The legendary actresses who once defined an era of Korean entertainment—Kim Tae-hee, Song Hye-kyo, Jun Ji-hyun, and Son Ye-jin—are preparing to meet audiences once again, sparking talk of a revival of the so-called “Tae-Hye-Ji-Son” generation.
On August 5 (local time), Kim Tae-hee attended the world premiere of the Prime Video original series Butterfly at Union Square Regal Theater in New York. When asked why viewers should watch the series, she responded in English fluently: “ It has really great and huge real action scenes and a touching story about family bond. I believe the audiences will find it really interesting and entertaining .”
Her confident demeanor quickly became a hot topic online, with netizens praising not only her elegance but also recalling her academic background at Seoul National University and her fluency in Japanese. Butterfly marks Kim’s U.S. debut and her first project in two years since ENA’s Lies Hidden in My Garden (2023). In an earlier interview with Taiwanese media, she candidly discussed motherhood and beauty standards, further cementing her status as one of Korea’s most beloved actresses.
Jun Ji-hyun, too, is making her long-awaited return. On September 10, she will star in the Disney+ series Tempest—her first drama in four years since Jirisan (2021). Co-starring alongside Kang Dong-won, with a stellar supporting cast including Park Hae-joon, Kim Hae-sook, and Oh Jung-se, the series has generated strong buzz even before release. Her brief recent appearance on YouTube, where she casually shared a noodle recipe, was enough to dominate headlines—proof of her enduring star power.
Meanwhile, Son Ye-jin is set to break her hiatus following marriage and motherhood with the film No Other Choice, opening September 17. Directed by Park Chan-wook, the movie has already been invited to compete at the 82nd Venice International Film Festival and will also screen at the Toronto and Busan film festivals. With a powerhouse cast including Lee Byung-hun, Park Hee-soon, Lee Sung-min, Yum Hye-ran, and Cha Seung-won, expectations are running high. Son is also lined up for Netflix’s Scandal and Variety in 2026, signaling a busy comeback.
Song Hye-kyo, who recently returned to the big screen after eight years with Dark Nuns, will reunite with celebrated screenwriter Noh Hee-kyung in the 2026 drama Show Business. The project marks their first collaboration in 11 years since That Winter, the Wind Blows, raising anticipation among fans.
With contemporaries such as Han Ga-in, Kim Hee-sun, and Han Ji-min remaining active in dramas, variety shows, and digital content, the simultaneous return of Kim Tae-hee, Jun Ji-hyun, and Son Ye-jin signals something more—a revival of the 2000s golden era of “Tae-Hye-Ji-Son.” For longtime fans, it’s a nostalgic yet thrilling reminder that Korea’s iconic queens of drama and film are ready to reign once again.
Sources: Netizenbuzz
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