Song Hye Kyo has come a long way from her early days as the sweet young star of melodramas to becoming a leading actress who fully embodies her roles. She’s been actively promoting her recent projects across various platforms, and it’s clear she’s both proud of the work she’s chosen and confident in her choices. Today, we take a look back at five of Song Hye Kyo’s most memorable films.
Dark Nuns (2025)
Dark Nuns is an occult film that follows the journey of Sister Yunia (played by Song Hye Kyo) and Sister Michaela (Jeon Yeo Bin) as they perform an exorcism to save a possessed boy (Moon Woo Jin). Sister Yunia’s name is derived from the woman referred to as the first female apostle in the Book of Romans. In the film, she defies the Church’s prohibition against nuns performing exorcisms to save a life. She persuades Sister Michaela—who follows Father Paolo (Lee Jin Wook), a priest and psychiatrist who believes only in medicine—to trust in her mission. Dark Nuns is a spin-off of The Priests that brings nuns to the forefront from their traditional supporting roles alongside male priests in exorcism stories. In her return to Korean cinema after 11 years, Song Hye Kyo shatters the conventional image of a nun with intense confrontation scenes against demonic forces, sharp and cynical expressions and a distinctive interpretation of her character.
My Brilliant Life (2014)
Adapted from Kim Ae Ran’s novel, My Brilliant Life tells the story of a young couple and their terminally ill son as they navigate life together and find meaning in every moment. Song Hye Kyo plays Mira, a woman who once dreamed of becoming an idol singer. As reflected in her line, “I had a baby when I was seventeen,” Mira is a teenage mother who became pregnant after meeting Daesu (Kang Dong Won), a promising taekwondo athlete. The two sacrifice their dreams to care for their son, who was born with progeria, a rare genetic disorder that causes rapid aging. While Daesu struggles with the responsibilities of fatherhood, Mira embraces motherhood with fierce devotion. She faces a harsh reality but maintains a bright and upbeat attitude, and Song Hye Kyo brings to life a unique portrayal of maternal love that is distinctly her own. The film ultimately shows that raising a child is not just about nurturing them physically and emotionally—it is also a journey of growth for the parents themselves.
Hwang Jin Yi (2007)
Hwang Jin Yi is a historical drama film based on the life of the real-life courtesan and artist Hwang Jin Yi, who lived during the reign of King Jungjong in the Joseon Dynasty. Born into a noble family, Hwang Jin Yi chooses to become a gisaeng after the secret of her birth leads to the cancellation of her engagement. By her side is Nom Yi (played by Yoo Ji Tae), a childhood friend and former servant of her household, with whom she shares a deep love. The film was meticulously crafted over a four-year production period. The popularity of drama Hwang Jini, starring Ha Ji Won, naturally increased interest in the movie. While the drama focuses on Hwang Jin Yi’s artistic passion as a renowned performer, the film delves deeper into her personal struggles and choices.
The Grandmaster (2013)
Directed by Wong Kar Wai, The Grandmaster is set in early 20th-century China, a period of great turmoil. The movie explores the life and philosophy of Ip Man, the legendary martial artist known as Bruce Lee’s mentor. The story begins with a showdown between two grandmasters—Ip Man, a skilled martial artist from a wealthy southern family, and Gong Yutian, a formidable northern master. The plot gains momentum when Gong Yutian’s daughter, Gong Er (played by Zhang Ziyi), sets out to avenge her father’s death and reclaim her home after the Japanese seize it. The film garnered attention for Song Hye Kyo’s appearance. Despite her brief six-minute screen time, she captivated the audience as Ip Man’s wife, Zhang Yongcheng, and portrayed a character navigating affection and loss with minimal dialogue and expressive eyes.
The Crossing (2016~2017)
After making a strong impression on Chinese audiences through The Grandmaster, Song Hye Kyo starred in The Crossing, a trilogy directed by John Woo. It’s based on the true story of the Taiping ferry sinking in the 1940s and how it impacted people’s lives. The story follows three couples who each find their own way to survive amidst war and disaster. The star-studded cast includes Zhang Ziyi, Huang Xiaoming, Takeshi Kaneshiro, and Masami Nagasawa, representing top talents from China, Korea, and Japan. Song Hye Kyo was praised for her role Zhou Yunfen, a noblewoman from the elite, as she showcased fluent Chinese and perfectly embodied the confidence and grace of an aristocratic woman of that era.
>> Song Hye Kyo’s ‘Dark Nuns’ Scares Up Box Office Gold Across Southeast Asia
Watch more of Song Hye Kyo’s starring works for free on OnDemand Korea and Amasian.tv! Stream Amasian TV at lgchannels.com—now available on Channel 250 in the U.S. and Channel 263 in Canada.
Edited by Seo Hayne
Translated by Yu Jin Kim
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.
