A Career-Defining Turn as Shin Soon-rok
For actor Kim Jae-won, landing the role of the romantic lead in the long-running hit series “Yumi’s Cells” was a “dream come true.” After five years in the industry with notable turns in “The Tale of Lady Ok” and Netflix’s “Hierarchy,” Kim’s portrayal of Shin Soon-rok in the recently concluded third season has proven to be his definitive breakout. Speaking at a roundtable interview in Seoul following the series finale on May 4, 2026, the 25-year-old actor described the role as an opportunity of a lifetime, particularly given the high expectations from fans of the original webtoon.
Winning Hearts with “Puppy-Like” Charm
In Season 3, Kim Jae-won played the devoted publishing editor nine years younger than the protagonist Yu-mi, portrayed by industry veteran Kim Go-eun. The finale concluded with their marriage, making Soon-rok Yu-mi’s third and final love interest. Kim noted that his primary goal was to balance Soon-rok’s “straight-laced” professional side with a sincere, “puppylike” quality that avoided being overly cheesy. This nuanced performance resonated deeply with viewers, helping the show maintain its No. 1 ranking on the streaming platform Tving for three consecutive weeks and reaching a peak viewership rating of 2.5 percent.
Looking Beyond the “Rom-Com King” Label
Despite the immense popularity he gained as the “ideal younger man,” Kim is determined to challenge himself with diverse genres. Known for taking on “thorny” and unconventional roles earlier in his career—such as his parts in “You and Everything Else” and “Lady Dua”—he emphasized his desire to be an actor whose “face changes from role to role.” While grateful for the mainstream success of “Yumi’s Cells,” Kim is already eyeing future projects that push him beyond his comfort zone. “Right now, people may see me as the younger boyfriend type,” he remarked, “but I hope they see me through the new characters I take on next.”
