2003–2012: Beginnings and rising popularity Go was chosen to play the female lead, Lee Ok-rim, in the 2003
KBS teen drama
Sharp. Her role as an ambitious and confident middle school girl catapulted her to instant stardom. She reprised her role in the sequel
Sharp 2. Her portrayal of the rebellious and ambitious Yoo Da-mi won her acting recognition at the
Baeksang Arts Awards. in December 2008 In 2008, she was cast in the
MBC drama
Who Are You? opposite
Yoon Kye-sang. Despite low ratings in Korea, the
body swap comedy drew in international fans, increasing her
Korean Wave profile. This led to an appearance in the
Japanese television drama Karei naru Spy. In 2009, she was cast in MBC's romantic comedy
Heading to the Ground with idol singer
Jung Yunho from
DBSK. In 2012, Go made her domestic film debut in sports film
Pacemaker, where she gained 5 kg weight to portray a pole vaulter representing South Korea. She then displayed her singing skills in the 2012 multicultural film
Papa, with
Park Yong-woo. Go drew attention for her singing and dancing abilities, fluent English and acting performance in the film.
2013–present: Career resurgence Go's popularity further rose through the nostalgic campus drama
Reply 1994 (2013). In order to portray Sung Na-jung, she cut her hair short, and gained 18 lbs. While many doubted her casting when it was first announced, Go's acting later nabbed praise both critically and with viewers. For her performance, Go received Best Actress nominations in the
Baeksang Art Awards and
APAN Star Awards. She next starred as the sole female rookie detective in the 2014 police drama ''
You're All Surrounded'', alongside
Lee Seung-gi and
Cha Seung-won. In 2015, Go returned to the big screen alongside
Yoo Seung-ho in joseon-era romance film,
The Magician, where she plays a princess who finds love with a circus magician. This was followed by a leading role in
Phantom Detective, a neo-noir action flick starring
Lee Je-hoon as the titular Hong Gil-dong. In 2016, Go starred as the female lead opposite
Park Seo-joon in youth historical drama
Hwarang: The Poet Warrior Youth. The same year, she left SM Entertainment after 13 years and signed with newly formed management agency Artist Company in January 2017. She then starred in the
fantasy thriller drama
Black alongside
Song Seung-heon, playing a woman who can foresee death. In 2018, Go starred in the legal drama
Ms. Hammurabi alongside
Kim Myung-soo, playing a passionate rookie judge. The series was well-received for its honest depiction of adversities in modern-day Korean society; and Go was complimented for her acting. In 2019, Go starred in the historical action drama
Haechi, playing a detective who is well versed in both martial arts and foreign languages. In 2020, Go starred in the music romance drama
Do Do Sol Sol La La Sol as a pianist who hits rock bottom following her family's downfall alongside
Lee Jae-wook. In January 2023, Go signed with
King Kong by Starship. ==Personal life==