Never seen her in anything else. Her acting is fair, but the other female shows her up somehow. I am watching this for LBH who has charisma to spare in spite of the plot short comings. It is fun.

she is so elegant....and i like her responses...very honest

She's such a all rounder: intelligent, straight forward with her responses, knows well of her faults, casual, and gorgeous. I'm glad she realizes what she lacks of because if she knows and gets good help, I think she'll be great. I still need to see her works but I'm liking this interview. Thanks for sharing!

She's very very pretty but is no beauty. Her eyes a little too close set and she has chipmunk cheeks and her chin is weak. She looks beautiful only in CFs which are shot with the most flattering light and angles. And touched up after that.
I wouldn't mind watching her in lighter roles but she fails to convince as an elite agent. Her acting doesn't bother me that much. She just needs to pick the right roles.
I wish they'd cast her in the remake of Kimi wa Petto with JGS. Or roles similar to that. I have a feeling she would look good with younger guys.

It's funny her kid bro is very charismatic or was when he was a kid. He was the only good thing about Stairway to Nowhere, I mean heaven.

Stop watching after episode 2?...3? IRIS never captivated me & after each episode I wasn't so obsessed with what might happen next.

More reasons to like Kim Tae Hee. She seems very humble.

You know what? I think she should just consult Lee Young-Ae and seek guidance from the former CF queen who turns to be an excellent actress.

Sometime, it is not to show how tough one should be, but to provide some inner strength of endurance, versatile and sophistication. The second lead actress also could not fight very well, but her eyes seem to be able to carry the message that she has the substance and the inner sorrows of loosing her family. Whereas, KTH's eyes are very beautiful, but failed to carry the message of sorrows and depth!!

I believe inner depth through cultivating the spiritual, social and cultural intelligence are key to any budding actors and actresses.

Ironically, many of them seem to going through every minute, hour and day of their life in a big rush of gaining fame, power and money. Many "lucky" or you may called them "unlucky" one have attained all those tangible economi capital, but in turn, they seem to lost themselves in the process. Some may even lost the most intangible thing in life which is the power to choose and personal freedom.

I like her enough, but her presence really does get overshadowed pretty much by everyone, I'm rooting for the Hyun Joon and Sun-Hwa storyline at the moment.

I feel that if Kim Tae Hee knows that she's not a great actress but gets roles based on her good looks and popularity, the honorable thing to do is decline roles that should have went to more qualified actresses. She's no longer a rookie in the entertainment industry so it boggles the mind why she has yet to improve her skills or bow out gracefully. She's not without other talents so it's not like she has to act to make a living.

hmm...I guess I've never considered her a bad actress... In STH, I think she played the psycho sister really well... maybe it was bad acting, but she looked totally psycho to me...especially when confronted and her eyes would be wide open or her head would shake.
And I'm in the minority but I really liked Nine Tailed Fox, even though the production was very low, I thought she was great in it! She really captured the distraught character, and her fighting skills were not bad. (I also really liked Han Ye Seul in it). Sure she is pretty and maybe that gets in the way of her acting, all people see is her prettiness, but I don't think she is that bad. I also enjoyed watching Love Story in Harvard. So overall, I've enjoyed her dramas.

On the other hand, I know Goo Hye Sun is supposed to be a good actress, but I could not stand her acting in BBF, which is why I never made it past ep 2. I know it was not her fault, but as an actor I feel they should have a say and insight on how to portray their character. Just like PSH said about playing GMN in YAB, she actually had suggestions for the directors and asked them if it would be okay, and she is doing a splendid job! And just like Kang Ji Hwan in Hong Gil Dong who made a lot of suggestions and took some initiatives for his character.

So KTH is not bad. As others have said, maybe she just has to find the right role that will allow her to shine, as JGS just did! (sorry, couldn't help mentioning him...in love with him right now!)

She's usually super gorgeous, but these photos make her look kinda blah. That haircut is not flattering on anybody. lol.

Thanks for some IRIS news. Very interesting interview. I think KTH is doing a pretty good job and, hopefully, she will continue to improve. She should definitely get some pointers from LBH and KSY. They're doing such a great job with their respective roles.

I just watched up to episode 6 and is really enjoying all the action and intensity of the drama. I usually don't care much for the romance in action movies/dramas but I'm actually feeling Hyun Joon's and Sueng Hee's love story. I also love the fact that Sueng Hee is not afraid to display her affection for Hyun Joon. She was forward and honest with him instead of hiding her love like in other dramas.

