2007–2013: Beginnings Kim began his career as a fashion model at the 2007
Seoul Fashion Week and for jeans brand
Evisu in 2008. He made his acting debut in the
queer coming-of-age film Just Friends? in 2009 under the stage name Seo Ji-hoo. His management agency later changed his stage name to Yeon Woo-jin. After playing a teacher in 2010 daily drama
All My Love, he started to gain recognition as the youngest brother in hit 2011 family drama
Ojakgyo Family. Then in his first lead role, Yeon's character falls in love with the daughter of his brother's murderer in the 4-episode
Drama Special Just an Ordinary Love Story. In 2012, he was cast as a mysterious villain in the period fantasy-romance
Arang and the Magistrate. Yeon reunited with
Arang director Kim Sang-ho in 2013, to again play the protagonist's rival in the gangster melodrama
When a Man Falls in Love.
2014–present: Leading roles and rising popularity This was followed by leading roles in two romantic comedy series: as a commitment-phobic plastic surgeon in
Marriage, Not Dating (2014) and as a vengeful office manager-turned-attorney in
Divorce Lawyer in Love (2015). '' in July 2017 In 2017, he starred in the
tvN romance comedy drama
Introverted Boss. He then starred in historical melodrama
Queen for Seven Days as well as legal drama
Judge vs. Judge. In 2018, Yeon starred in the medical exorcism drama
Priest. In 2019, Yeon was cast in the music romance drama
I Wanna Hear Your Song. In 2022, Yeon appeared in romantic drama film,
Serve the People written and directed by
Jang Cheol-soo opposite Ji An. The film based on the
eponymous novel by
Yan Lianke, drew wide attention and Yeon was praised for his performance as a model soldier. Later in March 2022, Yeon confirmed that on the 10th of Yeon Woo-jin's official Japanese website, an announcement was posted under the heading 'About the schedule of the 2022 visit to Japan event'. He held fan meetings in Tokyo on August 11 and Osaka on August 13. ==Filmography==