InterviewKim Hyang-gi embraces motherhood in ‘Hallan’
Former child star explores Jeju’s painful history
Actor Kim Hyang-gi / Courtesy of Triple Pictures
Kim Hyang-gi, a seasoned actor with 20 years of experience, said that when she took on her first role as a mother in the upcoming movie "Hallan," she focused mostly on the strong story of survival, rather than worrying about being cast as a maternal character.
“I didn't think much about playing a mother, from the moment I read the screenplay until we wrapped up filming,” the 25-year-old actor told The Korea Times during an interview in Seoul, Tuesday. “In that era, it was natural for someone my age to be a mother. More importantly, I felt the mission was to showcase the story of the mother and daughter.”
“Hallan,” which is the name of an orchid from the province, is inspired by the tragic Jeju Uprising in 1948, where the government forces killed tens of thousands of islanders during an anti-communist campaign.
The movie follows the arduous journey of a mother, Ah-jin (Kim), and her daughter (Kim Min-chae) as they seek refuge in the mountains and travel across the sea to survive. “Hallan” ensures history is not forgotten, presenting the stories of the people caught within the conflict.
The 25-year-old actor said she was not unfamiliar with the incident before shooting this film, but added she spent time at Jeju 4.3 Peace Park and read testimonies from survivors during preparation, which helped her understand the personal tragedies behind the historical events.
Actors Kim Hyang-gi, right, and Kim Min-chae in a scene from “Hallan” / Courtesy of Triple Pictures
A significant challenge for Kim was mastering the Jeju dialect.
“I treated the unique linguistic style not as a dialect, but as a foreign language. This helped me blend emotion with the unfamiliar accent,” she said.
Kim also delved into the concept of motherhood, saying she learned that physical changes in mothers drive an instinct to protect their children, sometimes making their actions seem risky. This led her to highlight the strong determination that can come from motherhood.
"The mother I play, Ah-jin, is not a gentle mother who embraces everything, but a bold mother who believes she must move forward with her daughter to survive,” Kim explained.
Sharing her experience working with the 6-year-old actor Kim Min-chae, who plays her daughter, Kim emphasized the importance of creating a comfortable environment. Kim was also 6 years old when made her acting debut in "Hearty Paws" in 2006.
"I realized that if I tried to do too much, she would actually feel uncomfortable," Kim said. "I thought it was important to just have simple conversations, like asking about her favorite snacks, to help her feel secure and reduce her tension."
Kim added she found it beneficial to let Min-chae enjoy the natural environment of the filming locations, such as picking acorns and observing plants, treating the set like a playground.
Addressing a question about potential burnout during her long career, Kim admitted to struggling in her early 20s.
"There was a great conflict between wanting to take on diverse roles as an adult actor and feeling pressure to maintain the lovable image many people had of me as a child actor,” she said.
However, she has recently adopted a new approach. “When I am offered a role, I ask myself, ‘are you confident?’ If the answer is yes, I decide to take the role. This shift allowed me to enjoy acting more freely,” she said.
“Hallan” will be released in theaters on Nov. 26.