For actress Kimberly Kim, success didn’t come from fitting into Hollywood’s mold — it came from breaking it.“Later in life, I finally became the most comfortable in my own skin I’d ever been,” she says. “Realizing that I am good enough and deserve to give myself a great life changed everything. All that matters is that I try, and that mindset was so freeing. It allowed me to chase my goals and have a blast doing it.”
That shift in mindset has propelled Kim into one of her most exciting career chapters yet, as she challenges the long-held perception that women over 40 are no longer in the spotlight. “I pinch myself every day,” she admits. “The paths our sisters have paved, and how society has evolved, have allowed audiences to want to see older women on screen, and wow, we have such amazing stories to tell.”
From Modi to How to Divorce a Billionaire, Kim brings a balance of artistry and business acumen, honed from her background in finance.“I’m not discriminatory when it comes to booking jobs. The majority of the work is actually booking the job… auditioning, preparing, networking, creating a product to sell,” she says. “And I do consider myself a product because in the end, this is a business, and you better have a darn good product that people will pay to see.”
Her reputation on set reflects her strong work ethic. “I want to entertain and bring value to the production, so I need to be on my A-game,” Kim explains. “That means being prepared, professional, flexible, reliable, and fun to be around. And bringing that grit to the character, only the uniqueness of me can bring, that’s what every actor should try to do.”
Recently, Kim has been thriving in a fast-emerging entertainment format — verticals. “The best way to describe them is a cheaper version of soap operas,” she says. “It’s a great way to learn to be sharp and quick, probably more than you ever thought.”
The format, also known as micro-dramas or duanju, has become a global phenomenon, generating more than ¥50 billion (approximately $6–7 billion) in China in 2024 alone. Western audiences are catching on fast thanks to platforms like ReelShort, which saw downloads surge by nearly 1,000 percent year over year. “It’s a really good lesson in discipline and endurance,” Kim adds. “You have to be prepared, know your lines, and dive right in. There’s not a lot of room for discussion, it’s fast, it’s intense, and it’s incredibly rewarding.”
Kim credits her years of experience for giving her a healthier outlook on the ups and downs of the business. “I’m much more relaxed about it all,” she shares. “I don’t get nervous like I used to. I don’t take ‘rejection’ personally. There are so many variables to why you don’t book a job; it’s a numbers game. You keep throwing darts at the wall until something sticks.”
She also embraces her growing role as a mentor. “I’ve really worked to be a mentor to younger actors,” she says. “I’ve lived it, and I also have a 24-year-old son, so I see what a lot of these young actors are dealing with.” With confidence, versatility, and a strong sense of self, Kimberly Kim is proving that in the ever-evolving world of entertainment, talent — and passion — never go out of style.