Actress Kim Sein has finally opened up about the truth behind her sudden departure from the entertainment industry years ago.
On the episode of MBN's documentary show 'Exclusive World' that aired on July 30, Kim Sein appeared as a guest and looked back on her past career.
She first became famous in 2011 after starring in the SBS sitcom 'Oh My God.' At the time, she was known as one of the most promising young actresses, landing big roles in movies and commercials. However, just as her career was taking off, she suddenly stepped out of the spotlight, leaving fans and people in the industry shocked.
Looking back on those days, Kim Sein revealed, "The CEO of my agency kept taking me to places like hostess bars and made my life miserable. On top of that, my mother collapsed. Every single day felt like hell. I hated living."
Kim Sein opened up about the family struggles that led her into acting in the first place. Eventhough she grew up rich because of her businessman father, her family lost everything in the 1997 Asian financial crisis. They were forced to live in a cramped storage room with no bathroom. She entered the entertainment industry as soon as she turned 20 to support them financially.
She admitted she took on revealing roles to help her family survive, saying, "We urgently needed tens of millions of KRW back then. Things were so bad for my family that I felt I had to step up."
She also shared that her father felt terrible about the sacrifices she made, saying, "My father was deeply upset. He kept saying, 'How could I spend the money my daughter worked so hard to earn?'" She recalled, "He blamed himself for his failed business. I felt so sorry for him. Still, no matter where he went, he proudly introduced me by saying, 'My daughter is an actress.'"
Sadly, her father passed away from a heart attack two years ago. On top of that, her mother has been in a coma for 15 years after suffering a severe brain hemorrhage, a condition that Kim Sein heartbreakingly described as "her soul being trapped inside her body."
After stepping away from entertainment, Kim Sein moved to Malaysia for a fresh start as a tour guide. However, when COVID-19 broke out, she was forced to return home to South Korea.
Kim Sein revealed that she is preparing to make her comeback as an actress. She said, "I want to continue taking good care of my big family and remain responsible for them until the very end. With a stronger mindset and a healthier body, I hope to take on a variety of roles and meet viewers again."
Similarly, trot singer Jang Hyeri, who originally debuted with Girls' Day, also opened up about being pressured by agency executives. In a Youtube video that was released in March 2025, she recalled, "When I was a rookie, I reluctantly attended a drinking gathering where I met the CEO of a well-known entertainment agency." She continued, "He told me, 'I'll make you a star if you become my girlfriend.' When I refused, he later told me, 'The reason you never became famous is because you rejected my offer.'"
