Actress Kim Se Jeong, who recently wrapped up 'Moon River' successfully, also spoke candidly about her identity as a singer.
Kim Se Jeong recently sat down for an interview with iMBC Entertainment at a location in Gangnam, Seoul, to commemorate the conclusion of MBC’s Friday–Saturday drama The Moon Flows Over the River (written by Cho Seung Hee, directed by Lee Dong Hyun).
Moon River is a romance fantasy historical drama centered on a body-swap premise, depicting a crown prince who has lost his ability to laugh and a female merchant who has lost her memories. The story follows the dynamic romance between the cold, image-obsessed Crown Prince Lee Kang (played by Kang Tae Oh), whose body is suddenly switched, and the lively and quick-witted merchant Park Dal Yi (played by Kim Se Jeong).
In the drama, Kim Se Jeong portrays Park Dal Yi, a traveling merchant known for her earthy Chungcheong dialect and clever rhetoric. From the tough yet warm-hearted Park Dal Yi, to Yeon Wol, a crown princess burdened by tragic fate, and even Dal Yi inhabited by the soul of Crown Prince Lee Kang, Kim effectively took on what amounted to nearly three roles in one, showcasing wide-ranging character transformations.
Before establishing herself as an actress, Kim Se Jeong was already beloved by the public as an idol and singer. While Moon River was airing, she also made a musical comeback, releasing her first single album Solar System on the 17th. The song is a reinterpretation of Sung Si Kyung’s 2011 original, delivered with Kim’s own emotional sensibility.
She explained, “Being a singer is something I just can’t let go of. When I act, I want to sing, and when I sing, I want to act. It felt like the right time to return as a singer, so I decided to sing again after a long while.”
Her first solo song Flower Road, which has become synonymous with Kim Se Jeong herself, also appeared in a meaningful scene in River Moon. In the drama, Crown Prince Lee Kang lays down a literal path of flower petals for Park Dal Yi, a moment that deeply moved viewers. Kim shared, “At first, I wondered if it was okay to reference ‘Flower Road.’ I worried that including it might emphasize ‘me as Kim Se Jeong’ rather than the character.” She added, “Kang Tae Oh also had similar concerns with his famous line ‘That’s disappointing.’ When you have a well-known image, I think those worries naturally come up.”
Kim also reflected on 'Produce 101' and the group I.O.I, which played a pivotal role in shaping who she is today. With I.O.I approaching their 10th anniversary next year, anticipation for a possible reunion has been growing among fans. Kim responded cautiously, “Nothing is confirmed yet, but our willingness is strong. Since it’s our 10th anniversary, we want to give something back to the fans. We’ve been talking about doing whatever we can, as much as possible.”
Moon River aired its final episode on the 20th.
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