The Glory Star Kim Hieora Returns with Occult Thriller ‘The Savior’ After Hiatus

After a brief hiatus due to controversy, South Korean actress Kim Hieora, best known for her chilling performance in the Netflix Original Series The Glory, is preparing for a major comeback. She recently shared a photo from rehearsals for the musical Frida, captioned “Frida, with much longer hair,” showing a bright, revitalized smile to fans.

Kim first rose to international fame as Lee Sa-ra, a drug-addicted artist in The Glory, a pivotal role that established her as a memorable face in Korean dramas. She further expanded her acting range by portraying a spine-chilling villain in tvN Drama‘s Counter Punch, the second season of The Uncanny Counter, which aired in September 2023.

Although her momentum was briefly halted by a school bullying scandal, it was resolved amicably in April 2024 with reconciliation among those involved. Wasting no time, Kim Hieora has been actively exploring new roles since then.

Now, she is officially cast in the much-anticipated occult thriller The Savior, marking her first film in nearly two decades since her appearance in My Rock ’n’ Roll Inside. Directed by Shin Jun—who captivated critics and audiences with the award-winning Yongsoon—the film is expected to ride the wave of Korea’s rising occult cinema trend, sparked by hits like The Wailing and Exhuma.

The Savior explores a family’s desperate fight against a horrific curse that is the price for a long-awaited miracle. Joining Kim in the cast are Kim Byung-chul and Song Ji-hyo, forming a stellar lineup for this supernatural feature.

Kim Hieora will portray Chunseo, a single mother who becomes entangled in a mysterious and disturbing incident after meeting her new neighbor, Sunhee (played by Song Ji-hyo). The role is expected to be emotionally intense, giving Kim a fresh opportunity to display her dynamic acting chops.

In a statement through her agency, Kim expressed her excitement: “I’m truly grateful to be part of The Savior, a project I deeply wanted to join. I’ve given my all in this performance and hope viewers anticipate it with great interest.”

With Frida on the musical stage and The Savior on the cinematic horizon, Kim Hieora is poised to reignite her career and continue captivating audiences both in Korea and globally.