In "Wonderful Life" (2005), Kim's character deals with the consequences of a one-night stand in Singapore that leads to young marriage (to Eugene) and fatherhood. After playing a third-rate gangster who inherits a kindergarten and falls for a teacher (played by Han Ji-min) in "Great Inheritance" (2006), Kim was cast in his first period drama role as a nobleman romantically involved with a gisaeng in "Hwang Jini" (previous "Mr. Arrogant" costar Ha Ji-won played the title role). With his Korean Wave appeal, Kim then filmed the Chinese television drama "First Love", which aired on CCTV in 2008.