Legendary actress Kim Hye Soo admitted that she had considered retiring.
On March 16, Kim Hye Soo made an appearance on fellow actress and close friend, Song Yoon Ah‘s YouTube show. In the video, Kim Hye Soo states that she had just finished filming her drama a week earlier.
In the video, Kim Hye Soo confides in Song Yoon Ah, admitting that filming for her most recent hit drama, Under The Queen’s Umbrella, has taken a toll on her.
I really worked hard. For nine months, all I did was read scripts. It was so hard.
— Kim Hye Soo
In Under The Queen’s Umbrella, Kim Hye Soo plays the role of a queen who tries her best to protect her princes from the dangers of the royal court while at the same time trying to uncover the truth behind the death of her son. The drama received rave reviews and was a success both critically and commercially.
It seems the drama’s success had come at a cost for the actress, as she described how hard it was for her while filming the drama.
The best part of the drama ending is knowing that I don’t have to stay up all night reading the script. I never wanted to live that long, but I feel shooting the drama has taken three years off my life. I thought, ‘I am going to die three years earlier.’ I don’t have any regrets. I did all I could in the moments (I was filming).
— Kim Hye Soo
Kim Hye Soo revealed that her hardship wasn’t only physical but that she struggled emotionally as well. The actress then stated she had considered retiring several times, citing the suffocating expectations audiences have for her.
To be honest, it was so lonely and difficult. I thought to myself that I should quit, ‘I can’t do this anymore. This is too difficult. I’m going to quit.’ And despite working this hard, audiences say, ‘It’s Kim Hye Soo. It’s no surprise she acts well.’ It’s cruel, but I know it’s something that is natural, but I was still lonely.
— Kim Hye Soo
Kim Hye Soo is undoubtedly one of Korea’s most revered actors. She made her debut in 1986 and immediately rose to stardom, winning her first accolade as Best New Actress at the 1987 Baesang Awards. Since then, she has been one of Korea’s leading actors during her career spanning over 35 years.
You can watch Kim Hye Soo’s full episode by clicking on the link below.
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