Actress Kim Hye-eun Reflects on Her 18-Year Acting Journey: 'Experiencing Lives of Others'

Actress Kim Hye-eun shared her profound thoughts on her acting career during a recent television appearance.

Appearing on KBS1's 'Am-morning' show, in the 'Tuesday Special Guest' segment on the 16th, Kim Hye-eun recounted her unique path from studying vocal music to becoming a weathercaster and eventually an actress. Making her first appearance on the long-running show, which is nearing its 10,000th episode, she captivated the studio with her distinctive fashion sense. "I thought I might look like a weathercaster if I appeared too conventionally, so I came with a bit more swag," Kim explained, adding, "I enjoy watching 'Am-morning', and the 'Tuesday Special Guest' segment has become quite popular lately. Many people were lining up, so I'm finally getting to appear."

Reflecting on her 18 years in the acting industry, Kim Hye-eun expressed her surprise, stating, "I'm surprised it's almost been 20 years." She revealed that she hasn't taken a single break since 2010. "Since I started later, whenever I felt like resting, the thought 'Am I allowed to rest?' would cross my mind. I told myself I was studying acting, and diligently immersed myself, which has led to nearly two decades," she said. Her dedication has been so intense that she hasn't even been able to travel abroad, with her life largely confined to drama sets. "Perhaps that's why I'm able to be on 'Am-morning' now," she mused.

Regarding her profession as an actress, Kim Hye-eun confessed, "I've changed a lot as a person since becoming an actress." Unlike her past experiences in pure arts and in a broadcasting newsroom, acting has allowed her to live vicariously through various characters, leading to introspection. Embodying diverse roles and experiencing the lives of others has cultivated her ability to view herself objectively. She now sees herself through the lens of her characters, sometimes feeling inadequate and other times accepting herself as she is.

Kim Hye-eun majored in vocal music at Seoul National University before debuting as a weathercaster for OBS Gyeongin TV. She later transitioned to acting and has been consistently active in various productions. She is particularly recognized for her ability to portray distinct and impactful characters, broadening her acting range.