.
Demand · Emotional cost
easyheavy

Easy watch 3 · Affecting 2 · Heavy 11

Resolved: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their resolved movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 11 · Open-ended 4 · Ambiguous 1

Roles they play

15 analyzed roles

Usually the Mentor: 5 of 15 analyzed roles.

Mentor
5 of 15
Ally
3 of 15
Shadow
3 of 15
Threshold guardian
2 of 15
Herald
1 of 15
Hero
1 of 15
Show the 15 roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
22
Melancholic
14
Hopeful
11
Romantic
7
Dread
7
Other
26

How their films linger

Hopeful16 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet11 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking10 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteUnsettling8 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good6 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHaunting4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 7 with a twist

  • Happy4
  • Bittersweet19
  • Tragic3
  • Ambiguous6

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 Hae-sook's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 40 of their 49 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (16).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Kim Hae-sook'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

130 credits, 49 with a MovieCove page; 3 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • Portrait of a Family(2026)

    Actor

    Midcredits score: 66th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • The Wonderfools(2026)

    Show 8 episodes · as Kim Jeon-bok

    Midcredits score: 89th percentile of all shows

  • My Royal Nemesis(2026)

    Show 10 episodes · as Nam Ok-sun

    Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all shows

  • No Other Choice(2025)

    as Ok Sang-yeo

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all films

  • Tempest(2025)

    Show 1 episode · as Chae Gyeong-sin

    Midcredits score: 27th percentile of all shows

  • It's Okay!(2023)

    as Director

    Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all films

  • Who Is She(2024)

    Show 12 episodes · as Oh Mal-soon

    Midcredits score: 19th percentile of all shows

  • Mr. Plankton(2024)

    Show 10 episodes · as Beom Ho-ja

    Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all shows

  • No Gain No Love(2024)

    Show 1 episode · as Geum Deok

    Midcredits score: 81st percentile of all shows

  • Alienoid: The Return to the Future(2024)

    as Secret Temple Old Lady

    Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all films

  • Gyeongseong Creature(2023)

    Show 12 episodes · as Nawol-daek

    Midcredits score: 64th percentile of all shows

  • Our Season (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2023)

    as Park Bok-ja

  • My Demon(2023)

    Show 16 episodes · as Ju Cheon-suk

    Midcredits score: 85th percentile of all shows

  • Strong Girl Nam-soon(2023)

    Show 16 episodes · as Gil Jung-gan

    Midcredits score: 39th percentile of all shows

  • Revenant(2023)

    Show 12 episodes · as Na Byung-hee

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all shows

  • Divorce Attorney Shin(2023)

    Show 1 episode · as Grandma's Noodle Shop owner

    Midcredits score: 81st percentile of all shows

  • Under the Queen's Umbrella(2022)

    Show 16 episodes · as Queen Dowager

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all shows

  • Alienoid(2022)

    as Secret Temple Old Lady

    Midcredits score: 65th percentile of all films

  • Tomorrow(2022)

    Show 16 episodes · as The Jade Emperor

    Midcredits score: 70th percentile of all shows

  • A Wonderful Sight(2021)

    Show 12 episodes · as Director Yong

    Midcredits score: 59th percentile of all shows

  • Start-Up(2020)

    Show 16 episodes · as Choi Won-deok

    Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all shows

  • Hospital Playlist(2020)

    Show 24 episodes · as Jeong Rosa

    Midcredits score: 99th percentile of all shows

  • A Diamond in the Rough (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2019)

    as Soon-ok

  • Mother of Mine (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2019)

    Show 108 episodes · as Park Sun-Ja

  • Tower of Babel (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2019)

    Show 16 episodes · as Shin Hyun-Sook

  • Room No. 9(2018)

    Show 16 episodes · as Jang Hwa-Sa

    Midcredits score: 43rd percentile of all shows

  • Herstory (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2018)

    as Bae Jung-gil

  • About Time(2018)

    Show 16 episodes · as Oh So-Nyeo

    Midcredits score: 49th percentile of all shows

  • Along with the Gods: The Two Worlds(2017)

    as Cho-gang / God of Indolence Hell

    Midcredits score: 90th percentile of all films

  • Nothing to Lose(2017)

    Show 32 episodes · as Yoo Myung-Hee

    Midcredits score: 42nd percentile of all shows

  • RV: Resurrected Victims(2017)

    as Choi Myeong-sook

    Midcredits score: 33rd percentile of all films

  • Whisper (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2017)

    Show 17 episodes · as Kim Sook-Hee

  • Father Is Strange(2017)

    Show 52 episodes · as Na Young-Sil

    Midcredits score: 91st percentile of all shows

  • New Trial(2017)

    as Soon-im

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all films

  • Saimdang, Memoir of Colors(2017)

