Ahn Eun-jin has become a household name in South Korea, thanks to her heartfelt performances in dramas like Hospital Playlist and My Dearest. From her early days on the theater stage to starring in major TV series, her journey shows talent, hard work, and a love for acting. This article covers her life, career, and latest projects in detail.
After years of captivating audiences, Ahn Eun-jin continues to shine. Her ability to bring characters to life has made her a fan favorite. Whether on stage or screen, she delivers powerful performances. Let’s explore her story, from her theater beginnings to her rise as a leading actress.
Starting on Stage
Ahn Eun-jin was born on May 6, 1991, in Seoul, South Korea. She grew up with a passion for the arts. At 17, she decided to pursue acting, despite her mother’s concerns. Her determination led her to the Korea National University of Arts (K-Arts), where she enrolled in 2010.
At K-Arts, she trained alongside future stars like Kim Go-eun, Lee Yoo-young, and Park So-dam. This talented group shaped her early career. She honed her skills in theater, building a strong foundation.
Her stage debut came in 2012 with the musical The Sorrows of Young Werther, directed by Kim Min-jung. She connected deeply with the role. In 2015, she performed in The Story of Tail Cotton, a play for the Chaimu Troupe’s 20th anniversary. Though she felt her performance wasn’t perfect, encouragement from actor Lee Joong-ok kept her going.
That same year, she played Kim Sol in the musical Infinite Energy, running from September 2015 to January 2016. Critics praised her comedic timing and clear singing. In 2017, she starred in Judo Boy, showing her range. Her theater work gave her skills she later brought to the screen.
In 2024, after years of screen success, she returned to theater. She played Henrietta Leavitt in Silent Sky at the National Theater Company. Directed by Kim Min-jung, the role was emotional. Ahn Eun-jin chose it for its story and the chance to perform at Myeongdong Theater, a dream venue from her student days. During rehearsals, she was moved to tears by the character’s depth.
Her return to theater shows her love for live performance. It’s a core part of who she is as an artist.
Moving to Television
Ahn Eun-jin stepped into TV in 2018 with a supporting role in Life, a medical drama on JTBC. It was a small start, but it opened doors. In 2019, she took on six dramas, proving her versatility across genres.
- She played a royal concubine in The Crowned Clown on tvN.
- She portrayed Choi Yeon-hee in Possessed, a supernatural thriller on OCN.
- She appeared as Park Gwi-nam in My Fellow Citizens!, a political comedy on KBS2.
- She played police officer So Jeong-hwa in Hell Is Other People on OCN, earning The Unexpected Award at the 2019 OCN Awards.
- She acted as prosecutor Sung Mi-ran in Diary of a Prosecutor on JTBC.
- She played Mu-yeong’s wife in Kingdom Seasons 1-2 on Netflix.
This busy year showed her range. She worked across tvN, OCN, KBS2, JTBC, and Netflix, avoiding being typecast. Her hard work paid off with bigger roles.
In 2020 and 2021, she kept building her career. She played Kim Young-hee in More Than Friends on JTBC. She also made cameos as Jin Sun-mi in The Witch’s Diner on TVING and revisited So Jeong-hwa in Dark Hole on OCN.
Breakout Roles
Ahn Eun-jin became a star with Hospital Playlist (2020-2021) on tvN. She played Chu Min-ha, a kind and hardworking obstetrics resident. Her character’s crush on Professor Yang Seok-hyeong (Kim Dae-myung) won hearts. Fans loved the Gom-gom Couple.
Getting the role wasn’t easy. She auditioned without knowing the part and waited months. A second audition landed her Chu Min-ha. Her performance earned a nomination for Best New Actress at the 7th APAN Star Awards.
In 2021-2022, she took her first lead role in The One and Only on JTBC. She played Pyo In-sook, a terminally ill woman caught in a murder case. The role showed her depth.
Her film debut came in 2022 with The Night Owl, a historical thriller. As Royal Consort Jo So-yong, she impressed critics. She earned nominations for Best Supporting Actress at the Baeksang Arts Awards and Best New Actress at the Blue Dragon Film Awards, Buil Film Awards, and Grand Bell Awards.
In 2023, she starred in The Good Bad Mother on JTBC as Lee Mi-joo, a nail artist and friend to Choi Kang-ho (Lee Do-hyun). The drama was a hit, boosting her global fame.
Her biggest success came with My Dearest (2023) on MBC. She played Yoo Gil-chae, a noblewoman facing love and war during the Qing invasion of Joseon. Her chemistry with Lee Jang-hyun (Nam Goong-min) drew praise. The drama was a ratings success.
Ahn Eun-jin said:
“I’m so grateful for the love My Dearest received. It was tough, but the support made it worth it.”
She faced challenges, including facial paralysis before filming. Some questioned her casting, but the drama’s success silenced doubts. She won the Top Excellence Award for Actress and Best Couple Award with Nam Goong-min at the 2023 MBC Drama Awards. She also got the Best Actress award at the Grimae Awards and a Best Actress nomination at the 2024 Baeksang Arts Awards.
The drama changed her life. She shared that she could now afford to use her heater freely and buy what she wanted without stress.
What’s Next for Ahn Eun-jin
Ahn Eun-jin keeps busy. In 2024, she starred in Citizen of a Kind, a film, and Goodbye Earth, a web series. In 2025, she’ll appear in Resident Playbook on tvN, a spin-off of Hospital Playlist. She plays Chu Min-ha again, now married to Yang Seok-hyeong (Kim Dae-myung).
- Resident Playbook focuses on residents at Yulje Medical Center.
- It premieres in 2025 on tvN.
- Ahn Eun-jin and Kim Dae-myung return as the Gom-gom Couple.
She’s also set for Kissing for Nothing and Genie, Make a Wish, both in 2025. Her schedule shows no signs of slowing down.
Her personal life stays private. She’s single, with no confirmed relationships. Rumors about her and Nam Goong-min or Dex from Fresh Off The Sea were cleared up—she laughed them off, noting Nam Goong-min is married.
She loves music, comfy tracksuits, and the musical Notre-Dame de Paris. Her favorite actresses are Jeon Mi-do, Kim So-jin, and Kim Ji-hyun. She once said she’d like to be reborn as a turtle to see the world change slowly.
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Sources: Soompi, Allkpop, Koreaboo
