Moon Geun-young Biography: Movies, Husband, Awards, Net Worth, Height, Instagram, Ethnicity, Surgery

Moon Geun-young is a South Korean actress who first received widespread attention for her portrayal of the young Eun-suh in the popular television drama Autumn in My Heart (2000).

Her early rise from child modelling to memorable onscreen roles led to a successful career spanning film, television, and stage.

Profile

• Full name: Moon Geun-young
• Nickname: Nation’s Little Sister
• Date of birth: May 6, 1987
• Age: 38 years old
• Gender: Female
• Place of birth: Jeollanam-do, Gwangju, South Korea
• Nationality: South Korean
• Profession: Actress, Director, Philanthropist
• Height: 165 cm (approx. 5 ft 5 in)
• Weight: 45 kg
• Eye colour: Dark brown
• Hair colour: Dark brown
• Parents: N/A
• Siblings: One younger sister
• Spouse: Unmarried
• Children: None
• Relationship status: Single
• Religion: Buddhism
• Ethnicity: Korean
• Net worth: US$8 million

Early Life and Education

Moon Geun-young was born on May 6, 1987, in Gwangju, South Korea. She has one younger sister. Although her parents’ identities are not publicly known, her upbringing was described as modest and education-focused.

She attended Gwangju Gukje High School, graduating in February 2006, and went on to Sungkyunkwan University in Seoul, where she majored in Korean Language and Literature.

Despite her busy acting schedule, she completed her studies and has been known for promoting literacy and education among youth.

Her entry into the entertainment industry began through child modelling and television commercials in the late 1990s. By age 12, she had already appeared in multiple magazine spreads, which led to early acting opportunities.

Personal Life

Moon Geun-young is known for maintaining an extremely private and humble personal life. In 2013, she confirmed a brief romantic relationship with actor Kim Bum, her co-star from Goddess of Fire, Jung Yi. The relationship lasted from late 2013 to mid-2014 before they amicably separated.

Outside acting, she is known for her philanthropy—regularly donating to education and social welfare causes, including the Community Chest of Korea and UNICEF Korea.

Between 2003 and 2022, she reportedly donated over ₩1 billion KRW (approx. $800,000 USD) to various humanitarian efforts, earning recognition as one of Korea’s most charitable celebrities.

In 2017, she underwent emergency surgery for compartment syndrome (a rare vascular condition) and took time off for recovery. She made a strong comeback in 2020 and has since appeared in film, television, and theater productions.

Career

Moon Geun-young’s acting journey began in 1999 with the TV drama On the Way Home. Her breakthrough role as the young Eun-suh in Autumn in My Heart (2000) catapulted her to national fame.

She later starred in the horror film A Tale of Two Sisters (2003), one of the most internationally acclaimed Korean films, which showcased her dramatic depth at a young age.

Her box-office hit My Little Bride (2004) solidified her image as Korea’s sweetheart, followed by Innocent Steps (2005) and Love Me Not (2006).

In 2008, she took on a challenging historical role in The Painter of the Wind, portraying a female painter disguising herself as a man.

The performance earned her the Daesang (Grand Prize) at the SBS Drama Awards and the Best TV Actress award at the Baeksang Arts Awards in 2009.

She continued to balance television and film work, starring in Cinderella’s Sister (2010), Mary Stayed Out All Night (2010), and The Village: Achiara’s Secret (2015). On stage, she has participated in theater productions like Romeo and Juliet (2016) and The Pillowman (2021), demonstrating her artistic range.

As of 2025, Moon Geun-young is recognized as a multi-hyphenate artist, having directed short independent projects and served as an honorary ambassador for the Busan International Film Festival.

Awards

• 2000 KBS Drama Awards: Best Young Actress – Autumn in My Heart (Won)
• 2003 Blue Dragon Film Awards: Best New Actress – A Tale of Two Sisters (Won)
• 2004 Grand Bell Awards: Best Actress – My Little Bride (Won)
• 2008 SBS Drama Awards: Grand Prize (Daesang) – The Painter of the Wind (Won)
• 2009 45th Baeksang Arts Awards: Best TV Actress – The Painter of the Wind (Won)
• 2015 SBS Drama Awards: Excellence Award for Actress (Mini-Series) – The Village: Achiara’s Secret (Won)
• 2021 Korea Theater Awards: Best Actress (Nominee) – The Pillowman

Net Worth

Moon Geun-young’s estimated net worth is US$8 million. Her income sources include: Long-term acting contracts with SBS, KBS, and tvN, brand endorsements and modeling partnerships etc.

Social Media

• Instagram: @mgymmm

Filmography

Films

• On the Way Home (1999)
• Lovers’ Concerto (2002)
• A Tale of Two Sisters (2003)
• My Little Bride (2004)
• Innocent Steps (2005)
• Love Me Not (2006)
• The Throne (2015)
• Glass Garden (2017)
• Memory Point (2023, short film – directorial debut)

Television Series

• Autumn in My Heart (2000)
• Wife (2003)
• The Painter of the Wind (2008)
• Cinderella’s Sister (2010)
• Mary Stayed Out All Night (2010)
• Cheongdam-dong Alice (2012–2013)
• The Village: Achiara’s Secret (2015)
• Catch the Ghost (2019)