Actress Kim Hee-ae has opened up about how she began her career in the entertainment industry.

On the April 12 episode of tvN's "You Quiz on the Block," Kim Hee-ae made an appearance. The actress, now a renowned performer, was once known as a multi-entertainer, having various roles as a singer, MC, and radio DJ. She even co-hosted the show "Saturday, Saturday is Fun" (ToToZzle) alongside Lee Deok-hwa.

During her music career, Kim Hee-ae's song "Don't Forget Me" climbed to the top three on music shows. She explained that the song was not part of her regular singing activities, but was instead one of the tracks from a commemorative album she released during her time as a radio DJ. At the time, she was also called the "Bookend Goddess," a measure of popularity.

In the era before social media, fan letters were the only way for fans to communicate with their idols. Kim Hee-ae recalled, "I received quite a few," and added, "I thought that's how many I should receive. When a lot of letters came, I received them in sacks of rice."

Kim Hee-ae also shared the story of how she entered the entertainment industry. "My high school dance teacher liked me and recommended me to her sibling who worked at an advertising agency. So, without knowing, I went to the studio during summer vacation when my teacher said she would take my ID photo. A few other students went as well, and I got a call saying I was chosen for a casual advertisement for a company. I earned a lot of money during the break and started doing it every weekend. Eventually, I got street-casted and ended up filming a movie, and that's how it all started," she said.

Kim Hee-ae admitted she didn't dream of being in the entertainment industry from the beginning, saying, "It was such a dreamlike story that I couldn't imagine it. I wanted to do it, but it wasn't easy. My teacher recommended me, and that's how it happened."

She also discussed her school days, confessing, "I couldn't study. I started working since high school, so how could I study? I couldn't even study in middle school." Kim Hee-ae added, "I had a lot of fantasies and other thoughts," and said, "Even now, being able to focus on one thing feels precious."

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