With each project he completes, Kim continues to turn heads, and he is frequently asked to lend his skillful talent to productions based solely on his name and reputation.
Among those whom Kim has garnered consideration include Academy and Emmy award-winning director Milton Justice, who recognized Kim’s talent long ago, when he was just an acting student. It was under the tutelage and guidance of Justice that Kim turned his passion for acting from a hobby into a successful career.
Since then, Justice has asked Kim to star in two of his productions, Woman in Mind, and Waiting for Lefty. In each of these performances, Kim infused his roles with such authenticity that one would not be able to recognize him as the same person from one production to the next.
Of Kim, Milton Justice is quoted as saying, “Upon meeting Jay, having taught him, and doing plays together, I demanded he move back to the States to study and nurture his talent. My God, his growth exceeded my predictions.”
Kim has also caught the eye of award-winning producer, actor and writer Timothy McNeil. Known for his roles in Forrest Gump, Contact and Starship Troopers, McNeil more recently broadened his horizons as a writer and producer, reaching out to personally select Kim for his original play, The Straight Bozo. In the play, Kim brings a refreshing comedic element that helps the entire cast achieve a sense of balance.
Esteemed Greek actor and director Yorgos Karamihos also endorsed Kim’s multifaceted talent, giving him a leading role in his production of The Rose Tattoo. In this classic Tennessee Williams play, Kim stars as Jack, an idealistic young sailor who has fallen in love with the beautiful Rosa. Rarely is there a love story that is without difficulty however, and The Rose Tattoo is no exception, as Jack has to contend with Rosa’s bitter mother, Serafina, and gain her permission to betroth Rosa.
While his origins as a standout actor are deeply rooted in theatre, Kim has also appeared in many films, with a wealth of experience in both short and feature films.
Some of the short films in which Kim has recently secured leading roles include Incision, Maestro, and The Love Pentagram.
Kim also commanded control of the big screen in a feature-length production entitled Purgatory, which tells the harrowing story of a man who has died in a car accident and finds himself in Purgatory. During his time in Purgatory, this man meets a variety of characters. Kim commands the screen in his depiction of the dark and disturbed Tod, a broken junkie who committed suicide after a lifetime of being beaten by his father.
When one recalls Kim’s light-hearted roles in some of his theatrical performances, the gravity with which he portrays the character Tod in Purgatory gives audiences a vivid example of the versatility he brings to his acting.
When actor Douglas Bennett, known for his work in Sons of Anarchy and Gone in 60 Seconds, was asked what he thought of Kim’s performance in Purgatory, he replied, “extraordinary performance by a young actor.”
While he might be young, the experience Kim has attained has given him a maturity in his craft that is well recognized by many.
Currently, Kim is shooting a feature film entitled The Dragon’s Lair, a scintillating thriller, which will be released in 2016.
As Kim continues to complete new projects, he will surely continue to catch the attention of both fans and leading members of the entertainment industry. As he is personally approached to contribute his talents to more and more productions, his level of stardom will only rise higher from where it already soars.