I think she would do better in a light, fluffy rom-comedy role rather than as an intense spy. She lacks the ability to portray any depth and I really can't get past her too perfectly capped teeth which also hampers her efforts to become a serious actress.

I've yet to start Iris although I've spoiled myself quite a bit (which I really should stop doing) but I'm interested; I haven't seen Kim Tae Hee in anything but like you said javabeans, she comes across as someone who knows her flaws. I find her very relatable, in that like many people who seem to have something like a talent or passion for something, she sometimes gets it right and sometimes doesn't and can feel that there's something behind it, some motivation or knowledge that if she can just pinpoint or turn around and see, a million things will fall into place. When you don't know if you're here or there. She said something like it in the interview, and I like her a lot for it. It's true, miss beautiful super high IQ, famous and presumably rich and envied by many, seems like she has so much but of course, if she had found acting easy and natural and second nature, wouldn't that be too much?

@ sonam: most people I find need only to be affected by some putdown or loss or win or truth to become beautiful. Never read the (first few books at least of) the Vampire Chronicles?

Like an intelligent and reflective person that she is, Kim Tae Hee is too hard on herself. And the pervasive public opinion about beauty and acting ability not going together does not help. I feel she was wonderful in Harvard Love Story. The scene in the cafe where KRY first learned about her true identity was very well played and showed she had great comic timing. There are all kinds of actors for all kinds of roles. I for one don't believe only heart wrenching, gut spilling sobs and screams count as good acting. I wish her the best of luck in building a fulfilling career.

i think she is an okay actress. and she will get better and better.
love her!

*-*

I like her its not easy for a pretty intelligent person to admit to a weakness or anyone for that matter lol. Especially, when said weakness is broadcast for the world to see. I hope she picks up more acting lessons, travels to meet more diverse people who can give her ideas of other personalities, or that she talks to a sunbae about the art of acting. Being self-aware is one thing, but to become a character you can't be aware of any personal hangups that don't fit the character you're portraying. To become another person you have to slip your skin and let yourself go; it's not about what you're good at, but what that character is good/ bad at. I wish her luck. I love IRIS (and would love for Javabeans to cover it more) lol but I understand that we like what we like :) Thanks for sharing!:)

My opinion is she's completely eclipsed by Kim So-yeon in IRIS, who is so much a better actress than KTH. The scenes between KSY and LBH are very moving / interresting / exciting and it's maybe because they are both great actors.

To be fair, I think she's not too bad as Seunghee. She's improved a lot from the last time I saw her in The Restless. I have to admit that she totally pales in comparison to the other female, Kim Soyeon, who has this almost suffocating charisma, so huge so intimidating, but also so mesmerizing. But in her own right, I think KTH is pretty decent.

@15 I didn't mean to put down KTH. I was just being objective about her facial proportions. Just saying she's very pretty but not a great beauty. I am speaking for myself, of course. I know a lot of people find her incredibly beautiful. I guess I was just explaining why I don't.

KTH is not the greatest actress but she is decent. I really like her bluntness and she is so pretty. I really dislike her one dimension acting in Stairway to Heaven. She has came a long way since then. KTH Fighting!

I actually feel bad for KTH. She's got everything except the one thing that she yearns for the most as an actress - versatility. I don't think she's a horrible actress or anything, but like everyone said so, she kinda lacks the ability to portray depth in her characters. And when she's supposed to do intensity, more often than not she appears coming off as trying too hard.

Maybe cute and comedy would suit her better...

@7 that's deep.

I like that she's brutally honest with herself. Self reflection for inner growth.

iris, I to gave it a miss. So over hyped and not my style of drama anyway. It can go in with east of eden as 'what was all the fuss about box'

I used to just think she was really pretty, but her honesty and thought put into the responses really gives me new respect for her

@sonam I agree with you, I think her beauty is overhyped. Honestly, I was a bit shocked by her eyebags when I saw the first pic put up by Javabeans in this article. As for her acting, perhaps her problem is that she is too self-conscious, thus unable to put it in her all...

I am actually surprised that KTH can be considered A list actress when all I see in her portrayal of CSH was flat and her facial expression is so lacking.

She ought to learn from supporting cast KSY who show so much depth in her acting.

wow immortal beauty! ^_^ i started to like her since stairway to heaven but as much as i want to see this series, jang geun seok simply dominated my world --im still a girl. LOL! I just dont think i cant give it a try since am already occupied searching facts about him in every corner of the WWW hehe ~

congrats though kim tae hee!

Well,

I like her honest answer. She is intelligent, smart and kind woman and that shows from her answers BUT, she is just not FOR acting. Not everyone is made for acting no matter how hard you tried. It just that.

