Biographies

Kim Chwa-chin (Kim Jwa-jin) — Korean independence leader and reformer Kim Chwa-chin Kim Chwa-chin (1889–1930) was a Korean independence activist, military commander and social reformer who led armed resistance against Japanese colonial forces and promoted local se…

Kim Clijsters Belgian former world No. 1 tennis player, celebrated for athleticism, three US Open titles, a successful comeback, and a high-profile rivalry with Justine Henin.

Kim Dae-jung Kim Dae-jung (1924–2009) was a South Korean statesman, opposition leader and president (1998–2003) who received the 2000 Nobel Peace Prize for efforts to pursue reconciliation with…

Kim Deal Kim Deal (born 1961) is an American musician, singer and songwriter best known as the bassist and vocalist of the Pixies and as the leader of the alternative rock band The Breeders…

Kim Delaney Kim Delaney is an American film and television actress from Philadelphia, best known for All My Children and NYPD Blue; a Primetime Emmy winner for her dramatic work on television.

Kim Dotcom: Internet entrepreneur, Megaupload founder, and public figure Kim Dotcom Profile of Kim Dotcom (born Kim Schmitz), his career founding Megaupload and Mega, the U.S. legal case, political activity in New Zealand, and public background.

Kim Eui-sung South Korean actor known for versatile supporting and antagonist roles across film and television, notable for appearances in The Day a Pig Fell into the Well, Office, The Exclusiv…

Kim Fowley: record producer, musician and manager Kim Fowley Profile of Kim Fowley (1939–2015), an American record producer and manager best known for 1960s novelty pop and for guiding the 1970s teenage rock band The Runaways.

Kim Gu (Baekbeom): Leader of Korea's independence movement Kim Gu Biography of Kim Gu (1876–1949), known as Baekbeom: independence activist, three-time president of the Provisional Government, advocate of Korean unity, and a key figure in modern…

Kim Heechul — South Korean singer, presenter and actor Kim Heechul Kim Heechul (born 1983), known as Heechul, is a South Korean entertainer: singer-songwriter, TV presenter and actor. Member of Super Junior and active in variety programs and music…

Kim Hughes (British Army soldier and George Cross recipient) Kim Hughes Kim Spencer Hughes (born 12 September 1979) is a British Army soldier awarded the George Cross for conspicuous gallantry during operations in Afghanistan. Article summarizes his ba…

Kim Hwang-jung — South Korean association football player (born 1975) Kim Hwang-jung Profile of Kim Hwang-jung (김황정, 金晃正; born 19 November 1975), a South Korean professional footballer also recorded under the Japanese reading Terumasa Kin, with notes on naming and…

Kim Hyo-yeon (Hyoyeon) — South Korean dancer, singer, DJ and entertainer Kim Hyo-yeon Kim Hyo-yeon, known as Hyoyeon, is a South Korean performer best known as a member of Girls' Generation. She is noted for dance, solo music and DJ work, plus frequent television an…

Kim Ikhun: Joseon Neo-Confucian Scholar (1619–1689) Kim Ikhun Kim Ikhun (1619–1689) was a Korean Neo-Confucian scholar-official of the Joseon dynasty, known by the pen name Gwangnam and style name Musuk; he lived through the political and int…

Kim Il-sung: Founder and Longtime Leader of North Korea Kim Il-Sung A concise, neutral overview of Kim Il-sung, his leadership of North Korea, the Juche ideology he promoted, his historical role, succession, and lasting legacy.

Kim Ja-ok (1951–2014), South Korean film and television actress Kim Ja-ok South Korean actress Kim Ja-ok (born Busan, 1951) built a long career in film and television with notable supporting roles. She appeared in My Tutor Friend, Jenny, Juno and Nobody'…

Kim Jang-saeng (1548–1631) — Joseon Neo-Confucian scholar Kim Jang-saeng Kim Jang-saeng (1548–1631) was a leading Neo-Confucian scholar, author, and government official of the Joseon period. Known as Sagye, his teachings shaped later Korean Confucian ed…

Kim Jip: Joseon Dynasty Confucian Scholar and Teacher (1574–1656) Kim Jip Kim Jip (1574–1656) was a Korean Neo-Confucian scholar-official and educator of the Joseon period, known by the pen names Shindokjae and Shindok and as Sagang; he shaped later Conf…

Kim Jong-il: Leader of North Korea (1941–2011) Kim Jong-il Biography of Kim Jong-il covering his origins, rise to power, governance, personality cult, policies, international relations, human rights record and legacy.

Kim Jong-nam, North Korean exile and assassination victim Kim Jong-nam Eldest son of Kim Jong-il who fell from favor after a 2001 passport incident, lived abroad for years and was assassinated in Malaysia in 2017 amid international investigations and…

Kim Jong-pil: South Korean leader, intelligence chief, and two‑time prime minister Kim Jong-pil Kim Jong-pil (1926–2018) was a South Korean military officer and politician who helped lead the 1961 coup, became the first director of the KCIA and served twice as Prime Minister…

Kim Jong-suk: Korean independence activist and early North Korean revolutionary Kim Jong-suk Kim Jong-suk (1917–1949) was a Korean anti‑Japanese guerrilla, the first wife of Kim Il‑sung and mother of Kim Jong‑il. She is commemorated in the DPRK as a revolutionary heroine a…

Kim Jong-un Supreme Leader of North Korea since 2011, third generation of the Kim family dynasty; central figure in North Korean politics, nuclear and missile development, and international di…

Kim Joo-hyuk — South Korean actor Kim Joo-hyuk Kim Joo-hyuk (1972–2017) was a South Korean actor known for film and television roles, variety appearances, and a reputation for versatile, naturalistic performances across genres.

