South Korea’s latest drama sensation, Don’t Call Me Ma’am, is turning heads for its refreshing approach to storytelling. Led by acclaimed actresses Kim Hee-seon, Han Hye-jin, and Jin Seo-yeon, the series steps away from the romance-centric plots that often dominate the K-drama space. Instead, it delves into the quieter, more complex realities of life—exploring what happens when ambition slows, marriages lose their spark, and success no longer satisfies.
Rather than portraying womanhood as a single journey, Don’t Call Me Ma’am presents a layered narrative where reinvention, compromise, and emotional truth intertwine. The drama unfolds against the backdrop of three distinct worlds: the high-pressure environment of live home-shopping television, the refined yet demanding sphere of the art industry, and the competitive landscape of fashion publishing.
Kim Hee-seon, one of South Korea’s most enduring stars, renowned for her performances in Angry Mom, Woman of Dignity, and Tomorrow, takes on the role of Jo Na-jeong. Once a thriving professional, Na-jeong stepped away from her career to focus on motherhood. Years later, she attempts to re-enter the workforce, only to find that the industry she left behind has little tolerance for those who pause their careers.
Speaking exclusively to India Today, Kim shared how deeply she connected with Na-jeong’s journey. “For me, it wasn’t just a story about returning to work—it was about rediscovering who you are and where you belong,” she said. She reflected on how society tends to label time spent as a homemaker as a ‘career break,’ a term that often carries a sense of loss and apprehension.
The drama’s depiction of the live home-shopping industry particularly impressed Kim. “It might look glamorous from the outside, but it’s one of the most high-pressure environments I’ve seen,” she explained. Every word and gesture is precisely timed, making it almost theatrical in its intensity. Conversations with real-life hosts revealed the extraordinary focus and quick thinking required to thrive in that space.
Kim hopes Na-jeong’s story resonates with viewers on a personal level. “If someone watches and feels, ‘I can start again too,’ that’s more meaningful than any notion of victory,” she said.
A fan of Indian cinema’s emotionally rich narratives, Kim also expressed her wish to visit India and, if possible, collaborate with Indian filmmakers. Her admiration for the country’s storytelling tradition hints at exciting cross-cultural possibilities in the future.
With its nuanced portrayal of identity, ageing, and resilience, Don’t Call Me Ma’am is not just a drama—it’s a mirror for anyone navigating the complexities of reinvention.
Don’t Call Me Ma’am is available on Prime Video.
