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| Kim Sa-rang is a ballerina-turned-actress who was crowned 2017 Miss Korea second runner-up.Courtesy of Kim Sa-rang |
By Lee Han-na
From ballerina to beauty queen to an actress, the 2017 Miss Korea second runner-up Kim Sa-rang never gives up challenging herself. She has successfully entered the three highly competitive fields throughout the years.
"Ballet was my world and ballet was me, until I was mesmerized by the charm of acting," she told The Korea Times during a recent interview.
She started ballet when she was four years old. "I remember ballet being so beautiful, especially with the clothes. I never thought of other dreams aside from being a ballerina," she said.
However, there were struggles when her parents stopped supporting her ballet lessons. "They didn't think that I was really serious about taking it as my future profession. Also, ballet costs some money to buy the materials and to learn lessons." She then took lessons at a nearby cultural center with other kids to learn ballet on her own.
Because of her sincere efforts, her parents agreed to support her again and she went to the Seoul Arts High School, a renowned school of arts in music, painting and dance.
Compared to other students who began their path as young as junior high school, she found herself lacking in some techniques. "I really practiced hard and, at the end, I graduated with very high scores in dancing," Kim said.
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| Kim majored ballet in Sejong University and got into Korean National Ballet. Courtesy of Kim Sa-rang |
She then entered Sejong University College of Liberal Arts and Physical Education's Department of Dance. She majored in ballet and joined the Korean National Ballet after graduation. "I had an internship at the Korean National Ballet when I was a senior in university and eventually became an official member," she said.
Her first performance was "Swan Lake." "I was to perform a Swan Lake gala with other senior ballerinas. I remember being so honored and happy."
Kim says she doesn't give in the environment easily. As soon as she felt that she needed to break some limitations to be a better ballerina, she challenged herself to become a Miss Korea.
"Through my friend Hong Na-sil, the 2016 Miss Korea second runner-up, I knew about the pageant and started preparing for it. I didn't know how to do the pageant walk, as well as doing makeup and hair." She learned styling tips from YouTube and through trial and error.
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| Kim was crowned second runner-up in the 2017 Miss Korea Seoul and Miss Korea.Capture from her Instagram @rang_rina |
She applied for Miss Korea Seoul. "It was my first time to explore a world outside ballet," she said. "Since I was exposed to several competitions previously, I didn't have much trouble or hardship adjusting to the environment."
Kim was then crowned Miss Korea Seoul second runner-up and placed in the same position in the main competition. "Many ask me about the dreamy coronation night but I was so surprised when I got into the top 15 that I looked calmer when they called me as the second runner-up," she said.
"Being Miss Korea was so memorable that I cherish every moment. But more specifically, I enjoyed leading a warm-up stretching before the monthly walkathon of Hankook Ilbo that I got to inform them (participants) about the importance of our body as a dancer myself, and to communicate with them as well."
Kim returned to the Korean National Ballet to continue her career as a ballerina. "One day, a producer of a drama reached out," she said. "Then I started to get curious on how I will grow as an actress this time. He offered me one of the main characters but we talked it out that I must begin humbly with a supporting role."
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| Kim played Su-ji in KBS drama "Angel's Last Mission," which is her debut as an actress.Courtesy of Kim Sa-rang |
She starred in the KBS Wednesday and Thursday drama "Angel's Last Mission" as a Su-ji, a member of the Fantasia Ballet. "It will be an unforgettable memory for me. It was my first time standing in front of the cameras as an actress. Acting was so fun and the staff were really nice. I was not able to sleep enough but everything was so interesting."
She said she is motivated to chase other goals and to challenge herself. "I love to be put in different situations and experience. I'd rather feel restless if I didn't go forward."
Kim said she wants to share through whatever means her experience in exploring different areas. "I pray every day that I can share with a lot of people, especially the people that I love, the things that I have learned and gained from all my experiences. I would also love to donate."
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