Entertainment · K-Culture & Anime · 2 hrs ago
Kim Hye-ja returns to film after turning down a role six times
Actor Kim Hye-ja has agreed to return to film at 85 after turning down a role six times.
Director Song Il-gon wants her to lead his new movie about victims of Japan’s wartime sexual slavery.
Song visited Kim at her home in Yeonhui-dong, western Seoul, to ask her to take the part.
Kim said she had never played a role like it and felt scared.
Song persisted after her refusals, and the story says she has now agreed.
The film’s subject is the wartime sexual slavery of women by Japan, but no further details about the movie are given.
At 85, actor Kim Hye-ja is returning to film after turning down a role six times.
Director Song Il-gon chose Kim to lead his film about victims of Japan’s wartime sexual slavery.
Kim initially declined, saying she was scared because she had never played a role like it.
Song continued trying to persuade her after visiting her home in Yeonhui-dong, western Seoul.
- Who
- Actor Kim Hye-ja and director Song Il-gon.
- What
- Kim is returning to film in Song’s movie about victims of Japan’s wartime sexual slavery, after turning down the role six times.
- When
- The article was published on October 23, 2026. Song visited Kim last year.
- Where
- Song visited Kim at her home in Yeonhui-dong, western Seoul.
- Why
- Song wanted Kim for the lead role. Kim initially declined because she was scared and had never played a role like it.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Song visited Kim’s home in Yeonhui-dong, western Seoul, to ask her to star in his film.
Kim turned down the role, and Song continued trying to persuade her.
Kim is returning to film in the role, according to the article headline.
- Kim Hye-ja’s age
- 85
- Role refusals
- Six
- Director
- Song Il-gon
- Film subject
- Victims of Japan’s wartime sexual slavery
- Visit location
- Yeonhui-dong, western Seoul
- Publication date
- October 23, 2026
What people are saying
I just want to be like a nameless wildflower.
I've never played a role like this before, and I'm scared, so I don't want to do it,