Kim Hye-seon (김혜선)

Ajumma now depicted as smart, strong, cool

Source | 2008/03/12 | Permalink |

Call it ajumma power.
Ajumma is Korean for middle-aged women, and ajumma characters are currently in full control of the screen ― both television and film.
But they are no longer portrayed as aggressive or hot-tempered, for example, as a woman dashing for a vacant seat in the subway or elbowing other ajumma for the last grocery item on sale. They no longer wear loose floral-print pants or sport curly hair.
Their aggressiveness is presented rather as an endearing trait ― as enthusiasm for life and full tolerance of others.
Jung-geum (played by Bae Jong-ok) from MBC TV's "Park Jung-geum, Heavenly Beauty" is one example.
Jung-geum is a 38-year-old detective in charge of investigating violent crimes and a single mom living with a child. Her divorce transformed her into an uncompromising, tough woman.
In one episode, she shouts fearlessly at a knife-wielding gangster, "Stab me if you can. I'm just ashamed that I have to deal with a loser like you". The gangster turns tail ...| More

Feisty TV mom clobbers husband for cheating

Source | 2008/01/09 | Permalink |

The stereotype of a Korean ajumma, or housewife, is a stocky woman with a tight perm wearing loose pants and a bubble-patterned kerchief around her neck.
And most seem to deploy sharp elbows on the subway.
So it's a bit of a surprise that the Kim Hye-seon, 38, has transformed herself into such an ajumma in SBS TV's weekend drama, "First Wives' Club" (2007).
Kim plays Han Bok-soo ― which means revenge in Korean ― one of the toughest matrons around.
Bok-soo is loud and assertive. She takes on her husband when she finds out he's having an affair with Jung Na-mi (Byeong Jeong-min), his secret girlfriend.
Bok-soo feels even more betrayed because she has spent her whole married life selling fish at the market to support her husband, who wants to become a doctor.
In previous dramas like "Lotus Flower Fairy" (2004) and "Famous Princesses" (2006), Kim was a good-tempered shaman and a homely housewife, respectively.
It's the first time in Kim's 20-year career that she has ...| More