Kim won fourth place in a talent search by broadcaster
SBS in 1994, and quickly became a popular television star in her twenties. Her characters in the hit
TV series City Men and Women (1996),
Model (1997),
The Boss (1999) and
Her House (2001), made her the epitome of a sophisticated, urban career woman in 1990s Korea. But after
Her House, Kim went into semi-retirement, only appearing in lucrative commercials, mostly for cosmetics and luxury goods. She married actor
Kim Seung-woo in 2005, and for several years she lived as a full-time housewife and mother. In 2007, she stretched some acting muscle opposite
Sul Kyung-gu in
Voice of a Murderer, about the tormenting and ultimately unsuccessful attempts of two parents to bring their kidnapped son back home. Based on the true story of a nine-year-old child found dead in 1991, the film faithfully follows the harrowing 44-day quest to find the missing boy. Kim made a successful television comeback in
Queen of Housewives (also known as
My Wife is a Superwoman) in 2009. A comedy drama that depicts the life of housewives who devote their entire lives to their husbands' success, it became one of the most-watched shows during its run, topping Korea's TV ratings charts for three consecutive weeks. Her portrayal of a modern Korean housewife won Kim numerous accolades. Kim reunited with
Queen of Housewives writer
Park Ji-eun in another workplace romantic dramedy, the 2010s
Queen of Reversals. This time Kim played a strong and decisive character, a careerwoman, trying to balance work and married life. Her character Hwang Tae-hee experiences the many ups, downs, and reversals of work, family, and romance as she falls in and out of love and marriage. Ratings-wise
Queen of Reversals was less successful than its predecessor, though Kim was awarded the highest award (Daesang or "Grand Prize") at
MBC's year-end
drama awards ceremony. She also released her book that year, called ''Kim Nam-joo's House''. The collection of essays and photographs is a candid discussion of her family life and home. Kim then led the 2012 weekend family drama
My Husband Got a Family (also known as
You Who Rolled in Unexpectedly and
Unexpected You), which took a comedic and serious approach to the trials and tribulations of a TV director dealing with her in-laws when her husband reunites with his biological parents. Kim and Park's third collaboration was a big hit with audiences, it was number one on the 2012 yearly TV ratings chart with average ratings of 33.1 percent and a ratings peak of 52.3 percent, and Kim won another Daesang at the
KBS Drama Awards. Kim returned to television after a six-year hiatus, starring in the romance thriller,
Misty. The drama was both a ratings and critical success and Kim earned praise for her portrayal of a controversial character. Kim returned to television after a six-year hiatus, starring in the revenge thriller,
Wonderful World. and won the Best Acting Award, Actress at the
MBC Drama Awards. ==Filmography==