Kim Hee-jung Captivates Audiences with Relatable Portrayal of Middle-Aged Woman's Struggles in 'Brilliant Days'

Actress Kim Hee-jung is drawing significant empathy from viewers with her profound and realistic portrayal of a middle-aged woman's challenges in the KBS 2TV weekend drama 'Brilliant Days'.

In episodes 25 and 26, aired on the 1st and 2nd, Kim Hee-jung meticulously depicted the complex emotions of a character conflicted by her responsibilities as a wife, mother, and daughter. Playing the role of Kim Da-jung, she vividly portrayed a woman venturing back into the workforce by taking a job selling heated mattress pads, all while her husband, Lee Sang-chul (played by Cheon Ho-jin), prepares for re-employment. Kim Hee-jung's understated performance balanced Da-jung's hardships with her warm devotion to her family, adding warmth to the drama.

Faced with financial difficulties, Da-jung visits her father, Kim Jang-soo (played by Yoon Joo-sang), whom she hasn't seen in a while. Upon finding him struggling with depression and taking on odd jobs like folding shopping bags, she is overwhelmed with guilt and sorrow for not having been there for him, leading to tears. Later, when her mother-in-law, Jo Ok-rye (played by Ban Hyo-jung), suggests living together with her father, Da-jung's mixed emotions of surprise and gratitude resonate deeply.

Particularly poignant was the scene where Da-jung contemplates sending her father to her younger brother overseas. Kim Hee-jung conveyed the daughter's agonizing dilemma with raw emotion, highlighting her concerns about her brother's potential refusal and the burden on her husband, Sang-chul. Her nuanced performance authentically captured the character's internal struggle between familial affection and responsibility, forging a strong connection with the audience.

Through her honest portrayal of a middle-aged woman's life, Kim Hee-jung skillfully guides the character's emotional journey. Her delicate facial expressions and natural delivery leave a quiet, resonant impact on viewers, enhancing the drama's realistic tone.

Netizens are praising Kim Hee-jung's acting, with comments like 'It feels like my own story' and 'It makes me think of my mother.' The scenes depicting the father-daughter relationship were particularly moving, with many viewers describing them as 'unbearable to watch without crying.'