No longer twilight years: The veteran female actors dominating Korea's Netflix charts

Television

Published: 23 Jul. 2024, 17:13 Updated: 23 Jul. 2024, 19:07

No longer twilight years: The veteran female actors dominating Korea's Netflix charts

Actor Kim Hee-ae plays Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs Jeong Su-jin in the Netflix drama ″The Whirdwind.″ [NETFLIX]

In the vibrant world of television dramas in Korea, the remarkable transformations of female actors in their 50s have become a captivating topic. Notably, Kim Hee-ae, 57, who stars in Netflix's hit original series "The Whirlwind," and Lee Jung-eun, 54, from JTBC's ongoing drama "Miss Night and Day," showcase the versatility and depth of womanhood through their nuanced acting. "The Whirlwind," which was released on June 28, is still on top in Netflix's Top 10 TV rankings in Korea, which is followed by “Miss Night and Day," ranked No. 2 as of Tuesday.

The acting showdown between Kim, who has never missed a leading role in over 30 years, and Lee, who has finally snagged a lead role after decades of supporting roles, is a spectacle to witness. Both actors break free from their long-established molds, offering fresh perspectives on their craft.

Kim portrays politician Jeong Su-jin in the political drama "The Whirlwind," written by Park Kyung-soo. In a striking narrative twist, she opposes President Park Dong-ho, played by Sul Kyung-gu, in his first leading drama role. This dynamic subverts traditional gender roles, positioning Kim as the villain, while Sul embodies the hero fighting for justice. This reverses the common trope in Korean dramas of a female protagonist breaking the glass ceiling against a male antagonist.

Throughout her illustrious career, Kim has consistently portrayed strong female characters. She gained prominence in the 1992 drama "Son and Daughter," where she played Hoo-nam, a woman overcoming gender discrimination. Kim later transformed into a symbol of infidelity in “My Husband's Woman” (2007) and explored a May-to-December romance in "Secret Love Affair" (2014). Her evolving roles continued with "The World of the Married" (2020), where she fiercely punishes her cheating husband, and "Queenmaker" (2023), where she portrays a cold political strategist.

Kim’s role as Jeong in "The Whirlwind" marks a significant departure from her previous characters. While both Jeong and her previous role, Do-hee, embody the “ssen unnie” (strong woman) trope, Jeong is distinctively different. She remains a villain throughout, avoiding the idealization often forced upon female characters. Her backstory involves collusion with political and business circles, adding complexity without excusing her actions.

Actor Kim Hee-ae plays Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs Jeong Su-jin in the Netflix drama ″The Whirdwind.″ [NETFLIX]

"It's intriguing that Kim, who has long been associated with melodramatic roles emphasizing beauty, is now tackling challenging roles with complex inner conflicts in political dramas," said pop culture critic Lee Young-mi. "The awkwardness and discomfort in her performance stem from the difficulty of shedding a long-fixed acting style, but she is making a commendable effort by altering her appearance and demeanor."

Actor Kim Hee-ae plays Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs Jeong Su-jin in the Netflix drama ″The Whirdwind.″ [NETFLIX]

“A villain should not only show malice but also a cunning inclusiveness," she added. The problem is that Kim is still too pretty. She needs to get used to roles that forsake beauty as she ages.”

Actor Lee, who finally took a leading role in a romantic comedy in her 50s after decades of supporting roles, is going in the opposite direction of Kim.

She has moved from playing grandmother roles in her 20s to taking on younger roles in her 50s. "Miss Night and Day" tells the story of Mi-jin, played by singer and actor Jeong Eun-ji, a job seeker in her 20s. Mi-jin ages suddenly into a woman in her 50s called Lim Soon, played by actor Lee, but only in the daytime. Soon successfully gets a job as a senior intern, and finds love.

Lee's portrayal of the 28-year-old with a smile full of wrinkles, performing K-pop dances and using trendy slang, has made her endearing to audiences. The narrative, blending romantic fantasy and thriller elements, breaks stereotypes about age and appearance.

"The character's blend of youthful energy and mature sensibilities serves as a metaphor for Lee’s career, which is flourishing in her 50s," said culture critic Lee Young-mi.

Mi-jin and Soon are rare cases, where the bodies of people in their 20s and 50s share a single personality like conjoined twins. The plot, a mix of web novel-style romantic fantasy and thriller, is still mysterious but clearly breaks stereotypes about appearance and age.

Actor Lee Jung-eun in JTBC drama ″Miss Night and Day″ [JTBC]

The difference between the personalities make up the charm of the character. Unlike the stereotypical Gen Z person, the character praises labor, and unlike the typical Gen X person, the character has younger sensibilities. This serves as a metaphor for actor Lee, whose career is blooming in her 50s.

Lee's career path is also significant, like Kim’s, but in a different way. Debuting in theater in 1991, she established herself as an irreplaceable grandmother in shows like "Subway Line 1" (1994) and "Laundry" (2008). However, she had no on-screen media presence until director Bong Joon-ho of “Parasite” (2019) fame cast her for a voice role in the film "Okja" (2017).

In her late 40s, she became a distinctive scene-stealer with roles like the faithful Haman-daek in the drama "Mr. Sunshine" (2018) and the character Gook Moon-gwang in the film "Parasite.” After appearing in the star-studded "Our Blues" (2022), she secured a leading role in "Miss Night and Day."

Both Kim and Lee are trailblazers, redefining the roles of middle-aged female actors. Their respective paths highlight the evolving representation of women in media, reflecting the diverse roles women occupy in society.

"Although their paths are entirely different, both represent significant advancements," said culture critic Lee. "It is fascinating to see how older actors continue to carve out new opportunities and thrive."

BY YOO JU-HYUN [kjdculture@joongang.co.kr]