Meet Jennifer Kim

ennifer Kim plays Kendra in the Pulitzer Prize nominated play, "Gloria", written by MacArthur "Genius" grant winner Branden Jacobs-Jenkins. In this dark comedy, a group of twentysomething editorial assistants skewer the cutthroat, opportunistic culture of modern media. "Gloria" runs at Goodman Theatre from January 14 - February 19, 2017. For tickets and more information, click here.

What's your personal story?

I was born and raised in Los Angeles, CA to Korean immigrant parents. I moved to New York to attend NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts and then just stayed in New York after I graduated. I’ve had many interests throughout my life, but acting has been the only consistent thing. I still can’t believe I get to do it as my job. Growing up, there weren’t many actors who looked like me. I like to think my kid self would be so amazed at my adult self. Acting was something I always dreamed about but never actually thought would be a reality.

What's your character's story in "Gloria”?

My character, Kendra, is very alpha and aggressive. She’s the type of person who enters the room and completely takes over. She’ll tell you her opinions whether you want to hear them or not. She’ll tell you the brutal truth whether you’re ready or not. And it’s frustrating for people because she’s most often always right. She’s so smart and insightful. Everything she says is true; so you can’t really argue with her. Her power comes from her ability to see through all the bullshit. She’s so fun to play. I was initially drawn to her because I felt like she was my polar opposite. It was very fun and scary to find her within me.

What challenges does your character face telling this story?

Kendra’s challenges come from the clash of her ambition and her inability to get ahead. She feels stuck because she’s constantly being overlooked by the higher ups at her office. Her industry is dying and she sees no way out or up. For a deeply driven person, this is hell on earth.

How does she overcome those challenges?

Kendra’s so smart and determined. She always finds a way.

JENNIFER’S BIO

Off-Broadway credits include Gloria (Vineyard Theatre) and Engagements (Second Stage Theatre). Film credits include The Bourne Legacy, First Winter, We Need to Talk About Kevin, Confessions of a Shopaholic, Obvious Child, Female Pervert, The Unity of all Things, Wild Canaries, Intimate Semaphores and Lace Crater. Upcoming projects include Newly Single, Spider-Man: Homecoming and The Incredible Jessica James. Television credits include Search Party, Mozart in the Jungle, The Blacklist, Rescue Me, The Good Wife, 666 Park Ave., You’re Whole and Elementary. She received her BFA from New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts.