On January 14, a pre-release clip from tvN’s variety show “You Quiz on the Block” was uploaded to its official YouTube channel. Titled “Over 100 Auditions and 50 Minor Roles: Kim Hye-yoon’s Struggles Before Becoming a Rom-Com Star,” the video gave fans a heartfelt look at her difficult journey.
During the interview, MC Yoo Jae-suk mentioned how he found Kim Hye-yoon endearing, which made her laugh shyly and respond, “I kind of thought that too… but felt embarrassed to say it.”
Yoo Jae-suk confirmed, “Yes, I do find you adorable. You work so hard whenever you come on variety shows I even told the writer how much I enjoy it,” he said, drawing more smiles.
Kim Hye-yoon revealed that she started auditioning at the age of 17 in high school, attending over 100 auditions. At her busiest, she recalled going to three auditions in one day. Despite her efforts, rejection became frequent.
“I got rejected so many times that I started thinking, ‘Guess I’m just someone who doesn’t make it,’” she admitted. “Each time I went to an audition, I felt like I was just heading there to be turned down.”
One of the most persistent issues? Her height. At 158cm, Kim was often told she was “too short” for roles. She confessed it became a complex, and in desperation, she even fudged her height slightly on resumes writing 160cm instead. “I always got caught, but I still went around saying I was 2cm taller,” she smiled.
Incredibly, Kim Hye-yoon also appeared in 50 minor roles over a span of seven years before gaining recognition. Yoo Jae-suk commented, “That’s not easy to endure,” to which she responded, “It felt overwhelming at times. I wondered if I was on the right path, especially juggling work with my studies.”
Her honest and vulnerable story has inspired fans, reminding many of the perseverance behind her eventual success. Kim Hye-yoon’s full appearance will air on You Quiz on the Block at 8:45 PM KST that same day.
Sources: Nate