Born in Daegu in 1982, the actor Son Ye-jin has established a significant presence in South Korean cinema and television. Educated at the Seoul Institute of the Arts, she emerged in the early 2000s, quickly garnering attention for her performances in romantic dramas before expanding her repertoire into thrillers, comedies, and high-budget action films.
Early Career and Recognition
Son Ye-jin made her screen debut providing the voice for Secret Tears in 2000. Her breakthrough in cinema followed with roles in Lovers’ Concerto and The Classic. These projects helped build her profile across East Asia. Her subsequent work in A Moment to Remember and April Snow confirmed her status as a commercially viable lead, leading to widespread public recognition in Korea as the Nation's First Love.
Twenty questions, eight minutes on the clock, and a percentile measured against everyone who has taken it. No sign-up.
Take the IQ test →Genre Expansion
Moving away from the innocent roles of her early career, she accepted parts as a con artist and a femme fatale in films like The Art of Seduction and Open City. Her portrayal of a polyandrous woman in My Wife Got Married secured her the Blue Dragon Film Award for Best Actress. She continued this diversification into blockbuster territory with the disaster film The Tower and the period adventure The Pirates.
Recent Projects and Global Reach
In the later stages of her career, Son gained international notice through the television drama Crash Landing on You, where she played a wealthy heiress. Her filmography further expanded with projects like The Truth Beneath, The Last Princess, and Be with You. By 2025, she took on a role in Park Chan-wook's production, No Other Choice.
Philanthropic Activity
Son has been involved in several charitable efforts within South Korea. In 2020, she donated 100 million won to the Community Chest of Korea to address the COVID-19 outbreak in her hometown of Daegu. Along with Hyun Bin, she contributed 200 million won to the Hope Bridge Disaster Relief Association following the 2022 Uljin forest fire and later provided a donation to the Samsung Medical Center.
Fast facts
- Born: 1982, Daegu, South Korea
- Education: Seoul Institute of the Arts
- Key Award: Blue Dragon Film Award for Best Actress
- Notable Film: The Classic
- Notable Film: The Pirates
- Notable Film: My Wife Got Married
- Religion: Roman Catholic (Baptismal name: Dominica)
- Spouse: Hyun Bin
Questions readers ask
Which major awards has Son Ye-jin won?
She has received the Blue Dragon Film Award for Best Actress and the Grand Bell Award for Best Actress.
Did Son Ye-jin appear in Hollywood productions?
She was cast in the film The Cross, but production was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.