Lim Ji-yeon (; born June 23, 1990) is a South Korean actress. After appearing in a number of short films and plays, she had her first feature film role in Obsessed (2014). The role earned her Best New Actress nominations at the 35th Blue Dragon Film Awards and 51st Baeksang Arts Awards, and wins at the 51st Grand Bell Awards and 23rd Buil Film Awards. She gained international acclaim with the Netflix hit series The Glory (2022–2023), for which she received the Baeksang Arts Award for Best Supporting Actress, among other accolades. Lim subsequently starred in the mystery thriller Lies Hidden in My Garden (2023), action film Revolver (2024), historical drama The Tale of Lady Ok (2024–2025), and romantic comedy My Royal Nemesis (2026).
Early life and education Lim dreamed of becoming an actress after watching the musical Cats as a child. Due to her parents concerns, she studied humanities in high school. Eventually, she entered the Korea National University of Arts, where she majored in acting and started walking the path of an actress after persuading her parents. Lim was part of the Class of 2009 in the Department of Acting, alongside classmates such as Byun Yo-han, Suho, and Park Jeong-min.
Career 2011–2021: Beginnings and wider recognition Lim debuted in 2011 through the short film Dear Catastrophe. She also appeared in other short films such as When September Ends in 2013. In 2013, while still a student, Lim was cast in the erotic romance film Obsessed directed by Kim Dae-woo. The film was released in 2014, and her performance as Jong Ga-heun earned her Best New Actress accolades from the prestigious Blue Dragon Film Awards, Grand Bell Awards, Buil Film Awards and Baeksang Arts Awards.
In 2015, Lim took on the role of ambitious concubine Dan-hee in period drama film The Treacherous directed by Min Kyu-dong. In June 2015, she made her small screen debut as Lee Ji-yi in High Society. The bubbly and lovable character brought her the New Star Award at the SBS Drama Awards, and the Best New Actress at the Korea Drama Awards. During this period, she also hosted the MBC entertainment news program Section TV and the 2015 SBS Drama Awards. The same year, she won the Excellence Award in the Music/Talk Category at the MBC Entertainment Awards.
In the first half of 2016, Lim appeared in historical drama The Royal Gambler as Dam-seo, a sword-wielding noblewoman bent on revenge. She made a cameo appearance in the hit series The Doctors because of her close relationship with writer Ha Myung-hee, whom she previously worked with High Society. Later that year, she starred in comedy film Luck Key directed by Lee Gae-byok. From August 2016 to February 2017, Lim starred in weekend drama Blow Breeze as a cheerful and positive North Korean defector living in South Korea. For her role as Kim Mi-poong, she won the Excellence Award, Actress in a Serial Drama at the MBC Drama Awards.
In 2019, Lim returned to the small screen in Welcome 2 Life, a fantasy romantic comedy about a skilled lawyer who enters a parallel world due to an unfortunate accident. She received the Top Excellence Award, Actress in a Monday-Tuesday Miniseries at the MBC Drama Awards for this performance. She then starred as Young-mi in crime film Tazza: One Eyed Jack.
In May 2020, Lim signed with the Artist Company.
In 2021, the character Moon Jin-ah in action fantasy film Spiritwalker brought her a Best Supporting Actress nod at the Grand Bell Awards. The web series The Magic, which Lim had filmed in 2017, was released through OTT media service Seezn in 2021 as well.
2022–present: Rise in popularity and critical acclaim In 2022, Lim took on the role of Ji-na in the web series Rose Mansion, alongside Yoon Kyun-sang. In December the same year, she appeared in Part 2 of Netflix's original series Money Heist: Korea – Joint Economic Area where she played the role of Seoul, a character that was not in the original work.
At the end of 2022, Lim challenged her first villain role in Netflix's original series The Glory, where she played the role of Park Yeon-jin, a weather presenter who had led a group of delinquents in bullying and physically abusing the protagonist during high school. The Glory was a hit with audiences and well-received among critics; Lim's portrayal was met with favorable reviews, being described as her life's character, and earning her Best Supporting Actress wins at the Baeksang Arts Awards and Blue Dragon Series Awards.
