Kim Seong-hun, a renowned South Korean film and television director, entered the world on February 20, 1971, in the picturesque city of Gangneung, located in the stunning Gangwon Province, South Korea.
Kim's illustrious career as a director commenced with his work as an assistant director on the romantic comedies 'Oh! Happy Day', a film that premiered in 2003, and 'He Was Cool', which was released the following year in 2004.
Kim's cinematic endeavour, 'A Hard Day', premiered in 2014, marking a significant departure from his earlier work. This dark action comedy/thriller unfolds the complex narrative of a corrupt homicide detective, whose life takes a drastic turn after he secretly conceals the body of a hit-and-run victim within his mother's coffin. As the detective's dark secret begins to unravel, he finds himself being relentlessly pursued by a mysterious blackmailer, whose true intentions remain shrouded in mystery.
Kim's film received an impressive array of accolades, with the director himself claiming top honors at several esteemed ceremonies. At the 51st Grand Bell Awards, Kim was bestowed the Best Director award, a distinction he also received at the 1st Korean Film Producers Association Awards. Additionally, he took home the Best Director trophy at the 51st Baeksang Arts Awards.
Moreover, Kim's exceptional storytelling skills were recognized with Best Screenplay awards at the 15th Busan Film Critics Awards and the 35th Blue Dragon Film Awards. These prestigious recognitions serve as a testament to Kim's remarkable talent and dedication to his craft.
Kim's directorial endeavors continued to flourish as they took on the helm for numerous feature films prior to being recruited to spearhead the production of the Netflix original Korean series Kingdom, which premiered in 2019. This critically acclaimed show masterfully merged the aesthetics and cultural influences of Eastern and Western cinematic traditions, skillfully integrating the Joseon Dynasty's rich history with the eerie and suspenseful elements of the zombie horror genre, thus expanding its appeal to a broader and more diverse audience.
