Kim, well-shod, chic and ready for her close-up

‘My Lovely Samsoon’  star in new MBC drama


Why deviate from a good thing if it is working for you? That is the overall impression initially given by golden girl Kim Sun-a’s latest endeavor, MBC rom-com “I Do I Do.”

The title is a dead giveaway.

Yes, actress Kim ― known for playing single ladies with verve and humor in MBC’s “My Lovely Samsoon” and SBS’ “Scent of a Woman” ― is tackling yet another unmarried heroine with Hwang Ji-ahn, a successful shoe designer in her late 30s whose career is sidetracked when she accidently gets knocked up.

Kim, however, has a different take on the matter. 

“My character’s basic personality is pretty different from previous single women I’ve played,” said the 36-year old actress at the drama’s press conference in Yeoksam-dong, Seoul on Thursday.

“If you discount the first several scenes, the tone is a departure from works I have done in the past. Really, the only similarity between this role and others is that she is single and unmarried.”

Indeed, unlike previous roles, Hwang Ji-ahn reads like a tough-as-nails, confident, assertive and wealthy woman. In the words of co-star Lee Jang-woo (whom many will recognize as the reformed brat from KBS’ “Glory Jaein”), she is a sort-of prototype for 20-something single friends of his who find a cool and financially independent woman attractive.

“I feel like it has been 10 years since I really got to go all-out with the makeup for a character,” Kim admitted that her latest character is more “Sex and the City” and Holly Golightly than her last stint as a penny-pinching office worker with no interest in fashion.

While the look, personality and fate of her heroine might be oceans apart from past leads, the level of pressure put upon her to deliver does not seem to have let up.

In response to a question about going up against actors So Ji-sub and Joo Won in rival dramas competing for ratings in the same timeslot, Lee, 25 (who is playing the heroine’s unemployed and significantly younger love interest) quipped, “The director said, ‘It’s okay, Kim Sun-a will beat out everyone.’”

Perhaps it is her relatively smooth track record, or just her knack for comedy, but “I Do I Do” director Kang Dae-seon revealed that “Sun-a passionately gives ideas for the series.”

“The bed scene is pivotal to the story so I suggested that I show my bare back and the director said, ‘Well, that’s okay with me,’” said Kim.

“I think the scene came out a little sexy.”

Viewers will have to wait to see Kim and Lee wrestle under the sheets when “I Do I Do” starts airing May 30 on Wednesday and Thursday nights on MBC at 9:55 p.m.

By Jean Oh (oh_jean@heraldcorp.com)