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Go Min-si

Go Min-si (Korean: 고민시; born February 15, 1995) is a South actress, model, and signed to Entertainment. Born in , she initially worked as a and after high school before relocating to at age 21 to pursue acting full-time, supporting herself through various jobs. Her professional debut came in 2016 with the Parallel Novel, which she co-wrote, co-directed, and starred in, earning recognition at the 3Minute Film Festival. Go Min-si rose to prominence through supporting roles in high-profile projects, including the action-thriller The Witch: Part 1. The Subversion (2018), for which she received a nomination for Best Supporting Actress at the Grand Bell Awards, and the critically acclaimed mystery film Decision to Leave (2022). Her television work features notable performances in Netflix's horror series Sweet Home (2020–present), the historical romance Youth of May (2021), and the suspense drama The Frog (2024). She earned the Best New Actress award at the 44th Blue Dragon Film Awards in 2023 for her lead role in the action drama Smugglers. In May 2025, Go Min-si faced online allegations of past , which her agency categorically denied, asserting the claims were baseless and announcing plans for legal action against the accusers. The agency emphasized her clean record and commitment to addressing through evidence-based measures. Despite the controversy, she continued professional engagements, including denials of project withdrawals tied to the rumors.

Early life

Upbringing and education

Go Min-si was born on February 15, 1995, in , , where she spent her early childhood. She attended local in the region, developing an early interest in during elementary after watching year-end ceremonies, which evoked a sense of performers' excitement and tension in her. Her introverted personality prevented her from joining the school drama club despite these aspirations. For secondary education, Go enrolled in Yale Beauty High School, a vocational institution specializing in and , graduating after completing the program focused on skincare, haircare, and related skills. After high school , Go chose not to attend and instead worked as a for approximately two years, prioritizing stable income amid promising industry prospects while maintaining her acting ambitions. At age 21, she moved to to professionally pursue , living off savings for a year before supporting herself through part-time jobs, including at a , and attending acting academies.

Career

Debut and early roles (2017–2019)

Go Min-si began her acting career in 2017 with a supporting role as Hannah in the Absolutely Perfect Man. That same year, she made her broadcast television debut in the historical My Sassy Girl, appearing in a minor supporting capacity. In 2018, she portrayed a supporting character, M, in the action thriller film The Witch: Part 1. The Subversion, directed by Park Hoon-jung, which contributed to her early recognition in the industry and resulted in a nomination for Best Supporting Actress at the Grand Bell Awards. She also took on a supporting role as Jin-kang's younger sister in the JTBC psychological thriller series The Smile Has Left Your Eyes, alongside Seo In-guk and Jung So-min. Additionally, Go made a guest appearance in the comedy series Welcome to Waikiki. Her role in the 2019 Netflix romantic fantasy series as Jang Jo-jo marked a significant early step, playing a close friend entangled in the app-driven central to the plot, for which she received the Best New Actress award at the . These initial projects established her presence in both film and television, often in ensemble casts where she played nuanced supporting characters amid genres ranging from romance to .

Breakthrough and rising prominence (2020–2022)

In 2020, Go Min-si gained significant visibility through her lead role as Lee Eun-yu in the horror series Sweet Home, adapted from the . The series, which premiered on December 18, 2020, depicted survivors in an apartment complex battling monstrous transformations amid a viral , with her character evolving from a resilient fighter to a key emotional anchor. Sweet Home achieved top rankings on 's global charts shortly after release, amassing over 49 million viewing hours in its first week and establishing it as one of the platform's early Korean content successes. Her performance in the ensemble cast, alongside and , marked a shift from earlier supporting roles, propelling her toward broader recognition in both domestic and international markets. Building on this momentum, Go Min-si starred as Kim Myung-hee, a determined nurse and love interest, in the KBS2 in 2021. Airing from May 31 to July 20, 2021, the series chronicled a romance set against the backdrop of the 1980 , earning praise for its poignant portrayal of personal and political turmoil. Her chemistry with co-star contributed to the drama's acclaim, culminating in awards at the on December 31, where she won Excellent Actress in a and shared the Best Couple Award with . These honors, alongside a Best Actress nomination, underscored her growing domestic stature, as averaged 4.3% viewer ratings and resonated for its grounded depiction of historical events. By 2022, Go Min-si expanded into prestige cinema with a supporting role as a shaman in Park Chan-wook's thriller . The film premiered in competition at the on May 21, securing the Best Director award for Park, and was released in on November 2, 2022, where it grossed over 6.1 billion KRW at the . Her involvement in this critically lauded project, praised for its intricate narrative on obsession and deception, further elevated her profile among film enthusiasts, bridging her television success with arthouse appeal. Additionally, she featured in the short-form Reincarnation Romance that year, reinforcing her versatility amid rising demand for her in genre-spanning roles.

