TV CHOSUN's new Monday-Tuesday miniseries "Because There Is No Next Life" signals that Kim Hee-seon is set to surpass her career-defining roles with a relatable, realistic performance featuring her first-ever frizzy perm and loose T-shirts.
The new TV CHOSUN Monday-Tuesday miniseries "Because There Is No Next Life," directed by Kim Jeong-min and written by Shin I-won, which is scheduled to premiere Nov. 10 at 10 p.m., is a comedic coming-of-age story about three 41-year-old friends exhausted by the same daily routine, the war of childrearing and the rat race of office life as they bumble their way toward a better "complete life." It depicts the "growing pains" of three friends facing a second adolescence at a time often described as the most anxious and confusing period in life, who try once more to live their lives well.
In "Because There Is No Next Life," Kim Hee-seon plays Jo Na-jung, a former successful home-shopping host who chose to resign to raise her two sons, a "career-interrupted mother." In the drama, Jo Na-jung tries to restart her career after a break, but she struggles against the harsh realities she faces.
In this context, Kim Hee-seon amplifies interest by revealing the first look at her transformation from the dazzling presence of a home-shopping host earning nine-figure salaries to the ordinary life of a career-interrupted housewife, Jo Na-jung. Kim Hee-seon, for the role of Jo Na-jung, challenges herself with a frizzy perm for the first time since her debut and works to realize a wholly relatable "everyday mom" visual. Having proven an unlimited acting range from romantic comedies to genre pieces, expectations are high for how Kim Hee-seon will portray Jo Na-jung.
Kim Hee-seon said, "I also took a six-year break from acting after marriage. The emotions I felt during that gap are very similar to Jo Na-jung's. Having gone through realistic worries and moments of choice, this character's feelings didn't feel like someone else's to me. I hope Jo Na-jung, who was buried in housework and childrearing, can rediscover herself through her journey to regain work and dreams," explaining her reason for taking the role and leaving a lingering impression. She added, "As a woman in her 40s and as a mother, the emotions and concerns felt very real. Jo Na-jung is the brightest and most lively character I've played, and her personality, speech and actions resemble me a lot, so I grew fond of her."
Especially, Kim Hee-seon said, "I decided to let go of 'prettiness.' I got a frizzy perm almost for the first time since my debut and deliberately chose the most realistic 'auntie look.' The loose clothing, unadorned face — it's the look of a mother you can easily meet in daily life," adding, "I also want to show how Na-jung changes as she returns to society. It will be fun to watch Na-jung's styling change gradually. That's the charm of a coming-of-age drama," and added, "Because There Is No Next Life is a work that can give comfort to some and courage to others," giving the series special meaning and trust.
The production team said, "Kim Hee-seon is trying to perfectly portray the ordinary mother and housewife of our time with empathy, feeling as if it were her own story," and added, "We believe Kim Hee-seon's hope to give every mother who wants to stand up again the courage to think 'I, too, could start again' will resonate with home audiences."
[Photo] Provided by TV CHOSUN
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