In the 1970s, Kim Kyu-sun was a beloved actress who captured everyone’s attention with her delicate features and glamorous figure. From her debut, she received love from the public. Especially in the drama ‘Manchu,’ she was considered the representative of innocent actresses, standing shoulder to shoulder with the top stars of the time. However, while enjoying the peak of her popularity, Kim Kyu-sun suddenly left for Japan after marrying a Korean-Japanese man. She retired from the entertainment industry to focus on her family and start a new life, but during her time in Japan, she struggled with a severe pollen allergy and health issues, eventually returning to Korea in the early 1990s.
People hoped she would return to the screen, as she made occasional appearances on some broadcasts, appearing to cautiously resume activities. However, Kim Kyu-sun once again disappeared from the public eye. Over time, Kim Kyu-sun’s name faded from the public’s memory, and after 25 years, her recent appearance shocked everyone.
Appearing on TV Chosun’s ‘Signal of Rescue,’ she lived in a house filled with garbage, wearing heavy makeup, and was referred to as ‘Grandma Penguin’ by the neighborhood residents. Claiming to have 79 gods, she showed signs of auditory hallucinations and delusions. Despite being diagnosed with schizophrenia by a psychiatrist and advised to undergo drug therapy, she refused treatment.
The apartment where Kim Kyu-sun lived for 20 years was 25 square meters, but it was filled with 4 tons of garbage, leaving no space to walk. Although the production team and fellow actors worked hard to clean up the house after the broadcast, her mental anguish persisted. She continued to make unrealistic statements, such as calling the tape on the front door ‘Father.’ After the broadcast, fellow actors and directors stepped up to help Kim Kyu-sun.
Director Maeng Man-jae and actor Jung Woon-yong, from the drama ‘Manchu,’ invited Kim Kyu-sun to script rehearsals to support her comeback. After persistent persuasion from neighbors and the police, Kim Kyu-sun finally decided to be hospitalized and began treatment at a specialized hospital. In the hospital, Kim Kyu-sun gradually changed. Local officials reported that she appeared more calm and revealed her beautiful face after removing her makeup, although traces of delusion remained. She acknowledged the need for treatment and was making an effort to improve.
Upon hearing this news, internet users expressed their sympathetic feelings, wondering why such a beautiful and loved actress had come to this point. They questioned the whereabouts of her family and speculated whether her marital life was the cause of her current situation.