Director Hong Sangsoo's muse, actress Kim Min-hee, won the best actress award at the Locarno International Film Festival in Switzerland, her first official appearance since giving birth, and two distinctly different visuals she presented during the event have set the internet ablaze.
Kim Min-hee received the best actress award at the closing ceremony of the 79th Locarno International Film Festival held on the 15th (local time) for Hong Sangsoo's new film "No Place to Look." It is a triumph that she held another trophy two years after winning the best actress award at the 77th Locarno Film Festival in 2024 for "Suyucheon."
The festival drew intense media attention because it was the first official event where Kim Min-hee, who had a son with director Hong Sangsoo in April last year, appeared as a mother. In particular, the completely different styling and visuals she showed at the official press conference and on the awards stage quickly became the center of attention.
At the official press conference held on the 14th, Kim Min-hee appeared with almost no makeup and natural makeup close to a bare face, wearing a simple sleeveless blouse. She said she had been juggling on-site breastfeeding and preparing baby food while filming, and with a more gentle expression and a steady demeanor she exuded a "motherly aura."
By contrast, on the awards stage on the 15th she displayed another surprising charm. Wearing a sophisticated black dress with subtle accessories, Kim Min-hee overwhelmed the audience with an elegant yet powerful aura. Her flawless beauty reminiscent of her heyday in the film "The Handmaiden," her sharp jawline and refined aura drew gasps from fans.
On stage that day Kim Min-hee, looking tearful, said, "I thank the director for creating a film as beautiful as poetry." She added, "I am with my baby right now," and "From now on I will act with only true love," expressing special affection for her child and director Hong Sangsoo, which drew attention.
Meanwhile, Hong Sangsoo and Kim Min-hee, who have been in a relationship for 10 years and have a son, have their new film "No Place to Look" scheduled for domestic release in the second half of this year.<
[Photo] Locarno International Film Festival live broadcast capture
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