Former Child Actor and Equestrian National Team Athlete Kim Seok Draws Attention with Recent Updates

Debuted as a child actor in the 1997 film 'Number 3'
Co-starred with Lee Se-young in 'Nine Years Old Life'
Selected as the youngest national equestrian team member, currently active as an athlete

Kim Seok, an active equestrian athlete. Photo by Kwandong University

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bong-ju] The recent status of Kim Seok, a former child actor turned national equestrian athlete, is attracting public attention.

Born in 1992, Kim Seok debuted as a child actor in the 1997 film 'Number 3' at the age of six.

From 2000 to 2003, he appeared in films such as 'Kilimanjaro,' 'Splendid Days,' 'Can't Live After Being Robbed,' and 'Teacher Kim Bong-du.'

Later, in 2004, he gained recognition by playing the lead role Baek Yeo-min alongside actress Lee Se-young in the film 'Nine-Year-Old Life.' That same year, he won the Best Child Actor award at the Chunsa Film Art Awards.

He then appeared as Jang Gil-san in the drama 'Jang Gil-san,' Seo Dong in 'Seo Dong-yo,' and as the young Won Bin in the film 'My Brother.'

He also appeared in 'Seoul 1945' and received the Male Youth Acting Award at the 2006 KBS Drama Awards.

Continuing his active career with appearances in 'Palace,' 'Jumong,' and 'Dae Jo-yeong,' he ended his acting career after 'Queen Seondeok' in 2009.

Afterwards, news that Kim Seok, who had been active as a child actor, was selected as the youngest national equestrian representative caused a sensation.

Kim Seok began horseback riding in the second grade of elementary school at the encouragement of his father, Kim Ki-o, chairman of the Gangwon-do Equestrian Association. Just one year after focusing seriously on equestrianism, in 2010, he was selected as the youngest national equestrian representative in history.

He then participated in the 2010 Guangzhou Asian Games, where he placed 5th in the team event and 30th in the individual event.

He also represented the national team at the 2014 Incheon Asian Games and the 2018 Jakarta-Palembang Asian Games.

Currently, Kim Seok is reported to be living as an equestrian athlete while teaching students.