On July 31, the 5th Blue Dragon Series Awards was successfully held at Paradise City in Yeongjongdo, Incheon, hosted by broadcaster Jun Hyun-moo and actress Im Yoon-ah. While the ceremony generated numerous viral moments, the most captivating highlight was undoubtedly the opening performance delivered by actress Kim Min-ha.
Opening Part 1 of the ceremony, Kim Min-ha delivered a live performance of the jazz classic “That’s Life,” showcasing surprising, vocalist-level singing ability. As an artist primarily known for her acting, her soulful interpretation and breath control on stage left fellow actors in the audience visibly amazed. Recently released reaction cam videos captured top stars such as Park Bo-young, Kwak Sun-young, Park Ji-hyun, Kim Seon-ho, Kim Woo-bin, and Byeon Woo-seok watching the stage in awe. Caught on camera with wide eyes and focused gazes, the audience erupted into enthusiastic applause as the performance concluded.
Following the release of the video, explosive reactions poured in online. Netizens praised the performance as looking “like a scene from a movie,” expressing amazement at an actress delivering such a high-caliber live performance and noting how Kim Min-ha’s charm becomes more apparent over time. Many also welcomed the growing trend of actors directly presenting celebratory performances at award shows.
After completing her special stage, Kim Min-ha appeared as a presenter for the Best New Actress award alongside her presenting partner Noh Sang-hyun, who showered her with praise. Kim Min-ha confessed that she was more nervous on this day than on any film set or stage she had been on before. Noh Sang-hyun responded by telling her that her performance was truly wonderful and adding that he was “captivated” by it, creating a warm atmosphere.
Following her successful performance, Kim Min-ha also shared her thoughts on her official social media account, writing, “It was a moment that made me so nervous yet overwhelmingly thrilled.” Her post was flooded with congratulatory messages. Senior actress and singer Uhm Jung-hwa expressed her admiration, commenting, “The stage felt just like a scene from a movie,” while Seolhyun sent a short but powerful message saying, “The best!” Actress Song Yoon-ah also congratulated Kim Min-ha on her beautiful stage with an affectionate note, drawing further attention.
So who is Kim Min-ha, who received such generous praise from her peers? Born in 1995, she made her acting debut in 2016 through a supporting role in an SBS drama. She subsequently built her filmography through various projects, including KBS2’s School 2017, MBC’s Partners for Justice, and the Netflix film The Call.
The project that firmly established her name with the general public was the Apple TV+ original series Pachinko. After beating out intense competition to be cast in the global project based on the best-selling novel, she played the central character of young Sunja, starring alongside Lee Min-ho and Jung Eun-chae. Her casting gained widespread attention when it was revealed that she secured the role through eight rigorous rounds of auditions without an agency.
After gaining recognition domestically and internationally through Season 1 of Pachinko, Kim Min-ha continued to portray young Sunja in Season 2 with a heavy screen presence. Since then, her filmography has expanded across various genres. In Disney+’s Light Shop, she convincingly portrayed a sexual minority character experiencing a wide emotional spectrum in a relationship with an older female partner; she even cut her own hair unevenly to capture her character’s sharp personality. In TVING’s A Week Before I Die, she demonstrated versatility by handling emotional arcs ranging from fresh school days to a hollow present.
In her recent work, tvN’s Typhoon Company, she played Oh Mi-sun—the sole female character in the organization—delivering a persuasive portrayal of a bold yet emotionally complex figure. Her ability to stay cool-headed in crises and lead her team earned her the moniker “strong warrior.”
Beyond her acting projects, Kim Min-ha has also drawn attention for her personal journey. After news spread that she lost 17 kg over two years, she expressed surprise in an interview, stating she didn’t expect her weight loss to become such a big topic. Regarding her past statements about loving herself as she is, she clarified that the weight loss was simply a choice made for a role, emphasizing that she is equally satisfied with both her past and present self, showcasing her healthy self-esteem.
Featuring a round face, large eyes, and delicate features, her clear skin and freckles are considered her trademarks, giving her a unique aura with a dreamy yet thoughtful gaze. She is also known to have a special connection with actor couple Sol Kyung-gu and Song Yoon-ah. Having grown up as their neighbor, she stayed close to them since childhood, and it was Sol Kyung-gu who first encouraged her to pursue acting. Song Yoon-ah’s affectionate message following the awards ceremony highlighted this warm lifelong relationship.
Having showcased both her vocal talent and acting prowess, Kim Min-ha has reconfirmed her status as a versatile entertainer. Following her standout performance at the Blue Dragon Series Awards, anticipation for her next career moves continues to grow.
