[Dispatch=Reporter Lee Ah-jin] "Why not add a medical drama to my acting career?" (Kim Ji-won)

Every actor has their own path. Some actors solidify their signature color in one genre. Others continuously cross genre boundaries and show new facets.

Kim Ji-won is the latter. She does not stay in familiar territory. She has broadened her acting range by encountering new characters in each project. From romance to fantasy to historical dramas. She has continuously reinvented herself across genres.

She took on a new challenge this time. She appeared in her first medical drama since debut, SBS-TV's 'Doctor X: The Era of White Mafia' (hereinafter 'Doctor X'). She is gaining popularity for her overwhelming charisma and restrained emotional acting.

'Dispatch' traced back her acting career.

◆ "The Birth of the Romance Comedy Queen"

Her presence stood out from her early career. In 2011, on MBC-TV's 'High Kick! The Counterattack of the Short-Legged,' she played high school student Kim Ji-won. With a pure appearance and spirited tone of voice, she made an impression with her rich expressions.

In SBS-TV's 'The Heirs' (2013), she took on the role of Yura Hwal. She was a cold and arrogant heiress to a conglomerate family. Within her annoying actions, she melted the emotions of a girl clumsy in love. She perfected an unlikeable villain.

KBS-2TV's 'Descendants of the Sun' (2016) was her first turning point. As military doctor Yoon Myung-joo, she shed her student image. She gained significant popularity while unfolding a romance between a military couple with Jin-gu (played by Seo Dae-young).

Even before broadcast, she drew attention rivaling the main couple. Netizens were excited about a 37-second teaser video of Kim Ji-won holding Jin-gu with trembling eyes. In the actual broadcast, she garnered attention with precise diction and delicate emotional acting.

Kim Ji-won's performance led to her first lead role in a romance. In KBS-2TV's 'Fight, My Way' (2017), she played Choi Ae-ra, who dreams of becoming an announcer. She made full use of her accumulated experience.

She induced laughter with her nonchalant tone and comic expressions. She even presented rough and stubborn moments affectionately. She left behind the catchphrase, "It's not that I'm acting cute; I was just born cute." The birth of the next-generation romance comedy queen had arrived.

◆ "Refusing to Rest on Her Laurels"

The next step for the romance comedy queen was historical drama. Instead of playing it safe, she appeared in the film 'Sherlock: The Secret of the Shadow God' (2018). She played Wol-yeong, a mysterious woman who has lost her memory.

Afterwards, she ventured into fantasy in tvN's 'Arthdal Chronicles' (2019). She played Tanya, heir to an ancient tribe. Even within an unfamiliar world, she steadily built Tanya's growth story. She depicted the process of a bright girl hardening as she accepted her fate.

In Kakao TV's 'How to Love' (2020), she played two characters: Lee Eun-o and Yoon Seon-ah. She displayed contrasting charm, alternating between vacant expressions and sparkling eyes.

In JTBC's 'The Light in Your Eyes' (2022), she was different again. She played Yeom Mi-jung, tired of her repetitive daily life. With monotone expressions and soft voice, she depicted withdrawn youth in society.

Particularly, the line "Please admire me" became symbolic of the work. She invested suppressed frustration and longing to be loved into the unfamiliar word. Through restrained emotional acting, she moved viewers' hearts.

The secret to Kim Ji-won presenting diverse characters is her spirit of challenge. In interviews, she emphasized, "Excitement and fear coexist whenever I meet a new character," and "However, I believe in the value of growth that comes when I overcome that fear."

She placed more weight on the possibility of taking a step further than the burden of unfamiliar roles. Her repeated challenges made her acting increasingly solid. They allowed her to grow into an authentic actress.

◆ "Reborn as a Box Office Queen"

tvN's 'The Queen of Tears' (2024) was a work that concentrated all her inner depth. She took on the role of Hong Hae-in, third-generation heiress of Queens Group. She drew viewers' attention with her confident attitude and gorgeous visuals. Even her costumes and accessories became topics of discussion.

Above all, her delicate emotional acting shone. She varied the texture of her emotions according to her changing relationship with Baek Hyun-woo (played by Kim Soo-hyun). She hid affection in her indifferent expression, adding persuasiveness to their love-hate romance.

After receiving a terminal diagnosis, she led the drama with heartfelt tearful acting. Episode 14, where she sobs to Baek Hyun-woo who came to find her, "Stop making me want to live," is a prime example.

Kim Ji-won burst forth both her lingering attachment to life and her fear of parting. Her voice, which had seemed resigned and subdued, eventually broke into sobs. She turned living rooms across the nation into tears.

The result was a global phenomenon. With a final episode nationwide viewership of 24.9%, it set a new all-time record for tvN dramas. On Netflix's non-English TV category, it also topped the global top 10 for 10 consecutive weeks.

◆ "Expanding Her Filmography"

After 'The Queen of Tears,' all eyes turned to Kim Ji-won's next project. Her choice after two years was unexpected. She transformed into genius surgeon Kae Soo-jung through the medical drama 'Doctor X'.

Kim Ji-won once said in an interview, "I want to choose projects the way I play baduk. I hope to look far ahead, not just the move in front of me, but to the moment the game ends."

'Doctor X' was another move she made. She revealed a face she had not shown before. With unwavering eyes and solid vocal delivery, she brought out the character's strength. She convincingly portrayed a doctor who does not bend to power.

She naturally uttered textbook-like lines such as "Are only you people? Patients are people too." She did not use exaggerated intonation and expression. She heightened the refreshing feeling through a calm but weighty tone.

She smoothly unfolded Kae Soo-jung's unexpected twist of charm. In front of dessert, she widened her eyes. In front of a lecturing boss, she ate cup ramen without blinking once.

Her move succeeded this time as well. 'Doctor X' achieved a nationwide viewership of 19.5% by episode 6. Ranking fifth among all SBS Friday-Saturday dramas. It is continuing its winning streak.

Just as genius doctor Kae Soo-jung saves any patient, Kim Ji-won also proved she can bring any genre to life. Where her next move will go remains unknown. Yet whatever choice she makes will generate anticipation. That is the strength of the filmography she has built.

<Photo sources=SBS, tvN, KBS, JTBC>