Kim Go-eun's Bold Transformation in 'The Executioner' Leaves Netizens Awestruck

Actress Kim Go-eun is proving her versatility, showcasing a dramatic transformation in the new Netflix original series, 'The Executioner'.

'The Executioner' is a mystery thriller centered around Yoon-soo (Jeon Do-yeon), a woman accused of murdering her husband, who encounters the enigmatic and feared killer Mo-eun, portrayed by Kim Go-eun.

The series garnered significant buzz even before its release, primarily due to the news of Kim Go-eun's daring decision to shave her head for the role of a psychopathic killer.

Interestingly, the distinctive short haircut was Kim Go-eun's own idea. She explained, "I felt Mo-eun is an inscrutable character, so I wanted her to have no cumbersome elements. I thought a very short hairstyle would be best, so I gathered reference materials and presented them during the meeting." She added, "Since Mo-eun doesn't speak much, I wanted to convey emotions through her gaze and expressions. I found myself obsessing over very subtle, minute details."

Kim Go-eun shared her deliberate approach to the character, aiming not to overtly appear as a psychopath but to let the audience form that perception. "I tried not to look like a psychopath. It was the public who wanted to see her that way; it wasn't my intention. Rather than trying to deceive the majority, I wanted to let them judge her as such." She focused on building the character through minute details that deviate slightly from the norm, such as an unusual breathing pattern or the timing of actions like drinking coffee before a sentence ends.

Naturally, the role presented its challenges. Kim Go-eun admitted, "I've never killed anyone before. I had to imagine the extent of emotions that would lead someone to such a choice, and lacking that experience made it even more difficult."

Despite the hurdles, the performance has been a resounding success. Since its release on the 5th, 'The Executioner' has climbed to second place in Netflix's Global Top 10 series (non-English) category, with viewership figures reaching 2.2 million (calculated by dividing total running time by the number of viewers). The series has also secured a spot in the Top 10 in nine countries, including Indonesia, Singapore, and Thailand.

This success caps off a remarkable period for Kim Go-eun. Her film 'Exhuma,' released last February, drew over 11.91 million viewers. Following this, she has garnered acclaim for her consecutive projects including 'Love in the Big City,' the Netflix series 'Yeong-hee and Sang-yeon,' and now 'The Executioner.'

At the core of her recent achievements lies an unwavering spirit of challenge. From embodying the shaman Hwa-rim in 'Exhuma' to portraying a decades-long friendship in 'Yeong-hee and Sang-yeon,' and taking on the demanding role of Mo-eun in 'The Executioner' with a shaved head, she has convincingly portrayed characters with immense emotional range.

Kim Go-eun described the past year and the current one as a "miraculous period" for her career. "There are times when you work hard on your acting but don't receive recognition or achieve box office success. All the elements have to align for a project to be well-received. Encountering such a time is truly a blessing in my acting career."

She further expressed her desire for artistic evolution, stating, "I want to bring variations to whatever role I take on. To avoid predictability, even small changes are necessary." With a smile, she added, "As for what kind of new face might emerge from that process, honestly, even I don't know."

Korean netizens have been highly impressed with Kim Go-eun's radical transformation. Comments flooded in, praising her acting, such as "Kim Go-eun's acting is truly insane," "It's great to see her dedication to acting, even shaving her head," and "I'm already excited to see what she'll do in her next project."