Look who’s growing up before our very eyes. Kim Yoo-jung has already earned the reputation of being a top child actress with a long list of projects on her resumé, despite the fact that she’s just twelve years old (she’s a 1999-er) and in her first year of middle school.
Thanks to the popularity of The Moon That Embraces the Sun, and in particular her part in the engaging childhood portions, Kim has scored a number of magazine shoots recently (as have her youthful co-stars Yeon Jin-gu and Lee Min-ho). That includes the previously posted Vogue Girl spread, and now the new issue of High Cut, where she looks a bit dressy but isn’t overly styled.
The spread below that is for March’s issue of WannaGirls, which is a youth-oriented magazine; her shoot concept was the fairly literal “Girl you will be a woman.” Obvious, but apt. That one plays more with the in-between-ness of her current age and image, like the one where she wears a school backpack and heels.
Then there’s the last shoot from March’s issue of Allure Korea, which takes a pretty bold approach. The red makes quite a statement, but I like the effect; I think reversing the colors — white background, red clothing — would have pushed it into overly grown-up territory, but this gets away with the striking color but keeps Kim Yoo-jung looking her age, mostly. It’s a super-chic, haute couture, expensive version of twelve, but I think still twelve. I actually think it’s a little more age-appropriate than the couple of WannaGirls photos that toe that Lolita line of coquetry.
Kim has pretty much established herself as a talent to watch in the coming years based on her acting performances (which I really don’t think were shown off to their utmost potential in Moon/Sun, where she was very engaging but, frankly, written rather flat), and it looks like her star and her beauty are both on the rise in equal measure. Some people are just born blessed, I guess.
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wow.. she gonna gonna break all the boys hearts
But she looks “hurt” or sad in all her pictures…or most.
Except…that last picture. That cat has a really charismatic face! I wonder if it’s fake…
the cat isn’t fake…
and I think the image that wanted to transmit of her is … SAD, but she is a happy kid xD
She does have it:) Can’t wait to see her grow up more and take a leading role drama. She’s getting there;)
Isn’t she is still a teenage, why would they make her look like a 30-year old ajushma.
Hehe…I like the white fat cat in the last picture, the best!!
She certainly looks a lot more mature.
I’m uncomfortable with the pic of her in the burgundy/red dress…makes me feel that that pose and facial expression will appeal to pervy men
Maybe I’m reading too much into it…
I just want her to enjoy her childhood and not grow up too fast!
Same here. If I have something to say to her I’d say…. Please enjoy your childhood and dont let fame ruin ya.
Yea yea, I agree with you, Birdscout ~ she shouldn’t grow so fast!
I expect that she will take her time so chilling, of course.
no birdscout@ I agree with you, I think she’s beautiful and it’s up to her really how she goes with her career, but I was a little bit uncomfortable with the picture of her dressed in the red dress and the pose and facial expression also showing off her legs like that but I just hope she won’t grow up so fast yet
ditto.. there’s a feel of inappropriateness
Sorry, that bothers me a lot. Sexualizing a 12-yr-old. I wonder, when this happens where the heck the kid star’s parents are & what they’re thinking.
agree, on all the pictures she looks and poses like a grown up woman, except maybe for her face. very disturbing knowing she is a 12 year old child
kellie@ yh I also agree I wonder if the parents care at all even if they want there child to enjoy there career I think the parents should know when to put a stop to there child doing these kind of things but oh well it’s up to her
I so agree with you she is only 12 and I was very uncomfortable looking at some of them, very kid porn.
cheers, parsnip
It bothers me too. She’s only 12, though I thought she looks way more mature like 16/18 from the photos.
Come to think of it, I was still climbing trees when I was 12. The parents – what are they thinking!
I actually think the photos are fine. Some, like JB said, push the envelop, but it’s difficult to put a young actress in a mag spread, stick her in haute couture, and not have her look more mature than her age.
I’ve no idea what her parents are doing, but I don’t think they’re wrong to let their kid have an out-of-the-ordinary childhood. Normal is not necessarily better.
I agree with @Peony,
if she’s still climbing trees somewhere in Korea or having a “normal” life, we wont be seeing here let alone recognize her, right? What’s normal anyway? as long as she enjoys it & be happy. She’ll be a great star in the future by not leading the “normal” life..
I’m sure her parents is doing as best as they can to protect her. Yes, maybe this spread is a bit to mature, but let’s not reading it to far as making it to child porn. That’s too much..
So true, what is ‘normal’ anyway? Does pushing her to greater heights defies normality? I don’t think so too!
Let’s not kid ourselves that these photos are not inviting or sexy. The world is a crazy place now, she’s already a star by looks and acting skills. If the parents want to milk the most out of it, there surely must be a way around it but not this.
UGH YES! sexualizing a pre-teen/teen bothers me to no end. it’s uncomfortable to look at and it serves these girls up to all the pedophiles out there… like “THIS is ok. its art. its commercial. its a magazine shoot.”
I think every Korean’s magazine March Issue has either Yeo Jin-gu, Lee Min-ho, Shi-wan or her in it. They are the raising star. I’m only complaining because i can’t have them.
Also, if the child actors get this royal treatment. how will media and fans treat the adult cast later? Especially Kim Soo Hyun!
No no no.
she’s really a pretty girl. but same here. I dont wanna see her grow up so fast. and her pose, is very not suitable for 12 year old girl.. at least if she’s 16, i would see it in different way.
Honey, please lose the high heels. There will be plenty of time to torture your feet when you’re older.
From an unni who loves high heels, but only when she’s sitting down
Also, now I have “Girl, You’ll Be a Woman Soon” stuck in my head.
http://youtu.be/gKLbaausPQo
She’s a beautiful little girl but some of the poses and picks with red lips are too sexual for her age.
“..it looks like her star and her beauty are both on the rise in equal measure.”
Couldn’t agree more. I seriously love her eyes. She has that wide-eyed look, but hers are ranging with emotions. Her eyes alone can out-act some actresses. Hope to see more of her in future dramas and movies.
that cat. > 3 <
reminds me of emma watson, i remember a saying, ‘dont laugh at the nerdy girls now, they are the ones who will be stealing your hearts when they grow up’
while I think that moonsun has definitely pushed for kim yoo jung to portray a more mature style as with her shoots, she is definitely still a kid, from her interviews and all.
both her and emma watson didn’t look especially pretty when they were really young, more of adorable. then boom, one summer and they look all awesome.
i’m definitely looking out for more kim yoo jung, such a pretty talented actress to look at. and i like that she has established her own persona, instead of mini-who or someone’s little sister. she’s a modern kid with style!
She’s super pretty. 1st thing I said when I saw her on Moon/Sun: Woe, she’s beautiful!!! (Actually I shouted it, kind of. >.<) And to think she's a year youger than my brother… She looks so mature in this pics, maybe a little too much for her age but nowadays kids mature earlier. And her acting is superb.
Yikes!!! She could be my kid! WOW …I gotta say she looks really great in this pics some too old for her age, but is a magazine pictorial so we have to go with the flow. However, I want her to have a normal childhood as much as possible, especially in the showbiz when kids tent to lose their child innocence so early on. There is no doubt that she has the talent to become a major force, but how about we slow down the train here and let her act her age. I wish her the best of luck.
I started to love her after watching grudge: revenge of a gumiho. I knew she was born to be the IT girl and born to shine brighter than can be…
I like her pics, she’s very very very pretty!
I know a couple of 12 year old girls who try to look and dress mature from their age. And I don’t see anything wrong with it. If they love that look what’s to stop us from allowing them the freedom to do what they want! But if they were forced to do it, then I’d be first to call FOUL..!
And I don’t see people complaining about young hwon picturial, he also looked old for his age in those pics, no as sexual but the spread did make him more mature than his
age… Just saying
(but I do feel a little cringe at that burgundy dress + position + expression)
Anyway this girl!! She’s going places! She has the talent! The charisma! That endearing quality about her! That positive attitude to work! That Love for the craft! And
beauty!
Reach for the stars yoojung!!!!
“I know a couple of 12 year old girls who try to look and dress mature from their age. And I don’t see anything wrong with it. If they love that look what’s to stop us from allowing them the freedom to do what they want! But if they were forced to do it, then I’d be first to call FOUL..!