In June 2023, she starred alongside Kim Tae-hee in mystery thriller Lies Hidden in My Garden. Her performance as a domestic violence victim was commended for being a 180° transformation from her previous role in The Glory. In particular, a viral scene showing Lim's character after the death of her husband was praised by critics for its depiction of liberation with a hint of madness. Her next project, crime drama The Killing Vote, premiered in August 2023.
In August 2023, Lim was selected by the Korean Film Directors Association at the 2023 Bechdel Day as Actor of the Year for her performance in The Glory and Lies Hidden in My Garden. Judges evaluated her performance in The Glory as not confining the character as just a "flat villainess" but carving a path of complex desires that had never been seen before in a villain. Regarding her acting in Lies Hidden in My Garden, it was noted that she showed the animalistic instinct of not wanting to let the child in her womb starve even in the moment of chilling revenge, convincingly proving the extreme temperature difference within one person. In April 2024, Lim received her first Best Actress nomination at the Baeksang Arts Awards for Lies Hidden in My Garden.
In the second half of 2024, her appearance as the mysterious Jeong Yoon-sun in action film Revolver, alongside Jeon Do-yeon and Ji Chang-wook, brought Lim a Best Supporting Actress win at the Buil Film Awards, and nominations at the Blue Dragon Film Awards and Baeksang Arts Awards. She was further honored as Best Actor at the London East Asia Film Festival. The committee cited that Lim showed off her charisma and deep acting in Revolver and delivered the most powerful and charming performance in East Asian film that year.
In November 2024, she headlined The Tale of Lady Ok, seven years since her last historical drama The Royal Gambler. Lim garnered positive reviews for her portrayal of Goo-deok, a runaway slave who disguised herself as noblewoman Ok Tae-young after the real Ok Tae-young died, with her character being described as "a strong and independent female lead" that captivated viewers.
In 2025, she starred in romantic comedy Nice to Not Meet You as a justice driven reporter, alongside Lee Jung-jae.김민지. (2025, November 3). ‘얄미운 사랑’ 첫방…이정재·임지연 18세 차 로맨스에 쏠리는 관심 [‘Annoying Love’ premieres…Interest focuses on 18-year age gap romance between Lee Jung-jae & Im Ji-yeon]. 네이버 연예. Retrieved from https://m.entertain.naver.com/home/article/421/0008581075
In 2026, Lim took on the leading role in fantasy romantic comedy My Royal Nemesis, playing a notorious villainess from the Joseon dynasty who transmigrated to the modern era and possessed the body of an unknown actress.Lee, Hae-jeong. (2025, June 17). “So cool, Yeon-jin” Lim Ji-yeon—Will a new legendary villain be born? “Considering appearance in Brave New World” [Official]. Newsen. https://www.newsen.com/news_view.php?uid=202506171105310810Im, Y.-H. (2026, January 2). Lim Ji-yeon & Heo Nam-jun transform from a Joseon villainess to a ruthless tycoon… teasing witty banter (Brave New World). Naver Entertainment. https://m.entertain.naver.com/home/article/213/0001368431 Lim’s dual portrayal of Kang Dan Shim/Shin Seori was met with praise by critics for balancing slapstick comedy, emotional depth and romantic tension without making the fantasy setup feel exaggerated or cartoonish. Her effort for distinguishing the two characters through variations in speech, vocal delivery, expressions, and mannerisms was further commended for allowing viewers to perceive them as distinct individuals.
