It is hard for many fans to believe that this is the same Kim Jisoo who once dominated Korean television screens in the 1990s. After years of controversy and what many describe as a de facto boycott in South Korea, the former top actress has now started an entirely new chapter of her life — as a CEO in Europe.

Born in 1972, Kim Jisoo debuted in the entertainment industry at the age of 20 and quickly became a familiar face during the golden era of Korean dramas in the 1990s. In the 2000s, she further expanded her fame across Asia with the hit drama “Women of the Sun”, cementing her status as a leading actress. At the height of her career, she was regarded as one of the most recognizable faces on Korean television, even earning critical acclaim and major acting awards.

However, alongside her professional success came a string of highly publicized personal scandals. In 2000, she was caught driving under the influence in the Gangnam area without a valid driver’s license, resulting in an accident. The incident led to administrative penalties and a temporary withdrawal from certain entertainment activities. A decade later, in 2010, she was once again involved in a DUI case after crashing into a taxi and leaving the scene before turning herself in the following day. This time, she was fined 10 million won and faced even harsher public backlash.

The most damaging controversy occurred in 2018, when Kim Jisoo appeared intoxicated at a press interview promoting the film “Perfect Strangers.” Arriving 40 minutes late, she reportedly spoke incoherently and made remarks perceived as disrespectful toward journalists. The situation escalated to the point where her agency canceled the press conference, and she later issued a public apology.

Although no official industry-wide ban was imposed, Kim Jisoo effectively disappeared from mainstream Korean entertainment. Producers reportedly distanced themselves from her, and casting opportunities dried up. Once a celebrated award-winning actress with a rich filmography spanning television and cinema, she gradually faded from the spotlight amid sustained public criticism.

Facing limited prospects for a comeback in Korea, Kim Jisoo made a bold decision: she relocated to Prague in the Czech Republic. Rather than struggling in obscurity, she has reinvented herself as an entrepreneur. Recently, she revealed that she has established her own travel company in Prague and is now serving as its CEO.

Sharing her journey on social media, she wrote, “In May 2024, I packed my backpack and came here alone because I fell deeply in love with the city of Prague. That trip became the starting point for me to run a travel company. It’s still small as we are in the process of restructuring and relaunching, but I am gradually planning themed tours and special events.”

She added, “Being a boss who just folds her arms and watches is not my style. Except when I have to return to Korea for unavoidable work, I plan to accompany customers on tours and greet them in person as often as possible. I would be truly grateful if you warmly support this new beginning.”

From award-winning actress to scandal-ridden celebrity, and now to businesswoman in Europe, Kim Jisoo’s transformation marks one of the most dramatic reinventions among Korean stars in recent years. Whether the public will one day welcome her back to the screen remains uncertain, but for now, she appears determined to carve out a completely different path far from the Korean entertainment industry.