Kim Joo-hyuk

• Name — Kim Joo-hyuk • Born — 3 October 1972 • Birthplace — Gangnam District, Seoul, South Korea • Died — 30 October 2017 • Place of death — Samseong-dong, Seoul, South Korea • Education — Dongguk University • Occupation — Actor • Years Active — 1998–2017 • Agent — Namoo Actors • Father — Kim Mu-saeng

In 1991, he enrolled in the Department of Theater and Film at Dongguk University. He received his bachelor's degree in 1997.

After graduating, Kim began acting in theater. He passed the audition for SBS 8th open talent recruitment in 1998 and subsequently landed supporting roles in SBS drama KAIST. He made his fim debut in Say Yes (2001) with a role as a man who confronts a serial killer. It was followed by a supporting role in sport film YMCA Baseball Team (2002) as Oh Dae-hyun, an independence activist and baseball pitcher. He started getting recognition for his third film, Singles (2003). His first leading role in film came with Hong Du-sik, of Mr. Handy, Mr. Hong (2004). Kim's portrayal of Hong Du-sik (Hong Banjang) is frequently cited as a career-defining performance and his first leading role. Though the film itself wasn't a major box-office success, Kim was widely considered perfectly cast, with critics noting his performance relied more on personal charisma and warmth. Kim Du-chan, the film producer, praised Kim, calling him "the best romantic comedy actor," dubbed him as "Korea's Hugh Grant." In a 2017 posthumous survey, Hong Banjang was voted as his most memorable role.

Kim was the son of actor Kim Mu-saeng. He and his father both played real-life court physician Heo Jun.

Kim began dating actress Kim Ji-soo in 2003; they portrayed a married couple in the 2002 TV series Like a Flowing River. Their six-year relationship ended in 2009. Kim also dated God of War co-star Kim Gyu-ri from 2012 to 2013. In December 2016, Kim was confirmed to be in a relationship with Yourself and Yours (2016) co-star Lee Yoo-young.

On 30 October 2017, Kim was involved in a fatal car crash that occurred around 4:30 p.m. KST in Samseong-dong, Seoul. His car overturned and he was taken to Konkuk University Hospital where he was pronounced dead two hours after arrival. According to the police and Konkuk University Medical Center, "It seems the accident occurred after he showed symptoms of a myocardial infarction". However, it was later stated by the police that the autopsy showed no signs of him having a heart attack and that the cause of death was a skull fracture. Moreover, no traces of alcohol or other toxins were detected in the body and the police investigation revealed no evidence of vehicle defects that could have caused the crash. Kim was cremated and laid to rest in his family grave at Seosan, South Chungcheong Province.

• Year — Title — Role — Ref. • 1998 — Letters Written on a Cloudy Day • 1999 — KAIST — Jung Myung-hwan • 2000 — Tango in Seoul • Can Anyone Love? — Young-jae • 2002 — Rival — Min Tae-hoon • Like a Flowing River — Kim Seok-joo • 2005 — Lovers in Prague — Choi Sang-hyun • 2008 — Terroir — Kang Tae-min • 2012 — God of War — Kim Jun • 2013 — Hur Jun, The Original Story — Heo Jun • 2015 — Reply 1988 — adult Choi Taek • 2017 — Argon — Kim Baek-jin

• Year — Title — Notes • 2011 — Saturday Night Live Korea — Host (season 1, episode 1) • 2013–2015, 2017 — 2 Days & 1 Night - Season 3 — Cast member

• Year — Song title — Artist • 2002 — "I Can't Tell" — Cha Eun-ju • 2003 — "Only..." — The Jun