[OSENWORLD] Actress Kim Hieora has broken her silence about returning to the screen after her school bullying controversy, reflecting on the painful years that reshaped her both as a person and as an artist.
In an interview held at a café in Samcheong-dong, Seoul, on October 23, Kim spoke about her upcoming film The Savior (directed by Shin Joon) and her journey of self-reflection during her hiatus.
The Savior is a mystery occult drama about a couple, Young-beom (played by Kim Byong-chul, known for Guardian: The Lonely and Great God and Doctor Cha) and Sun-hee (portrayed by Song Ji-hyo, a longtime cast member of Running Man), who move to a quiet village called Obok-ri and begin to witness miraculous events — only to discover that those blessings come at someone else’s cost. Kim plays Chun-seo, a resident whose presence deepens the film’s unsettling mystery.
Kim gained wide recognition through the 2023 Netflix series The Glory, but soon after, she faced allegations of past school bullying — a deeply sensitive issue in Korea, where public opinion can be especially unforgiving. Though she later met with her accusers and resolved misunderstandings, the hiatus left her questioning whether she could ever return.
“I took out my lease deposit and went to the U.S.,” Kim recalled. “When I came back, I didn’t have a place of my own for two years. I stayed with a friend, helping around the house just to get by,” she said with a soft laugh. “It took me two years to live on my own again.”
When asked what she hopes audiences see in her through The Savior, Kim’s voice trembled as she wiped away tears. “I just hope people think, ‘She’s a good actress,’” she said. “Not necessarily a ‘special’ one — just good.”
She also expressed gratitude toward director Shin Joon for trusting her with the role. “At our final wrap dinner, Director Shin gave me a letter and a hat,” she shared. “He wrote that if another opportunity came, he’d want me to lead his next film. That’s when I realized — maybe I really can keep going.”
For the first time in years, Kim says she feels ready — and worthy — to face the camera again. The Savior opens in Korean theaters on November 5.
/k_inside@osen.co.kr
Courtesy of Mindmark
