Kim Yoo-jung opened up about her journey as an actress at the Busan International Film Festival's Actors' House program, marking 22 years in the industry since her debut at the age of five.
She first gained recognition as a child actress in Sympathy for Lady Vengeance (2005), later building a solid filmography with works like The Chaser (2008), Haeundae (2009), Commitment (2013), Thread of Lies (2014), and Secret (2015). On September 18, she appeared before a packed global audience at Sooyang Theater in Busan to share her growth and passion for acting.
Currently, Kim stars in Dear X, an On Screen BIFF selection set to premiere on Disney+ this November. She plays Baek A-jin, a character consumed by both desire and restraint. "It's a completely different role from my past bright and optimistic characters," she said. "At first I was afraid, but I realized if I didn't take this on now, I might miss an important experience."
Kim expressed gratitude for director Lee Eung-bok's guidance: "He respected me as an actress and gave me clarity on how to interpret the role, which helped me overcome my fear."
Growing with BIFF
Kim Yoo-jung is the youngest-ever featured guest at Actors' House. Her ties with BIFF date back to childhood, when films she appeared in such as Sympathy for Lady Vengeance (2005) and Secret (2015) were invited. She recalled her first red carpet in 2013 for Commitment: "The welcome I received was unforgettable. Every time I come back to BIFF, I gain new energy."
Reflecting on her career, she said, "I started acting before I can even remember. Back then, I instinctively performed the roles I was given. Now, I choose and truly love acting."
She compared her craft to building a mind map: "Every character branches out in different ways—colors, shapes, and paths. I piece together a character as if I'm designing a map."
From Child Star to Leading Actress
Kim shared a touching memory of the first time another child actor played her younger counterpart: "It was emotional. I felt the same warmth that senior actors once gave me when I was starting out."
While her early roles often reflected harsh realities, she has since sought brighter characters as an adult. "I wanted to view the world with positivity and share that energy," she explained.
Her recent 33-day pilgrimage along the Camino de Santiago in Spain gave her a new outlook. "At first it was just about walking, but it became about living—'just do it, just enjoy it.' It reshaped my perspective and gave me courage even in acting."
Looking Ahead
Kim Yoo-jung expressed interest in portraying professionals such as doctors or lawyers in the future. "Right now, I'm still at an age where I gravitate toward roles of dreamers, but one day I want to take on those more grounded, professional characters."
She ended by thanking her fans: "I hope today wasn't in vain. I promise to continue growing as an actress and to repay your love with meaningful projects."
