Bilderback was born in Korea and raised in Tulsa, Oklahoma and Dallas, Texas. She was adopted by American parents Jim and Lois Bilderback, through the Holt International Children's Services program. She was a cheerleader in junior high school and has two older brothers. She studied dancing from a very early age and at the age of 14 enrolled at the Dallas Young Actor's Studio.

Upon graduation from Lake Highlands High School in 1993, Bilderback moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in acting. She worked as a hostess at Jerry's Famous Deli in Studio City to make ends meet. Her first role came in 1995 when she appeared in the film Clueless. Bilderback appeared in Clueless playing the character of Summer alongside Cher (Alicia Silverstone), Dionne (Stacey Dash), Tai (Brittany Murphy), and Amber (Elisa Donovan). She appeared on the August 2001 cover of KoreAm Journal, on issue 3 of the 2001 cover of Yolk, and as a medical student in House. Bilderback rode in 2002 Lunar New Year Parade and Festival.