Established career and directorial ventures (2023–present)

In 2023, Go Min-si starred as Go Ok-bun, a female diver involved in smuggling operations during the late 1970s, in the action film Smugglers directed by Ryoo Seung-wan, which premiered on December 6 and grossed over 4.7 billion KRW at the box office. Her performance earned her the Best New Actress award at the 44th Blue Dragon Film Awards on November 24, 2023, marking a significant recognition in her film career. That year, she also reprised her role as Lee Eun-hyeok's sister in Sweet Home season 2, a Netflix horror series released on December 1, which topped global non-English TV rankings upon release. Go Min-si continued her prominence in 2024 with lead roles in two Netflix series. In The Frog, which premiered on September 4, she portrayed Yoo Seong-a, a woman entangled in a serial murder investigation, contributing to the thriller's exploration of psychological tension. She further appeared in Sweet Home season 3, the series finale released on July 19, solidifying her association with the franchise amid its high viewership. For her work in Sweet Home season 2, she received the Excellence in Acting Award for Female at the 2024 Korea Drama Awards. Looking ahead, Go Min-si is set to star as Mo Yeon-ju in the series Tastefully Yours on ENA in 2025, alongside , focusing on themes of food and relationships. She has also been confirmed for the lead in the film Owner of the World, directed by Yoon Ga-eun, announced on November 7, 2024, representing her return to feature films after . No new directorial projects have been announced for Go Min-si since her 2016 debut.

Controversies

School bullying allegations (2025)

In May 2025, anonymous online posts emerged alleging that Go Min-si had perpetrated during her middle school years, including of money from classmates, , and targeted of students with disabilities. The claims, initially posted on platforms like DCInside, gained traction in South Korean online communities and prompted speculation about her involvement, though the accusers provided no verifiable evidence such as contemporaneous records or witness corroboration beyond personal anecdotes. Go's agency, , responded by stating the allegations were unfounded and initiated a review process, while she canceled scheduled public appearances, including a event on May 29, 2025, amid the ensuing backlash. Go Min-si remained silent for approximately three months as South Korean authorities, including and her former school's verification committee, began investigating the claims under the country's school violence prevention framework, which mandates formal inquiries into such accusations against public figures. On August 29, 2025, she broke her silence via an Instagram post, categorically denying the allegations of violence, extortion, or . She acknowledged having been a "reckless student who enjoyed youthful misbehavior and deviations" during her school years—such as skipping classes or minor rebellions—but emphasized that she had never inflicted physical or psychological harm on peers, vowing to pursue legal action against false accusers and await official outcomes to establish the truth. As of October 2025, no conclusive findings from the investigations have been publicly released, leaving the matter unresolved amid ongoing public debate in South Korea, where anonymous online accusations against celebrities often amplify unverified narratives before formal verification. Go has maintained that her imperfect adolescence does not equate to criminal bullying, distinguishing between personal regrets and the specific acts alleged, which lack independent substantiation in available reports.

Underage drinking and related admissions

In March 2021, photographs surfaced online showing Go Min-si, then approximately 17 years old, consuming in a setting, including bottles and an ashtray filled with cigarette butts. The images, purportedly from her mini-homepage around 2011–2012, depicted her during high school in violation of South Korea's of 19. On March 19, 2021, Go Min-si issued a public apology via , confirming the individual in the photos was herself without denial and describing the incident as a "careless mistake" from her high school years. In the statement, she expressed regret for causing public concern, vowed to reflect on her actions, and affirmed her maturity as an adult, stating she would never repeat underage drinking. The admission occurred amid her rising prominence following roles in Netflix's Sweet Home, prompting swift agency response from , which supported her accountability without further elaboration on penalties. No legal repercussions were reported, consistent with the for such minor offenses under South Korean juvenile law. The incident resurfaced in May 2025 during unrelated school bullying allegations, where accusers referenced it to question her credibility, though Go Min-si maintained the drinking was an isolated youthful error unrelated to broader claims. Her agency reiterated the prior resolution, emphasizing no pattern of misconduct.

Philanthropy

Charitable contributions and activities

Go Min-si has engaged in philanthropy primarily through monetary donations to support vulnerable populations in South Korea, including children, youth, the elderly, and low-income patients. Her contributions often target healthcare improvements and aid for underprivileged groups, channeled via organizations such as Seoul Asan Hospital and the G Foundation. In May 2021, she donated 10 million KRW to the May 18 Memorial Foundation, coinciding with her role in the drama , which depicts the ; the gift was publicly revealed months later. On December 19, 2023, Go Min-si contributed 10 million KRW to Seoul Asan Hospital to assist low-income patients facing health challenges. In May 2024, ahead of , she donated 50 million KRW to the same hospital to promote children's health and well-being. Her giving intensified in late 2024 and 2025. On November 20, 2024, she provided 50 million KRW to the G Foundation for winter support to solitary elderly individuals and other vulnerable households, covering living expenses and seasonal needs. Marking her birthday on February 15, 2025, Go Min-si donated 100 million KRW to Asan Hospital for enhancing medical facilities and patient care environments. In May 2025, she again partnered with the G Foundation, donating 100 million KRW split evenly: 50 million for underprivileged children and adolescents, and 50 million for youth preparing for independence. These acts reflect a pattern of consistent, targeted philanthropy without public fanfare, focusing on domestic welfare amid her rising career. Her agency, Mystic Story, has confirmed multiple instances, underscoring her commitment to aiding those in medical or socioeconomic distress.