Public image
Critics and commentators have described Lim Ji-yeon as a versatile actress known for her commanding screen presence and ability to move between comedy, romance, historical drama, and villainous roles while bringing emotional authenticity to complex characters. Several writers have also highlighted her tendency to avoid typecasting by continually reinventing her screen image and challenging audience expectations with diverse role choices.조이음. (2026, June 3). 임지연이기에 설득력이 더해진 '멋진 신세계' [“My Royal Nemesis” is more convincing because of Lim Ji-yeon]. ize. https://www.ize.co.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=77489 Park, J.-h. (2026, May 13). My Royal Nemesis becomes bold new contender in rom-com genre. The Korea Times. https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/entertainment/shows-dramas/20260513/my-royal-nemesis-becomes-bold-new-contender-in-rom-com-genre
Other ventures Ambassadorship On May 30, 2023, Lim was appointed as an honorary police officer for the Seodaemun District Police Agency in Seoul; she would be publicizing major police legislation, various security activities, and drug crime prevention for the next two years.
Endorsements In August 2014, Amorepacific's Hanyul cosmetics selected Lim as their model, explaining that, "her charm, in which Eastern elegance and modern beauty coexist, aligns well with our brand concept of pursuing Korean beauty".
In February 2024, she was announced as the new brand ambassador for Spanish luxury fashion brand Loewe.
In July 2025, she was chosen as the first ambassador of the Culture Voyage x Ambassador program to commemorate the 40th anniversary of Hansung Motor, the official dealer of Mercedes-Benz.Won, Seong-yun. (2025, July 7). Benz Maybach selects Lim Ji-yeon as its first ambassador [벤츠 마이바흐, 첫 번째 앰배서더 임지연]. Sports Seoul. https://m.entertain.naver.com/home/article/468/0001160027 Mercedes-Maybach S 580 vehicle was presented to Lim during the event.Lim, Ui-taek. (2025, July 7). Hansung Motor delivers a Maybach vehicle to actress Lim Ji-yeon [한성자동차, 배우 임지연에게 마이바흐 차량 전달]. LiveBiz Today. https://www.livebiz.today/news/articleView.html?idxno=132035
Personal life Relationship On April 1, 2023, Artist Company confirmed that Lim is dating actor Lee Do-hyun, whom she met while filming The Glory.
Activism and donations
In July 2023, Lim donated ₩10 million (~$6,500) to help support the construction of South Korea's first ALS care hospital.김희선. (2023년 7월 20일). 임지연, 아이스버킷챌린지 기부… “정우성 지목 받아… 다음 주자 이정재·김태희·박해진” (Lim Ji-yeon donates to Ice Bucket Challenge: “Nominated by Jung Woo-sung… next participants Lee Jung-jae, Kim Tae-hee, Park Hae-jin”). 뉴스인사이드. https://www.newsinside.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=138124
She was one of the celebrities who donated their items to an auction in October 2024. All proceeds were used to support children and adolescents from low-income and vulnerable households in South Korea, as well as communities vulnerable to the climate crisis.지피코리아. (2024년 10월 21일). 이찬원·장민호, 위아자에 입던 무대의상 기부로 동참 한다 (Lee Chan‑won & Jang Min‑ho join WeAJA by donating their worn stage outfits). 지피코리아. https://www.gpkorea.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=120659
In March 2025, Lim quietly donated ₩50 million (~$33,000) to support recovery efforts from wildfire damage in South Korea.박로사. (2025년 3월 27일). [단독] ‘기부 여신’ 임지연, 조용한 선행…산불 피해에 5천만원 기부 (종합) ([Exclusive] “Donation goddess” Lim Ji-yeon quietly gives… donates 50 million won for wildfire relief). 네이버 연예 (Naver Entertainment). https://m.entertain.naver.com/home/article/117/0003926608
Filmography Film Year Title Role Notes 2011 Dear Catastrophe Short film 2012 Poker Face Girl 2013 Just You 2014 Obsessed Jong Ga-heun 2015 The Treacherous Dan-hee 2016 Luck Key Eun-joo 2019 Tazza: One Eyed Jack Young-mi 2021 Spiritwalker Moon Jin-ah 2024 Revolver Jeong Yoon-sun
Television series