In the drama 'I truly detested that one director', Kim Young-ok Confesses Feeling Hurt by a Former Broadcasting Station Director

Actress Kim Young-ok has revealed the behind-the-scenes story of the resentment she felt toward a former broadcasting station director, which ultimately led her to move to a different network. Kim reminisced about her days as a leading actress during an era when the television penetration rate in South Korea was as low as 8,000 units, working under harsh conditions where dramas were broadcast live.

The broadcasting environment at the time was vastly different from today. Since dramas were produced live, there were numerous episodes where actors had to improvise—such as mimicking a gunshot with their hands because a prop pistol was missing, or continuing a scene without a necessary kettle. Kim recalled the rugged filming conditions of that era, noting how active she was at the time, often taking on lead roles.

Kim spoke candidly about her conflict with a specific station director. She revealed that despite the director being aware of her talent, he prioritized actors already signed to networks like KBS or TBC, leaving others sidelined, which caused her deep resentment. She expressed how disheartening it was that, despite the need to utilize a diverse range of actors—including those with backgrounds in voice acting who had built their own acting careers—the casting remained heavily focused on established actors. She shared that while she found solace in meeting colleagues to share their mutual frustrations, she often had to hide her true feelings due to her pride.

"I truly detested that one director"—Moments that wounded her pride

Recalling the inappropriate remarks made by the director at the time, Kim shared her emotional state. She confessed to the blow to her pride, mentioning how the director exhibited an attitude of wanting to boast about his own achievements and made remarks that were unsuitable for her as a mother raising children. "I truly detested that one director," Kim said, adding that even after all these years, his tone and words remain etched in her memory. This led to a reflection on the weight of words and the lesson that one must be careful when speaking to others.

Moving to KBS and winning the Grand Prize for 'Blowing of the Wind'

Ultimately, Kim accepted an offer from another network and moved to KBS, which marked a major turning point in her career. She recalled that moving to KBS allowed her to expand her professional scope. She detailed the process of choosing a new path, leaving behind the grievances she held at her previous station when the opportunity from KBS arose.

Later, Kim gained widespread public recognition through the drama 'Blowing of the Wind,' where she perfectly portrayed a grandmother using a North Korean dialect in her 50s. Through this work, Kim reached the pinnacle of her acting career by winning the KBS Grand Prize for Best Actress. At the time, she was praised for proving her genius through acting performances that exceeded all expectations.