Nam Ji-hyun’s Profile
- Full Name: Nam Ji-hyun
- Native Name: 남지현
- Nicknames: Nam Ji
- Birthday: Sep 17, 1995 (29 years old)
- Blood Type: B
- Height/Weight: 165 cm (5’5”) / 49 kg (108 lbs)
- Gender: Female
- Zodiac Sign: Virgo
- Chinese Zodiac: Pig
- Debut: 2004
- Birthplace: Incheon, South Korea
-
Nationality:
South Korean
- Profession: Actress
- Language Skills: Korean (Native), English (Conversational)
- Current Agency: Management Soop
- Active Years: 2004 – present (21 years)
Nam Ji-hyun (남지현), born on September 17, 1995, in Bupyeong District, Incheon, is a South Korean actress under Management SOOP. She began her career as a child actress in 2004 and has since built a solid presence in both television and film.
Early Life
Nam Ji-hyun showed an aptitude for performance from an early age and made her acting debut before turning ten. Throughout her childhood, she frequently appeared as the younger counterpart of lead characters in major productions, quickly becoming a recognizable face to viewers.
In 2014, she enrolled at Sogang University, majoring in Psychology. Despite her academic commitments, she actively pursued acting during her university years, starring in several notable dramas. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in February 2020.
Career
Nam Ji-hyun made her acting debut in the 2004 television drama Say You Love Me. Over the following years, she gained attention for playing younger versions of lead characters in hit series such as East of Eden (2008) and Queen Seondeok (2009), establishing herself as one of the most prominent child actresses of her generation.
Transitioning into more mature roles from 2012 onward, she appeared in Angel Eyes (2014) as the young Yoon Soo-wan. This role became a stepping stone toward leading parts. Her breakthrough as a leading actress came in 2016 with Shopping King Louie, opposite Seo In-guk, marking a successful shift from child actress to adult star.
In 2017, she headlined the legal-romance drama Suspicious Partner alongside Ji Chang-wook, a project that cemented her status as a credible female lead in prime-time television.
The following year, she starred in the historical romance 100 Days My Prince with EXO’s Do Kyung-soo, a ratings success that became one of the standout works of her career.
Expanding into different genres, Nam Ji-hyun led the fantasy-thriller 365: Repeat the Year in 2020, portraying a writer caught in a dangerous time loop. In 2021, she appeared in TVING’s The Witch’s Diner, playing a young woman who strikes a fateful deal to change her life.
In 2022, she joined the ensemble cast of tvN’s Little Women, alongside Kim Go-eun and Park Ji-hu. Inspired by the classic novel, the drama showcased her versatility in family and psychological storytelling.
After a brief hiatus, Nam Ji-hyun returned in 2024 with SBS’s legal drama Good Partner, playing rookie attorney Han Yu-ri, opposite Jang Na-ra. The series explored generational conflicts and ethical dilemmas in the legal profession, marking her comeback after two years and highlighting her growth as an actress.
Beyond television, Nam Ji-hyun has also appeared in feature films, including A Reason to Live (2011), Hwayi: A Monster Boy (2013), and Tunnel (2016). Alongside her acting career, she has been active in advertising campaigns, fashion events, and brand collaborations.
As of 2025, Nam Ji-hyun is recognized as a former child actress who successfully transitioned into a versatile leading actress. With a career spanning melodramas, historical romances, thrillers, and legal dramas, she continues to evolve as one of the steady talents in the South Korean entertainment industry.
Fun Facts
- She’s known for bursting into uncontrollable laughter on set, and the whole crew usually cracks up with her.
- Loves pulling harmless little pranks on co-stars, instantly lifting the mood.
- Surprisingly clumsy in real life — tripping or bumping into props is kind of her trademark.
- Has a habit of mimicking her co-actors’ expressions or gestures, which always ends up being hilariously cute.
- Can’t handle spicy food, and her over-the-top reactions are pure comedy gold.
- Proud cat mom of three — Tancoo, Mone, and Uyu — who often steal the spotlight from her.
- Fans jokingly call her the “chart-climbing icon” because her dramas’ ratings tend to rise steadily instead of dropping.
- When Little Women aired, BTS’s RM showed support, and she got flooded with congratulatory calls, leaving her super touched.
- International fans often describe her as “adorkable” — a mix of awkward and adorable at the same time.
- Many viewers didn’t realize at first that the heroine from Suspicious Partner and 100 Days My Prince was the same actress — just a hairstyle switch fooled them.
- Her Running Man appearance with Kang Hoon had fans instantly “shipping” the two because of their funny chemistry.
- The drama title The Witch’s Diner had netizens joking it sounded more like a creepy cooking show than a fantasy K-drama.