And I don’t see people complaining about young hwon picturial, he also looked old for his age in those pics, no as sexual but the spread did make him more mature than his
age… Just saying”
THANK YOU. eeevverything I want to say.
I second this
A 12-year-old child who tries to dress more mature for their age is not a good thing.
By the way, no one puts makeup on a young boy to highlight attractive features; no lipstick, rouge. The boys are not asked to wear clothing that highlight muscles, or 6 packs, or his groin area (assuming those are the features that are attractive on men).
I strongly disagree with JB on this one; I think these are very mature shoots for a girl so young. The child has been toned down to highlight the woman in her. It shows a lack of creativity to shoot a young girl with a toned down lolita look.
To put this into perspective Willow Smith (of ‘Whip My Hair’ fame) is also 12 and her parents would be soundly excoriated for allowing her to look this.
But she is talented! Engaging! and all the rest, but it is a shame that we excuse (female esp.) child stars growing up too quickly because they are talented.
The kitty has complete heterochromia!=3 *pretty*
I love her dress in the first allure photo. absolutely stunning.=D
She looks beautiful but I don’t like the photo’s. She is a child and has to grow up slowly. Still in her first year of high school.
Oof, I feel like an overconcerned unni to her, especially with al those child perv. nowadays.
I started to love her after watching grudge: revenge of a gumiho. I knew she was born to be the IT girl and born to shine brighter than can be…
I like her pics, she’s very very very pretty!
I know a couple of 12 year old girls who try to look and dress mature from their age. And I don’t see anything wrong with it. If they love that look what’s to stop us from allowing them the freedom to do what they want! But if they were forced to do it, then I’d be first to call FOUL!!!
(but I do feel a little cringe at that burgundy dress + position + expression)
Anyway this girl!! She’s going places! She has the talent! The charisma! That endearing quality about her! That positive attitude to work! That Love for the craft! And
beauty!
Reach for the stars yoojung!!!!
She’s a stunningly lovely girl, but I do think all of these pictures skew much older than 12. I know that here in the US a lot of the models are actually 12-15 although you’d never know it from looking at them…but I did hope that Korea wouldn’t follow suit.
Let a child BE a child, please…can’t we wait until at least 16 or 17 before we start with the haute couture and make up?
in wannagirl pictures she looks so much like song hye kyo especially second one
She is so pretty and a very talented actress.
Crazy in love with her, and it’s ridic that she’s only 12 but already so darn pretty.
She’s a beautiful girl, but you think she still looks her age (12) for this photo shoot?
No way.
The styling – dressing, make-up, hair and posing all make her look like she’s 16-18.
She’s 12 – and for those of us who are mommies, this shoot is toeing into the ‘Toddlers and Tiaras’ realm. I want to grab her, wash the make-up off and put her back in age-appropriate clothes.
wow, she’s gorgeous! she’s totally going to be a super star
Now jealous of a 12 year old, great. 15 year old Chloe Moretz wasn’t enough. XD
Wow and just imagine… in a few years we might see her in a drama with Yeo Jin-gu as leading actors and not only child actors!*___* Amazing!
i wish they didnt style her like that as she dont need it ( in my eyes to young for that kind of styling) she did impress me in the drama and its hard to believe she is so young,hoping the best for he
Awahooo!!! Damn girl ! I knew she was going to be in fame w/ historical dramas since I saw her in “painter of the winds” . ;D She had been popular among with gumiho’s revenge, hwang jin yi (movie), Iljimae , Queen Seon Deok, Dong Yi, Road number 1, flame of ambition, and MOON SUN, of course! lol. I watched all those!
Lovely girl i like the pictures with the hats, bandana and cat the rest mehhhh. Just hoping that all this popularity don’t mess with her head.
She’s only 12?
Some of these poses make me uncomfortable.
