Kim Min jae

Biography

Kim Min-jae is a prominent South Korean actor and rapper, born on November 1, 1996, in Daegu, South Korea. He is also known by his stage name, Real. be. Kim has gained recognition for his versatile performances in various television dramas and his participation in the South Korean music scene.

Early Life and Education

From a young age, Kim exhibited a passion for music, studying composition and piano at a music academy during his middle school years. He later attended the Seoul Performing Arts High School, where he became a first-generation trainee under CJ E&M, dedicating four years to rigorous training. In March 2016, he furthered his education by enrolling at Chung-Ang University.

Career Beginnings

Kim's career commenced in 2014 when he featured as a rapper in performances by CJ E&M artists. He made his acting debut in the joint South Korean-Vietnamese drama "Forever Young" the same year. In 2015, he appeared in Mnet's drama "Perseverance Goo Hae-Ra" after multiple auditions, marking his entry into the acting world. That year, he also participated as a contestant in the rap competition show "Show Me the Money 4," showcasing his musical talents.

Rise to Prominence

Between 2015 and 2016, Kim took on supporting roles in dramas such as "Second 20s" and "My First Time." His performance in the medical drama "Dr. Romantic" (2016) earned him the New Star Award at the SBS Drama Awards. A special appearance in the popular fantasy drama "Guardian: The Lonely and Great God" further increased his visibility.

Leading Roles and Continued Success

In 2018, Kim was cast as a wealthy playboy in MBC's romance thriller "Tempted." The following year, he secured his first leading role in the youth historical drama "Flower Crew: Joseon Marriage Agency." His portrayal of Park Joon-young, a world-renowned pianist, in "Do You Like Brahms?" (2020) garnered critical acclaim and led to an Excellence Award at the SBS Drama Awards.

Recent Projects

In 2021, Kim starred in "Dali & Cocky Prince," playing Jin Moo-hak, a character known for his business acumen despite lacking formal education. His performance earned him the Excellence Award at the KBS Drama Awards. In 2022, he took on the titular role in the historical medical drama "Poong, the Joseon Psychiatrist." He also reprised his role as Park Eun-tak in "Dr. Romantic 3" in 2023.

Personal Life

In February 2023, Kim announced plans to fulfill his mandatory military service, with enlistment commencing on September 18, 2023. After completing basic training, he is set to serve in the Army Band Unit.

Discography

Throughout his career, Kim has contributed to various soundtracks and collaborations, including:

"Star" with Solar for the "Second 20s" soundtrack (2015)

"Our Feeling" with Park So-dam and Lee Yi-Kyung for the "My First Time" soundtrack (2015)

"Dream" with Younha for the "Hit the Top" soundtrack (2017)

"I'm Jealous" with Punch for her mini-album "Full Bloom" (2021)

Awards and Recognition

Kim Min-Jae's talent has been acknowledged through various awards, including:

New Star Award at the SBS Drama Awards for "Dr. Romantic" (2016)

Excellence Award, Actor in a Miniseries Fantasy/Romance Drama at the SBS Drama Awards for "Do You Like Brahms?" (2020)

Excellence Award, Actor in a Miniseries at the KBS Drama Awards for "Dali & Cocky Prince" (2021)

Kim Min-Jae continues to captivate audiences with his dynamic performances in both acting and music, solidifying his position as a multifaceted talent in the South Korean entertainment industry.