[News from Cannes] George Clooney to Co-Star With Netflix… Kim Ki-yoon, a French-Attorney-turned-Actor, Chases His Dream

From an elite lawyer to Cannes’ red carpet: Korean-French actor ‘Kim Ki-yoon’’s bold career move

A lawyer at a major law firm, who had taken the country’s top elite track in France, has made his way—confidently—into the 79th ‘Cannes International Film Festival’, a global celebration for filmmakers. The star is Korean-French actor ‘Kim Ki-yoon’ (46). After graduating from prestigious institutions such as the law school at Paris 2 University, the business graduate school ESSEC, and Sciences Po Paris (also known as “IEP”), he worked as a corporate advisory attorney. But following the tragic death of a close friend, he found himself at a turning point in life. He chose the path of comedy—becoming a comedian and actor who brings laughter to the public, within a limited lifetime.

After honing his acting skills through the stand-up comedy stage in Paris and numerous minor roles, he has finally drawn worldwide attention by landing a key part in ‘Surviving as a Celebrity Manager’ (original title DIX POUR CENT LE FILM), widely cited as ‘Netflix’’s biggest hot-button release.

Acting alongside Hollywood heavyweight ‘George Clooney’—and his longing for ‘Bong Joon-ho’

Slated for release this year, ‘Surviving as a Celebrity Manager’ is a major film adaptation that brings to the screen the popular French drama of the same name—originally produced through season four—capturing the realities of the Paris entertainment industry with a sharp, grounded lens. With Hollywood top star ‘George Clooney’ joining the cast and raising global fan anticipation, ‘Kim Ki-yoon’ was selected to play a script coordinator role newly deployed to the movie world, working on-screen with world-class heavyweights.

His ultimate goal while active on the global stage is none other than expanding into Korean content. He said, “My five-year-old son can proudly sing a song by a character from a Netflix animation, so my love for Korean content runs deep.” He added, “In particular, appearing in a work by director ‘Bong Joon-ho’ will be the biggest dream of my life and the happiest moment.” He also emphasized his feelings about Korean directors making their way to Cannes—including Na Hong-jin, Yeon Sang-ho, and Jung Joo-ri—saying, “Whenever the status of Korean cinema rises in France, I feel a surge of pride.”