Filmography

Films

Go Min-si began her film career as both actress and director with Parallel Novel (2016), portraying a woman in the short film she also wrote and helmed. She followed with a minor role in the romantic comedy Cheese in the Trap (2018). That year, she gained notice for her supporting performance as a teenage antagonist in the action thriller The Witch: Part 1. The Subversion, which grossed over 13.7 billion KRW at the box office. In 2019, Go appeared as Hwa-ja in the war epic The Battle: Roar to Victory, depicting independence fighters against Japanese forces during ; the film earned 8.5 billion KRW. Her role as a shaman in Park Chan-wook's neo-noir mystery (2022) contributed to the film's selection for the , where it won Best Director, and domestic earnings of 6.7 billion KRW. In the ensemble (2023), she played Go Ok-boon, a female diver in 1970s , earning her the Best New Actress award at the on November 24, 2023.
YearTitleRoleNotes
2016Parallel NovelWomanDirectorial debut; also writer
2018Cheese in the TrapBit part
2018The Witch: Part 1. The SubversionTeenage girlSupporting role
2019The Battle: Roar to VictoryHwa-jaSupporting role
2022Decision to LeaveShamanSupporting role
2023SmugglersGo Ok-boon
2025Tastefully YoursTBAPost-production

Television series

YearTitleRoleNotes
2017My Sassy GirlSeon-kyeongSupporting role
2017Age of Youth Season 2Eun-jaSupporting role
2019Secret BoutiqueJi-wonSupporting role
2019Love AlarmGo Gwang-miSupporting role
2020Sweet HomeLee Eun-yooMain role
2021Youth of MayKim Myung-heeMain role
2024The FrogPark Yeong-eun / Jeon Mi-jaLead dual role
Go Min-si has also made guest appearances in series such as The Smile Has Left Your Eyes (2018). Drama specials like Reason Not to Confess (2020) are short-form television productions.

Web series

YearTitleRoleNotes
201672 Seconds Season 3VariousShort web series appearance, showcasing early energetic performances.
2017Absolutely Perfect Man (완전무결, 그놈)Hana (해나)Lead role in romantic web drama.
2022Reincarnation Love (환생연애)Kim Hwa-niLead role opposite Lee Do-hyun in time-loop romance short web drama, branded content for Condition Hwan motion sickness pills, marking their third collaboration.

Other appearances

Go Min-si featured as the female lead in the music video for "Sign" by South Korean singer Thunder, released on December 6, 2016. She made a on the Running Man in episode 474, which aired on October 27, 2019, leading a team alongside actress in a game involving the search for stolen gold bars hidden by undercover traitors among the cast. In 2023, Go appeared as a guest on the talk variety program Salon Drip in episode 8, broadcast on July 11, where she discussed her projects and personal anecdotes alongside actor Park Jung-min.

Accolades

Awards and nominations

Go Min-si has garnered recognition for her acting in both television and film, with notable wins at major South Korean award ceremonies including the , , and .
YearAward ceremonyCategoryNominated workResult
2018Grand Bell AwardsBest Supporting ActressThe Witch: Part 1. The SubversionNominated
2018Korea Best Star AwardsPopular Star AwardThe Witch: Part 1. The SubversionWon
2019SBS Drama AwardsBest New ActressSecret BoutiqueWon
2021KBS Drama AwardsExcellent Actress (Mini Series)Youth of MayWon
2021KBS Drama AwardsBest Couple (with Lee Do-hyun)Youth of MayWon
2023Grand Bell AwardsBest Supporting ActressSmugglersNominated
2023Blue Dragon Film AwardsBest New ActressSmugglersWon
2024Asian Film AwardsBest ActressSmugglersNominated
2025Baeksang Arts AwardsBest Actress (TV)The FrogNominated

Other recognitions

In addition to her acting accolades, Go Min-si has received recognition in the and industries. In March 2025, she was appointed as a global for the Spanish luxury fashion house Loewe, with the brand highlighting her artistic sensibility and rising influence in both film and style. She has also endorsed other brands, including and Merythod, reflecting her appeal in commercial modeling and advertising. Go Min-si has been featured prominently in fashion magazines, often gracing covers and pictorials that emphasize her visual charisma and versatile aesthetic. She appeared on the digital cover of in May 2025, showcasing contemporary elegance. Earlier, in February 2024, she was profiled in , where her youthful beauty and confident presence were highlighted in a dedicated pictorial. Additional features include a cover story in Y Magazine in December 2023, focusing on her career , and a photoshoot in March 2025 that captured her striking features. These appearances underscore her status as a style icon beyond screen roles. Forbes profiled Go Min-si as a notable figure in the entertainment industry, noting her breakthrough performances and growing prominence. Such inclusions affirm her broader cultural impact, separate from formal acting honors.