Unseen Diary of Late Kim Soo-mi Revealed on 'Dad and Me'

In a touching episode of TV Chosun's variety show 'Dad and Me' (아빠하고 나하고), the original diary of the late actress Kim Soo-mi was unveiled for the first time. The episode aired on March 25, 2025, and featured her children, Seo Hyo-rim and Jung Myung-ho, as they explored their mother's legacy and the emotional void left by her passing.

Among the treasures discovered was Kim Soo-mi's diary, which she had kept since moving to Seoul at the age of 16 until shortly before her death. Seo Hyo-rim shared that the diary contained her mother's innermost thoughts, stating, "She poured her true feelings into those pages." The diary was filled with reflections on her son, including sentiments of regret for not being able to provide him with a home, expressions of pride in his strength, and hopes for his wisdom and happiness.

Seo Hyo-rim expressed how reading the diary shifted her perspective on life and deepened her feelings for her husband, revealing a sense of guilt and a wealth of untold stories within its pages.

The diary also contained poignant entries about her struggles, including a note about her health issues, where she wrote, "My pronunciation is strange, I spill food when I eat, and my hands tremble. I need to quit my medication for my grandchild's sake. Lord, help me." This reflection brought tears to Kim Young-ok, who recalled the pain Kim Soo-mi endured alone.

Just four months before her passing, Kim Soo-mi appeared on a video call, expressing her fatigue and struggles. Seo Hyo-rim remarked, "I don’t know when I will be okay; I miss her more as time goes on." Jung Myung-ho added, "She was my mother, but at times she felt like my father. She was everything to me, and that makes it even harder."

The episode concluded with a heartfelt video from 2018, where Kim Soo-mi reflected on her life, saying, "I should have lived a little more freely. I wonder about the next life, but this life has been tough, and the next one will be the end. I have regrets, but I have successfully raised a family and two children, and I consider myself successful as an actress."