Born on July 2, 1991, in Seoul, South Korea, Kim Go-eun spent part of her childhood in Beijing, China, which gave her fluency in Mandarin. She made a remarkable acting debut in the film A Muse (2012), earning critical acclaim and several Best New Actress awards. Following a brief hiatus to complete her studies at Korea National University of Arts, she returned to the screen with notable roles in films like Coin Locker Girl (2015) and Memories of the Sword (2015). Kim transitioned to television with the series Cheese in the Trap (2016) and gained international fame with Guardian: The Lonely and Great God (2016–2017). She continued her success with dramas such as The King: Eternal Monarch (2020) and Yumi's Cells (2021). Beyond acting, Kim is recognized for her singing talent, contributing to several soundtracks of her projects.