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Son Ye-jin

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Son Ye-jin is a highly acclaimed South Korean actress.

Son Ye-jin
Son Ye-jin

She is recognized for her diverse range in both cinema and television dramas. Her career began with voice work in the year 2000. She soon transitioned into leading roles in various television series. Her early film roles established her as a major star in East Asia. In South Korea, her innocent screen presence earned her the title "Nation's First Love." This title reflected the deep connection audiences felt to her early characters.

Her rise to stardom was driven by specific cinematic successes. In 2003, she starred in the film The Classic. This movie was directed by Kwak Jae-yong, who also directed My Sassy Girl. The film gained massive exposure in mainland China and Hong Kong. This success helped launch her career across the entire East Asian region. She further solidified her status as a Hallyu star that same year. Hallyu refers to the global spread of the Korean Wave of culture. She achieved this through the seasonal drama Summer Scent. This series was part of the Endless Love tetralogy directed by Yoon Seok-ho.

As her career progressed, Son Ye-jin intentionally expanded her professional range. She moved away from her early "nice girl" image to explore complex characters. In 2008, she played a con artist in The Art of Seduction. She also portrayed an ambitious reporter in the film Spotlight. In the same year, she played a polyandrous woman in My Wife Got Married. This specific role earned her the Best Actress award from the Blue Dragon Film Awards. She also explored different genres like horror-romantic comedy in the 2011 film Spellbound. This film became one of the most successful romantic comedies in recent years.

181018 손예진 04 (cropped)
181018 손예진 04 (cropped)

Son has also led several massive commercial blockbusters. In 2012, she starred in The Tower, a remake of a 1974 Hollywood disaster film. In 2014, she appeared in the period adventure film The Pirates. This film was a major commercial hit with over 8.6 million admissions. Her performance in this movie won her the Best Actress award at the Grand Bell Awards. Another significant success was the 2016 biopic The Last Princess. In this film, she portrayed Princess Deokhye. The movie grossed approximately US$40.35 million worldwide. Critics praised her for her technically refined and sensitive performance.

Her influence extends deeply into the world of television dramas. From 2019 to 2020, she starred in the global hit Crash Landing on You. In this series, she played a wealthy heiress who falls in love with a North Korean officer. This drama achieved immense commercial popularity across the globe. Her work on the small screen has consistently earned her high praise. Between 2019 and 2022, she appeared on the Forbes Korea Power Celebrity 40 list for four consecutive years. This recognition highlights her sustained impact on the entertainment industry.

140717 Son Ye-jin and Hyun Bin at 18th Puchon International Fantastic Film Festival (cropped)
140717 Son Ye-jin and Hyun Bin at 18th Puchon International Fantastic Film Festival (cropped)

Son's personal life has also been a subject of public interest. She met actor Hyun Bin while filming The Negotiation in 2018. The two actors eventually entered a relationship. They announced their engagement in February 2022 via social media. They were married in a private ceremony on March 31, 2022. In June 2022, she announced she was pregnant with their first child. They welcomed a son, Kim Woo-Jin, on November 27, 2022.

Son Ye-jin in March 2024
Son Ye-jin in March 2024

Beyond acting, Son is known for her significant philanthropic efforts. She uses her resources to support various charitable causes. In 2020, she donated money to the Community Chest of Korea in her hometown of Daegu. This donation helped combat the spread of COVID-19. In 2022, she and Hyun Bin donated to the Hope Bridge Disaster Relief Association. This support was for those affected by the massive Uljin forest fire. By the end of 2025, the couple also provided donations to the Samsung Medical Center. Her career reflects a balance of artistic excellence and social responsibility.

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🖼️ Images & Media (4)
File:Son Ye-jin.png
Son Ye-jin.png
File:181018_손예진_04_(cropped).jpg
181018_손예진_04_(cropped).jpg
File:Son Ye-jin in March 2024.png
Son Ye-jin in March 2024.png
File:140717 Son Ye-jin and Hyun Bin at 18th Puchon International Fantastic Film Festival (cropped).jpg
140717 Son Ye-jin and Hyun Bin at 18th...
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