'Just a mild cold,' rep says after Kim Hye-ja's coughing at Busan film festival draws concern

Concerns about actor Kim Hye-ja's health surfaced after she was seen coughing repeatedly on the red carpet at the Busan International Film Festival, but a representative shrugged off the speculation, saying she has only a mild cold.

Plus M Entertainment, the distributor of Kim's film "Still Brilliant," said Wednesday morning that "Kim Hye-ja is simply experiencing a mild cold," according to Star Today.

"Her schedule at this year's Busan International Film Festival was adjusted in consideration of her age and condition," the distributor added. "She is expected to carry out all confirmed engagements as planned."

Kim attended the opening ceremony of the 31st Busan International Film Festival at the Busan Cinema Center in Haeundae-gu on Tuesday afternoon. She walked the red carpet alongside Song Il-gon, the director of "Still Brilliant" — her first screen appearance in nine years — dressed in hanbok and greeting the crowd with a bright smile and a wave.

However, she was seen being supported by Song and others as she moved through the venue, and was spotted covering her mouth while coughing several times, prompting a wave of concern online.

Born in 1941, Kim is 85 years old. Her festival schedule was arranged to avoid overexertion given her age, and she is expected to attend all planned official events as scheduled.