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India Today
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- India Today
Kim Tae-hee says there is a pressure to look beautiful in K-dramas but…
For nearly two decades, Kim Tae-hee has reigned as one of South Korea's most celebrated female actors, known for her elegance and precision. From iconic dramas like 'Stairway to Heaven' to 'Yong-pal' and 'Hi Bye, Mama!', her projects have often been carefully chosen, each carrying a certain weight. Now, she returns with Butterfly, a spy thriller that also marks her Hollywood for her discerning project choices, she has been relatively selective in recent years, something she says is partly by design. 'In fact, I have two kids (she is married to K-pop idol and actor Rain) to take care of every day, so I'm always so busy and exhausted,' she says with a laugh in an exclusive conversation with India Today. 'But I always choose projects that make my heart race. This project was a challenge that really excited me. When I first read the script, I truly loved the story and my character. I'm always looking for this kind of meaningful and exciting project, like 'Butterfly'.'The six-episode spy thriller, set in Seoul, is packed with action, but it was the emotional undercurrent that pulled her in. 'What really drew me in was not only the exciting spy action but also the touching story about family bonds,' she says. 'I believe it's natural for family to trust each other, but the possibility of betrayal in certain situations made me really curious about how the story would develop. Eventually, spies are human too, and even killers can have families. In that sense, I think anyone can relate to and enjoy our story.' Tae-hee also reflects on what she has learned about herself as an actor over the years. 'Through this project, I discovered something new about myself,' she says. 'Compared to my previous works, I wore much lighter makeup, kept my hairstyle natural, and chose the most ordinary outfits for filming. Acting without an embellished look felt so comfortable for me. When filming Korean dramas, there's often the thought that you should look prettier on screen, even if the role doesn't require it. But this time, I acted with a truly unstyled, natural look, and that was a very new experience. I found myself acting so comfortably, it was a completely new revelation.'After two decades in the industry, Kim admits her relationship with acting has deepened. 'When I was just starting out as an actor, I simply worked hard to do my job well. I did my best in whatever role I was given at the time. But now I've come to love acting and my job. I really appreciate my work, and I feel happiest when I'm acting. So I want to take on more projects.'She also shares her intent to be more active moving forward. 'From now on, I plan to be more active and work harder in the future.' Before wrapping up, when told about her fanbase in India, her eyes light up. 'That really means a lot to me,' she says warmly.'Butterfly' consists of six episodes and is now available on Prime Video. It is headlined by Daniel Dae Kim.- EndsMust Watch
Tatler Asia
28-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Tatler Asia
8 unforgettable body swap K-dramas
2. 'Hi Bye, Mama!' (2020) After dying in a tragic accident, Cha Yu-ri (Kim Tae-hee) has spent five years watching over her daughter and husband as a ghost. Suddenly granted 49 days in a human body, she must decide whether to fight for her place or quietly move on. Although it's not a traditional swap, Yu-ri's journey of 'borrowing' life again mirrors the emotional transformations that define the genre: grief, acceptance and motherhood's endless pull. Also read: 9 iconic K-drama mothers you can relate to 3. 'Please Come Back, Mister' (2016) After dying untimely deaths, overworked employee Kim Young-soo and gangster Han Gi-tak are given second chances, albeit in very different bodies. Young-soo reincarnates as the handsome Rain, while Gi-tak ends up as the beautiful Oh Yeon-seo. As they navigate their unfinished business in these borrowed bodies, the series blends slapstick humour with poignant moments about love, loyalty and identity. Don't miss: 11 gender-swapping Korean dramas to watch, including 'The King's Affection' 4. 'The Miracle' (2016) Here, we have twin sisters who couldn't be more different: the slim, popular Shi-yeon (Kim Na-hyun) and the shy, plus-sized Shi-ah (Hong Yoon-hwa). After mysteriously swapping bodies, inhabiting each other's lives forces them to confront how cruelly they've treated each other (and themselves). This heartfelt web drama uses the body swap trope to explore self-worth, sibling rivalry and healing. See more: 9 most touching love confessions in K-dramas 5. 'Spring Turns to Spring' (2019) Self-absorbed news anchor Kim Bo-mi (Lee Yoo-ri) and self-sacrificing housewife Lee Bom (Uhm Ji-won) wake up one day to find they've switched bodies. Initially frantic to switch back, they slowly come to appreciate the invisible battles the other fights. Spring Turns to Spring finds humour in the absurd but never loses sight of the serious undertone: the complicated, often unseen lives of women. Also read: 12 inspiring K-drama monologues that capture life perfectly 6. '18 Again' (2020) On the brink of divorce and feeling like a failure, 37-year-old Hong Dae-young (Yoon Sang-hyun) wishes he could redo his life, and wakes up in his 18-year-old body as Go Woo-young (Lee Do-hyun). Unlike typical swaps, Dae-young remains himself mentally while reliving his youth, leading to hilarious (and sometimes heartbreaking) situations as he tries to reconnect with his wife and children. 18 Again is technically a reverse ageing story, but the emotional beats—regret, growth, redemption—are pure body swap magic. 7. 'Switch: Change the World' (2018) Though no supernatural magic is involved, Switch plays with the same identity hijinks. Sa Do-chan (Jang Keun-suk), a brilliant con artist, steps into the life of lookalike prosecutor Baek Joon-soo (Jang Keun-suk again) after he falls into a coma. With Jang Keun-suk pulling double duty, the drama becomes a fast-paced game of cat-and-mouse, morality and survival—all wrapped in a stylish con-man story. Don't miss: 11 green flag K-drama characters who set the standard for love 8. 'My Runway' (2016) Aspiring model Han Seo-yeon (Park Ji-yeon) and top male model Na Jin-wook (Kang Dong-ho) wake up to discover they've swapped bodies—and neither is particularly thrilled about it. As they struggle through photo shoots, industry politics and massive egos (including their own), the show dishes out lighthearted fun while touching on beauty standards and the pressure to conform. My Runway is a short web drama, but its sharp humour and heart make it a hidden gem for body swap fans.
