“Honestly, it gave me chills. She worked so hard, saying, ‘There’s no other way.’” – Sol Kyung-gu
“I was really surprised. Even a new actor wouldn’t go this far.” – Jang Dong-gun
“She has the most experience, but she was still humble. I’ve never seen anyone get so immersed even during rehearsals.” – Director Hur Jin-ho
These are words from three veteran figures in the film industry, sharing moments that left them in awe during filming. The one they are talking about is Kim Hee-ae, a 41-year veteran actress, who still displays the passion of a newcomer.
Despite all the praise, Kim Hee-ae modestly smiles, saying, “Did I really do that? I wasn’t aware I was working that hard. Isn’t that how everyone acts? I went there to act, so I acted.”
Dispatch recently met with Kim Hee-ae to discuss her role as Yeon-kyung in Ordinary Family (directed by Hur Jin-ho). Her humility and dedication to her craft shone through in the conversation.
Not an Ordinary Woman, Yeon-kyung
Ordinary Family is a family suspense film. Yeon-kyung, played by Kim, is the wife of Jae-kyu (Jang Dong-gun) and a successful freelance translator. Her once peaceful life crumbles after her son commits a crime. Kim Hee-ae expressed her excitement about working with Director Hur Jin-ho, saying, “He’s a director every actor wants to work with. I hadn’t been called for a long time, so I was delighted when he reached out.”
Director Hur is known for his thoughtful approach, and Kim shared how she became deeply absorbed in his artistic vision during filming. Yeon-kyung is a character who seems like an angel, helping others and caring for her mother-in-law, but she subtly and sometimes openly disdains her daughter-in-law Ji-su (played by Soo-hyun). She even justifies her son’s crime.
“What’s considered good behavior? When you think about it, Yeon-kyung is someone who always gives her best, no matter what. She’s honest and intense. Even though she may come off as selfish or direct, she doesn’t back down when doing something good.”
Kim also highlighted the “snobbism” element woven into the character, which reflects the attitudes of the upper class. “Yeon-kyung and Jae-kyu are exactly like that. They act snobbish behind closed doors but say, ‘We aren’t like that. We do volunteer work and follow proper etiquette,’ while unknowingly embodying typical upper-class behavior.”
Unordinary Effort
The cast couldn’t stop praising Kim Hee-ae’s dedication. One standout moment was during the three dinner scenes, where Kim Hee-ae’s acting was so immersive, even when the cameras weren’t rolling. Despite the praise, Kim downplayed her efforts, saying, “Honestly, I just thought of it as a story about two brothers. I just didn’t want to ruin the movie.”
Kim admitted that the dinner scenes were particularly challenging, especially the third one, where she had to maintain high emotional tension and repeatedly express intense anger.
“When I first read the script, I thought, ‘Oh, I just need to get through three meals, and I’m done.’ But those three meals really drained me. I had to keep my emotions raw.”
Looking back, Kim realized that the struggle was worth it. “In the end, it’s better to go through difficult processes because the results are more fulfilling. Looking back, the challenging moments are what bring the most reward.”
She also shared that she prefers first takes in filming but always respects the director’s style. “I’m not a fan of doing too many takes, but I like and respect Director Hur’s approach. I’m willing to give as many takes as needed.”
An Actress Unlike Any Other
Kim Hee-ae is often described as a “trustworthy” actress, a label that, while simple, is hard to earn. It means viewers are confident in the quality of the work she’s involved in, something even veteran actors find difficult to achieve. But Kim Hee-ae consistently lives up to that expectation.
Her success comes from a foundation of dedication and passion. “Having lots of lines can be stressful, but even if you only have one, it’s the same thing. There’s always pressure, and the only way to handle it is to keep practicing. Keep at it, again and again.”
This mindset is the key to her success after 41 years in the industry. Recently, she won an award at the Busan International Film Festival, which left her feeling deeply grateful. “It made me realize that good things come when you endure long enough. If this were the old days, I’d be considered too old. I would be playing an aunt or an old lady in a back room. But here I am, receiving the spotlight, wearing a Chanel dress, and winning awards.”
She also mentioned how grateful she was to be working with Director Hur Jin-ho, someone she admired in her younger years. “At this age, being invited to act again feels like a blessing.”
Looking back, Kim Hee-ae noted how much she now values her craft, saying, “When I was younger, I didn’t realize how lucky I was. But as time passes, I’m more and more thankful. As I grow older, I know I have to do my best. I can’t afford to make mistakes.”
When asked about her goals as an actress, she gave an unexpected answer: “I think it wouldn’t be so bad to be forgotten.” She explained that she doesn’t think about leaving a legacy and feels that even the most legendary actors are eventually forgotten with time.
“Just being able to act in the present is a blessing. I’ve never thought about how I’ll be remembered. Honestly, we’re all disposable in a way. Even the most famous actors eventually fade away, so who am I? I’m nothing special.”
Credits: Ji-ho Kim / Naver.
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