    Show 28 episodes · as Kim Jung-hee

    Midcredits score: 64th percentile of all shows

  • Miss Butcher(2017)

    as Forensic Doctor

    Midcredits score: 17th percentile of all films

  • My Little Old Boy (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2016)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Tunnel(2016)

    as Minister

    Midcredits score: 78th percentile of all films

  • The Handmaiden(2016)

    as Ms. Sasaki

    Midcredits score: 99th percentile of all films

  • Yeah, That's How It Is (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2016)

    Show 54 episodes · as Han Hye-Kyung

  • The Throne(2015)

    as Queen In-won

    Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all films

  • Assassination(2015)

    as Bar Owner

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all films

  • Jongmyo Jeryeak (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2015)

    Action Director

  • Helios(2015)

    as Park Young Sook (Director of NIS)

    Midcredits score: 25th percentile of all films

  • Make a Woman Cry (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2015)

    Show 40 episodes · as Park Hwa-Soon

  • You Are The Only One (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)

    Show 120 episodes · as Oh Mal-Su

  • Pinocchio(2014)

    Show 20 episodes · as Park Ro-sa

    Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all shows

  • Kundo: Age of the Rampant(2014)

    as Dol Moo-chi's Mother

    Midcredits score: 72nd percentile of all films

  • Marriage, Not Dating(2014)

    Show 16 episodes · as Shin Bong-hyang

    Midcredits score: 73rd percentile of all shows

  • Hotel King (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)

    Show 32 episodes · as Baek Mi-nyeo

  • 시월의 어느 멋진 날에 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)

    Show 2 episodes · as Kang Yoon-Geum

  • Hope(2013)

    as Psychiatrist Jung-sook

    Midcredits score: 99th percentile of all films

  • Tough as Iron (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)

    as Soon-i

  • The Suspicious Housekeeper (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)

    Show 20 episodes · as Housekeeping Agency Director Hong Bun Nam

  • Wang’s Family (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)

    Show 50 episodes · as Lee Ang-Geum

  • I Hear Your Voice(2013)

    Show 18 episodes · as Eo Choon-Sim

    Midcredits score: 91st percentile of all shows

  • Love Clinique (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2012)

    as Dong-joo's mother

  • My Kids Give Me a Headache (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2012)

    Show 40 episodes · as Lee Ji Ae

  • The Thieves(2012)

    as Chewing Gum

    Midcredits score: 75th percentile of all films

  • Can't Live Without You (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2012)

    Show 110 episodes · as Chang In-ja

  • Wonderful Radio(2012)

    as Jin-ah's Mother

    Midcredits score: 48th percentile of all films

  • Go! Mrs. Go! (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2011)

    Show 36 episodes · as Go Bong-shil

  • A Thousand Days' Promise (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2011)

    Show 20 episodes · as Kang Soo-Jung

  • Mama (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2011)

    as Ok-joo

  • Making of Thirst (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)

    Actor

  • Running Man (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • A Long Visit (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)

    as Mother

  • Life Is Beautiful (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)

    Show 63 episodes · as Kim Min-Jae

  • Thirst(2009)

    as Lady Ra

    Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all films

  • Good Job, Good Job (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2009)

    Show 40 episodes · as Wang Young-soon

  • Cain and Abel (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2009)

    Show 20 episodes · as Na Hye-joo

  • White Lies (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)

    Show 159 episodes · as Shin Jung-Ok

  • Eye For An Eye (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)

    as Do-soo's Mother

  • Viva! Love (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)

    as Bong-soon

  • Open City(2008)

    as Kang Man-ok

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all films

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

    Show 16 episodes · as Lee Soon-Sum

  • First Wives' Club (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    Show 104 episodes · as Ahn Yang-soon

  • Likeable or Not (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    Show 172 episodes · as Oh Dong-ji

  • Moon Hee (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    Show 50 episodes · as Han-na

  • Surgeon Bong Dal Hee (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    Show 18 episodes · as Yang Eun-ja

  • Sunflower(2006)

    as Yang Deok-ja

    Midcredits score: 85th percentile of all films

  • Famous Princesses (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    Show 90 episodes · as Kyung Myung-Ja

  • Spring Waltz (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    Show 20 episodes · as Jo Yang-soon

  • End of Love (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    Show 130 episodes · as Jang Yong-Shil

  • My Girl and I (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    as Soo-ho's Mother

  • Bizarre Bunch (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    Show 170 episodes · as Kim Min-Sook

  • My Rosy Life (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    Show 24 episodes · as Soon-yi's birth mother

  • Wet Dreams 2(2005)

    as Sung-eun's mother

    Midcredits score: 13th percentile of all films

  • Precious Family (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    Show 68 episodes · as Kim Ok-hwa

  • My Brother(2004)

    as Mother

    Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all films

  • Oh! Pil Seung And Bong Soon Young (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    Show 16 episodes · as Park Ok-Ja

  • The Ghost (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    as Ji-won's mother

  • Passion (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    Show 135 episodes · as Ms. Jung

  • Little Women (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    Show 57 episodes · as Yoon Ja

  • Sweet 18 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    Show 16 episodes · as Jung-Sook's mother

