Song Hye-kyo: Expanding horizons and embracing change in her latest triumph

Song Hye-kyo won the Grand Prize trophy for her role in ‘The Glory’ at the 2nd Blue Dragon Series Awards. ‘The Glory’ is a Netflix series that captured domestic and international audiences alike, ranking first globally in both Part 1 and Part 2, depicting the story of a woman whose soul was shattered by violence during her youth, leading to a meticulously prepared and relentless revenge, along with the turmoil it causes.

Upon receiving the Grand Prize at the Sports Chosun office, Song Hye-kyo confessed that her acting horizons have expanded since ‘The Glory.’ She stated, “I’ve always enjoyed acting, but at some point, doing the same kinds of roles for a long time made me feel tired. When I looked at myself, I felt that if I were the audience, I wouldn’t find it enjoyable to watch someone who looked and acted the same all the time. So, at that moment, I lost interest in acting. However, when I worked on ‘The Glory,’ the genre was different, my purpose was different, and that changed my facial expressions, tone of speech, and my acting, and it was fun to watch. Even though it’s been a long time since I debuted, I saw a new side of myself. So, working on this project has made me enjoy acting again, and I have expectations that I can show a fresh side of myself in different genres. People who might not have watched my previous works thinking, ‘Can Song Hye-kyo do something like this?’ might think differently now. The projects I receive have also become more diverse than before.”

Song Hye-kyo’s mature outlook on her work has also been a factor that sets her apart as a top actress. She commented, “There have been times when things went well, and there have been times when they didn’t. Of course, I hope things go well, and I always work hard because it’s a project I’m in. I work hard so as not to disappoint those who have high expectations, but sometimes it doesn’t work out. Luck plays a role too, and sometimes it’s not something I can control. I think I’ve developed a mindset to accept that. Of course, it’s still disappointing, but it doesn’t make me want to die. I can accept it now.”

Expectations for her next project are also high. Song Hye-kyo said, “I haven’t tried many things. I’ve done a lot of melodramas, and since I was young, I’ve done those kinds of roles, so there are so many genres I haven’t tried yet. I want to try horror, a perfect thriller, and even play a villain. I also want to do a romantic comedy with a lot of comedy elements, different from ‘Full House,’ which I did when I was twenty-four in 2004. After that, I did a lot of serious characters. I recently enjoyed ‘Good Bad Mother,’ and ‘Doctor Cha’ was also very entertaining. I cried with (Uhm) Jung-hwa unnie when she cried. ‘Shlup’ was also very interesting. It’s been a year since the filming ended, so when I watch an interesting drama, I get itchy. I want to go to the set quickly and I envy it.”

Choosing her next project isn’t easy. She was planning to appear in ‘The Price of Confession’ with director Shim Na-yeon and actress Han So-hee but that didn’t work out. Song Hye-kyo said, “Han So-hee seems like a lovely friend. It would have been nice to work together, and both So-hee and director Shim Na-yeon were disappointed, so I’m even more sorry. I was curious about what it would be like to work with young actresses who are suitable for this era, like the MZ generation. There are a lot of works these days that focus on women’s stories, so I think there will be more opportunities.”

She celebrated her 27th anniversary since her debut as a smart model in 1996. Song Hye-kyo, who has always been at the top, may not feel special every year, but she sees it as a time of maturation.

“I haven’t lived my life thinking about numbers, but sometimes when I’m out and someone tells me my age, I think, ‘Wow, it’s been a long time. I’ve aged a lot.’ Only the external changes have occurred, and my inner self remains the same. And the people around me are the same. The only difference is that I’ve matured as a woman and as a human being while experiencing life. I’ve had times when things went well and then didn’t, but I think I’ve maintained myself to this day by continuing to move forward, stumbling, and then moving forward again. That’s what has kept me going until today.”

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