Soo-ae: "Continuous setbacks with upcoming projects, ultimately due to scheduling issues" for four years
In an interview with Vogue Korea, actress Soo-ae revealed that her four-year hiatus was due to difficulties in securing a slot for her next project, sharing her inner struggle between impatience and faith.
Actress Soo-ae has personally revealed the reason behind her four-year hiatus from the public eye. It was not a simple decision to take a break; rather, she faced an unavoidable gap in her career as several projects she had prepared repeatedly fell through due to scheduling and programming issues.
In a pictorial for the August issue of the fashion magazine Vogue Korea, released on the 6th, Soo-ae shared her recent status after a long wait. Having been less active since the 2022 JTBC drama 'City of the Dead,' she demonstrated her enduring presence through this photoshoot.
"It might not happen, but I believe it will" — The weight of waiting
In an interview for the pictorial, Soo-ae candidly shared the realistic struggles she faced during her hiatus. "During my time off, I was constantly waiting for a project to be scheduled," she explained. She added, "Because the timing never aligned, projects kept falling through. I am still waiting for a project right now, and it seems to ultimately come down to programming issues." This situation arose not from the actress's individual acting ability or willpower, but because projects failed to cross the threshold of 'programming'—the stage where they can actually meet viewers through broadcast or OTT platforms.
The indefinite waiting became a source of psychological pressure. "Waiting is a strange thing. It is a mix of anxiety and faith," Soo-ae said. "It is the act of not letting go of the belief that it will happen, even while knowing it might not." She expressed her feelings of being caught between a desperate desire for work and realistic uncertainty.
Four years that were not stagnant: A meticulously filled daily life
While it may have appeared to the public that she had stopped her activities, Soo-ae's time was not standing still. "To those watching from the outside, I must have looked like someone who had stopped, but my days were quite full," she recalled. This implies she took time to recharge herself. Soo-ae stated that her hiatus was a process of finding balance in life, saying, "I am doing very well. There are many things to laugh about, I meet people, and I am learning new things."
She is also adapting to a different way of life compared to her past, when her schedule was packed. "I now have to fill the spaces that used to be occupied by schedules myself, and while that sensation is unfamiliar, it isn't bad," she said. Her words reflect an attitude of designing not just her acting career, but her personal life. She added that she has gradually come to believe that each day will somehow flow well.
The difficulty of SNS communication and the challenge as an actress
She also revealed her honest thoughts regarding how she communicates with fans. While communication through SNS or YouTube has become an essential element in the entertainment industry recently, it was not an easy area for Soo-ae. "Even just a few years ago, SNS or YouTube felt like an ill-fitting garment to me. Some actors enjoy those things, but it didn't come naturally to me," she said. She also reflected that this tendency might have been a factor in reducing her points of contact with viewers.
"Lately, I have been thinking a lot that perhaps that was the reason I became distant from viewers," Soo-ae confessed. She continued, "Even though I know we are no longer in an era where being a good actor is enough, the fact that doors do not open as easily as I'd like is my biggest challenge." This is a realistic concern felt within the changing media environment.
The return of 'Dress Soo-ae': An unchanging presence
In this pictorial, Soo-ae showcased a visual that lived up to her nickname, 'Dress Soo-ae.' She pulled off various styles, including bold dresses with side cutout details, oversized suits, and leather jackets. Her chic gaze and delicate changes in expression across bright and dark backgrounds revealed a deep presence that made the long hiatus feel inconsequential. Her styling, which moved between classic and modern, highlighted her elegant charm.
Since her debut in the drama 'School 2,' Soo-ae has built an extensive filmography through numerous dramas such as 'The Golden Age of Maeng-ga,' 'Two Outs in the Bottom of the 9th,' 'A Thousand Days' Promise,' and 'The King of Night,' as well as films like 'That Summer,' 'Far from the Sun,' 'Like a Butterfly,' 'Late Night FM,' and 'Flu.'
Currently, she is carefully reviewing her next project and preparing to stand before the public once again.
The hiatus since 2022
Soo-ae's last project was the JTBC drama 'City of the Dead,' which concluded in 2022. After a period of silence regarding her activities, she first shared her recent status with fans on the 5th by posting profile photos taken last year on her agency's official SNS account. The release of this Vogue Korea August issue pictorial marks her first official activity in four years.
