Actress Kim Ji Won has recently gained attention after it was revealed that she chose to drop out of middle school rather than attend for one more year. Instead, she continued her education by passing Korea’s equivalency exam (GED).
During her middle school years, Kim Ji Won stayed in the U.S. for about six months with her maternal relatives, following her parents’ open-minded educational philosophy. Upon returning to Korea, she planned to re-enroll in school but found that only six months remained in the academic year — meaning she would have to spend an additional year to complete her studies. Faced with this situation, she decided to finish middle school through the GED system instead of returning to formal schooling.
After passing the middle school equivalency exam, she continued with the high school-level test and successfully earned her qualification. Around this time, Kim Ji Won was street-cast by an entertainment agency, marking the start of her journey toward becoming a singer and actress. She underwent three years of training in acting, vocals, choreography, and Japanese, dedicating herself to both artistic and academic pursuits. Despite her demanding trainee life, she later enrolled in high school and participated in evening self-study sessions.
Due to her busy schedule, Kim Ji Won admitted she missed out on typical school experiences. She once said that acting in dramas where she played student roles helped her “relive” those lost memories. She even confessed that she kept the Jeguk High School uniform from The Heirs as a personal keepsake, saying it reminded her of her youth.
Kim Ji Won remarked, “I’ve worn so many different school uniforms for various roles. I still dream of going to an amusement park with friends in uniform someday.”
Afterward, she studied Theater and Film at Dongguk University, further honing her craft. Since then, Kim Ji Won has built an impressive acting portfolio with hits such as High Kick: Revenge of the Short Legged, The Heirs, Descendants of the Sun, Fight for My Way, Arthdal Chronicles, My Liberation Notes, and most recently, Queen of Tears. Her portrayal of Hong Hae In, a chaebol heiress in Queen of Tears, solidified her reputation as one of Korea’s most beloved and internationally recognized actresses.
Sources: daum
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