Nine years since making his acting debut with a minor role, Kim Soo Hyun, who recently won four awards, including the "Actor of the Year" title at the 9th Asia Artist Awards (AAA), has come a long way to where he is now.

Now commanding upwards of 500 million won ($340,000) an episode, the actor looks back on his journey from the relative unknown to one of South Korea's biggest stars.

According to Awesome, Kim gained attention back then when he was featured on MBC's "TV Special: Amazing World" as an actor for re-enactments, and he showed off a boyish, seemingly versatile side.

The raw talent and hobbled charm that would carry him through his early career were evident in that work, setting the stage for eventual stardom.

Jumping into 2024, Kim mesmerized viewers in the drama "Queen of Tears," which ended in April with a record-breaking 24.9% ratings, topping the previous record-holder "Crash Landing on You."

After he had accepted the award at the AAA ceremony on Dec. 27, he expressed gratitude for the support he had received throughout his career.

Thank you to everyone who loved and watched the drama," he said, attributing his cast and crew efforts.

He said: "I sincerely thank everyone who loved and watched the drama 'Queen of Tears,' and the many fans who cheered me on. I love writer Park Ji-eun who created the opportunity called 'Queen of Tears.' I would like to thank the directors who shed so much blood, sweat, and tears for a year."

He added: "I would like to thank the seniors and juniors who worked with me. I had a lot of worries and concerns while filming 'Queen of Tears.' I think we worked on this project especially while having a lot of conversations. I would like to once again sincerely thank all the staff members."

Kim has received several accomplishments at AAA, such as AAA Best Artist, AAA Hot Trend, and AAA Fabulous.

These awards reflect not only his skills but also the contributions he made to the industry over time.

Kim's appearance fee for "Queen of Tears" was between 300 million and 500 million won ($204,000-$340,000), which is a considerable amount that gives an idea of Kim's increasing status as a leading actor in the field.

This decision comes despite earlier reports that Kim was seeking a fee of 800 million won ($544,000), after which some outlets reported Kim is going for a quote that is lower than the amount he was previously commanding.

Amidst his steadily rising popularity, Kim Soo-hyun is no more detached from having the days when his work was not a sure deal, and he occasionally recalls those times.

From re-enactments to a celebrated star, his story is an inspiring tale for potential actors and fans alike.

Having just made a comeback with a number of honors recently and having a number of projects in the pipeline, Kim looks set to have a great future in the entertainment industry.

His rise is a story of dedication, hard work, and fans who never left his side.