Kim Ah-ra

Kim was born in Hoeryong, North Hamgyong Province, North Korea. Her childhood was marked by the extreme North Korean famine; she has recalled foraging for grass and roots to supplement meager rations of rice porridge. She did not receive a formal education during her youth in the North, instead spending her time scavenging for calories to help her family survive. She eventually escaped North Korea at age 12, fleeing to China before finally settling in South Korea around 2009. Upon her arrival, she pursued higher education, attending Myongji University and Kookmin University. == Career ==

2011–2015: "Defector TV" and Early Media Appearances Kim's entry into the entertainment industry was driven by the rise of "defector TV" in the 2010s. She gained wider recognition through supporting roles in several television dramas, frequently portraying North Korean characters or resilient young women. Her most significant mainstream breakthrough occurred in the global hit series Crash Landing on You (2019–2020), where she played a North Korean village resident. Kim notably influenced the production by proposing authentic North Korean dialogue based on her own experiences. == Personal life ==

In October 2023, Kim married a non-celebrity whom she met at her church. The couple held a private wedding ceremony in Seoul on October 28, 2023. She remains active in the South Korean entertainment industry, continuing to use her platform to humanize the lives of North Korean defectors. == Filmography ==

Television series Film == Ambassadorship ==

• Ambassador for the North Korean Human Rights International Film Festival • 2018 Rotary International District 3640 Friendship Exchange Committee Ambassador • 2018 World Peace Culture Festival Organizing Committee Overseas Promotion Delegation Member == Awards and nominations ==