With her signature crescent-moon smile that once defined the “nation’s first love,” Son Ye-jin has entered a new era one deeper, richer, and more assured. Now 43, the melodrama queen has returned to the big screen with renewed depth, claiming her second Best Actress trophy at the Blue Dragon Film Awards and signaling the start of what she calls the third act of her life and career.
At the 46th Blue Dragon Film Awards held on November 19, Son Ye-jin won both Best Actress and the Popular Star Award for Park Chan-wook’s much-talked-about Chuseok release No Other Choice. The achievement marked a meaningful milestone: her fifth Popular Star Award and her first Best Actress win in 17 years. Over the years, she has built a remarkable Blue Dragon legacy, earning recognition for films such as The Classic, My Wife Got Married, White Night, and The Last Princess.
In a post-ceremony interview, Son Ye-jin admitted the win felt surreal. She shared that she went straight back to filming her next project after the awards, barely having time to process the moment. This year’s ceremony, she said, was especially unexpected. Having let go of any strong desire to win, she hadn’t even prepared an acceptance speech. Standing on stage felt like stepping into a scene from a movie one she never imagined would be about her family and herself at this stage of life.
While the Best Actress honor carried weight, Son Ye-jin revealed she was particularly moved by the Popular Star Award, knowing it was earned through fans’ votes. She recalled excitedly telling her husband, actor Hyun Bin, that they had placed first. Jokingly, she asked whether he had prepared a speech too only for him to brush it off and head to the gym instead. Laughing, she said her own playful goal that night was to show off her “fierce back muscles” to the cameras.
Grateful for the unwavering support she has received over decades, Son Ye-jin spoke warmly of her fans, both in Korea and abroad. She noted that following Crash Landing on You, her international fanbase grew significantly, and many overseas supporters had even voted for her in the film awards. Their continued encouragement, she said, motivates her to keep searching for meaningful roles.
One lighthearted anecdote stood out: Son Ye-jin credited her manager’s strange dream for the win. Days before the ceremony, they dreamed she was pregnant with twins then dreamed she won the lottery the next night. Known to believe in premonitions, she joked that perhaps the dreams foretold her Blue Dragon victory instead, promising to treat her manager to a generous meal in gratitude.
Reflecting on winning Best Actress again after 17 years, Son Ye-jin admitted her feelings about awards have evolved. She received her first Best Actress trophy at just 27, a moment she once felt came too early. While joyful, it also left her feeling unmoored, as if she had reached her ultimate goal before truly understanding herself as an actress. At that age, she struggled with self-doubt and pressure, questioning her abilities and feeling undeserving of such high praise.
With time, she has come to see awards differently. While no actor performs solely to win trophies, she acknowledged that recognition can become a powerful source of strength during difficult periods. Competing, she explained, is never about beating others but about constantly confronting and surpassing oneself. Beneath the glamour, the profession can be emotionally bruising, and moments of acknowledgment help her regain balance. This second Best Actress win, she said, feels like applause for the path ahead rather than a burden from the past.
Her latest film No Other Choice also marked her return to cinema after 7 years. The film tells the story of a man suddenly laid off and his wife, Mi-ri, who remains strong and composed as the family faces financial collapse. Playing Mi-ri, Son Ye-jin transformed into a warm yet resilient wife and mother, grounding the story with quiet strength.
She revealed that this was her first true career break since debut. After becoming a mother, she prioritized her child, believing those early years were irreplaceable. Initially, she imagined a three-year pause, but Park Chan-wook’s offer came sooner than expected. Accepting the role felt like fate. Still, stepping back onto set was daunting, especially surrounded by veteran actors. She likened the experience to constantly handing in homework to a demanding teacher. Yet being the youngest on set brought its own comfort and freedom.
Motherhood, she said, also reshaped her understanding of acting. The emotional contradictions Mi-ri faces protecting a child while holding them accountable mirrored her own experiences as a parent. Those lived emotions enriched her performance in ways she believes would not have been possible before marriage and childbirth.
Now a wife to Hyun Bin and a mother, Son Ye-jin described a profound shift in how she lives and works. Where acting once consumed her entirely, she now experiences clear boundaries between work and personal life. This separation has helped her focus more deeply and channel a wider emotional range into her roles. While she joked that she can no longer play “first love,” she feels her range as an actress has only expanded. Calling herself Hyun Bin’s “forever love,” she said that alone brings her contentment.
Closing the interview, Son Ye-jin reflected on the symbolism of winning Best Actress once as a rookie and again as a seasoned actress. It felt like a moment to gently pat herself on the shoulder. Sharing a year of accolades alongside her husband made the achievement even more unforgettable. With renewed ambition, she expressed hope to continue earning recognition and perhaps one day, even win an award alongside Hyun Bin for the same project.
Sources: Daum
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