Actress Kim Hieora has made her long-awaited return – not just to acting, but to redemption itself. Following the conclusion of her school violence controversy, the 34-year-old actress steps back into the spotlight through the film The Savior (directed by Shin Joon). In a recent interview in Seoul’s Samcheong-ro, Kim candidly shared how the movie became her “personal salvation.” According to Yonhap News, this comeback marks a new chapter in her acting career and a rediscovery of her resilience.
A role that came at the right time
Kim revealed that The Savior came into her life unexpectedly. “I was talking with a friend at a cafe, wondering if I should get a part-time job when my agency called,” she recalled. “They told me to read a script, and within 30 minutes, I knew I had to do it.” The film follows the mysterious events surrounding a couple, played by Kim Byung-chul and Song Ji-hyo, in a village where every miracle comes at someone’s cost. Kim plays Chun-seo, a struggling single mother whose emotional intensity anchors the film’s eerie tone.
Finding strength and perspective
The actress admitted that the aftermath of her controversy was isolating but also transformative. “I decided to take my deposit money and go to the U.S. I thought it would be a time to grow,” she said. “I studied, wandered, met people with broken English-just to rebuild myself.” Through that time abroad, Kim says she became more grounded and empathetic, viewing others’ pain differently and gaining maturity she poured into her role.
Her emotional transformation on set
Kim described filming The Savior as cathartic yet draining: “Watching myself on screen, I was shocked by how strong I looked. My raw emotions came out more than I expected,” she said. The director even asked if she was okay after certain scenes due to her intensity. Co-star Song Ji-hyo played a vital supportive role, making the filming atmosphere warmer. “She was always checking if I was okay and told me to eat and keep my energy up. I want to be that kind of senior to others someday,” Kim added.
A new phase in her journey
Although The Savior is her first feature film lead, Kim humbly said she doesn’t consider herself a “main character.” Instead, she hopes audiences see her as “a good actor,” not just a famous name. She expressed gratitude to her director, who gifted her a heartfelt letter after wrapping the film, telling her she “reached the peak of Chun-seo.” Kim shared, “That’s when I thought, maybe I can keep acting.” The actress concluded emotionally, “I just want to be remembered as a sincere performer-someone you trust when she’s on screen.”
Images are for reference only.Images and contents gathered automatic from google or 3rd party sources.All rights on the images and contents are with their legal original owners.
