“My Name is Kim Sam Soon” revolves around the love story of a rich young man named Hyun Jin Heon ( Hyun Bin ) and Kim Sam Soon (Kim Sun Ah) - a girl with an unattractive appearance, unemployed, and abandoned by her boyfriend. From a relationship of enemies, the couple gradually develops feelings for each other.
With humorous content, groundbreaking depictions of female characters, challenging the typical stereotype of a fragile, weak female lead, and the charming acting of the actor-star couple, “My Name is Kim Sam Soon” received love from a large audience, recording a rating of up to 50%.
Sharing about the work's return to the audience, Kim Sun Ah could not hide her joy: "I think it can be said that I and the character Sam Soon are one. I didn't realize how much time had passed, but seeing the number 19 years really made me think. It feels like Sam Soon is always by my side, like a close old friend, and the film is like a part of my heart that is cherished."
Along with the anticipation for a new version of “My Name is Kim Sam Soon,” there are concerns about whether a film released in 2005 can still attract young audiences in 2024.
According to the Korea Times, with the time gap, some aspects of the original - such as fashion, social norms and the behavior of the female lead Sam Soon - a 30-year-old woman who always calls herself an "old maid" - may now seem outdated.
Or the fact that the male lead character Jin Heon, played by Hyun Bin , often speaks loudly and treats Sam Soon with contempt is also predicted to be difficult to gain sympathy from modern audiences.
However, according to director Kim Yoon Cheol, the film will still have considerable appeal. “Considering the worldview of people in their 20s and 30s today, I wonder if this is still acceptable. Audiences at that time were more tolerant of “bad boy ” characters , but from today’s perspective, even I find it a bit too much.
I felt that Jin Heon's attitude and way of speaking did not fit the contemporary sensibilities, so I removed as much as possible without disrupting the overall story.
Meanwhile, Sam Soon is someone who always strives to pursue both her career and love without fear of anything. It is rare to find such a character in our daily lives today. For this reason, I believe her energy and positivity can inspire the new generation.”
The 2024 version of “My Name is Kim Sam Soon” aired on September 6. The 8-episode drama has improved quality and sound to suit today’s audience.
