Actress Kim Hieora is reportedly making a comeback to the silver screen after facing a significant career setback due to allegations of school bullying. According to a report by Star News on March 13, she has been cast in the upcoming film The Savior, directed by Shin Joon, which is scheduled for release later this year.
This marks Hieora’s first acting role following an almost two-year break—her last appearances were in the television drama The Uncanny Counter 2: Counter Punch and the musical Frida in 2023. Additionally, she has not featured in a film since her role in 2006’s Rock and Roll in My Heart.
Overview of The Savior
The Savior is set to be an occult thriller that delves into the troubling dynamics of a family grappling with a curse, trading nightmares for miracles. Alongside Hieora, the film will star Kim Byung-chul and Song Ji-hyo. Director Shin Joon is well-regarded for his previous work on Yongsoon, recognized at the 21st Busan International Film Festival with the Daemyung Culture Wave Award.
Given the burgeoning interest in Korean occult films, exemplified by the successes of titles like The Wailing and Exhuma, anticipation for The Savior is notably high. In her role, Hieora will depict Chun-seo, a single mother raising her son amidst extraordinary circumstances.
“I am so grateful to be part of ‘The Savior’, a project I really wanted to join. I have given my best for a great performance. And I hope for your interest and anticipation,”she expressed to SBS Star on March 13.
Understanding Kim Hieora’s Recent Controversy
Kim Hieora gained prominence for her portrayal of the troubled artist Lee Sa-ra in Netflix’s series The Glory, which concluded in March 2023. Her career trajectory continued to rise with a compelling performance in The Uncanny Counter 2: Counter Punch, which aired until September 2023.
However, her career faced turbulence in September 2023 when allegations of bullying surfaced. An alumnus accused her of involvement in an Iljin group during middle school, alleging she bullied peers and committed theft. Although she categorically denied the bullying claims, Hieora acknowledged her membership in an online community known as Big Sangji.
As a consequence of these accusations, she was removed from the tvN drama Jeong Nyeon. In response, Hieora publicly apologized on Instagram for her past behavior, expressing remorse and a desire for forgiveness from those she might have hurt. Despite the fallout, she maintained that the allegations were exaggerated and deeply rooted in her association with the said group.
While her career experienced a temporary slowdown, constructive dialogues in April facilitated new opportunities, prompting her to explore projects again.
Filming for The Savior has now been completed, and it is currently in post-production, with an anticipated release within the year.