Kim first entered the entertainment industry as a model at the suggestion of his father. After completing his military service, which left him feeling uncertain about his future, his father recommended modeling. Before pursuing this path, Kim weighed over 100 kg, but he lost more than 30 kg through weight management during and after his military service. Initially aspiring to be a chef, Kim joined Esteem Academy to train as a model. He debuted in 2010 and gained recognition through various fashion shows and pictorials, including those for Mbio and General Idea.[1][2]
While modeling, he participated in the tvN survival program Flower Boy Casting: Oh! Boy (2011), where he earned the nickname "Sexy Charisma" and discovered his passion for acting. In 2013, he made his acting debut in the film No Breathing, alongside Seo In-guk and Lee Jong-suk.[1][2][3]
Kim in 2017
Initially, Kim worked as a model at Esteem, but after leaving the agency, he faced about 18 months of unemployment. During this time, he began to seriously consider acting. After Esteem closed down, he had the opportunity to audition for the KBS drama Blade Man, featuring Shin Se-kyung and Lee Dong-wook. While filming this drama without a manager, Esteem reached out to him again. A friend and fellow model, Ahn Jae-hyun introduced him to HB Entertainment, leading to him working with both agencies.[3][4]
In October 2023, he signed an exclusive contract with Management S, an agency established by his longtime manager.[5]
^ abcJang, Ju-yeon (December 8, 2016). "[스타톡] '두 남자' 김재영 "인간미 있는 배우 되고 싶어요"" [[Star Talk] 'Two Men' Kim Jae-young "I want to become a humane actor"]. Newspim (in Korean). Archived from the original on September 28, 2024. Retrieved September 6, 2024.
^Kim Myung-mi (November 18, 2020). "김재영 측 "'너를 닮은 사람' 긍정 검토중" 고현정 만날까(공식입장)" [Kim Jae-young's side "Positive review of 'People who look like you'" Shall we meet Hyun-jung Go (official position)]. Newsen. Naver. Archived from the original on July 9, 2021. Retrieved July 4, 2021.
^Kang Ae-ran (May 3, 2022). "박민영, '싱글라이프 헬퍼'로 고경표·김재영과 로맨스 호흡" [Park Min-young and Go Kyung-pyo and Kim Jae-young in 'Single Life Helper' romance] (in Korean). Yonhap News. Archived from the original on November 11, 2020. Retrieved May 3, 2022 – via Naver.
^Lee, Yoo-min (December 29, 2023). 지옥에서 온 판사' 박신혜X김재영, 파격 연기 변신[공식] ['Judge from Hell' Park Shin-hye X Kim Jae-young, Extraordinary Acting Transformation [Official]] (in Korean). Sports Kyunghyang. Archived from the original on December 29, 2023. Retrieved December 29, 2023 – via Naver.
^Park Soo-in (April 28, 2023). "김재영 '여행을 대신해 드립니다' 합류, 공승연·유준상과 호흡" [Kim Jae-young joins 'We will replace your trip', working with Gong Seung-yeon and Yoo Jun-sang] (in Korean). Newsen. Retrieved April 28, 2023 – via Naver.
^Lee, Min-ji (December 31, 2019). "열혈사제' 음문석-금새록-'시티크' 고민시, 신인상 수상[SBS연기대상]" [The Fiery Priest' Eum Moon-seok - Keum Sae-rok - 'Sitique' Go Min-si, won the Rookie Award [SBS Drama Awards]] (in Korean). Newsen. Archived from the original on December 14, 2022. Retrieved December 14, 2022 – via Naver.
^Cho Yeon-kyung (December 22, 2024). "'SBS연기대상' 장나라, 이변없는 대상…트로피 나눠가진 잔치(종합)" ['SBS Acting Awards' Jang Na-ra, the grand prize without any changes... Trophy Feast (General)]. JTBC (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved December 26, 2024.
