Kim Young-ok and Na Moon-hee reunite for IU's new MV

Actors Kim Young-ok and Na Moon-hee have reunited in a new music video by singer IU. As the two, who have maintained a connection since their days as voice actors at MBC decades ago, appear together in a single project after a long hiatus, attention is focused on how their special chemistry spanning generations will harmonize with IU's new song.

On the 10th, Kim Young-ok revealed the process of traveling to Gwangju for the filming of IU's music video in a video titled "I came all the way to Gwangju because IU sang it: Kim Young-ok and Na Moon-hee MV Filming Behind the Scenes | Gwangju Yukjeon Meal," released via her YouTube channel.

After finishing a talk show recording on the morning of that day, Kim immediately traveled to Gwangju. Her destination was the filming site for IU's new music video. Ahead of the shoot, Kim expressed her anticipation, saying, "I am very nervous. I think it will be fun."

In particular, the person by Kim's side during this shoot was her longtime colleague, Na Moon-hee. Kim said, "IU chose our grandmothers, so it's not just me, but Na Moon-hee and I are doing it together. I'm so happy because it feels like an opportunity to show our chemistry again." Beyond a simple special appearance, the relationship between the two actresses, who have spent many years together, serves as an emotional asset to the work.

The connection between the two dates back to their time as voice actors at MBC, long before they began working as actresses. Having left a distinct mark on Korean broadcasting history through their work in dubbing various foreign films, animations, and broadcast programs, the two continued their relationship even after expanding their fields into acting.

While sharing a meal of Gwangju cuisine after finishing the shoot, memories of their voice acting days were naturally recalled. Kim reminisced, "When we did dubbing at MBC, you and I were truly unrivaled. We did so much." She then joked, "You played the lead roles many times, and I played the roles next to the lead," creating a comfortable atmosphere possible only between longtime colleagues.

Their relationship is difficult to describe simply as being industry colleagues. Having a four-year age difference, Kim and Na have become friends and colleagues who have watched each other's lives through the passage of many years. Regarding Na, Kim said, "The only person I call once a week is her. I can't tell you how good it is to have someone I can talk to openly like this as I get older. She is very precious."

This depth of relationship is also a point where this music video differs from typical star marketing that simply employs famous actors. The fact that IU chose the two of them together serves as a device that adds the texture of time and human emotion to the work.

The new digital single released by IU on the 10th consists of two songs, "From This Star" and "Dear my crazy soulmate," both of which featured IU's direct participation in writing the lyrics. This is her first new music in about a year since the release of "Bye, Summer" last September, and it serves as a preview of tracks to be included in her upcoming 6th full-length album.

Among them, the music video for "Dear my crazy soulmate" teased a unique narrative as IU and actress Shim Dal-gi appeared as police officers, and a scene was revealed where Kim Young-ok appears in handcuffs. As the presence of veteran actresses Kim Young-ok and Na Moon-hee is added to the youthful energy of IU and Shim Dal-gi, the contrast and harmony between generations also became an important viewing point of the work.

IU has since expanded her musical world through the narratives and casting of her music videos. In particular, rather than simply listing popular actors, she has increased the completeness of her video content by selecting individuals who can bring out the emotion and texture of the song's story. This time, by placing the relationship between Kim Young-ok and Na Moon-hee, who share decades of time, at the forefront, she shows the possibility of expanding the emotions of "friendship," "time," and "memory" into a story outside the music.

Kim Young-ok has played a role in the pillar of Korean family narratives in various works such as "Country Diaries," "High Kick!," and "Dear My Friends," while Na Moon-hee has built an unrivaled presence across films and dramas including "High Kick!," "I Can Speak," and "Mrs. Na Moon-hee." Both have established themselves as actresses who transcend generations and genres, moving beyond the limited framework of "elderly female actresses" through their long acting careers.

This music video by IU is meaningful in that it connects the careers of these two actresses not as a simple introduction of their history, but to the temporality of their actual relationship. This is because they can naturally reveal the friendship they have shared for decades in front of the camera.

Kim's comment, "I'm so glad I can eat such delicious food with you," symbolically captures the nature of this meeting. While the shoot required traveling all the way to Gwangju at IU's request, for the two, it was a day to stand before the camera with an old friend while simultaneously reflecting on the time they have passed together.

Attention is now focused on how this music video—where IU's music and the shared history of Kim Young-ok and Na Moon-hee meet on one screen—will convey the meaning of a relationship built over time, moving beyond mere star-studded casting. In particular, there is potential for the actual chemistry of these two actresses, who have stood by each other for so long, to create an unexpected depth when combined with the song's emotions.