Son Ye Jin: An icon of Korean cinema, the woman who made Hyun Bin "settle down".

Son Ye Jin is a leading South Korean actress with over two decades in the entertainment industry. Possessing elegant beauty and excellent acting skills, she has made her mark through a series of classic films and a fulfilling life.

Son Ye Jin, whose birth name is Son Eon Jin, was born on January 11, 1982, in Daegu – a city considered the birthplace of many famous beauties in South Korea. Growing up in an ordinary family with no artistic tradition, Son Ye Jin's childhood was peaceful and simple, like that of other girls her age. Without early fame or family connections, her path to the arts began entirely from her instincts and personal aspirations.

From a young age, Son Ye Jin captivated attention with her clear, expressive eyes and unique, gentle demeanor. As a teenager, while many of her peers chose stable lives in their hometowns, young Eon Jin nurtured a dream of exploring the inner world of human beings through acting. Her decision to leave Daegu and study film at Seoul National University of the Arts became a crucial turning point, laying the foundation for her later brilliant career.

The first steps and journey into the entertainment industry:

The early 2000s marked the beginning of Son Ye Jin's career in the Korean entertainment industry. Like many young actors, she started with minor, unremarkable roles in television dramas and small-scale advertising contracts. Despite having limited screen time, Son Ye Jin still managed to leave her mark thanks to her pure, delicate beauty and rare, natural acting style.

Son Ye Jin's perseverance and serious attitude towards her profession gradually caught the attention of producers. In the fiercely competitive Korean entertainment industry, it's no easy feat for a young actress without an artistic family background to establish herself. However, Son Ye Jin chose to take things slowly, accumulating experience and waiting for the right opportunity to break through.

The melodrama craze and the title of "nation's first love":

2003 is considered a major turning point in Son Ye Jin's career, as she consecutively made her mark with two works, *Summer Scent* and *The Classic*. In particular, *The Classic* propelled Son Ye Jin to stardom across Asia. In the film, she played two roles representing two different generations, requiring subtle and profound emotional transitions.

The image of Son Ye Jin running in the rain, using her coat to shield her head, her eyes filled with emotion, has become a classic moment in Korean cinema. From then on, the title "Nation's First Love" became inextricably linked to her, shaping the image of a gentle, melancholic, and romantic muse. Son Ye Jin became an icon of melodrama, a top choice for tear-jerking love stories.

The acting revolution and the desire to break boundaries:

Early success also means the risk of being typecast. Son Ye Jin understood this and refused to stay in her comfort zone. In the late 2000s, she proactively undertook a dramatic transformation, choosing challenging and controversial roles to push her limits.

In My Wife Is Married, Son Ye Jin stunned audiences with her portrayal of a woman demanding a second husband, completely shattering her image as a pure and innocent muse. This bold role not only sparked debate but also earned her the Best Actress award, affirming her acting abilities that far surpassed her delicate appearance.

Subsequently, Son Ye Jin reinvented herself with the image of a powerful female pirate in The Pirates, proving her ability to handle action roles and large-scale commercial films. The pinnacle of this period was undoubtedly The Last Princess, where she embodied Princess Deokhye, a character with profound tragedy and complex inner turmoil. This role is considered a golden milestone, helping Son Ye Jin win numerous prestigious awards and solidify her leading position in the industry.

The three greatest actresses and their absolute recognition from the industry:

With a series of impressive roles, Son Ye Jin has become one of the very few actresses to achieve the prestigious Triple Best Actress award in Korean cinema, which includes the Baeksang Awards, the Grand Bell Awards, and the Blue Dragon Awards. This is not only a personal achievement but also a testament to her perseverance, dedication, and continuous innovation throughout her career.

Critics consider Son Ye Jin a rare actress who successfully blends artistic and commercial elements. She possesses a versatile ability, from lighthearted roles to characters with complex psychological depth, always delivering genuine emotions to viewers.

A spectacular comeback and dominance of the small screen:

After years focusing on film, Son Ye Jin returned to television with scripts that felt more modern and relatable. Something in the Rain became a sensation with its realistic portrayal of a sisterly relationship, where Son Ye Jin depicted a woman in her 30s facing social, work, and family pressures.

The next peak was Crash Landing on You, a drama that was not only successful domestically but also resonated globally. Her portrayal of the intelligent, charismatic, yet emotionally rich heiress Yoon Se Ri captivated international audiences, propelling her to global fame and solidifying her status as an A-list star.

A private personal life and the wedding of the century with Hyun Bin:

Amidst the often tumultuous world of showbiz, Son Ye Jin is renowned for her impeccable personal life, free from scandals. Throughout her more than 20-year career, she has maintained a professional and discreet image. It wasn't until she and Hyun Bin, after the drama "Crash Landing on You," that the public witnessed a love story often described as a real-life fairy tale.

The wedding of Son Ye Jin and Hyun Bin in March 2022 was considered a major event in the Asian entertainment industry. Their marriage was not only a harmonious blend of beauty but also a shared vision of life and career between these two top stars.

A new chapter in motherhood and emotional growth:

After welcoming her first son, Son Ye Jin temporarily stepped back to prioritize her family. In rare interviews, she admitted that motherhood had completely changed her perspective on life. Instead of the pressure of constantly appearing in public, Son Ye Jin chose to live at a slower pace, enjoying simple happiness and accumulating experience for more profound roles in the future.

Despite not having returned to the screen, Son Ye Jin still maintains a strong appeal in the fields of advertising and high fashion. Her mature beauty and the aura of a fulfilled woman help her maintain a solid position.

Hyun Bin unexpectedly reveals the reason he fell in love with Son Ye Jin, after working together? Thảo Vi16:21:23 23/12/2025Sharing about the moment he fell in love with Son Ye Jin, Hyun Bin said it wasn't a specific point in time. The actor admitted that feelings blossomed gradually over time, as they talked more and bonded through work.