Son Ye Jin is a beloved star in Korean melodramas, and though she’s currently taking a break from acting, her unforgettable performances from the early 2000s still resonate. Let’s take a look back at some of her most iconic scenes that showcase four distinct emotions: joy, anger, sadness, and happiness.
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Joy – ‘My Wife Got Married’
Son Ye Jin’s most provocative romantic comedy, My Wife Got Married, tells the story of a man named Deok Hoon (played by Kim Joo Hyuk) who discovers that there is another man in his wife In Ah’s (Son Ye Jin) life after they get married.
The moment that best captures ‘joy’ in My Wife Got Married is undoubtedly Deok Hoon’s proposal scene. Despite being in love with In Ah, he has always struggled with her popularity and free-spirited nature. Deok Hoon joins In Ah for street cheering during the 2002 World Cup. As the excitement for the national team builds, he pulls out a ring and proposes to her. In Ah responds with a radiant smile, and they embrace in joy while the words “Korea advances to the semifinals” flash on the big screen. The combination of finding a lifelong partner and witnessing the national team’s success allows the audience to truly feel the joy they share. It’s bittersweet, though, to see the bright face of Kim Joo Hyuk, who is sadly no longer with us.
Anger – ‘First Love Rally’
First Love Rally tells the story of Son Tae Il (Cha Tae Hyun), who faces the challenge of marrying his first love, Joo Il Mae (Son Ye Jin). To win her father Joo Yeong Dal’s (Yoo Dong Keun) approval, Tae Il must pass both the Seoul National University entrance exam and the bar exam—conditions set by her father. In a way, it mirrors a modern-day version of the tale of Foolish Ondal and Princess Pyeonggang. Il Mae must remain single to get married, so Tae Il goes to great lengths to interfere with her every move. Frustrated by this, Il Mae even tries to tempt Tae Il into making a move, but he eventually pushes her to her breaking point by never responding to it.
In First Love Rally, we can see Son Ye Jin’s comedic acting through Il Mae’s frustration. Scenes of her sobbing on the university campus while blaming Tae Il or her attempts to kiss him outright when he doesn’t respond reveal that this is a successful romantic comedy for Son Ye Jin. However, the film doesn’t only proceed in a comedic fashion; the tone completely shifts when the reasons behind Il Mae’s desperate pursuit of love are revealed.
Saddness – ‘The Classic’
In The Classic, the daughter, Ji Hye (Son Ye Jin), discovers her mother Joo Hee’s (also played by Son Ye Jin) secret diary while cleaning the attic and learns about her mother’s love story. She plays two roles, each sharing a different love story, but this particular scene happens during the story of her mother, Joo Hee.
One summer, Joo Hee (Son Ye Jin) meets Jun Ha (Cho Seung Woo) by chance while visiting the countryside, and they spend time together. They develop feelings for each other, but as the vacation ends, they must return to their respective lives. After a long time passes, the two meet again. Jun Ha reveals that he is married, subtly indicating that he has already let go of his feelings for Joo Hee. While Joo Hee is in tears, she realizes something is off with Jun Ha, only to discover that he lost his eyesight due to injuries sustained during the Vietnam War. Jun Ha pretends to have returned safely so that Joo Hee can move on. Upon realizing this, Joo Hee breaks down, asking Jun Ha why he kept it a secret. As he tries to leave in haste, he stumbles and confesses his true feelings, revealing he had even practiced for this moment but failed.
Happiness – ‘A Moment to Remember’
A Moment to Remember is a tear-jerking melodrama that focuses on the pain experienced by Cheol Su (Jung Woo Sung) and Su Jin (Son Ye-jin) due to Alzheimer’s disease. The sadness is amplified by the happy moments they share, and the film delicately captures those joyful points without losing sight of them.
In the film’s first half, before Su Jin is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, there are numerous moments filled with joy. We see Cheolsu preparing for their first date and the fun they have together at a baseball practice, interspersed with various date scenes. Later, when Su Jin makes a suit for his job interview, she responds to a friend’s teasing, “Just give me the money and I’ll buy off-the-rack,” by saying, “Why not? It’s fun!” The activities done while thinking of a loved one and spending time together represent a joy that is the closest to happiness among the spectrum of emotions.
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