Kim Sun Young reveals frustration over “ahjumma” roles dominating her career
Kim Sun Young is opening up about her struggle to break free from repetitive middle-aged woman roles since her hits When the Camellia Blooms (2019) and Crash Landing On You (2020).
The seasoned actress spoke on the YouTube series Song Yoon Ah by PDC, sharing how despite loving acting and reviewing her scenes obsessively, she rarely gets many lines or screen time.
Kim Sun Young:
“But in ‘When the Camellia Blooms,’ in one episode, I only had about five lines. It was mostly like that. Even in ‘Crash Course in Romance,’ apart from a few major incidents, I didn’t have many lines, either. I just filmed my scene and left. I love rewatching my scenes in the show, and I keep having to rewind and rewind. When I do that, I think, ‘If only they gave me a few more lines…’ Once my scene is over, sometimes I don’t appear for more than 2 minutes. So I end up thinking, ‘If only they gave me 3 more minutes…’ Because I want to see more of myself…”
Kim emphasized her desire not just for more screen time, but for roles with more depth and conflict.
Kim Sun Young:
“I want my role to have a bit of conflict or more dimensions, so I can use that to develop the character more.”
She also expressed how offers keep funneling her into “ahjumma” parts, restricting her range.
Kim Sun Young:
“I can’t get enough of acting, and I’m in love with it. But right after ‘When the Camellia Blooms,’ I starred in ‘Crash Landing on You.’ Both were middle-aged-woman roles. And after playing a middle-aged woman twice in a row, that image must’ve settled with me. I keep getting offers for similar roles… It’s restricting.”
Kim revealed the frustration led to a low point emotionally.
Kim Sun Young:
“I’ve blamed others, and I’ve blamed myself for it quite a bit. When I was alone, I crawled way deep into a hole. So you could say I fell into a slight depression… I just sincerely wanted to do acting but didn’t get the chance to. And I feel like I’m finally ready to do good acting.”
She broke down describing her obsession with acting clashing with the lack of opportunity.
Kim Sun Young:
“I was strangely too obsessed with acting. For 24 hours a day, all I thought was about acting, which felt a bit too extreme at times. But I didn’t get a lot of offers. I was so desperate… And it was true, I was bored out of my mind because nothing was making my heart beat anymore. But there was nothing else I could do. Acting is my life.”
Fans and netizens rallied around her, praising her flawless performances despite limited material and hoping for more varied roles.
Comments include:
- “She brings such a huge presence despite little screen time.”
- “Actors with controversial pasts keep getting roles, but Kim’s passion is real. She deserves better.”
- “Hope she breaks out with a huge, complex role soon.”
- “A chaebol role might be the break she needs.”
Watch the full Song Yoon Ah by PDC clip here.
