Kim So-Hyun is Ready for a New Chapter

What do you enjoy and find most challenging about being an actress?

I started out as a child actress but now I’m 21 years old. I feel like it’s the beginning of a new chapter in my acting career. In all those years I spent as a child actress, there were experiences that now serve as a very strong foundation of what I can do today. What I enjoy the most is being able to immerse a hundred percent into the character that I’m playing and really share the feelings that they’re supposed to feel. 

How do you usually prepare for a role?

When I first get the script, I don’t just go straight to memorizing my lines. I set plenty of time aside to really get to know the character like a real person. When I feel that I have really learnt about them, then I try my best to genuinely express the character. It has to be real for me.

What was it like working with Jung Ga-ram and Song Kang for your upcoming Netflix series, Love Alarm?

Jung Ga-ram and I went to the same university in 2018. He is very serious about his acting and very passionate. He really does his best for each scene. So, it was really helpful to have him around and I learnt a lot from him. He is a colleague you can depend on.

As for Song Kang, he is a very delightful, pleasant person to be around. With his great sense of humour, he was able to make everybody working on the set, happy and feel enthusiastic about what we were doing. It felt very comfortable around these two actors, and I was able to really enjoy working on this upcoming Netflix original production. We had a great chemistry when communicating with each other.

You’ve starred in a variety of shows, but are there any genres that you’re keen to try out?

So far, most of the shows that I’ve done have been relatively serious. I would like to venture into playing lighter characters with a sense of humour, or star in a comedy mixed with action.

What are your aspirations as an actress?

What I try to do as an actress is to communicate with the viewers, to create a shared feeling, so that if anybody is going through a hard time, they can watch me and feel some consolation and laugh, or be happy. I believe that’s what I am doing and I would like to continue to play that role. It is very important that I become successful as an actress, but as a human being, it is very important that I feel happy.

Would you like to venture into other careers besides acting?

I don’t have any big plans right now; I think I am very happy with acting. But, down the road, if other opportunities arise, I would like to learn more. Perhaps, maybe one day write a book. Because I really enjoy reading novels too, I would like to write a scenario or about myself.

How would you describe your style?

I don’t feel like I have really developed my style yet. I’m on my way to learning more about what suits me and what kind of style I feel comfortable wearing. Even if it’s pretty clothes, I have to feel comfortable in them for people who look at me to appreciate them. If not, I will definitely look awkward. 

What are your favourite styles from Gentle Monster and why?
There are very nice styles in Gentle Monster’s new 13 collection but, by far, my favourite is the East Moon, which I wore when I came to Singapore. I was very worried when I first tried them on because I don’t wear sunglasses enough to really know what suits my face, but the East Moon model was very comfortable and felt very natural. The glasses are flat, so it looks really chic. It’s not too much yet it accentuates a style and makes a point. 

What are your top 3 beauty tips?
The first thing that comes to my mind is that I love massages. Whether it’s a facial or a full body massage, I get one all the time. My second tip will be to eat healthy food that is good for the skin. I love eating, but whenever I have something important to do, like an important event coming up, I try to eat food that is good for my complexion and overall physical condition. My third tip will be to try to not get stressed.

This story first appeared in L'Officiel Singapore's April 2019 issue, available on Magzter.