According to the news, veteran actress Kim Ji-mi (85) has passed away in the U.S. It is reported that she died from low blood pressure shock after being infected with shingles.

The name Kim Ji-mi is a symbolic presence that has passed through the golden age of Korean cinema.

She is famous for her words about men, having been involved with many throughout her life: "Men are all like children, lacking and insecure."

Looking into Kim Ji-mi's life, it becomes clear why she said, "Men are all like children, lacking and insecure." It is not just simple gossip; her relationships with men, experienced through the tumultuous history of Korean cinema, shaped those words.

In 1958, when Kim Ji-mi was only 18, she married film director Hong Seong-ki, who was 16 years her senior.

At that time, early marriages were somewhat common, but marrying a major figure in the industry at such a young age was quite shocking. Even more surprising was that the wedding was held briefly in the middle of a filming schedule. She returned to the set right after the ceremony, which seems almost dramatic by today's standards. Although they seemed to live well with a daughter and a son, they eventually divorced in 1962 due to Hong Seong-ki's repeated film failures and infidelities.

Second marriage, Choi Mu-ryong (1963-1969)

From here, the story gets quite complicated. While filming a co-production in Hong Kong, she grew close to Choi Mu-ryong, who was already a top star, and they had worked together on many projects, which naturally led to their intimacy. The problem was that this closeness quickly developed into a romantic relationship.

In 1962, she was even arrested on charges of adultery with Choi Mu-ryong, who was the top star in Korea at the time. The photo of the two smiling while handcuffed is still shocking to see today. The media covered it extensively, and Choi Mu-ryong divorced his wife, Kang Hyo-sil, with another shocking detail: Kim Ji-mi paid 3.3 million won in alimony plus 700,000 won in debts, totaling 4 million won.

After their marriage, they had a daughter, Choi Young-sook. However, as their films continued to fail, their relationship deteriorated, and Kim Ji-mi left behind the famous quote, "We part because we love each other," before ultimately divorcing. For reference, all alimony was also Kim Ji-mi's responsibility at the time of their divorce.

Choi Mu-ryong's son, Choi Min-soo, cannot be overlooked. Having grown up with his grandmother after being separated from his mother, Kang Hyo-sil, during childhood, he reportedly had little resentment towards Kim Ji-mi. She had briefly taken care of him, and as an adult, he showed her respect.

Third marriage, Na Hoon-a (1976-1982)

And then there was another relationship that shook the world, Na Hoon-a. They lived together without registering their marriage. Originally, it wasn't even a romantic relationship, but the media misunderstood and reported that they were "dating," which led Kim Ji-mi to start a real relationship after seeing the article, a story that still sounds dramatic today.

However, this relationship left emotional scars, as Kim Ji-mi later stated, "I have only three marriages." The reason was the impact it had on her daughter. Moreover, among Na Hoon-a's fans, this relationship is still not well received, as can be seen from the comments on old videos left on YouTube.

Fourth marriage, cardiologist Lee Jong-gu (1991-2002)

Kim Ji-mi's last marriage was to Dr. Lee Jong-gu, a physician. He was an academic eight years her senior, and she reportedly wanted to try a "family life" here. However, her inherently 'bossy' personality did not match, and they eventually divorced after 11 years. Later, Kim Ji-mi reflected, "I was not a person who needed a husband but a woman suited for someone who wanted a wife."

There are also stories that this marriage distanced her from her close friend Shin Sung-il. Shin Sung-il advised Lee Jong-gu, saying, "Becoming her fourth husband is not something to be proud of," but he eventually married her, and their relationship became awkward afterward.

Kim Ji-mi's conclusion

In a 2003 interview, she summarized her thoughts: "I've lived with older men, younger men, and capable men... but men are all nothing special. In the end, they are all like children, lacking and insecure." The reason this statement continues to be discussed is not merely 'criticism' but rather a vivid observation gained through decades of four marriages and numerous human relationships.

Perhaps Kim Ji-mi was a woman who loved men more than anyone else and understood them better than anyone else.

Now, the late Kim Ji-mi is no longer with us. May her tumultuous life and brilliant filmography be remembered for a long time.