Kim Min-hee began modeling when she was in middle school, and soon appeared as a cover girl in teen magazines. In 1999, she was cast in the campus drama School 2 as a rebellious high school girl, which launched her to stardom. She became a popular young star at barely 20 years old, appearing in TV dramas and movies. However, a string of poor acting performances brought her negative criticism. Critics and viewers disparagingly called her an “attractive but blank actress,” more famous for being a fashion icon and actor Lee Jung-jae‘s then-girlfriend.
In 2006, after reading the synopsis of TV series “Goodbye Solo”, Kim knew that she wanted the role of Mi-ri more than anything, saying “I was ready to do anything to play her.” She begged renowned screenwriter Noh Hee-kyung to cast her, and though Noh turned her down five times, Kim would not give up, and her determination eventually convinced Noh to see her hidden potential. Vowing to start over from the bottom, Kim went through strict acting training which included basic vocal and respiratory exercises; she got a hold of the script before anyone else, and continued to analyze the role and practice every day. Kim said that until Goodbye Solo, she hadn’t been sure what to do with the rest of her life, but the drama made her feel that acting was her true calling, like she’d “finally opened up the first page of the textbook.” She received good reviews for her performance, and despite the drama’s low ratings, the role transformed her career. Since then, Kim Min-hee has cooperated repeatedly with Hong Sang-soo, in a series of roles that have netted a number of awards including Best Actress for “On the Beach at Night Alone” in Berlin in 2017. Her most renowned role, however, remains the protagonist one in Park Chan-wook’s “The Handmaiden”
On the occasion of MUBI presenting a number of her collaborations with Hong Sang-soo, we present ten of her greatest works, in order
10. Seong Hyo-gwan in Moby Dick (Park In-je, 2010)
Kim Min-hee plays Seong Hyo-gwan, a young journalist who knows much more about computers than her two colleagues. She has a smaller part, which allows her, though, to show some glimpses of her then rising talent along with her undeniable beauty, although Park refrained from drawing too much from the last aspect.
9. Cha Kyeong-seon in Helpless (Byeon Yeong-joo, 2011)
Jang Moon-ho is a successful veterinarian, who is about to marry his fiancée, Cha Kyeong-seon. However, during their trip to his parents’, the woman disappears unexpectedly, leaving a perplexed and frustrated Moon-ho wondering what actually happened. Soon, Moon-ho learns from a banker friend, that Kyeong-seon had earlier applied for a bank account but had been turned down when it was discovered she had a history of personal bankruptcy, some years before. As time passes, Moon-ho discovers that the girl was a complete stranger to him, to the point that he feels the need to hire Kim Jong-geun, a former policeman and friend to investigate his fiancé’s past thoroughly, while the discoveries have a growingly toll to his life and work. Kim Min-hee’s performance as Kyeong-seon is one of her most accomplished performances, before “The Handmaiden” era, in a role that gave her a chance to show how she had grown from her TV dramas years. In “Helpless”, her impact derives from her absence rather than her presence, but in the few scenes she appears, she is extraordinary, providing a performance that lifts the film above the plethora of similar films coming out of Korea.
8. Man-hee in Claire’s Camera (Hong Sang-soo, 2017)
The story takes place during the Cannes festival, and begins with Nam Yang-hye, manager of director Hong Sang-soo, firing her assistant, Man-hee, supposedly for being dishonest and for not being able to trust her. However, a bit later, the truth of the matter is revealed as does the role of the Director. Man-hee, not being able to change her cheap ticket, is forced to stay in Cannes, and eventually meets Claire, a French teacher and poet, who roams the streets of the area, taking photos with her camera. The usual motifs of Hong Sang-soo are present as always. The weak, alcoholic man (who is actually himself, more evident than ever this time), the drinking, the dysfunctional relationships between men and women, the slight surrealism, and as of late, Kim Min-hee, this time as Man-hee. Hong Sang-soo draws as much from her looks as possible (she is undeniably gorgeous), shooting her in very flattering settings and frames (not that she needs much), and having her on screen for the overwhelming majority of the scenes.
7. Ah Mi in Hellcats (Kwon Chil-in, 2007)
Ah-mi, as a young woman in her late 20s, faces issues that have to do with her future, both romantically and professionally. Her biggest issue, though, is that she does not know what she actually wants regarding both, and even more, what she wants to change or keep from her current life. She is also confused and frustrated, and, as most 20-somethings, finds solace in alcohol, that result in a number of hilarious scenes where she appears adorably annoying. Kim Min-hee is great in the role, highlighting her frustration in truly convincing fashion, as she appears as a disoriented woman to the borders of neurosis. The scenes where she is drunk and out of control are the highlights of a great performance
6. Chang-sook in The Day After (Hong Sang-soo, 2017)
Kim Bong-wan is the owner of a small publishing house and an unhappily married man, who has been having an affair with his assistant, Chang-sook for some time. Although the woman abandoned him a month ago, his wife Hae-joo, finds about the affair the same day Kim welcomes a new assistant, Ah-reum, a beautiful and intelligent young aspiring writer, who seems to resist Bong-wan’s constant charms. However, when an enraged Hae-joo enters the office, Ah-reum finds herself the victim of her rage, and a while later Chang-sook reappears. Kim Min-hee is great as Ah-reum, presenting a very interesting and strong character, who deals with Kim’s behaviour and the events surrounding him with the utmost decency. Her monologue about writing and the perception of life, among other topics, is one of the film’s highlights.
