Kim Nam-joo Opens Up on Post-Childbirth Hiatus: "Wondered If I'd Ever Return to the Stage"

Veteran actress Kim Nam-joo recently shared her candid feelings about the career hiatus she experienced after marriage and childbirth. During the SBS Life variety show 'Queen of Insight Kim Nam-joo,' aired on the 4th, Kim Nam-joo visited fellow actress Kim Ok-bin's home, engaging in a heartfelt conversation about their professional journeys.

Kim Ok-bin, curious about her senior's experience, gently inquired about Kim Nam-joo's thoughts during her 7-8 year break from acting. Kim Nam-joo confessed, "Watching awards ceremonies on TV, I felt a pang of sadness, wondering if I could ever stand on that stage again. I worried if such an opportunity would ever come my way." She recounted her emotional comeback in 2009 with the drama 'Queen of Housewives' after her youngest child was born in 2008, where she tearfully expressed these very sentiments upon receiving the Top Excellence Award. She emphasized, "In our profession, luck and timing are crucial."

Meanwhile, Kim Ok-bin updated on her search for a next project after completing her latest work. She also shared her passion for exercise and freediving, recalling past injuries sustained while performing action scenes without a stunt double. Kim Ok-bin noted that freediving, despite being a "mental sport that can be scary," greatly aids her acting. She explained, "The continuous meditation and breath control, enduring alone, helps my performance, which is why I keep doing it."

Kim Nam-joo is a veteran South Korean actress, celebrated for her roles in hit dramas that often redefined trends in the Korean entertainment industry. She is married to actor Kim Seung-woo and is a mother of two. Her elegant style and powerful performances have consistently captivated audiences throughout her career.