  • Pearl Necklace (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    Show 52 episodes · as Jung In-Sook

  • Summer Scent (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    Show 20 episodes · as Min-woo's Mother

  • Oh! Happy Day (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    as Yang Mi-Suk

  • Scent of Love(2003)

    as In-ha's Mother

    Midcredits score: 60th percentile of all films

  • Inspector Park Moon Su (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    Show 15 episodes · as Moon Su's mother

  • Marrying the Mafia (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    as Dae-suh's Mother

  • Golden Wagon (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    Show 1 episode · as Kim Jin-Bun

  • To Be With You (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    Show 1 episode · as Kang Young-Sook

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

    Show 16 episodes · as Kwan Woo's mother

  • Winter Sonata(2002)

    Show 20 episodes · as Yoo-jin's Mother

    Midcredits score: 89th percentile of all shows

  • 사랑은 이런거야 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    Show 172 episodes · as Jang Oh-Bok

  • Her House (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    Show 50 episodes · as Young Soon

  • Law of Marriage (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    Show 136 episodes · as Oh Mi-Ja

  • Ladies of the Palace (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    Show 151 episodes · as Madam Park

  • Autumn in My Heart (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    Show 16 episodes · as Kim Soon-im

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

    Show 1 episode · as Maeng Soon-Ja

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

    Show 32 episodes · as Min Kyung's aunt

  • Hur Jun (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    Show 64 episodes · as Ham Ahn-Daek

  • The Moon of Seoul (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    Show 81 episodes · as Sang Gook's mother

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

    Show 2 episodes · Actor

  • Queen Inhyeon (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    Show 71 episodes · as Queen Myeongseong

  • Eve's Second Bedroom (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    Actor

  • The Neckless Murderess (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    Actor

  • Love in the Dark (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    Actor

  • I Like Woman Better (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    Actor

  • The King of Chudong Palace (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    Show 27 episodes · as Queen Jeongan

  • Mistress (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    Actor

  • Die to Live (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    Actor

  • Woman of Fire '82 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    as Hye-ok

  • The Door to the Flesh (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1981)

    Actor

  • A Battle Journal (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1981)

    Actor

  • Oh My Love (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1981)

    Actor

  • The Lady from Gyodong (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1981)

    Show 199 episodes · as Ok Mae Hyang

  • Forbidden Love (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)

    Actor

  • Jeom-rye Is My Light (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    as Jeom-Rye

Career shape

Star power in the 99th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 130 titles, 129 of them dated from 1976 to 2026; peak year 2016.

Biggest box office

The Thieves (2012)

$87M worldwide

Highest rated

Hope (2013)

Midcredits 99th

Most popular right now

The Handmaiden (2016)

Film career

19762026

Peak 2016 · fewer prominent film roles lately. Top draw in 14 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.

  • 2000Screen debut· Autumn in My Heart
  • 2002First film· Marrying the Mafia
  • 2016Career best· The Handmaiden
  • 2022Career best· Under the Queen's Umbrella

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting129 of 130: 129 only acting, 0 with another role · typical Midcredits score79thOther crew1 of 130: 1 only other crew, 0 with another role

By decade

1970s1 · acting1980s13 · acting1990s3 · acting2000s44 · acting2010s46 · 45 acting · 1 crew2020s22 · acting

Billing

usually 6th · top billed in 0% of 23 roles
020717

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; the columns are the share of top-billed roles in each era, 5-year spans from the year on the label, merged until each holds at least 5 roles.

How do Kim Hae-sook's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 77th percentile, the median of all 24; across their 16 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 79th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

79thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 16

Approval · how many liked their films

74thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 16

Reach · how many have seen their films

68thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 16

Midcredits score across 49 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up27
  • 50th to 74th11
  • 25th to 49th8
  • Below 25th3

Shape of the crowd

29 of their 49 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved7
  • Divisive2
  • Cult Classic1
  • Crowd Pleaser29
  • Broadly Agreed1
  • Mixed9

Most divisive · actor

Tomorrow (2022)

97th percentile spread · 29% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Hope (2013)

Midcredits 99th · 92% liked

Reviewers score the acting 78/100 in their films, across 13 reviewed titles; fans 86, detractors 49. 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 Hae-sook's work okay for kids?

Across up to 12 MovieCove titles with content scores, violence & gore, profanity and frightening / intense run heavier than most films.

Their medianMedian of all filmsMiddle 80% of their titles
Violence & Gore11 titles37–85 · median 63 · intenseheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity12 titles14–79 · median 34 · mildnear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 32
Profanity8 titles15–72 · median 55 · moderateheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 36
Alcohol & Drugs9 titles29–59 · median 37 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 33
Frightening / Intense9 titles45–74 · median 61 · intenseheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 39

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted. The band's colour is the severity of their median, named beside it.

Who does Kim Hae-sook work with?

People who share at least 2 of Kim Hae-sook's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Kim Sang-beom shares the most, 5.

Directors

Writers

Actors

Composers and editors

Producers