한국국제교류재단

Kim credits her mother for setting her on her path in the entertainment world. Believing her daughter had a special charm, Kim’s mother sent her to an acting school. Thanks to this encouragement, Kim started her career as a child actor in a cookie commercial. However, this was followed by countless auditions and rejections. Though she felt lost during her teenage years, she didn’t give up. In fact, she attended a high school for arts and majored in drama at university. Early on, she realized that she needed a “special weapon” of her own.

Being naturally athletic, Kim leaned toward action roles. While there were plenty of actors in the field, few seemed capable of handling the required acrobatic moves and physical challenges. She decided to push ahead in this niche, wanting to be an essential part of every project. However, her natural athleticism alone was no guarantee that she’d be cast, and she was unsure how to prepare for the roles she aspired to land.

The turning point came when Kim was taking a self-defense course at university. Noticing her talent, the professor said he wanted to train her as a martial arts performer. He introduced her to one of his former students who was working as a professional stunt actor at the time. That connection led to another, setting her firmly on the path toward a career in screen action after her freshman year.

Having debuted as a child actor, Kim enjoyed taekwondo, kendo, and speed skating when she was young. She capitalized on her strengths and special skills, transitioning into a professional stunt actor.

Kim admits that in her work as a stunt performer, she has wrestled with complex emotions. As she steadily built up her physical skills, her desire for speaking roles also grew stronger. “I wanted to be recognized as a ‘real actor,’ not just a stunt performer. I felt frustrated because I didn’t want my dream to remain just a dream. But I don’t feel that way anymore,” she says. She now takes great pride in doing work that others can’t handle, even if she doesn’t receive widespread recognition. What truly propelled her and gave her a deeper sense of accomplishment was being part of theSquid Game team that won the 2022 Emmy Award for Outstanding Stunt Performance.

It was a hard-won award — the other nominees included teams from Hawkeye, Moon Knight, and Stranger Things. The Squid Game team pulled off the intense “red light, green light” sequence in the scorching summer heat alongside more than four hundred extras, and endured the biting cold of winter with barely any protection.

Kim put considerable thought into how to physically express the desperation of the character Sae-byeok. She studied the actor Jung Ho-yeon’s movements, posture, and habits to make sure her stunt work stayed true to the character.

Although three years have passed since she received her Emmy, Kim still vividly remembers the overwhelming joy she felt: “I thought ‘Wow, I can’t believe I get to win an award like this in my life!’ I considered it an award I received on behalf of all Korean and Asian stunt performers.”

Though Kim mostly works on action and thriller productions, she says she likes watching romance films. She once cried her eyes out watching the tragic Korean love story Classic (2003). While she gives her all on set, she also describes herself as an introvert who loves to just lie around at home doing nothing.

By her side is a special friend she met while filming in China — a film production student who developed an interest in the Korean film industry. The student later moved to Seoul to study Korean, and the two have been fast friends since 2016. Now they’re even roommates.

“When I come home from work, she greets me with home-cooked meals and offers me hot tea, like many Chinese people do,” Kim says. “We used to speak in English, but now we’re getting used to communicating in each other’s languages.” While her friend was learning Korean, Kim picked up some Chinese, and now they comfortably switch between the two. After visiting Shanghai with her friend as a guide, Kim recently returned the favor by showing her around Gangneung on Korea’s east coast.

“While traveling, I realized I had been too locked in my work. I plan to make the most of my free time and travel more. I think finding joy in the little things is just as important as work itself.”

As part of this effort, Kim started a futsal team with her colleagues and plays during breaks in filming. Learning to pace herself has also changed her perspective on her career. She often worried that she might have to retire in her thirties due to the physical demands of stunt work. But now, she believes she can build a lasting career and thrive as a veteran action professional, even into her sixties.

Sometimes, Kim imagines herself taking on a speaking role. She hopes to return to acting studies and land a significant part before she turns forty. Her face lights up with confidence as she says, “The world is a big place. If I get the chance, I’d love to work abroad. Who knows? Maybe I’ll make it to Hollywood someday. I have a bright future ahead of me!”

Kim trains with a colleague. Accidents can always happen on set, so she makes sure to rehearse regularly with her colleagues to coordinate their moves.