In 2001, Kim joined the Entertainment Department of KBS and later moved to the Drama Department. He co-directed television dramas The Great Merchant (2010) Dream High (2011), Big (2012) and Discovery of Love (2014).[1]
In 2015, Kim co-directed Who Are You: School 2015 – the sixth installment of KBS's School series with Baek Sang-hoon. The drama, written by Kim Min-jeong and Im Ye-jin, received modest viewership ratings[2] but was well received by young viewers and became popular overseas, leading to increased recognition for its cast – Kim So-hyun, Nam Joo-hyuk, and Yook Sung-jae.[3][4]
In 2016, he directed the youth historical drama Love in the Moonlight, which marked the second collaboration of him with writers Kim Min-jeong and Im Ye-jin after School 2015. Based on the novel Moonlight Drawn by Clouds, series depicts the growth of Lee Yeong, Crown Prince of Joseon, (played by Park Bo-gum) and his unlikely relationship with eunuch Hong Ra-on (a woman disguised as a man, portrayed by Kim Yoo-jung). The series met with praise by critics and audiences for its production, performances and music, achieved peak audience rating of 23.3% and dominated topicality, content and brand reputation charts.[5] The media to called its popularity "Moonlight Syndrome".[6][7] Following the huge popularity gained from the drama, lead actor Park became the first ever actor to top the Forbes Korea Power Celebrity list and lead actress Kim became the youngest to be included in the Top 10 of the same list.[8]
In March 2017, he resigned from KBS and joined JTBC.[9] Three years later in 2020, Kim directed JTBC-broadcast and Netflix-distributed drama series Itaewon Class starring Park Seo-joon and Kim Da-mi, based on the webtoon of the same name. The drama was a success, and was praised for its interesting story development and colorful performances.[10] Its final episode recorded a 16.548% nationwide audience share, making it the third-highest viewership rating in JTBC and the eighth highest rated drama in Korean cable television history.[11]Time Magazine and Forbes included Itaewon Class on their lists of "The 10 Best Korean Dramas to Watch on Netflix" and "The 13 Best Korean Dramas Of 2020" respectively.[12][13]
He again reunited with writer Kim Min-jeong (for their third collaboration) in the fantasy musical drama The Sound of Magic, based on webtoon Annarasumanara. The series starring Ji Chang-wook, Choi Sung-eun and Hwang In-youp was released in May 2022 on Netflix.[14] Later that year he reunited with the cast members of Love in the Moonlight, Itaewon Class and The Sound of Magic in the TVING travel entertainment program Young Actors' Retreat.[15]
^"박보검♥김유정 '구르미', 드라마 평판 2개월 연속 1위" [Park Bo-gum ♥ Kim Yoo-jung's 'Gourmet' tops drama reputation for 2 consecutive months] (in Korean). Sports Club. October 23, 2016. Retrieved April 21, 2022 – via Naver.
^Hyun Ji-min (September 25, 2017). "'구르미', 추석 맞아 특별 편성...신드롬 돌아온다" ['Gourmi', special arrangement for Chuseok... Syndrome is back] (in Korean). Ten Asia. Retrieved April 21, 2022 – via Naver.
^Cho, Deuk-jin; Yang, Mi-sun (February 23, 2017). 박보검·송중기 한국 최고 파워 셀러브리티 [Park Bo-gum·Song Joong-ki Korea's best power celebrity]. JoongAng Ilbo (in Korean). Archived from the original on February 27, 2017. Retrieved May 22, 2021 – via Joins.
^Hyo-Jeong Son (March 15, 2017). "[단독] '구르미' 김성윤 PD, KBS 떠나 JTBC 이적" [[Exclusive] 'Gourmi' PD Kim Seong-yoon leaves KBS and transfers to JTBC] (in Korean). TV report. Retrieved April 19, 2022 – via Naver.
^Jeong Hwa (April 15, 2022). "'안나라수마나라'의 이유 있는 자신감..김성윤 감독-김민정 작가의 재회" [Reasonable confidence in 'Anna Sumanara'.. Director Kim Seong-yun and writer Kim Min-jung reunion] (in Korean). Star News. Retrieved April 25, 2022 – via Naver.
^Choi Yoon-na (May 13, 2022). "박서준·박보검→김유정·최성은, 김성윤 PD 예능 물망[종합]" [Park Seo-joon, Park Bo-gum → Kim Yoo-jung, Choi Seong-eun, Kim Seong-yun PD Entertainment Project [Comprehensive]] (in Korean). The Dong-a Ilbo. Retrieved May 13, 2022 – via Naver.
^"'후아유' 백상훈 감독 "기존 시리즈와 차별화된 미스터리 청춘물"" [Who Are You' director Baek Sang-hoon "Mystery youth differentiated from previous series"] (in Korean). Financial News. April 22, 2015. Retrieved April 20, 2022 – via Naver.
^Park Ah-reum (May 27, 2015). "'구르미 그린 달빛' 박보검 김유정 진영, 역대급 첫만남 베일 벗었다" ['Moonlight Drawn by Clouds' Park Bo-gum and Kim Yoo-jung and Jinyoung take off the veil of their first meeting] (in Korean). Herald Pop. Retrieved April 20, 2022 – via Naver.
^Jang Ah-reum (April 11, 2019). "[단독] '구르미' 김성윤 PD, 3년만에 신작 JTBC '이태원 클라쓰' 연출" [[Exclusive] 'Gourmet' Producer Seongyun Kim, directs the new JTBC 'Itaewon Class' after 3 years] (in Korean). News 1. Retrieved April 20, 2022 – via Naver.
^Park Soo-in (April 15, 2021). "'안나라수마나라' 넷플릭스 제작 확정, 지창욱 최성은 황인엽 출연(공식)" [Netflix production confirmed for 'Anna Sumanara', Ji Chang-wook, Choi Seong-eun and Hwang In-yeop appear (official)] (in Korean). Newsen. Retrieved April 20, 2022 – via Naver.
^Lee Hoyoung (June 30, 2022). "박보검·김유정→박서준·지창욱, '청춘MT' 떠나 "마치 시상식"" [Park Bo-gum and Kim Yoo-jung → Park Seo-joon and Ji Chang-wook leave 'Youth MT', "It's like an awards ceremony"] (in Korean). MBC Entertainment. Retrieved June 30, 2022 – via Naver.
^Jang Ah-reum (September 27, 2017). "[SDA2017] '구르미' 한류作 최우수상 "KBS 파업, 노력 알아주길"" [[SDA2017] 'Gourmi' Hallyu Works Grand Prize "KBS strike, I hope you know your efforts"] (in Korean). Retrieved April 20, 2022 – via Naver.