Musical actress Kim So-hyun is celebrating 25 years [1] in the industry with a concert and a public call for more challenging roles.
This shift in artistic direction marks a turning point for one of South Korea's most prominent musical stars, who has largely been known for leading, virtuous roles.
Kim began her musical career in 2001 [2] playing the role of Christine in "The Phantom of the Opera." Over the last two and a half decades, she has become a staple of the Korean stage, though she said that her casting in certain productions was not always met with immediate approval.
Reflecting on her experience in "The Last Empress," Kim said the production was the first Korean creative work to reach a 30-year milestone [3]. She said that some critics initially questioned the casting, suggesting she might be a mismatch for the role.
"I thought it didn't suit me at first, and I even heard people say it was a miscasting," Kim said.
Despite those early doubts, Kim has used her experience to build a versatile portfolio. She is now seeking to move beyond the traditional protagonist archetype to showcase a wider emotional range. The actress said she has a specific interest in playing intense antagonists to further her growth as a performer.
"Please call me for villain roles now," Kim said.
Kim performed the anniversary concert alongside her husband, fellow actor Son Jun-ho. The event served as both a retrospective of her career since 2001 [2] and a platform to signal her readiness for a new chapter in her professional life.
“"Please call me for villain roles now"”
Kim So-hyun's pivot toward antagonist roles represents a strategic move to avoid typecasting after 25 years of stardom. By publicly requesting 'villain' roles, she is attempting to transition from a beloved leading lady to a versatile character actress, reflecting a broader trend among veteran performers to seek artistic longevity through diverse role selection.
