{
  "id": 16060147,
  "title": "At 85, Kim Hye-ja returns to film after turning down role 6 times",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/22/at-85-kim-hye-ja-returns-to-film-after-turning-down-role-6-times",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-22T15:07:03.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Korea Times",
    "slug": "the-korea-times-koreatimes",
    "url": "https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/entertainment/films/20261023/at-85-kim-hye-ja-returns-to-film-after-turning-down-role-6-times"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Veteran actress Kim Hye-ja, now 85 years old, has returned to film after previously declining to star in a film six times. The opportunity arose when director Song Il-gon visited her home in Yeonhui-dong, western Seoul, last year to ask her to play the lead in his new movie about victims of Japan's wartime sexual slavery. Song, known for films such as \"Picnic\" (1999), \"Flower Island\" (2001), and \"Always\" (2011), had previously chosen Kim as his first choice for the part. However, Kim had concerns about playing such a role due to her lack of experience and fear. Despite this, Song persisted, even writing Kim a lengthy letter. After six attempts, Kim finally agreed to take on the role. The film, titled \"Still Shining,\" premiered on Wednesday and marks Kim's first film in nine years, since her role in \"The Way\" in 2017. She will turn 85 on October 25 this year. The reason for her change of heart was the film's approach to remembering the victims. \"Still Shining\" follows Sun-ok and Jeong-im, two 18-year-old girls living in a remote mountain village in 1942. The roles of Sun-ok and Jeong-im were originally played by Park Seo-kyung and Choi Ju-eun when they were youth. The two inseparable friends are portrayed through their youth in the film.",
  "summary": "“I just want to be like a nameless wildflower.” That was what veteran actor Kim Hye-ja told director Song Il-gon last year when he visited her home in Yeonhui-dong, western Seoul, to ask her to star in his new film. Song, whose films include “Picnic” (1999), “Flower Island” (2001) and “Always” (2011), was developing a movie about victims of Japan’s wartime sexual slavery, and Kim was his first…",
  "key_points": [
    "85-year-old Kim Hye-ja returns to film after six declines",
    "Director Song Il-gon, her first choice, wrote her a letter",
    "\"Still Shining\" premieres, marking Kim's first film in nine years"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}