On November 16, the YouTube channel ‘Fairy Jae-hyung’ uploaded a video titled “Yoo-jung, whom we’ve all raised since she was four — her broadcast life and the stories behind it.” The episode explored Kim Yoo-jung’s growth from child actress to leading star, along with the unseen struggles she faced along the way.
Host Jung Jae-hyung reflected on her journey, saying, “We all watched you grow into the Nation’s Little Sister. But we rarely got to see what was happening behind the scenes. You starred in a drama that recorded 40–50% ratings. Because people found you so cute and familiar, puberty must have been even harder.”
Kim Yoo-jung responded, “Now I understand that I was going through all of that, but at the time, I didn’t realize it.” She explained that her school life and filming schedule overlapped heavily: “I went back and forth between school and filming sets. I didn’t really feel people’s reactions outside. It wasn’t like today when social media was active.”
She continued, “It was only during Moon Embracing the Sun that I finally sensed how much attention was on me. I think that’s when puberty really began.”
When Jung Jae-hyung joked, “This sounds like a war. We should’ve invited your mom,” Kim Yoo-jung shared that she had desperately wanted the role: “I really, really wanted to do that project. I loved the words written in the synopsis. The way everything was described felt so beautiful that I begged to be part of it.”
Asked why puberty hit despite her passion for the project, she replied, “When it was the worst, I was around 16. I felt like I didn’t know who I was. It was a period of finding my identity. There was a time when I didn’t leave my room for a month. I would lie down alone with all the lights off.”
Her candid confession resonated with viewers who watched her grow up on screen.
Meanwhile, Moon Embracing the Sun tells the tragic, hidden love story between the fictional Joseon king Lee Hwon and the mysterious shaman Wol, played in adult roles by Kim Soo-hyun and Han Ga-in.
Kim Yoo-jung’s openness has once again drawn admiration from fans who appreciate her honesty and longtime dedication to acting.
Sources: Kyunghyang
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