Ew. I don’t think she’s pretty. She has a weird face and I guess I’m the only one who didn’t like her in MoonSun.
each to their own hun
she’s definitely a beauty, but honestly, a few of these photographs are definitely not age appropriate. especially the red dress with her legs like that. she’s only twelve or thirteen right? still a child. let her look like one! i don’t know if she’s wearing extensions or anything in the first photo, but it’s a little much hair too…
i do like the close up of her wearing the top hat.
her current popularity reminds me of moon geun young’s when she was at that age. makes me wonder if she’ll follow a similar career path as well. ahhh lucky girl!
Agreed… Some of these photographs make me feel very uncomfortable.
She’s such a beautiful child. She’ll be so gorgeous when she grows up.
wow!
she is pretty there is no doubt bout that. very talented. but i wonder how is korean an asian country deal with restriction or regulation of child actors/actresses or singers/idols even when it comes to provoking content or dresses. we know that phedolphia nowadays is very common.*scary*.
shes pretty, shes talented and she is still a youth. i hope she won’t grow up and look back and feel like she lost something dear—her youth. i hope she can still be young while doing all these grown up things and being exposed to things due to the nature of her “job”. its a double edged sword to be a child actor. i think she is awesome btw. just hope she is allowed to be both personas. an actress and an ordinary youth.
She’s the same age as my youngest daughter, wow… the makeup, the styling, and the expression in her eyes makes her look older than my oldest daughter…
hair-envy. ’nuff said.
hahaha.. I feel you!!
First time I saw her was in Powerful Opponents, I was literally gobsmacked when I saw her in The Moon That Embraces the Sun. She’s matured into such a beauty with such immense talent that I definitely look forward to her future projects…
I can’t wait until she’s finally old enough to be the lead girl in her own Rom-com series/movie. Needless to say, she’ll be gorgeous…
Didn’t think she was 12 at all. I was gunnin’ for at least 15.
All in all, these pictures are very pretty but I do agree that they are a bit much for a 12 year old. The first 5 & last 2 are great! And then the 3 or 4 in between are a tad questionable. But she is a looker. Korean Chloe Grace Moritz?
Beautiful,
but like everyone here, let her be 12 year olds girls… Keep that beautiful image when she will be 16 and +.
that’s it i’m growing my hair out!
I don’t know her… and honestly, I was rather surprised (not to say shocked) when you said she is twelve. She doesn’t look twelve in these pictures. She isn’t made to look twelve in them.
Regardless of how pretty she is (and she is), a magazine creating these images of her in this way rubs the wrong way.
That photo of her in the scarf is gorgeous! The color works so well. She looks so much like my cousin in it lol.
She is still so young though. So like alua, I agree about making her look older than she is in a spread called “She’ll be a woman soon”. Yea, she’s only TWELVE. She is far and away from being a woman. Let her be a kid while she still can.
What age are kids considered adult in Korea anyways? 16?18?
In Korea, people officially become adults when they turn 20. (19 international age)
She’s 12 yrs. old and shouldn’t be pimping 4 these magazines. Completely inappropriate.
BTW..I have enjoyed the dramas she’s been in.
I totally want her hair.
Goooodness……I love that she’s like that way. But, honestly, I don’t like how they creates what Kim Yoo Jung wears like that & made her look like she’s bit older than her real age: !2 yrs. old. Also, she’s very pretty girl, of course. I think she should have to do that when she’s older around 16-17 yrs. old better, absolutely so. ^__^ Well this is my perspective thought ~ ~ Let Kim Yoo Jung enjoy her childhood life now UNLESS she will be ready when she’s older someday.
~ Additionally, these pictures look so lovely ~
Anyone else notice that the cat has two different colored eyes?
Yes, many white cats have this unique trait. I forget why though…
Anyone else notice that the cat has two different colored eyes? One green, one blue? Or is it just me?
A beautiful child, but I’ll add my voice to those not wanting to see her styled so maturely when she’s only 12. I fervently hope she is properly chaperoned/supervised during this phase of her career by family or someone trustworthy.
I love Kim Yoo Jung and think she has so much potential and talent as a young actress, but I’m starting to feel as though she’s growing up faster than her actual age. She’s 12 for godsakes. Take some time and enjoy childhood because once it’s gone, it’s gone forever.
wow this photo shoot is making me miss my long hair T_T and i recently had it cut like Fei’s from missA in their touch comeback….