Kim Young-ok: "I was the star of live broadcasts back when there were only 8,000 TVs... I'll retire when I turn 50 in God's eyes"

Actress Kim Young-ok reflected on her lifelong acting career, which has spanned from the dawn of Korean broadcasting to the present day. She shared her journey with calm wit, ranging from tales of her days as a lead in live broadcast dramas during an era when television sets were scarce, to her candid thoughts on retirement.

The Era of 8,000 TVs: Starring in Live Broadcast Dramas

Recalling the broadcasting environment of her early debut, Kim Young-ok described the turbulent conditions of the time. During an era when only about 8,000 televisions were distributed in Korea, she made her debut through KZ (the predecessor to KBS). Notably, she highlighted that because recording systems like those used today did not exist, dramas were frequently produced as live broadcasts.

In those days, live dramas carried the risk of mistakes being aired instantly if a line was missed. Kim spoke of the intense pressure of having to memorize every single line, noting the difficulties of dealing with unpredictable mishaps when errors occurred. Although she was active enough to lead live broadcast dramas, she continued her acting career driven by a vision for the future, often without receiving proper compensation. The days she spent borrowing travel expenses from her parents to focus on theater rehearsals were, for her, a period of investment toward her dream of becoming an actress.

"My prime is when I rest"... Choosing continuous acting over retirement

As a veteran who has spent decades on set, her perspective on retirement is unique. When asked if she had ever considered retiring, Kim replied, "I have never once thought about it." She confessed that while she once dreamed of a quiet life, thinking, "I'll retire once I turn 50," she realized upon reaching an age where retirement might be considered that now is actually a more supple and suitable time for acting.

Her remark that she only felt certain she could "truly act" after building a career of over 30 years suggests that acting is not merely about mastering a skill, but a process of maturing alongside one's life trajectory. Having never taken a break in her acting career, she continues to work steadily on various projects, including those with KBS.

Defining herself as being in her "youth," Kim Young-ok showed a positive attitude toward the changes that come with aging. Rather than worrying about aging, her stance—that her current activities serve as the driving force keeping her healthy—resonates deeply, reflecting not just her life as an actress, but her overall philosophy toward life.