Kim Sejeong recently shared warm reflections after reuniting with a former gugudan member seven years after the group’s disbandment, expressing her hope that they will continue to grow and remain in the entertainment industry for a long time.
“Aram and I go to the same salon. On the day she stopped by before her production presentation, I was on my way to a drama shoot. I was so happy to see her. We sincerely cheer each other on,” Kim Sejeong said during a roundtable interview held last month at a café in Gangnam.
Kim Sejeong starred as the lead character Park Dal-i in the MBC Friday–Saturday drama Moon River, which aired last year. The drama is a romantic fantasy historical series about a crown prince who has lost his smile and a peddler who has lost her memory, whose spirits become intertwined, leading to an emotionally resonant story about empathy and role reversal.
Ahead of its broadcast, MBC had struggled with low ratings, with several dramas hovering around the 1–2% range. As Moon River was scheduled as the network’s final Friday–Saturday drama of 2025, expectations and pressure were high. The director even admitted at the press conference that the burden felt overwhelming. Despite this, the drama premiered with a solid 3.8% rating and ended on a high note, reaching a peak of 6.8% in its final episode.
Kim Sejeong first rose to fame in 2016 after ranking second on Produce 101, debuting as an idol before expanding her career as a solo singer and actress. She proved her strength as a leading actress with The Uncanny Counter in 2020 and gained global popularity through Business Proposal in 2022. While her 2024 drama Brewing Love received mixed reviews, her first-ever historical drama role in Moon River marked an important turning point in her 10-year career.
Known for her bright, “sunshine-like” image since her debut, Kim Sejeong took on the challenge of playing triple roles in Moon River, once again proving her presence as a beloved female lead and earning praise for creating one of her most memorable characters to date.
Kim Sejeong was also a member of Jellyfish Entertainment’s girl group gugudan, which debuted in 2016. The group’s youngest member, Hyeyeon, left in 2018 and later transitioned into acting under the name Jo Aram. In an interesting coincidence, Jo Aram’s MBC drama To the Moon wrapped up last year, followed by Kim Sejeong’s Moon River, both titles featuring the word “moon.”
Although gugudan officially disbanded in 2020 after four years without major commercial success, the members have continued to pursue individual paths. Kim Sejeong commented, “Not only Aram, but Mina as well—there are quite a few gugudan members who went into acting. I hope we can all keep growing in our own places and stay in this industry for a long time as good friends.”
On December 17, 2025, shortly before Moon River ended, Kim Sejeong released her first single album, Solar System. The track is a reinterpretation of Sung Si Kyung’s 2011 song of the same name. Explaining the timing, she said she wanted to meet fans after finishing the drama and give them a small gift, which became the motivation behind the album.
“I had a feeling that once the drama ended, I’d really want to sing again. So from the moment I joined Moon River, I discussed with my company about preparing an album alongside the drama,” she shared.
Reflecting on her mindset, Kim Sejeong said, “I believe a project’s results are ultimately up to fate. Actors and staff just do their best at every shoot. That’s what matters most, so I decided not to obsess over outcomes anymore.” She added that both acting and music are about sincerity and effort, and receiving love in return feels especially meaningful.
She also expressed gratitude for the drama’s strong buzz and positive reception, noting that the viral clips and headlines made Moon River a significant milestone in her career. “What matters most to me is whether I truly did my best. Looking back at Moon River, I can confidently say I did,” she said with a smile.
Sources: Daum