Kim Yoon Ji became an overnight Hollywood star after her performance in the Netflix movie Lift.
News that Kim landed a role in Lift with a self-made video has surprised many online. Some viewers questioned, “Could it be that easy, even for someone lucky?”
However, Kim’s journey wasn’t a stroke of pure luck. Before impressing Hollywood, she had quietly persevered through over 50 auditions in Korea. Despite being a newcomer on the Hollywood scene, her unwavering determination, regardless of the project’s scale or role size, ultimately paid off.
Playing a character who is a hacker and mechanic expert, she worked hard to familiarize herself with complicated mechanical props before production. She is known not to be good with machinery.
Looking back, it wasn’t always a smooth journey
Despite a singing career that didn’t garner widespread recognition, Kim persevered. This period in her career even earned her the unofficial nickname “the one who strangely doesn’t take off.”
However, Kim didn’t let setbacks define her. After an appearance on the Korean variety show “As You Say,” she openly shared her frustrations and decided to return to the U.S. for a period of reflection. This led her to explore new horizons, eventually venturing into acting in Korea. She’s since appeared in notable dramas like “The Last Empress” and “Mine.”
Not Christine, but Kim. Yoon. Ji.
During her singing career, the name NS Yoonji was derived from the English translation of the nickname “Saehon” by the famous Do-ol Kim Yong-ok. It was an abbreviation of “New Spirit.”
She used her English name, Christine, when she immigrated to the U.S. in fourth grade.
She now embraces her Korean name, Kim Yoon Ji, in both acting credits and interviews. As she carves her path in Hollywood, her Korean identity is gaining recognition among industry professionals. We eagerly anticipate her upcoming endeavors in the global entertainment industry.
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