Kim is also the founder and CEO of a non-profit organization Gilstory that focuses on preserving cultural heritage, promoting arts and raising special purpose relief funds.

[3] During this time, he was using the stage name Lee Han, which he made up to avoid confusion with Kang Nam-gil, another Korean actor with a similar name, and to give himself a more sophisticated image.

[9] For his portrayal of the playful but tragic Bidam, Kim said he was inspired by comic book characters such as Han Bi-kwang in Ruler of the Land, Miyamoto Musashi in Vagabond, and Kang Baek-ho in Slam Dunk.

The writers rewrote the script to respond to Bidam's popularity with the viewing audience, giving the character more screen time and emphasizing his romance with the titular Seondeok (despite the incredible historical inaccuracy), until there were two main male leads in the series.

He won several awards for his performance, gained more local and international fans,[15][16] received advertisement offers, and was flooded with film and TV scripts.

In 2006, he made the bold decision to portray a homosexual character in the controversial queer indie No Regret in a role which included several gay sex scenes.

Upon the influence of the film's director Kang Woo-suk (but against the advice of his agent and manager[4]), Kim stopped using the stage name Lee Han and reverted to his birth name.

[36] Another side benefit of Kim's popularity resulting from the Seondeok was the theatrical release in 2010 of his indie Lovers Vanished,[4][37] a relationship drama which the director described as a "Korean Leaving Las Vegas.

[42][43] He next starred opposite award-winning actress Jeon Do-yeon in the 2015 thriller The Shameless; Kim played a detective who falls for the girlfriend of the murderer he is investigating.

Kim discussed plans for "future work" that would not just provide immediate aid, but more importantly, instill in the people a belief that "they are not alone" - a fundamental approach he felt was more helpful than temporary relief.

If was officially established on April 8, 2013 and registered in Seoul in as a non-profit private organization with the goal of contributing to society through various cultural arts campaigns.

[a] The campaign aims to provide creative opportunities and artistic activity support to help these aging out youth achieve emotional independence, despite social and economic challenges.

Gilstory is partnering with KB Kookmin Bank to sponsor creative funds and mentorship for talented young artists in the cultural arts field.

Completed works will be publicly showcased, and the collaboration with the bank, which has consistently supported aging out youth, is especially meaningful in laying the groundwork for the economic independence of these young creators.