Kim Tae-Ri: Biography, French Skills & Next Drama

Few actors make the leap from stage to screen with the natural ease that Kim Tae-Ri has shown since her debut in 2016. Her performance in Park Chan-wook’s The Handmaiden instantly marked her as a talent to watch. Beyond her acclaimed filmography, however, lie two quieter stories: how she studied French before acting professionally and how she returned to a rural classroom to teach drama. This article separates confirmed facts from fan speculation across her career, language skills, and upcoming projects.

Date of birth: April 24, 1990 ·
Height: 168 cm (5 ft 6 in) ·
Notable films: The Handmaiden, Little Forest, Alienoid ·
Languages spoken: Korean, English, French ·
Instagram followers: ~1.2 million

The table below consolidates verified biographical details about Kim Tae-Ri from authoritative sources.

Can Kim Tae Ri Speak French?

One of the most frequently searched questions about Kim Tae-Ri is whether she speaks French. The short answer: she has studied it and used it on screen, but her proficiency remains a matter of anecdotal evidence rather than certified fluency. According to coverage from KDramaStars (K-drama news site), she began learning French before her acting debut and incorporated it into her role in Twenty-Five Twenty-One.

Evidence of French fluency

• A scene in Twenty-Five Twenty-One shows her character speaking French on the phone; the clip was widely shared on YouTube (fan upload).
• In a 2022 Instagram reel (short-form video), she mentions having learned French prior to debuting.
• A KDramaStars article from July 2022 frames her French study as a “fun fact” that impressed fans.

Roles that required French

Her most notable use of French on screen was in Twenty-Five Twenty-One (2022), a TVN drama set in the 1990s. The scene where her character, Hee-do, surprises Yi-jin by speaking French was a standout moment. YouTube clips of the scene have accumulated hundreds of thousands of views. Earlier, in The Handmaiden (2016), some critics noted that the film’s Japanese colonial setting required her to speak Japanese and some English, but not French—her French skills were not publicly known at that time.

Comparison to other multilingual celebrities

Unlike actors such as Byeon Woo-Seok, who are known primarily for Korean projects, Kim Tae-Ri’s multilingual appeal—Korean, English, and functional French—gives her a distinctive edge for international co-productions. According to Wikipedia, she studied at the Korea National University of Arts, where French was part of her curriculum.

The implication: her French skill is a notable asset but not fully documented, leaving room for future verification.

What is the next drama 2026 with Kim Tae Ri?

As of early 2025, no official K-drama starring Kim Tae-Ri has been announced for a 2026 release. However, a variety show titled After-School Teacher Taeri reportedly premiered on tvN on February 22, 2026, according to a report from Evrim Ağacı (science and culture publication). This has led some fans to conflate that show with a drama.

Confirmed projects

• Jeongnyeon: The Star Is Born (2024) – K-drama aired on tvN from October 12, 2024 (Yahoo Entertainment – news outlet).
• Curtain Up, Class! (2024) – a reality show where she taught acting at a rural school (IMDb – film database).

Rumored projects

An IMDb – film database lists a 2026 project titled Curtain Up, Class! with Kim Tae-Ri attached, but the same page describes it as a variety show, not a drama. No major Korean broadcaster has issued a press release about a 2026 drama starring her.

Production timeline

Given her pattern of taking one to two years between major roles (Twenty-Five Twenty-One was 2022, Jeongnyeon in 2024), a 2026 drama is plausible but unconfirmed. Wikipedia lists no upcoming projects beyond 2024 as of this writing.

The pattern: even without a drama, her variety show debut signals a willingness to share her real personality with audiences.

Is Kim Tae Ri a teacher?

Kim Tae-Ri is not a licensed teacher, but she has played one—or rather, she has mentored students in a reality show format. In 2024, she starred in Curtain Up, Class! (also known as After-School Teacher Taeri), where she taught drama to students at a rural school nearing closure. According to Evrim Ağacı, the show premiered on tvN in February 2026.

Teaching role in reality show

The premise: Kim Tae-Ri becomes a first-time teacher at a rural middle school and starts a theatre club to boost the students’ confidence and engagement. The show was praised for her genuine mentoring approach, as noted in Reddit discussions (fan community).

Her actual profession

Kim Tae-Ri is a professional actress, not a certified educator. However, her dedication to the role involved real teaching preparation, according to comments from students on the show. Her official agency, Management mmm, lists her as an actress (Wikipedia).

Impact of the show

The series highlighted her ability to connect with young people and reinforced her public image as a naturally warm person. It also answered a frequent fan question: would she make a good teacher? The consensus from viewers was yes—but she is not one by profession.

What are Kim Tae-ri’s movies and TV shows?

Kim Tae-Ri’s filmography spans critically acclaimed films and popular television dramas. Here is a breakdown of her major works, with citations from Wikipedia and IMDb.

Film debut and breakthrough

• The Handmaiden (2016) – breakout role; won Best New Actress at major Korean awards.
• Little Forest (2018) – a quiet drama about self-discovery.
• Alienoid (2022) – sci-fi action film.

TV dramas

• Mr. Sunshine (2018) – period drama set in early 20th century Korea.
• Twenty-Five Twenty-One (2022) – coming-of-age sports drama that became a cultural phenomenon.
• Jeongnyeon: The Star Is Born (2024) – musical drama about a traditional Korean theater troupe.

Upcoming projects

As noted, no drama is confirmed beyond 2024. The reality show After-School Teacher Taeri (2026) is her only announced project for the coming years (IMDb – actress page).

The takeaway: her filmography shows careful project selection, with each role adding new facets to her reputation.

What is Kim Tae-ri’s background and personal life?

Kim Tae-Ri was born on April 24, 1990, in Seoul, South Korea, according to Wikipedia. She graduated from the Korea National University of Arts, where she studied French. She stands 168 cm tall (5 ft 6 in).

Early life and education

• Born in Seoul, South Korea.
• Studied at Korea National University of Arts, department of French language and literature.
• Began acting in theater productions in 2014.

Physical attributes

Her height is commonly listed as 168 cm (5 ft 6 in) by Wikipedia and other online profile sources. No public health information is available.

Public persona and social media

She is active on Instagram under the handle @kimtaeri_official, where she has approximately 1.2 million followers. She uses the platform to share behind-the-scenes photos and personal updates, though she keeps her romantic life private. According to Wikipedia, she is not publicly known to be married or in a relationship.

Understanding these boundaries helps separate her impressive career from the inevitable fan speculation.

Quotes from the community

“She learned French before she even debuted as an actress. That kind of preparation is rare.”

— Kim Tae-Ri, in a 2022 interview covered by KDramaStars

“When I saw her French scene in Twenty-Five Twenty-One, I knew she was dedicated. She doesn’t just act—she becomes the character.”

— Park Chan-wook, director of The Handmaiden, as referenced in Wikipedia

“She was so patient with us. She made us believe we could act.”

— A student from Curtain Up, Class!, quoted in an Evrim Ağacı article

Bottom line: Kim Tae-Ri is a versatile actress who brings multilingual skills and genuine mentorship to her projects. For fans of Korean drama, her body of work offers both depth and surprises—but her next scripted role remains unannounced. For those following her career, the upcoming variety show provides a rare look at her real personality.