Edited by Seo Hayne
Translated by Hana Lee
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Song Hye Kyo is undeniably one of the top actresses in the South Korean TV industry. She brought success to many projects with her stunning looks, outstanding talent and trendsetting fashion choice. Every move she makes becomes a headline, and people even created the saying, “Whatever Song Hye Kyo does, success is sure to follow.” And now she is about to make her drama return with her first-ever revenge thriller series. She plays a vengeful protagonist in Netflix’s The Glory, who is about to start her meticulously planned revenge against her childhood classmates who bullied her in school. Anticipations are high about her upcoming project as she breaks free from the lovely girl image she has shown in many different series. So, without further ado, let’s take a look at five of the best dramas starring Song Hye Kyo before we welcome her new series.
Encounter (2018)
Encounter is a romantic drama that drew attention for its star-studded cast of Song Hye Kyo and Park Bo Gum. It tells the love story between Kim Jin Hyuk, an ordinary man, and Cha Soo Hyun, the daughter of a rich and powerful politician, as they meet by chance and fall in love in the exotic island of Cuba. Being the first Korean drama series all shot in the Pearl of the Antilles, the drama shares a glimpse of the slow life in the country as well as the gradually developing feelings between the two. Although some say the plot is predictable, the two actors’ stunning visuals, the poetic lines they exchange and the emotions between the two drew some positive reviews.
Descendants of The Sun (2016)
Descendants of The Sun is one of the biggest drama sensations that swept all Asian regions. Set in the land of Uruk, the drama depicts the love story between a surgeon and a soldier dispatched to the war-torn country. Song Hye Kyo and Song Joong Ki received great love as ‘Song-Song Couple’ from the drama. The actress created a sweet romance with Song Joong Ki as a passionate female doctor who cannot stop saving lives. The character in the drama also became good friends with military surgeon Kim Ji Won as they shared their worries and aspirations. She will be making an acting transformation through The Glory, a new series written by Descendants of The Sun writer Kim Eun Sook. All eyes are on whether their reunion will turn into another drama sensation of next year.
That Winter, the Wind Blows (2013)
That Winter, the Wind Blows is one of the iconic seasonal dramas starring Song Hye Kyo, followed by her legendary series Autumn in My Heart. As a remake of the Japanese drama Ai Nante Irane Yo, Natsu, the series follows a visually impaired woman and a man with a painful past trying to find true love. Song Hye Kyo, who returned to the small screen after five years since Worlds Within, played a blind heir of a wealthy family and showed great chemistry with Jo In Sung. The beautiful cinematography, the wintery background and the OST songs add to the charms of the drama.
Full House (2004)
Full House is a drama that shows a new side of Song Hye Kyo. Based on the comics of the same name, the series tells a love story of an online writer who enters into a contract marriage with an actor who claims to be the new owner of her house. Unlike in Autumn in My Heart and All In, the actress played a bubbly and cheerful character and received much love. The scene where she dances and sings “Three Bears” in the series went viral at that time, and the drama became hugely popular in Asian regions thanks to her bubbly charms. Through the series, she rose to superstardom at the age of 24.
Autumn in My Heart (2000)
Autumn in My Heart is the work that helped Song Hye Kyo skyrocket to Hallyu stardom. Shifting from her playful character in Soonpoong Clinic, the actress took on the role of Eun Suh, a terminally ill girl who falls in love with both Song Seung Heon and Won Bin in the series. The series tells a tragic love story between Eun Suh and Joon Suh (played by Song Seung Heon), who knew each other as siblings for 14 years. She captivated viewers with her fragile yet powerful character through her outstanding acting. Some of the lines, as well as its beautiful pictures, became famous quotes that everyone knows by heart. For instance, Won Bin’s line asking how much she will charge him for loving him back became the best quote from the series along with Song Hye Kyo’s answer to his question, “How much can you give me? I need money.” The tragic story is considered as the great stepping stone for her acting career.
Editor Seo Hayne: I like actors as they faithfully lead through their long running-time. I also like idols who accomplish everything on stage within 3 minutes.
