[Herald POP=Park Seo-hyun Reporter] Actress Ko Min-ki’s wife, makeup artist Kim Sun-jin, appeared on ‘Just Makeup,’ marking her first broadcast appearance in about seven years and sparking mixed reactions.
Recently, Coupang Play unveiled ‘Just Makeup,’ a massive makeup survival program where makeup artists who represent K-beauty compete fiercely with their unique styles on a global stage.
Kim Sun-jin, who runs a beauty shop, joined the competition with the nickname ‘37-Year Genie.’ She expressed excitement, saying, “While I may be considered old, I’ve worked with so many, like Shim Eun-ha, Park Joong-hoon, the late Choi Jin-sil, and Shim Hye-jin. I thought I could show that there’s a certain sparkle that comes from being one of the first generation makeup artists. I felt it was a great opportunity to really shine again after such a long time.”
Kim Sun-jin’s makeup exam was judged by influencer Risabae, and both got emotional when they saw each other, as Risabae’s first job was at Kim’s shop. Risabae shared, “Standing there brought back so many emotions,” while Kim Sun-jin commented, “We probably both remembered the past. These tears must have come from those shared memories.”
Kim Sun-jin’s makeup theme for the day was ‘Fierce Woman.’ She mentioned, “I might be the oldest, but I want to be seen as strong, so I chose a bold makeup look. Though I’ve only been managing the shop and not doing makeup actively, I practiced a lot to regain my confidence. They say you never forget what you’ve learned through experience. I wanted to show the appearance of a strong woman.” However, she was unfortunately eliminated in the first round. Risabae noted, “Technically perfect, but if she was going for a fierce woman concept, other aspects besides the eyes could have been emphasized. That was a point of regret.”
Following the broadcast, Kim Sun-jin’s appearance on ‘Just Makeup’ generated significant attention and debate. Her husband, actor Ko Min-ki, had been named as a #MeToo perpetrator and ended his life before a police summons. This prompted varied reactions to her return to broadcast, with some welcoming her back, saying, “It’s nice to see her again,” and “The wife has done nothing wrong.” Conversely, some expressed skepticism, suggesting, “It might be uncomfortable for the victims,” and “It would have been better if she stayed out of the spotlight.”