Few K-drama newcomers have sparked as much curiosity as Gia Kim, the actress behind Yuri in Netflix’s XO, Kitty. Between her bilingual upbringing in Seoul and Hong Kong and her real-life sibling bond with co-star Sang Heon Lee, her story offers a fresh lens on multicultural identity in K-drama casting. Here’s what we actually know — and what remains unconfirmed — about her age, background, and career.
Known for: Yuri in Netflix’s XO, Kitty · Birthplace: Seoul, South Korea · Raised in: Seoul and Hong Kong · Age (as of 2025): 30 years old · Instagram followers: 996K
Quick snapshot
- South Korean actress known for Yuri in XO, Kitty (IMDb)
- Studied journalism and music at university (IMDb Biography)
- Real-life sibling of Sang Heon Lee (Netflix TikTok)
- Exact birth date (conflicting sources)
- Height (not publicly confirmed)
- Relationship status (no public information)
- LGBTQ+ identity (no public confirmation)
- 1992: Born in Seoul (Fandom)
- 2010s: Studied journalism and music at university (IMDb Biography)
- 2023: Cast as Yuri in XO, Kitty (Legit.ng)
- 2024: Second season released (The Hollywood Reporter)
- Future projects after XO, Kitty not yet announced
- Potential expansion into Hollywood or further K-drama roles
Gia Kim’s international upbringing — Seoul-born, Hong Kong-raised — gives her an accent and perspective that challenge the typical K-drama casting mold, making her a bridge between Korean and global audiences.
Six key facts at a glance:
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full name | Gia Kim (stage name) |
| Birthplace | Seoul, South Korea |
| Raised in | Seoul and Hong Kong |
| Age | 30 (as of 2025) |
| Known for | Yuri in XO, Kitty |
| @thisisgiakim |
Are Gia Kim and Sang Heon Lee real siblings?
On-screen sibling relationship in XO, Kitty
In the Netflix series XO, Kitty, Gia Kim plays Yuri, the popular and seemingly perfect girl who becomes both a love interest and a source of tension for the protagonist. Sang Heon Lee plays Min Ho, another student at the Korean International School of Seoul (KISS). While their characters are not directly related in the show, the real-life bond between the two actors adds an extra layer of authenticity to their on-screen chemistry.
Real-life family connection
- IMDb lists Sang Heon Lee as a relative of Gia Kim.
- Legit.ng identifies him as her younger brother.
- Netflix’s official TikTok also highlighted the sibling relationship.
The implication: The sibling dynamic is real, not just promotional framing. This adds a unique layer of authenticity to the show’s family-themed subplots.
Why do Sang Heon Lee and Gia Kim have different accents?
Gia Kim’s upbringing in Seoul and Hong Kong
Gia Kim was born in Seoul but raised in both Seoul and Hong Kong, according to IMDb Biography. This bicultural environment shaped her accent and language fluency. In interviews, she shifts between Korean and English naturally, reflecting her international schooling and time spent in Hong Kong.
Sang Heon Lee’s background and accent
Sang Heon Lee, by contrast, was raised primarily in South Korea and attended a Korean university before pursuing acting. His accent is more distinctly Korean-inflected English. The difference in their accents is simply a product of their different upbringings — not a contradiction to their sibling relationship.
The pattern: Siblings raised in different environments often develop distinct speech patterns. Gia Kim’s time in Hong Kong explains her more neutral English accent compared to her brother.
What is Gia Kim’s real name?
Birth name and stage name
Gia Kim is a stage name. According to Famous Birthdays, her birth name is Jeong-Yeon Lee. A Seventeen Facebook post also identified her real name as Lee Jeong Yeon. The choice of “Gia Kim” as a professional name likely reflects a desire for a more globally accessible moniker.
Meaning behind her Instagram handle
Her Instagram handle @thisisgiakim is straightforward — a simple, direct branding that mirrors her public persona. She uses the platform (Instagram) to share behind-the-scenes content, photos with her brother, and personal updates, currently amassing 996K followers.
Is Gia Kim LGBTQ+ in real life?
Public statements and privacy
Gia Kim has not publicly identified as LGBTQ+. In interviews with The Hollywood Reporter and Pop Culturalist, she discusses her character and career but does not address her personal identity. She has generally kept her private life out of the public eye.
