Son Ye Jin opened up about her life and career during a press conference on July 5th at the Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival (BIFAN). The event was held in her honor as part of the festival’s annual “Actor Focus” program.
Looking back on her early acting career, Son Ye Jin expressed the desire she had to break free from stereotypical roles. “When I first started in my twenties,” she said, “there were limitations on what young actresses could portray. A lot of the roles were fragile or helpless, and I didn’t want to be stuck in that mold. I craved different characters, a chance to show a different side of myself.”
The last two years have brought significant personal changes for Son Ye Jin. “It feels like a whole new chapter,” she explained. “Having this special event at BIFAN gave me a chance to reflect on everything that’s happened.”
Looking ahead, Son Ye Jin is open to new challenges. “I don’t want to limit myself,” she declared. “I’ve played everything from a divorced woman to having multiple husbands in movies, but if I did those roles again today, I think I’d approach them differently. I’m excited to see what kind of acting I can do next.”
Marriage and motherhood have also transformed Son Ye Jin’s perspective. “As anyone who’s been through it knows, marriage and raising a child are completely different experiences,” she shared. “Having a child and raising them for almost two years has taught me the most valuable thing: appreciating the little things in everyday life.”
“Before, work was my entire world, and it became a struggle,” she continued. “I couldn’t separate myself from it. But these days, the simplest things make me happy, like seeing my child eat well. Just getting through a day safely feels like a win. My priorities have definitely shifted. Parenting is tough, but it’s brought a whole new kind of happiness. I’m incredibly happy and doing well,” she said with a smile.
Since 2017, BIFAN has been honoring leading figures in Korean cinema with their “Actor Focus” program. This year, Son Ye Jin takes center stage. The festival will celebrate her 23-year career with a commemorative booklet, talks, and a photo exhibition.
