Actor Kim Sa-rang, who finally revealed herself to viewers after a four-year break, has been criticized for presenting overly provocative material and consuming her image through her appearance on 'SNL Korea 7.' However, there are also strong praises for her bold transformation that matched the program and the situation.

Kim Sa-rang appeared on 'SNL Korea 7,' which was released through Coupang Play on the 26th. This marked her first broadcast appearance in about four years since the conclusion of TV CHOSUN's 'Revenger' in 2021. For four years, she had not appeared in any productions or entertainment shows, and could only be seen through advertisements or social media, making her appearance newsworthy.

She made a bold entrance. Wearing a white mini dress that showed off her cleavage, Kim Sa-rang said, "I haven’t been able to participate in activities often, but I want to thank everyone for coming and giving me such a warm welcome. I can’t believe so many have come today, thank you so much," before showcasing a comedic performance with the crew.

Kim Sa-rang appeared in segments such as 'Substance of Youth,' 'Legendary Fan Meeting,' and 'Bathroom Operation Time.' In a comedic sketch where she transformed into 'Choo Sa-rang' after being teased by the word "auntie" to appear younger, she also parodied a fan meeting from 20 years ago, delivering humorous moments with some risqué scenes. After finishing all the segments, Kim Sa-rang remarked, "Today felt like it passed in less than an hour. It felt like we filmed for about a week, but it went by in the blink of an eye. I thought comedic acting would be hard, but I didn’t realize it would be this difficult. The crew worked so hard that I think I will appreciate 'SNL' even more. I am lacking in comedic acting, and I want to thank everyone for being so supportive."

Kim Sa-rang's appearance was also reflected in the records. According to the 17-week non-drama appearance popularity survey released by Good Data Corporation on the 29th, she achieved a high share of 2.90%, claiming the top spot among non-drama participants. This also served as an opportunity to confirm her interest and popularity, surpassing BTS Jin and his 'Big Show.'

However, as the provocative scenes were highlighted, some online users expressed discomfort. Criticisms pointed to scenes where she, after being fired from a fitness center due to her appearance and age, took a youth-preserving shot to rejuvenate, and then used her looks and figure to attract men; they also criticized the scene where she inserted a straw into Shin Dong-yeob’s mouth to drink his beverage and then transferred it to Kim Won-hoon’s mouth.

In response, some online users noted that Kim Sa-rang's comeback has flowed too excessively in a provocative direction. Considering that this is her first broadcast appearance in four years, they remarked that it was disappointing to rely only on provocative scenes or suggestive lines. They stated that despite having the charm and acting ability as an actress, focusing only on sensational elements made her image consumption overly simplistic and expressed discomfort over objectifying Kim Sa-rang.

On the other hand, there are evaluations that Kim Sa-rang acted well according to the program 'SNL Korea.' Given that she made a comeback after a long time, her attempt at a drastic transformation distinct from her existing image is considered significant, suggesting that she may have aimed to deliver a fresh shock to the public due to the lengthy break. In particular, the analysis concludes that her willingness to embrace the concept and intention actively, along with her bold attempt at a 'bizarre' transformation, can be seen favorably.

While opinions are divided, Kim Sa-rang conveyed her thoughts on social media, saying it was "difficult but very fun." As Kim Sa-rang had pledged to be unreserved and willing to break down prior to her appearance, attention is now on what she will showcase in her next broadcast.

[OSEN]