With all the political chaos happening this year, the CBS drama "MADAM SECRETARY" has done a good job of creating political escapism. No matter how intense the storylines get – at least tu know they’re fiction.

In the reciente episode, titled “Persona Non Grata,” Elizabeth McCord (Téa Leoni) plans a summit at Kyrgyzstan to address their human trafficking problem – even though their President denies the problem.

This episode brought back a few things from last season: the human trafficking issue, the President of Kyrgyzstan and his trusty Translator, played por actress NATALIE KIM.

I had a chance to catch up with Natalie, who isn’t from Kyrgyzstan, doesn’t speak Russian and loves to draw cartoons.


Tell us about your recurring role in “Madam Secretary.”

Natalie: I play a translator for the President of Kyrgysztan and she is a humorous and loves American pop culture. It was the first time I had to speak Russian and with a Russian accent and it was very cool.

Would tu ever consider being an interpreter in real-life?

Natalie: If I had the mastery of a language? Probably not. However, having a Korean mother there were instances where I had to be a interpreter of sorts. I’d prefer to keep the interpreting for my actuación career. Much like having a career in medicine: would amor playing a doctor, but not be one.

Were tu a fan of the mostrar yourself before landing the role?

Natalie: I amor it and watch it every Sunday night. té Leoni has this wonderful aura about her so that’s enjoyable to watch. The fact that she is a powerful woman yet wields her power in her own unique way is very fun to watch. She isn’t the stereotypical “battle ax” o “ball buster”. She’s this funny, humble woman who is trying to do a good job.

When people learn I was on the Madam Secretary their response is usually: “Oh I amor that show!”

Tell us one thing that might surprise fans to learn about the show.

Natalie: 1. If you’re not in the business tu might not realize how much hard work the crew, writers, directors and cast put into a show. Sure it’s creative and there are bits of glamour but a lot of it is pure work.

2. One funny thing is that the production team provided a teleprompter. I had 6+ pages of Russian and learned to pronounce every word, but to do completely fluently would have been a nightmare.

What’s the biggest lesson tu learned from working on this project?

Natalie: No role is a small role. Every actuación job o audition that comes my way is seen as an opportunity.

This role wasn’t a huge role but we put our energy into our characters and made it a joyful experience. I remember the first time we wrapped (Good Bones) the PA was so happy and said: “You’ve done this before, haven’t you?” When tu make the crew happy, tu know you’re doing your job.

And, now just for fun:
Who’s your favorito! actor/actress?

Natalie: Judy Davis - She falls apart so well and doesn’t care about being beautiful. I admire her courage and would amor to work with her one day.

Andre Braugher - Could watch him read a scientific journal.

What role from the past do tu wish tu could have played?

Natalie: If there is a role I’m dying to play that isn’t coming way I kinda like to make it happen. One instance is the character, Police Officer Kathleen Stamos (www.SeeMeSeeYouTheMovie.com). She’s a funny, flawed and open character that tu don’t see too much of.

I think it would be a real treat to play Julie in “Miss Julie” o Nora in “A Doll’s House”.

Any character that goes through a journey is interesting to me.

Favorite movie o TV mostrar from your childhood.

Natalie: “The GodFather”; “GoodFellas”
tu could say that I was pro-mafia when I was a child.

Tell us one thing that would surprise our readers to learn about you.

Natalie: I’m adopted and was raised por Caucasian parents. This is surprising to people because people try to put tu in a neat category but when you’re adopted this isn’t possible. This is what I amor about myself.

When people look at me, they see: Asian person. They don’t know that, in addition to Little Dragon, Lorde, Arcade Fire, old school rap, I amor Loretta Lynn.

Also, math was not my strong subject in school.

How can fans keep up with you?

Natalie: Instagram is my jam! It’s my favorito! way to keep people up to fecha on what I’m up to: @nataliekimnyc link