Kim Sun-young: A late bloom at 39, finding freedom in her husband's direction

Actress Kim Sun-young reflected on her journey to becoming a household name in her late 30s following a long career in theater that began in her 20s. She specifically highlighted the importance of a "gaze of belief" for an actor, noting that when performing in front of her husband, film director Lee Seung-won—who understands her best—the need for psychological self-verification disappears.

On the 31st, Kim appeared on the YouTube channel "Sung Si-kyung's I'll Meet You" alongside Ha Ji-won, the lead actress of the film "Portrait of a Family," to discuss her acting philosophy and her life in the industry.

When Sung asked, "How are you so good at acting?" Kim replied, "I don't really know," with a hint of shyness. She instead turned the question toward Sung, asking about the tension he feels when singing, leading to a conversation about the psychological differences between how actors and singers approach audiences and broadcasts.

Explaining the distinction between a concert and a broadcast, Sung noted that while a concert audience has paid to see him because they like him, a broadcast is watched by everyone, including those who may not, creating a greater psychological burden.

Kim empathized with this sentiment and recalled her own experiences, noting that she feels most free when acting in works directed by Lee.

"I filmed my husband's movie not too long ago. I think I act my best when appearing in my husband's films," Kim said. She added, "My husband thinks I am the best actress in Korea. His belief in me is immense. Because I know he believes in me, I become truly free in front of him."

For an actor, performance is not merely about technical accuracy in delivering lines or reproducing emotions. It requires a high level of interaction, constantly sensing how co-stars and directors receive one's expressions to adjust the next movement. The "belief" Kim described acts as a psychological safety net that minimizes the self-censorship inherent in the process.

She explained that in front of others, she constantly finds herself checking whether her expressions were properly conveyed. "No matter what I do, if it seems like the other person didn't quite understand, I end up verifying myself," she said. Conversely, because she trusts that Lee will inherently understand her, she avoids unnecessary self-verification during the acting process.

After hearing Sung's explanation regarding the pressures of broadcasting, Kim remarked, "That's why I thought I act the best in my husband's movies," drawing laughter as she added, "I've gained a great realization today."

The relationship between Kim and Lee is also notable as they function as creative colleagues who share a common professional language. As a director who has worked in both theater and film, Lee's background complements Kim's extensive stage experience. Their shared theatrical sensibility fosters a working style that prioritizes spontaneity and internal expression.

Kim revealed that her career was not initially aimed at mainstream success. "I have been doing theater since I was 20. I never even thought I would appear on TV," she said. "I was living through theater, then I had a baby and suddenly became a celebrity."

For her, television was not a natural career path. Having spent years as a theater actress breathing directly with the audience on stage, the sudden nationwide recognition through mass media was a foreign experience.

Kim recalled thinking at the time, "So this kind of new world existed," and "I'm appearing on TV?"

The turning point that brought her widespread recognition was the tvN drama "Reply 1988." In the series, Kim played the role of Sunoo's mother, leaving a lasting impression on viewers with her realistic, grounded acting and characteristic, sly delivery.

"Reply 1988" was a landmark production that focused on the intimate daily lives of families and neighbors, placing realistic, character-driven acting at the forefront. Kim's naturalistic performance aligned perfectly with the show's aesthetics, serving as a catalyst for her public recognition.

"I had done one or two dramas before that," Kim said. "It was a short period of about 1 to 2 years until my face became known. I was 39 years old when I appeared in 'Reply 1988'."

This path differs from the "20s star system" often seen in modern pop culture. Rather than becoming a star at a young age, Kim is an example of an artist discovered by the public after accumulating significant experience on stage. The physicality, vocal training, and ability to build character depth she honed in theater proved to be powerful assets in both film and television.

Since then, Kim has demonstrated her versatility across various genres in works such as "Because This Is My First Life," "Crash Landing on You," "When the Camellia Blooms," "Doctor Cha," and "The Uncanny Counter." She has moved beyond being a "scene-stealer" to become a mainstay capable of handling both comedic, life-based roles and high-tension genre pieces.

Above all, Kim's strength lies in her refusal to be pigeonholed into a specific image. True to her theatrical roots, she builds characters through action, relationships, and rhythmic dialogue rather than just physical traits. This has earned her a reputation as an actress who adds narrative density to any project, regardless of whether she is a lead or a supporting player.

Her acting prowess is central to her role in the upcoming film "Portrait of a Family." The film follows a top star couple, Jung-gu and Nam-mi, who face a breakdown in their marriage over their daughter, Dong-ju, and the subsequent truth-seeking mission to save Dong-ju eight years later after a shocking incident.

Kim will appear alongside Ha Ji-won as a key figure, building complex emotional layers surrounding family dynamics and the central mystery. A major draw of the film will be how convincingly Kim portrays the internal fractures and relationships of her character beyond simple comedic relief.

Kim's trajectory—starting theater at 20 and gaining mainstream fame at 39—demonstrates that an actor's success cannot be measured solely by how early they achieve stardom. Her years of anonymity and stage experience have become a lasting artistic asset that far outlasts the fleeting nature of sudden fame.

This ties back to the "gaze of belief" she described. While acting is a profession defined by the awareness of others' perceptions, the most free performances often occur in moments where an actor no longer feels the need to doubt themselves. For Kim, that space is found on the film sets directed by Lee.