Kim (Korean name)
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Kim is the most common family name in Korea. In South Korea in 1985, out of a population of between roughly 40 and 45 million, there were approximately 8.8 million Kims — roughly 20% of the population.[[Citing sources citation needed]] The name is also common in North Korea. The character used for the name (金) means "gold", and although the character is usually pronounced "geum" in Korea, it is pronounced "gim" when used for the family name and names of some cities. e.g. Gimhae (金海) and Gimpo (金浦).
Clans
As with most other Korean family names, there are many Kim clans, each of which consists of individual Kim families. Most Kims belong to one of a few very large clans. Even within each clan, people in different families are not related to each other. These distinctions are important, since Korean law used to prohibit intermarriage in the same clan, no matter how remote the relationship; now, however, only those in a relationship of second cousins or closer may not marry.
As with other Korean family names, the Kim clans are distinguished by the place from which they claim to originate. A very large number of distinct Kim clans exist, besides those listed here.
Gimhae
According to a story recorded only in the Samguk Yusa, in 48, Princess Heo Hwang-ok made an epic journey from a country called "Ayuda" to Korea, where she married King Suro of Geumgwan Gaya and gave birth to 10 children, thus starting the Kim dynasty of Geumgwan Gaya, the capital of which was in present-day Goryeong County. The country of Ayuda is often identified with Ayodhya in India. [link]Famous ancient members of this clan, aside from the kings of Geumgwan Gaya, include the Silla general Kim Yu-shin. In the Unified Silla period, members of the Gimhae Kim family were admitted to all but the highest level of the Silla bone rank system.
This clan is by far the most populous of all Korean clans. The 2000 South Korean census found it to contain more than 4 million people.
Gyeongju
The Gyeongju Kims trace their descent from the ruling family of Silla. The founder of this clan is said to have been Kim Alji, an orphan adopted by King Talhae of Silla in the first century CE. Alji's seventh-generation descendant was the first member of the clan to take the throne, as King Michu of Silla in the year 262.This clan is also extremely populous. In the South Korean census of 2000, more than 1.7 million citizens claimed to be Gyeongju Kims.
Hamchang
The Hamchang Kims trace their origin to the founder of the little-known Gaya state of Goryeong Gaya. His alleged tomb, rediscovered in the 16th century, is still preserved by the modern-day members of the clan. This clan numbered only 26,300 members in the 2000 South Korean census.List of people with the name \"Kim\"
- North Korean ruler Kim Jong Il and his father/predecessor Kim Il-sung.
- International curator, Yu Yeon Kim.
- Martial arts expert Ashida Kim (pseudonym).
- LPGA golfer Mi Hyun Kim.
- Artist and puzzle maker Scott Kim.
- Singer Andy Kim (stage name).
- Actress and singer Kim Hee-sun.
- Politician Kim Gu
- South Korean president Kim Young-sam
- South Korean president Kim Dae-jung
- Short-Track skater Jack W Kim South Korean 500m Short Track skater whose unrelenting spirit made him a national champion and quasi-celebrity figure during much of the 1940's and 1950's. In 1994, when 500m Short Track became an olympic sport, he made headlines by proclaiming "I would have won the gold in 1950, and I can still win it this year." After a popular journalist challenged him to back up his claim, he participated in the olympic qualifier, where he posted a time of 3:41:06, a full three minutes slower than eventual gold medalist Chae Ji-Hoon. He has since retracted his comments, but his image remains tainted.
- Fashion designer '''André Kim
- Kim Jae-kyu, former director of the Korean Central Intelligence Agency
- Kim Shin-rak (Rikidozan)
- Kim Sun-il, a man beheaded in Iraq
- Hyung-tae Kim, a Korean artist
- Female professional wrestler Gail Kim.
- Lost actors Yunjin Kim and Daniel Dae Kim.
- Systemic Formulas (Vitamin Company) Owner Daeyoon Kim.
See also
External links
- [A 2001 Korea Now article explaining the clan structure]
- [Korean-language site of the Gyeongju Kim association]
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