In a recent interview held at a café in Gangnam, Seoul, Kim Sejeong opened up about her role in the historical fantasy drama Moon River and the much-anticipated I.O.I 10th-anniversary reunion.
Kim, who plays the lead role of Park Dal-i in the MBC Friday-Saturday drama, takes on a unique challenge with a three-in-one character portrayal. The drama unfolds a romantic fantasy set in a turbulent era, where a crown prince who’s lost his smile and a peddler who’s lost her memory end up swapping souls.
Since her breakout debut in 2016 through Produce 101, where she finished second, Kim Sejeong has worn many hats — idol, soloist, and now a fully recognized actress. Her career as a leading lady was cemented with The Uncanny Counter in 2020 and she broadened her global appeal with Business Proposal in 2022. Now entering her 10th year in the industry, she challenges herself once more with her first historical drama.
Known since debut for her sunny, upbeat image, Kim has evolved but continues to radiate warmth — a quality she channels deeply in Moon River. Her recent performance has many calling it her best role yet.
As talk of an I.O.I reunion surfaced, fans rejoiced. However, one name — Kang Mina — made headlines for confirming she will not participate due to her acting commitments. Mina, once in the same agency (Jellyfish Entertainment) as Sejeong and a former gugudan member, is now signed with Story J Company and focusing solely on acting.
In the interview, Kim Sejeong addressed the reunion: “We know fans have waited a long time. We’ve wanted to give something back for a while, and we’ve had many meetings.” But she clarified that nothing has been finalized yet: “We’re just trying to align our hearts and see if we can make it happen. If we can offer a gift to fans, we’ll do our best.”
When asked who is spearheading the efforts, Kim smiled, “There’s no leader. When someone drops a message in the group chat, everyone jumps in saying, ‘I’ll do it!’ It’s impossible to say one person’s taking charge.” She added, “All of us love and cherish I.O.I so much. Every single member is actively sharing ideas and attending meetings.”
Reflecting on their deep connection, she said, “Even if nothing special happens, just waking up to a message from the members late at night about how we’re all busy with our lives gives me strength.”
She even sought advice from member Chaeyeon, who had experience with historical dramas: “Just talking to them, sharing funny selfies — we laugh and recharge. Their presence alone gives me strength when I’m tired.”
Sejeong emphasized that the group still keeps an eye on each other’s work: “It’s not about critiquing skills. It’s more like thinking, ‘Wow, you’re doing great. You’re amazing.’”
She concluded with emotion: “Seeing them one by one accomplish things… even without knowing the details, you can feel how far they’ve come. It moves me every time.”
Kim Sejeong’s words reflect not only her continued growth as an artist but also the enduring sisterhood within I.O.I — a group still united by heart, even if paths have diverged.
Sources: Naver