Kim Soo-hyun (writer)
Kim Soo-hyun (born Kim Soon-ok on January 27, 1943) is a South Korean screenwriter and novelist. She graduated from Korea University in 1965 with a degree in Korean Language and Literature. She started at MBC after winning a radio drama competition in 1968 with The Fable of That Year’s Winter. Writing under the pen name Kim Soo-hyun, her first TV drama Rainbow aired in 1972. Over four decades, she became one of Korea’s most renowned writers, penning many popular dramas such as What is Love (1992), Men of the Bath House (1996), and Trap of Youth (1999), with Love and Ambition (1987) drawing huge audiences.
Her work often centers on Korean family life, exploring how traditional values clash with modern ideas and how women navigate those changes. She is known for tackling social issues and for creating realistic, intense dialogue, sometimes stirring controversy. My Husband’s Woman (2007), about infidelity, was a major hit and sparked discussion; she later faced plagiarism allegations from Ryu Gyeung-ok, which she denied. Mom’s Dead Upset (2008) depicted a mother reclaiming her independence and achieved high ratings, earning major acting awards for its lead. Life Is Beautiful (2010) featured an openly gay couple and sparked dialogue about homosexuality, while A Thousand Days’ Promise (2011) addressed Alzheimer's disease. Childless Comfort (2012) became the highest-rated Korean cable drama and helped boost JTBC’s profile. She has been among the highest-paid Korean writers per episode.
Known for a fiery, outspoken on-set presence, she is nicknamed “a Godzilla” for insisting on precise, line-by-line performances. She champions high writing standards and has criticized low-quality makjang dramas. In 2008 she was named Korea’s Leading Writer at the Seoul Drama Festival, and in 2012 she received the Eungwan Order of Cultural Merit for her contributions to Korean culture.
This page was last edited on 2 February 2026, at 09:50 (CET).