If she smart enough, she will know the answer. I didn't mean to be harsh because I didn't mean anything personally, it just well, she should figure that out. If she is smart enough, she has to know what field she is made to and what is not. Of course we should venture new things and do things that we think we can and venture the things to the highest limit. But intelligent person know when to say enough.

Erm, I don't really admire her for that. She is beautiful and intelligent but that's it.

I don't really like the fact the big and hard role like that been trying like it was an amateur project. It NEED serious and remarkable acting to do the just to the great production.

Plus, I don't think she can be considered as A list actress. Personally I seriously don't dislike her. She is someone that we can be glad to be a friend with. A pleasant personality. But when it comes to acting you just need to be precise and put things on the right place. I dislike when talented actresses was underrated and didn't get the deserve recognation i.e KSY- she is EXTREMELY talented actress and some actresses who not easy to get a role despite they are talented but those who can't act (decent is not a proper word) doing injustice to the role. She just can't act. She can try but she just can't and acting is NOT a practicing game).

To say this is a new challenge is just not right. Being smart is not doing everything but know what the best for you after trying the best out of you.

I have just looked up the profile of Kim So-Yeon and realised that she has 15-year of acting experience under her belt. Guess she must have gone through a lot of bad patches during the past 15 years and has horned her skill and now managed to put them into good use.

This is the first time I have watched any of her drama or movie, but from my observation of IRIS, I believe KSY is indeed underrated, but the PD has been trying to increase her exposure and air time. It will be nice if the PD gave her a bit more time during Episode 6-8 to develop a deeper attachment of her towards LBH.

http://wiki.d-addicts.com/Kim_So_Yeon

Wish her all the best in her future endeavor. ^^

Something about the way she talks make me think of dentures...

You can't deny the fact that Kim Tae Hee is partially responsible for the hype around IRIS (next to Lee Byung Hun.) Her presence actually gives IRIS the extra boost to the already stellar cast. Yes...she may not be able to act as well as the other actors, but i admire KTH for not giving up so easily. It's easy to throw-in the towel when everything and everyone is against you. (In KTH's case, it's acting. )

Personally, i wouldn't even consider watching IRIS if i haven't heard that LBH would be paired off with KTH. Whatever ppl might say, LBH and KTH makes a gorgeous pairing. I was intrigued about this coz LBH oozes charisma next too KTH who can be quite stilted with her acting. LBH might not be handsome, but he's got charisma by the mountain load whereas KTH is a well known beauty. (i read somewhere that she scored 90% against the Cleopatra Standard.) It was a weird combination, but it piqued my interest.

I do see KTH's weaknesses when she acts in IRIS yet...she seems to be improving with every episode. Knowing that she admits to her weakness makes me like her even more.

And i'd wish ppl would stop comparing KTH with KSY. They're both different individuals with different experiences in acting (genre and years). So it's unfair to put them in the same light. Their characters in IRIS is vastly different as well. But i guess you can't avoid comparisons when you're in the acting industry.

Don't get me wrong, i like KSY's character in IRIS; the tough yet vulnerable femme fatale. She plays her role to perfection. Yet, if KSY and KTH would reverse roles....would IRIS be a better drama?? If another actress besides KTH took up the role as Seung Hee, would it create the same hype?? i highly doubt it.

So far...i like each and every character and cast in IRIS. They play their roles well and share the same burden to make IRIS a great drama.

Hope KTH would continue to improve her acting in IRIS and i truly wish her the best. Aja-aja!

Thanks for trans! ^_^

i like her clothing.....nice clothing....

Thank you for the interview! It's hard to be critical of someone who is so critical of herself, isn't it?

Still....I think she definitely is the weakest link in IRIS. It's good for her that most of her scenes are with LBH because he has charisma enough for the both of them. She kind of leaves me wanting more in almost every scene's she's in.

@ 21 Sonam: Yeah, I know; I saw that and I think it was just my own personal gut reaction to that, that I've found objective beauty to be pretty differentiable from what I find beautiful. I don't actually find Kim Tae Hee beautiful either, but that's so relative - in that side profile picture up there I find her almost beautiful, in the redness to the skin and the eye to eyebrow line and the residual laughter. But, whatever really. ^^

Some say that we should cut Kim Tae-hee some slack & not compare her with Kim So-yeon. Well, let's not forget that Kim So-yeon is no longer considered an a-lister anymore (All About Eve was her career high, and it's almost 10 years ago); plus, Kim Tae-hee is getting paid more than most of the cast including Kim Seung-woo, Jung Joon-ho, etc. If Lee Byung-hun is not popular in an important market like Japan, he won't be making as much as her as well.

