Kim Go Eun continues to captivate audiences with her fearless and nuanced performances, and her latest Netflix series The Price of Confession is no exception.
Playing Mo-eun, a mysterious, emotionally closed character with a shocking twist midway through the story, Kim brings tension, charisma, and subtle menace to the screen, earning praise as “as expected of Kim Go Eun.”
The Price of Confession tells the suspenseful tale of Yoon Soo (Jeon Do Yeon), a woman accused of murdering her husband, and Mo-eun, a figure shrouded in mystery and rumored to be a witch. Since its December 5 release, the series has drawn 2.2 million viewers (total hours watched divided by the series runtime) and ranked second in the Global Top 10 Non-English Series category. It also cracked the top 10 in nine countries, including South Korea, Indonesia, Singapore, and Thailand.
On Her Transformative Role
Kim Go-eun’s Mo-eun required a striking visual transformation. Sporting short hair, she carefully crafted a look that reflected the character’s cold, precise, and unsettling nature.
“For me, appearance is part of acting. I wanted Mo-eun’s hair short so nothing would hide her. I considered a half-shaved style, but decided to keep it manageable. I’ve wanted to try a bold haircut for years, but only if it fits the role,” she explains.
Her dedication extended to even minor details:
“Beauty isn’t about looking conventionally attractive—it’s about serving the character and the story. I made sure nothing distracted from the emotions Mo-eun had to convey, from facial expressions to posture.”
Preparing for the Role
Kim approached Mo-eun with meticulous thought, balancing the character’s psychopath-like intensity with believability:
“The viewers shouldn’t immediately know her truth. I explored what would happen if she acted completely alone, misunderstood by everyone else, emotionally constrained yet resolute. That’s how I approached her.”
Interestingly, the role wasn’t originally intended for her.
“Not every project works out for every actor. I’ve seen it countless times. But over the years, I’ve learned not to worry too much about it.”
Reuniting with a Mentor
A highlight of the production was working with Jeon Do-yeon again after ten years.
“When the casting was confirmed, I called her and said, ‘We’re so great together. Let’s do our best.’ It’s surreal to work alongside the actress who made me dream of becoming an actress. Even in small moments on set, I learned so much from her presence.”
Career Reflections and Recognition
From Exhuma, to Love in the Big City, You and Everything Else, and now The Price of Confession, Kim Go-eun’s consistent excellence has earned both critical and popular acclaim.
“Last year and this year have been miraculous for me. Success like this isn’t guaranteed; there have been times my work wasn’t recognized. That’s why I value every moment,” she reflects.
Praise from industry peers further cements her status. Director Jang Jae-hyun called her “a Korean actress to be proud of,” while Park Ji-hyun described her as “a blessing to the Korean art world.” Kim Go-eun humbly acknowledges these accolades:
“It’s touching because it reflects the time and connection we’ve shared, not just my abilities. Even extreme compliments carry warmth and sincerity.”
On Being a Senior and Role Model
Kim Go-eun values her role as a senior in the industry, balancing guidance with camaraderie:
“Seniors are complicated. I remember the fun of being a junior—joking, learning, playing—and now I try to pass that experience along while remaining genuine.”
Whether it’s dramatic transformations, emotionally complex roles, or collaborating with legends, Kim Go Eun consistently pushes her craft forward. Her recent string of successes proves that she is not only a talented performer but also a fearless artist willing to embrace challenges and redefine herself with every role.
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