Kim Sejeong Shines in Her First Historical Drama, 'Moon River'

Kim Sejeong is making waves in her 10th year since debut, proving her presence as an actress once again. Currently starring as the lead in MBC's drama 'Moon River', she continues to uphold her title as the 'Sunshine Heroine' with her bright and warm character.

'Moon River' marks Kim Sejeong's first foray into historical dramas. Her unique acting style has garnered praise from viewers, and the show is achieving respectable ratings amidst a generally lackluster lineup from MBC this year.

This year, MBC's dramas like 'Crushology 101', 'Mary Kills People', and 'To the Moon' have struggled with ratings in the 1-2% range. In contrast, 'Moon River' achieved its highest rating of 6.1% during its fifth episode aired on the 21st. The chemistry between leads Kim Sejeong and Kang Tae-oh is cited as a key factor in this success.

External factors have also been favorable. The global popularity of Netflix's 'KPop Demon Hunters' has boosted the profile of Ahn Hyo-seop, who previously starred with Kim Sejeong in SBS's 'Business Proposal'. This has reignited interest in 'Kim Sejeong's Romantic Comedy' style.

At the 'Moon River' press conference last month, Kim Sejeong was asked about the renewed popularity of 'Business Proposal'. She responded with a smile, "I can definitely feel it. Seeing international fans leave comments on social media or support my new projects is heartwarming."

She added, "With the 'KPop Demon Hunters' storm, I wished our drama ('Moon River') had started a bit earlier. I wanted to showcase 'Moon River's' charm while interest in Korean culture and romantic comedies was high."

Kim Sejeong's acting skills have been praised since her early days as an actress. In 2020, she was recognized for her stable portrayal of her character in OCN's 'The Uncanny Counter', overcoming negative stereotypes associated with being an idol-turned-actress.

'Business Proposal' is considered a major turning point in Kim Sejeong's career. Her role as the cheerful and lovable protagonist Shin Ha-ri showcased her positive energy, earning her the nickname 'Sunshine Heroine'. In 'Moon River', she maintains her lively image while incorporating the gravitas typical of historical dramas, demonstrating her expanded acting range.

Kim Sejeong first made a strong impression in 2016 on Mnet's 'Produce 101'. As a contestant with visuals, stage presence, and leadership, she consistently ranked high, eventually securing second place and becoming a key member of I.O.I. Her screen presence and bright energy from her trainee days naturally continue in her acting career.

Now in her 10th year, Kim Sejeong has achieved success across idol, variety, and acting fields. If 'Moon River' continues its positive trajectory, industry analysts believe her career could reach new heights once again.

Lee So-jung, TENASIA Reporter forusojung@tenasia.co.kr