How can someone with this kind of acting be labeled a top star/actress/talent and an A-lister? Besides looking pretty (title of CF Queen is perfectly fine for her b/c she only needs to be pretty in CFs), what has she done in the acting department to earn the fame of a top talent? Seriously lacking in this area, then does she have enough drawing power for a top star? Read the reviews of her movies & see.

The fact is that this is not the 1st time her acting's been an issue with the audience (except the fans who claim that her acting has always been perfect), it's been that way with every single one of her involvement ever since who knows when - Love Story In Havard was at least 4 years ago. Even if she acknowledged her shortcomings (she said she's embarassed by her actings in LSIH), what has she done over the years to improve it? Take serious acting lessons perhaps? Maybe she did, but does it show? She finds actings very difficult; if she's already given her best effort, maybe it's really not for her like Anastassia said.

JB, I know this is selfish talking. I think IRIS is over-rated (um, sorry to say I didn't even qualify to say this because I didn't watch an episode of IRIS - I'd promise myself to stay clear). As a matter of fact, I now stay clear of all the spy-thrillers. I found them too 'heroic' for my liking - the hero will be there to save the day so no worry eh. On the other hand, YAB would be more fun to deconstruct! We can't have your divided attention...but do ignore me, totally selfish crap talking.

@ 35: Niki: Don't misunderstood me. I know and love your supportive passion.

Firstly let say about the subject of comparison. When it comes to OBJECTIVE comparison, I say: welcome it. It called CONSTRUCTIVE criticism and a critique that build you up not demolish you. When we compare with OBJECTIVENESS no one can say, you can't do that. It's not fair etc.

Secondly, I don't intend to compare the two of them but since you highlighted that way, then I'm here. I merely give an example when I mention KSY. Duh!

KSY is made for acting. Even she always choose a wrong roles OR wrong drama but she just shines. I never really know her but her earliest drama that drama a massive attention ALL ABOUT EVE is just showed her brilliant skills of acting. I didn't intend to compare them both, I just want to highlight the fact that someone is made for acting no matter how long they have debut or how much their expereinces. KTH and KSY only differ of for years of debuting. But KSY most remarkable drama is 2000 loooong ago. That didn't do much differences. Ok. I will stop.

Two fact that I want to stress that you maybe mislead.

1) Not everyone is made for acting UNLESS they are born talented OR they work hard for it- = that will show from their works.

2) I hate the fact that when someone have the opportunity to get an important role BUT do injustice to the roles on the other hand people who work harder and FAR more talented didn't get the deserved recognition OR someone out there - ANYONE- who still struggling to get a right roles.

That the two point that I want to highlight in my previous post. Never about two of them. It just an example. I. E. You can see I wrote that.

@ 39:

Well said dear. Well said.

I don't know but everytime I look ar her face, all I see is her teeth. Too big.

@anastassia :
SOrrry. But i wasn't directing my comment at you. It was just my overall opinion of the whole-case scenario.

Since you used KSY as an example, i naturally assume you were comparing the both of them (since i can't read into your intonation nor can i read between your lines, the surface facts presented to me was of KSY being used as the comparison.) I apologize if it seems that i was attacking you with my comment. That is absolutely NOT the case. Like-wise, you might have mis-understood my comment.

I am all for CONSTRUCTIVE and OBJECTIVE CRITICISM. But I ( and i stress...this is my opinion! and not anyone elses unless they share the same opinion as i do) absolutely ABHOR HUMAN comparisons. You could say, "how can one improve if they don't have something to compare with?" But how could one compare 2 human beings when each individual is so different from one another?

1) I agree with you that not everyone is born to act (or paint, or sing, or meddle in rocket science). But i disagree on the point that someone should give up their dreams just coz consensus's opinion thinks they're not fitted for it. Maybe they do try hard, but don't yield any results. Should they quit after failing many times? I've got friends who just doesn't know when to quit. It's quite frustrating to see them fail again and again and yet, they keep striving on even though everyone else could see they're going no-where with their cause.

"it' is darkest before dawn." Maybe their hardwork will bring about light one day.

This has taught me to accept that there are very persistent people in this world. So...whatever rocks their boat. Who am i to say what they should do or not do with their lives?

I see and understand your point of view. But that doesn't mean that i agree to it. So as long as we both know we're not dissing each other.