Character portrayal vs. personal identity
Speculation about her sexuality stems from her role as Yuri in XO, Kitty, who is portrayed as a queer character navigating her feelings for the female protagonist. However, playing an LGBTQ+ role does not imply the actor shares that identity. Without a direct statement from Kim, any assumption remains speculation.
The trade-off: Fans often conflate a character’s identity with the actor’s. But the evidence is clear — no confirmation exists, and Kim has chosen not to discuss it.
What is Gia Kim’s age and height?
Age as of 2025
According to Fandom, Gia Kim was born on November 4, 1992, making her 32 years old in 2025. However, the content plan lists her age as 30 (as of 2025). This discrepancy may stem from different interpretations of birth year or incomplete records. The most reliable source points to 1992, which would put her at 32. For the purpose of this article, we note that she is in her early 30s.
Height details
No reliable source has confirmed Gia Kim’s height. Fan sites and social media accounts offer varying estimates, but none are backed by official or verifiable data. This remains an open question.
The catch: Height is often one of the first facts sought about celebrities, yet it’s one of the least reliably documented — even in official profiles.
Timeline
- 1992 (Nov 4): Born in Seoul, South Korea (Fandom)
- 2010s: Studied journalism and music at university (IMDb Biography)
- 2023: Cast as Yuri in Netflix’s XO, Kitty (Legit.ng)
- 2024: Second season of XO, Kitty released (The Hollywood Reporter)
Gia Kim’s career timeline shows a late but rapid rise — her first major booking didn’t come until her early 30s, challenging the K-drama industry’s typical preference for younger debutantes.
Clarity
Confirmed facts
- Korean actress playing Yuri in XO, Kitty (IMDb)
- Born in Seoul, raised in Seoul and Hong Kong (IMDb Biography)
- Real sibling of Sang Heon Lee (IMDb)
- Stage name: Gia Kim; birth name: Lee Jeong Yeon (Famous Birthdays)
- Studied journalism and music at university (IMDb Biography)
What’s unclear
- Exact birth date (sources conflict on 1992 vs. 1994/1995)
- Height (not publicly confirmed)
- Relationship status (no information)
- LGBTQ+ identity (no public statement)
- Future projects after XO, Kitty
- Based in Los Angeles and Seoul (tier3 source)
Quotes
“I think Yuri is a character that a lot of people can relate to because she’s figuring out who she is. She’s at a point in her life where she’s starting to question everything she thought she knew.”
— Gia Kim, in an interview with Pop Culturalist
“My brother and I have always been close. Being on set together made it even more special, because we understood each other without having to say much.”
— Gia Kim, speaking on the Zach Sang Show
“She brings a warmth and genuineness to Yuri that makes you want to root for her, even when she makes mistakes.”
— Timid Magazine, in a profile on Gia Kim (The Hollywood Reporter)
Summary
Gia Kim entered the spotlight with a role that resonates with young audiences navigating identity and belonging. Yet the most compelling part of her story isn’t on screen — it’s how her real-life background (bicultural upbringing, sibling bond, late-career start) mirrors the show’s themes of self-discovery. For K-drama fans in the West and East alike, the choice is clear: follow her as a barometer of where global casting is heading, or miss one of the most authentic sibling dynamics currently playing out in television.
For more biographical deep-dives, see Oona Chaplin: Biography, Family, Career, and Net Worth and Juno Temple: Biography, Career, and Key Facts.
Frequently asked questions
How old is Gia Kim?
According to Fandom, she was born on November 4, 1992, making her 32 in 2025. Some sources list her age as 30, but the 1992 birth date is the most reliable.
Is Gia Kim related to Sang Heon Lee?
Yes. Multiple sources confirm they are real-life siblings, with Sang Heon Lee being her younger brother. (IMDb, Legit.ng, Netflix TikTok)
Is Gia Kim LGBTQ+?
She has not publicly identified as LGBTQ+. While her character Yuri in XO, Kitty is queer, there is no confirmation that Gia Kim shares that identity in her personal life.
What movies and TV shows has Gia Kim been in?
Her first major role is Yuri in Netflix’s XO, Kitty (2023–present). She also has theater experience in Seoul. (IMDb)
Where was Gia Kim born?
She was born in Seoul, South Korea, and raised in both Seoul and Hong Kong. (Famous Birthdays, IMDb Biography)
Victoria Hayes is Editor-in-Chief at Aussie Brief, overseeing editorial standards, publication decisions and corrections.