"I’m relieved that people are enjoying something new and finding it fun. It’s fascinating to see that international viewers seem to like it too. It makes me realize there’s a growing interest in works that reflect Korean sentiments," she said.
The challenge of comedy was not easy for Kim. She had to learn how to elevate her natural tone to fit the comedic genre. Yeojoo, who has a lot of monologues and dialogue, required extensive practice to master the rhythm and delivery.
"I had no sense of comedy at all. Enjoying it as a viewer is different from performing it. I wasn’t sure how far I could push my natural tone to achieve a comedic effect. With so much dialogue and many monologues, I practiced a lot. I felt that even at my maximum, it wouldn’t come off as over-the-top. I decided to give my best within my limits and follow the director’s guidance," she explained.
One principle Kim adhered to while preparing for comedy was to avoid trying too hard to be funny. This insight came from studying the performances of seasoned comedians and actors in the genre. Rather than exaggerating Yeojoo’s character, Kim aimed to portray her as genuine in every moment.
"When I first prepared, I looked at performances by comedians and actors in the comedy genre. The common thread was that you shouldn’t try too hard to be funny. Many said that the moment you try to be funny, you lose the rhythm. I felt my mission was to live as Yeojoo within the script. The reason Yeojoo is funny is that she is so honest and sincere, yet struggles to manage her own thoughts. Therefore, I believe it’s important to show that everything she says is sincere and that her honesty is evident," she said.
Yeojoo's appearance was also a crucial aspect of her character. Her short bangs and red glasses visually represent her quirky personality and unique worldview. Kim wanted to incorporate both Yeojoo's mindset and comedic elements into her hairstyle.
"After finishing my previous project, I had a calm bob hairstyle. I thought about making a significant change, and I felt that a cartoonish look would suit both the character and the project. There’s a scene where Yeojoo wears red glasses while working on her dreams. I thought a spiky short hairstyle would fit her free-spirited nature and enhance the comedic elements. I decided to cut my bangs to add more fun to the character," she said.
Kim also approached her facial expressions differently. Initially, she focused on delivering the rhythm of her lines and monologues, but during the preparation process, she realized she needed to use her face more actively. While she had previously restrained her emotions in past roles, this time she aimed to express herself more freely.
"At first, I was focused on the dialogue and the rhythm of the lines, but I realized I needed to use my face more actively. Since Yeojoo appears frequently, I thought it might be burdensome if I sounded too theatrical. So, I decided to use my facial expressions more. In the past, I had limited my expressions in genre-specific roles, but this time I approached it differently," she said.
Playing Yeojoo also prompted Kim to reflect on her own school days. While filming, she looked back at photos from her middle and high school years, recalling the joy of laughing with friends even without special events. Growing up in the same neighborhood with friends from kindergarten through high school helped her understand Yeojoo better.
"While filming, I found myself looking at photos from middle and high school. Even without special events, we laughed every day. I was curious about those moments, so I looked at many old photos. I’m grateful for my friends who have been with me since kindergarten through high school. They accepted me naturally, and we enjoyed our school days together. Those memories were helpful in understanding Yeojoo," she said.
Having started as a child actor, Kim finds playing a student role both familiar and refreshing. Just a short time ago, she was discussing the challenges of being a child actor, and now she is navigating roles across a wider age range.
"I definitely had those thoughts. It was amusing to think that just a few years ago, I was talking about the struggles of being a child actor, and now I can play roles across different age ranges. I see it as a blessing and a good opportunity, so I decided to embrace it. I don’t know how long I can play a high school student," she said.
Currently, Kim is accepting her position as someone in a state of change rather than defining herself rigidly. Although she has been in the industry for a long time, she still finds herself as the youngest in some settings, while in others, she must take the lead or share energy with younger colleagues. This complex feeling leaves her with new questions about herself as both an actress and a person.
"I don’t really know myself right now. I feel ambiguous. I’ve realized that for the first time, I had many younger colleagues on set. I’ve often been the youngest, but now I have friends, and experiencing that has made me feel like I’m still the youngest in some situations, while in others, I’m the older sister. Those complexities have brought about a new sense of confusion for me as both an actress and a person," she said.
Kim does not view this ambiguity negatively. Instead, she believes it’s a time to remain open to change rather than trying to control or define herself. She has grown more accepting of her evolving roles in different settings.
"When I think about what roles I can take on, it varies with each project. In theater, I was the perfect youngest, while in 'The Absolute Value of Romance,' I had to take the lead. This time, I had to play a role where I both received and gave energy in the middle. So, I felt I needed to keep an open mind. I think it’s a time to accept that I can’t control everything about myself. I don’t know how this ambiguity will change, but it doesn’t feel bad just because it’s difficult," she said.
Kim’s attitude as an actress is also becoming clearer. Rather than striving to excel, she aims to fulfill her role within the project without causing harm to others. She believes this mindset allows her to feel freer.
"All my senses are feeling new. As an actress, I want to approach each project with the mindset of not causing harm to others while doing my part. I think that way, I feel less fear and perform better. I want to maintain that attitude," she concluded.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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