Song Ji Hyo sat down for an interview ahead of the release of her new film Savior (directed by Shin Jun), opening up about her down-to-earth approach to beauty—and the backlash that came with it.
The mystery occult drama follows Yeong Beom (Kim Byung Cheol) and Seon Hee (Song Ji Hyo), a couple who move to the supposedly blessed village of Obok-ri—only to find that their miracles come at the cost of someone else’s misfortune. Song plays Seonhee, a woman losing her sight after an accident, holding onto her faith as she endures the pain.
Appearing in a barefaced, realistic look for the role, Song said, “No matter what I’m filming, I try to stay true to the character. If it’s not a role that needs to look pretty, I don’t. But if it helps the story, then I’ll glam up.” She added, “Whether I come out looking messy or beautiful doesn’t matter as long as people see the character. What matters is blending into the story, not the visuals.”
About Seonhee’s look, she explained, “I wanted her to look like someone truly worn down by life, not glamorous—just real.”
Song admitted she’s never been one to fuss over her appearance. “I prefer comfort,” she said. “I usually go around in training clothes, sunscreen, a plain T-shirt, and a backpack.” With a laugh, she added, “I feel bad for the people who try to glam me up, but time in the salon—it’s pure torture for me. Sitting still that long is exhausting, so I avoid it whenever I can.”
Asked about her so-called “prime years,” Song replied, “I don’t think ‘Princess Hours’ was my peak. That was just youth—it was my weapon back then. Looking back, my real prime was the early ‘Running Man’ days. I was thirty, had some life experience, and finally knew how to look the way I wanted on camera.”
She also recalled the 2021 Running Man controversy when fans criticized her for not getting styled. “In the early days, we had so many water games. I’d go to the salon, get ready, and then immediately get drenched. It drained my energy, so I stopped going. And wow, did people get mad,” she laughed.
“I got scolded hard for skipping the salon—fans even put out a statement about changing stylists,” she said. “It slipped my mind that they always want me to look my best. It’s not that I didn’t care—I thought it was only natural. I forgot this is also a job where how you look matters.”
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