Veteran Actress Kim Hee-ae Continues to Shine in Her 41st Year of Acting
Veteran Actress Kim Hee-ae Continues to Shine in Her 41st Year of Acting
In her 41st year of acting and at the age of 57, Kim Hee-ae shows no signs of being a 'former actress.' She remains active, having released three works this year alone. Unlike her previous roles in 'Deadman' and 'Storm,' she returns with a character that is both cute and realistic.

On the 7th, Kim Hee-ae held an interview at a cafe in Samcheong-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, discussing her latest film 'Ordinary Family.' She appeared in a casual style, wearing a gray T-shirt and a denim jacket, showcasing her unique elegant beauty despite the wrinkles around her eyes.
Veteran Actress Kim Hee-ae Continues to Shine in Her 41st Year of Acting
Veteran Actress Kim Hee-ae Continues to Shine in Her 41st Year of Acting
'Ordinary Family' is a suspense film about four individuals whose lives are turned upside down after witnessing a crime scene involving children on CCTV. It is based on Herman Koch's novel 'The Dinner.'

In the film, Kim Hee-ae plays the role of Yeon-kyung, the wife of Jae-kyu (played by Jang Dong-gun). Yeon-kyung is a freelance translator who balances her career with her roles as a wife and mother.

Kim Hee-ae described Yeon-kyung as "a character who is the same inside and out, honest and straightforward." She added, "Considering she does volunteer work and takes care of her mother-in-law, she's practically an angel. There's a saying that there's no filial child in caregiving. No one truly enjoys taking care of a dementia-stricken mother who spits and hits."

She emphasized, "She's practically an angel," and added, "Even if it's for show, being able to do that is remarkable. People around me who care for their parents find it tough. They often say, 'We shouldn't make our children do this.'"
Veteran Actress Kim Hee-ae Continues to Shine in Her 41st Year of Acting
Veteran Actress Kim Hee-ae Continues to Shine in Her 41st Year of Acting
In the early part of the film, she also shows a cute side as a wife who flirts with her husband. Kim Hee-ae said, "Originally, there was no older woman-younger man couple setting, but I suggested it. It made acting easier for me. While playing Yeon-kyung, I naturally became more playful." Kim Hee-ae was born in 1967, and Jang Dong-gun in 1972, making them five years apart.

When asked if she is a loving and playful wife in real life, she laughed and said, "I try to be." Kim Hee-ae added, "I didn't want to do it before, but it's a virtuous cycle. If I cherish him, he cherishes me back. It's the same in all relationships, not just between couples."
Veteran Actress Kim Hee-ae Continues to Shine in Her 41st Year of Acting
Veteran Actress Kim Hee-ae Continues to Shine in Her 41st Year of Acting
Celebrating her 40th anniversary this year, Kim Hee-ae continues to take on diverse roles, showing no signs of being a 'former actress.' Upon hearing this, she made a 'yes' gesture with her hand and smiled brightly. She said, "I also took a few years off while raising my kids, and I realized that work is more than just work. Beyond popularity, being able to do something when you wake up is precious. I'm clumsy and can only act. I need to be grateful and do it. As I age, I worry if I can memorize lines or if people will get tired of me, but I'm very thankful. I'm ready to take on any good project. It's exciting. There's a sense of destiny. In our time, we stopped working after marriage. I didn't plan to work long after struggling in my 20s, but it happened by fate."

Kim Hee-ae revealed that she persevered to reach 'Ordinary Family.' She said, "After playing Hoonam, I only got roles like Hoonam. After 'My Man's Woman,' I kept getting femme fatale roles. I skipped a few years. Then 'Secret Love Affair' came along. By holding out, a good opportunity came, and I did well, which became part of my career and broadened my spectrum. 'The World of the Married' extended my career. 'Storm' and 'Queenmaker' also received good responses. I got good results, and my career continued."

Despite being a veteran, Kim Hee-ae's passion is like that of a rookie. She said, "Acting practice is a given. There's no actor more pathetic than one who doesn't practice. I'm older, so I have to do 2-3 times more." She added, "When opportunities come, I don't shy away. Working with talented colleagues excites me. I think it's cool to work with much younger juniors."

Kim Seo-yoon, Ten Asia Reporter seogugu@tenasia.co.kr