2) In regards to your 2nd opinion, well......the world works that way, like it or not. Whether its luck or timing, some lesser deserving individual will ALWAYS get ahead of those more deserving. And in some cases (like you've mentioned), don't do justice to the opportunity that they've been given. You and I, the casting director and viewers all have different views on why a certain individual deserves the role they've been assigned. In regards to KTH, maybe the casting director saw something in her that we know naught off which was why she was cast for the role she's currently in. (for example!) And MAYBE, she is trying hard to prove to people that she can act.

In regards to KTH's acting abilities,
Maybe to you and some others, she's just can't act. And her work and abilities just doesn't appeal to you or may seem over-rated. That i completely understand!

To me, just knowing that she's trying her best is good enough. i admit that i sometimes cringe when i watch KTH in IRIS. (i've never seen her in other dramas except for Stairway To Heaven and The Restless....and that is only by coincidence.) Based on what i've seen so far, i don't think she's a good actress and i don't see her as an A-lister as well. It comes as a shock to me when people say KTH is on the A-list. But knowing she's trying her best....welll....heck....i like rooting for the under-dog. ^_^ KTH is an under-dog to me since she's working so hard to prove herself.

And please, let me reiterate! i am not mis-LEAD!!! We just don't see eye-to-eye. But that's ok! ;) Everyone is entitled to their own opinion

And i apologize in advance if other viewers feel angered or affronted by my comments.

I've been watching IRIS with my husband and though he likes it more than I do and he tends to be less critical of things, he even said KTH sticks out like a sore thumb in the overall great cast. I should also point out he has never seen any of her previous work so has no preexisting prejudice about her acting. I'm only sticking to watching IRIS because hubby likes it and we never get to watch kdrama's together. Otherwise the miscasting of the lead female, overall story writing and the boring car chases would have had me tuning out after episode 2.

To give KTH her credit she is doing a better job than she ever has done so she is much improved from past acting gigs but where emotional subtlety or weight is needed she is sorely lacking. Also she does not have much chemistry with LBH. I feel like he had more chemistry with KSY in a single frame than with KTH in their entire romantic Akita getaway. Not to keep piling it on but she is pretty unbelievable as a special agent. Not only does she doesn't have the physical frame or emotional toughness to make it believable for the viewer. The fight scene between KSY and KTH was pretty anti-climatic and boring and what should have been one of the highlights of the series ala Buffy/Faith duel or the Zhang ZiYi/Michelle Yeoh duel in crouching tiger, hidden dragon came out like a terminator against a puppy showdown and it has nothing to do with KTH being hurt since they could have used body doubles but more to do with miscasting.

Anyway, what I'm trying to say is when a character is miscast it does a disservice to the audience and the other staff because it brings down the quality of the production. The team should have cast another female even without the A list grade for overall better product since they already have LBH carrying it for the domestic and international sales. The writing for IRIS is whole other ball of wax. Its good enough but not really good.

im glad that there are intelligent+humble actresses out there!!! i love her clothes too...so stylish yet simple ^^

Kim Tae Hee is the best actress & she is very beautiful, elegant.

kim tae hee acting is very good in IRIS. The thing that i dont really like about IRIS is that for an action drama...it moves too slow..and recalling the same incident over and over again. yeah..i know hyun joon is sad.but come on..its supposed to be an action drama..oops my bad,its action melodrama..it is as if they want to prolong the drama. ugh...but i'll continue watching the drama till the end...i hope..

love iris... likes both female actress kim tae hee and Kim So-Yeon...

Kim Tae Hee the Queen of Cf.... u r so humble n cute, love every comment u makes. Life is all about taking a chance/opportunities... so she gets the chance to do something she have a lot of interest.... then why u guys think she have to let it go... and find another field suit for her intelligent? tats what mean stupid...! Iris are a big project so she taking the opportunities that came to her...is tats wrong?

Kim So-Yeon miss her acting last i saw her in drama all about eve and Just Like a Beautiful Flying Butterfly and can't wait to see her new drama Prosecutor Princess..

Kind of expected the ending..
Always thought Kim So Yeon was a great actress, always wondered what happened to her since she always got side roles now. In Iris and Gourmet which i watched both recently =)

Not a Korean Movie fan, but watched some koreans shows time to time, so wasn't really exposed to public opinion on korean actors and actress. This is the first time i see comments on korean shows anyway. Never occured to me that Kim Tae Hee was so publicly hated on her acting, to me i never find her a bad actress, maybe attractive but average =)

Agreed on the point that she should not give up on acting. Keep trying kth, act more dramas!