Kim Hieora reflects on comeback after controversy: ‘It wasn’t easy, but I had to face it’
Kim Hieora in a scene from "The Glory"/ Courtesy of Netflix
Actor Kim Hieora has returned to the screen after a yearlong hiatus that followed school bullying allegations in 2023.
The issue, which stemmed from misunderstandings between those involved, has since been resolved through mutual reconciliation.
In a recent interview at a cafe in Jongno District, Seoul, Kim spoke about her big-screen debut, “Savior,” a mystery occult film about a couple who move to a seemingly blessed village only to discover that miracles there come at the cost of someone else’s misfortune.
“I was nervous and scared before watching it because I didn’t know how it would turn out,” Kim said. “It’s my first movie and my first project in a year, so everything felt unfamiliar. I wasn’t thinking about box-office results — I just wanted to act well and not hurt the film.”
Kim plays Choon-seo, an anxious and isolated woman whom she doesn’t see as a villain. “Everyone has desires. In that sense, Choon-seo is not just evil but a realistic person,” she said.
A Protestant herself, Kim added that she had long wanted to take on the occult genre, which she described as “a meaningful challenge that allowed me to explore new emotions and expressions.”
Reflecting on her hiatus, Kim said she spent time abroad to look inward. “I drew, traveled, and thought a lot about how I could become a better person,” she said. “Rather than regretting what had happened, I wanted to use that time for growth.”
She described her stay in the United States as a turning point. “I didn’t go there for meetings or work — I just wanted to experience life. I spent time on Broadway, even thought about selling snacks and singing on the street. I studied English, met people from different backgrounds and learned that being alone isn’t something to fear.”
Actor Kim Hieora / Courtesy of Mindmark
Kim, who rose to global fame through Netflix’s “The Glory,” said the experience of fame and controversy taught her resilience.
“Everyone faces unexpected moments. What matters is how you endure them,” she said. “There were times I felt anxious and impatient, but that was part of what I had to handle. Those emotions made me more passionate and reminded me why I love acting.”
Kim also addressed her past indirectly. “It wasn’t about feeling wronged — it was something I had to accept and deal with,” she said. “There’s no need to explain further. We’ve resolved everything, and now we support each other in our separate lives.”
“Savior” marks Kim’s first film appearance and signals a new phase in her acting career — one shaped by reflection, maturity and renewed determination.
This article from the Hankook Ilbo, the sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by generative AI and edited by The Korea Times.