Kim Källström: Swedish midfield playmaker and international regular Kim Källström Profile of Kim Källström, a Swedish central midfielder noted for passing, set-pieces and long-range shooting. Career spans Sweden, France, Russia and a brief English loan; long-ser…

Kim Kardashian: American media personality, entrepreneur, and cultural figure Kim Kardashian Profile of Kim Kardashian (born 1980), American media personality and entrepreneur known for reality TV fame, fashion and beauty businesses, criminal justice advocacy, and widespre…

Kim Ki-duk: Career, Style, Major Films and Legacy Kim Ki-duk Overview of South Korean director Kim Ki-duk (1960–2020), his film style, notable works including Pietà, controversies, and his influence on contemporary world cinema.

Kim Ki-duk (born 1934) — South Korean film director and professor Kim Ki-duk (director, born 1934) South Korean film director Kim Ki-duk (1934–2017) directed 66 films from 1961–1977 and is best known abroad for the 1967 monster film Yongary. He was a prominent figure of 1960s Ko…

Kim Kielsen — Greenlandic politician and former Prime Minister Kim Kielsen Kim Kielsen (born 30 November 1966) is a Greenlandic politician who led the Siumut party and served as Greenland's Prime Minister from 2014 to 2021, focusing on economic developmen…

Kim Kyok-sik — North Korean general and former Defence Minister Kim Kyok-sik Kim Kyok-sik (1938–2015) was a senior North Korean military leader who served briefly as Defence Minister (2012–2013) and was linked by South Korea to the 2010 attacks between the…

Kim Kyu-sik (1881–1950) Kim Kyu-sik Korean educator, diplomat and independence activist who served as vice president of the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea and sought international support for Korean…

Kim Kyung-roul — South Korean three-cushion billiards player Kim Kyung-roul Kim Kyung-roul (1980–2015) was a South Korean professional three-cushion billiards player best known for winning the 2010 Three-Cushion World Cup. He competed internationally and d…

Kim Larsen Kim Larsen (1945–2018) was a Danish rock singer-songwriter and bandleader known for his work with Gasolin' and a long solo career that made him one of Scandinavia's best-selling ar…

Kim Matula American actress known for playing Hope Logan on The Bold and the Beautiful and Mia on The Defenders; born in Fort Worth, Texas; has worked in daytime soap, primetime TV and film.

Kim Novak: American actress, artist, and cultural figure Kim Novak Summary of Kim Novak (born 1933): her early life in Chicago, breakthrough film roles (notably Vertigo), later artistic work, personal life and legacy in classic Hollywood cinema.

Kim Ok-gyun — Joseon reformer, activist and diplomat (1851–1894) Kim Ok-gyun Kim Ok-gyun (1851–1894) was a Joseon-era Korean reformer and diplomat associated with the Gaehwa (enlightenment) movement. He played a central role in the 1884 Gapsin Coup, was exi…

Kim Peek — American megasavant who inspired Rain Man Kim Peek Kim Peek (1951–2009), an American megasavant noted for prodigious memory across many subjects, studied by researchers and widely known as a real-life inspiration for the film Rain…

Kim Philby: British Intelligence Officer and Soviet Double Agent Kim Philby Profile of Harold 'Kim' Philby — his recruitment in the 1930s, activities as a Soviet mole within British intelligence, exposure, 1963 defection to the USSR, and historical impact.

Kim Reynolds: Governor of Iowa and Republican political leader Kim Reynolds Kim Reynolds (born 1959) is the 43rd Governor of Iowa, first woman to hold that office. A Republican, she served as lieutenant governor, state senator, and has focused on economic…

Kim Rhodes (American actress) Kim Rhodes Kim Rhodes (born June 7, 1969) is an American actress known for TV roles including Carey Martin on Disney's Suite Life series and Sheriff Jody Mills on Supernatural, plus soap and…

Kim Seok-ju (1634–1684): Joseon Confucian Scholar, Writer and Official Kim Seok-ju Confucian scholar, writer and Joseon Dynasty official (1634–1684). Known by penname Shigam and style name Sabaek, he left collections of essays and poetry and was active in mid‑17t…

Kim Seong‑Su: educator, publisher and statesman (1881–1955) Kim Seong-Su Kim Seong‑Su (Inchon) was a Korean educator, entrepreneur, journalist and political leader who founded major institutions including Dong-A Ilbo and Korea University and served in h…

Kim Shattuck: American punk-rock singer, songwriter and guitarist Kim Shattuck American musician best known as the lead singer and songwriter of punk-pop band The Muffs; earlier member of The Pandoras and later part of The Beards. Diagnosed with ALS in 2017 a…

Kim Su-an South Korean actress (born 2006) who gained international attention for her role in Train to Busan and has continued building a career in film and television.

Kim Sung-gan: Korean footballer and 1940 Japan national team member Kim Sung-gan Kim Sung-gan (김성간, 1912–1984) was a Korean association footballer notable for his selection to the Japan national team in 1940 during the colonial era; his career reflects complex…

Kim Tae-yeon discography Comprehensive overview of Kim Tae-yeon's recorded works: albums, EPs, singles, soundtrack contributions, chart history and notable releases in her solo career.

Kim Thayil — American guitarist and founding member of Soundgarden Kim Thayil Kim Thayil (born September 4, 1960) is an American guitarist best known as a founding member and lead guitarist of the rock band Soundgarden, noted for his inventive riffs and role…

Kim Tu-bong: Korean linguist and first nominal head of North Korea Kim Tu-bong Kim Tu-bong (1886–c.1958) was a Korean linguist and politician who served as the first chairman of the DPRK Standing Presidium (the state's nominal head). He advanced Korean langua…