Actress Kim Hee-sun (49) recently expressed her thoughts on the buzzword ‘Young Forty’, saying, “Living according to one’s age is also tough.”
The term ‘Young Forty’ first appeared a decade ago, describing middle-aged individuals sensitive to trends and having youthful tastes. However, recently, it has taken on a derogatory meaning, mocking ‘middle-aged people pretending to be young,’ sparking controversy.
On the 10th, Kim Hee-sun attended the production presentation of TV Chosun’s Monday-Tuesday drama ‘Because I Have No Next Life’ at Stanford Hotel in Sangam-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul. When asked about ‘Young Forty’ related to her character of a 40s career-interrupted woman, she joked, “I’m at the end of the Young Forty era.”
She said, “Originally, ‘Young Forty’ didn’t have a negative meaning, but it seems to have been slightly distorted,” adding, “Trying to look too young seems to have backfired.”
She also added, “Living according to my age is a fortune and difficult. It’s tough to live simply according to my age.”
Listening to this, fellow actress Han Hye-jin (44) said, “Looking at (Kim Hee-sun) sister, I think, ‘It’s okay when I get to her age’,” adding, “Through our drama, we want to tell young friends that being in the 40s is okay.”
She further questioned, “Aren’t we okay?” evoking laughter.
Actor Heo Jun-seok (43) joked, “My face started changing like this since I was in the third year of middle school, facing the storms of time early. The happy part is that, leaving ‘Young Forty’, now my face matches my age. It’s just ‘Forty Forty’.”
Meanwhile, ‘Because I Have No Next Life’ is a drama depicting the growth period of three friends facing the uncertain and chaotic time of life, trying to move towards a better life.
Kim Hee-sun takes on the role of Jo Na-jeong, who was a promising home shopping host with a high salary but has a 6-year career gap after having two sons.
She confessed, “I also spent exactly six years raising kids after getting married, and my heart felt very empty,” adding, “I think 40s is a time when all women ponder at least once.”
She further said, “Na-jeong’s feelings were similar to what I felt back then, so I could relate well. Having experienced the same feelings, I thought I could express it better.”
‘Because I Have No Next Life’ airs every Monday and Tuesday at 10 PM on TV Chosun.
