Kim Ji-soo reflects on portrayal of families in South Korea, Philippines

Kim Ji-soo. Image: Instagram/@actor_jisoo

Touching on how family is portrayed in mainstream media, Kim Ji-soo noted there are not many differences between South Korea and the Philippines, as both countries value their families deeply.

Kim is one of the lead stars in the new film “Mujigae,” where he portrays Park Ji-sung, the absentee father of Mujigae (Ryrie Sophia), who will play his daughter with his Filipina girlfriend left in the care of her aunt Sunny (Alexa Ilacad). As Mujigae and Sunny develop a closer bond, Park visits the Philippines to take his daughter to his country.

Like in the Philippines, family is one of the most common themes in South Korean mainstream media. Some of its biggest K-dramas revolve around family bonds, including the “Reply” series, “My Daughter Seoyoung,” “18 Again,” “My Golden Life,” and “Strong Woman Do Bong-soon (where Kim is one of its lead stars),” to name a few.

“Family shaped this film, which I think that South Korea and [the Philippines] have the same love for [them],” Kim said of the film and how both countries have the same love for their families in an intimate press conference.

“All generations can relate to ‘Mujigae.’ I don’t think there’s anything different about showing [stories of family] in South Korea and the Philippines, especially since we’re all Asians,” he continued.

The actor signed with Sparkle GMA Artist Center in August 2024, and has since starred in numerous Filipino projects. When asked what he noticed about Filipinos while filming for the movie, he noted that his cast mates and crew have positive energies.

“Actually, it’s kind of the same in Korea. But when you’re here in the Philippines, I think people are [brighter], they always smile. And they always smile even if they’re tired. I thought that they had a positive energy, which I got from them. It was fun,” he said.

Kim said that he’s “getting used” to the hot weather in the Philippines, and enjoyed exploring new opportunities in the country. He also shared that he enjoys running and walking on the country’s streets during his free time.

“I am still trying to [explore] new opportunities [as an actor in the Philippines], from action to romantic, so I hope to [have] more good projects here,” he said.

Before starring in “Mujigae,” Kim appeared in the Kapuso series “Black Rider” and “Abot-Kamay na Pangarap.”