Kim Ah-young Announces Departure from SNL Korea

Actress Kim Ah-young (28) has decided to leave the Coupang Play comedy series SNL Korea. On March 14, she shared her decision on Instagram, stating, "It was not an easy choice, but I believe it is a necessary one for me. After much contemplation, I have decided not to participate in this season of SNL." The rebooted Season 7 of SNL Korea is set to premiere in April.

Expressing her gratitude, she said, "Thank you for allowing me to play freely for three years. I felt an overwhelming amount of love and happiness that I had never experienced before, and I am truly grateful to have been part of the SNL crew. The time I spent on SNL has become a precious asset in my life."

Kim reflected on the opportunities she had during her time on the show, saying, "I had the chance to explore various roles and voices in a short period, and I learned a lot from the boldness and energy of the environment, where opinions were shared freely regardless of seniority. Watching the senior cast members react and sync with the hosts was a significant learning experience for me."

She also shared her mixed feelings about leaving, admitting, "I feel a sense of loss and, honestly, some fear about leaving a place that has been meaningful to me. However, I also see this as an opportunity for further growth. I will continue to carve out my own path, just as I have done so far."

In response, fellow cast member Joo Hyun-young commented, "It was an honor to meet the gem that is Kim Ah-young through SNL. I believe you will shine with a different beauty in your new environment. You have always shone brightly, whether on SNL or in other works. I look forward to the day we meet again as an SNL host."

Kim Ah-young has been a regular cast member since Season 3 of the SNL Korea reboot in November 2022. She gained popularity for her role as a convenience-seeking MZ generation office worker in the 'MZ Office' segment, earning the nickname 'Malknun-gwang.'

Having debuted in the 2019 web drama Short Script (짧은대본), Kim has also appeared in supporting roles in dramas such as Welcome to Samdali (웰컴투 삼달리), The Woman Who Sees the Light (낮과 밤이 다른 그녀), and Judge from Hell (지옥에서 온 판사).