Son Ye-jin
Encyclopedia
Son Ye-jin is a South Korean actress.
, Sun-hee and Jin-hee, and Daemang: Great Ambition. Her first high-profile role in cinema was in Im Kwon-taek
's Chi-hwa-seon
, which screened at Cannes
and took home a Best Director
award in 2002.
The biggest success of her early career was in the subsequent films Lovers' Concerto
and The Classic
. Both were solid mid-level hits in Korea, and The Classic
in particular—being a work of My Sassy Girl
director Kwak Jae-yong
-- received wide exposure in countries such as Hong Kong and China.
Son further solidified her status as a "hallyu" (Korean wave
) star in 2003 by taking the lead in TV drama Summer Scent
, a part of the hugely successful series of TV dramas including Autumn Love Story and Winter Sonata
(though this drama would not attract the attention of the previous two). Her next two films also proved to be huge hits in Asia: A Moment to Remember
, based on a famous Japanese TV series, set box office records in Japan and sold over two million tickets in Korea, while April Snow
in which she co-starred with superstar Bae Yong-joon was also a smash hit in Japan and China (though not, incidentally, in Korea).
Son's most recent work sees her cast off her nice girl image. She took on the roles of a con artist
in The Art of Seduction
, an ambitious reporter in Spotlight, a femme fatale
in Open City
, and a divorcée in the critically acclaimed 2006 TV drama Alone in Love
opposite Gam Woo-sung. In 2008, her portrayal of a polyandrous woman in My Wife Got Married
bagged her Best Actress honors from the prestigious Blue Dragon Film Awards
and other local award-giving bodies.
After filming the dark mystery White Night
, Son wanted to do a more fun project, so she chose the romantic comedy Personal Taste
, followed by the supernatural love story Spellbound (Korean title: Chilling Romance). She next stars in her first blockbuster action flick, Tower, a remake of the 1974 Hollywood film The Towering Inferno
.
Career
Son Ye-jin has taken on a variety of roles in her career to date, propelling her to fame both in Korea and in other Asian countries. She first appeared in a supporting role in Park Ki-hyung's film Secret Tears in 2000, and then went on to take the lead in TV dramas such as Delicious ProposalDelicious Proposal
Delicious Proposal , also known as Sweet Proposal, is a 16-episode Korean television drama from MBC in 2001.- Overview :...
, Sun-hee and Jin-hee, and Daemang: Great Ambition. Her first high-profile role in cinema was in Im Kwon-taek
Im Kwon-taek
Im Kwon-taek is one of South Korea's most renowned film directors. In an active and prolific career, his films have won many domestic and international film festival awards as well as considerable box-office success, and helped bring international attention to the Korean film industry.- Early life...
's Chi-hwa-seon
Chi-hwa-seon
Chi-hwa-seon or Chwi-hwa-seon, , is a 2002 South Korean drama film directed by Im Kwon-taek about Jang Seung-up , a nineteenth-century Korean painter who changed the direction of Korean art.-Synopsis:It begins with the Korean artist being suspicious of a Japanese...
, which screened at Cannes
Cannes Film Festival
The Cannes International Film Festival , is an annual film festival held in Cannes, France, which previews new films of all genres including documentaries from around the world. Founded in 1946, it is among the world's most prestigious and publicized film festivals...
and took home a Best Director
2002 Cannes Film Festival
The 2002 Cannes Film Festival started on 15 May and ran until 26 May. The Palme d'Or went to the Polish-French-German-British co-produced film The Pianist directed by Roman Polanski.-Jury:* David Lynch * Sharon Stone* Michelle Yeoh...
award in 2002.
The biggest success of her early career was in the subsequent films Lovers' Concerto
Lovers' Concerto (film)
Lovers' Concerto is a 2002 South Korean film directed by Lee Han. It is a romantic melodrama dealing with friendship, jealousy and the ties that bind.-Plot synopsis:...
and The Classic
The Classic
The Classic is a 2003 South Korean melodrama / romance film directed by Kwak Jae-yong.- Plot :The film tells the parallel love stories of a mother and daughter. The story of the mother is told partially in flashbacks.The movie starts in the present day...
. Both were solid mid-level hits in Korea, and The Classic
The Classic
The Classic is a 2003 South Korean melodrama / romance film directed by Kwak Jae-yong.- Plot :The film tells the parallel love stories of a mother and daughter. The story of the mother is told partially in flashbacks.The movie starts in the present day...
in particular—being a work of My Sassy Girl
My Sassy Girl
My Sassy Girl is a 2001 South Korean romantic comedy film directed by Kwak Jae-yong. It tells the story of a man's chance meeting with a drunk girl on the train which changes his life...
director Kwak Jae-yong
Kwak Jae-yong
Kwak Jae-yong is a South Korean film director and screenwriter. He studied physics at Kyunghee University. He achieved success with his debut film Watercolor Painting in a Rainy Day in 1989, but the failure of his next two movies led to eight years of unemployment before a comeback with the...
-- received wide exposure in countries such as Hong Kong and China.
Son further solidified her status as a "hallyu" (Korean wave
Korean wave
The Korean Wave, also known as the Hallyu , refers to spread of South Korean culture around the world. The term was coined in China in mid-1999 by Beijing journalists surprised by the fast growing popularity of Korean entertainment and culture in China...
) star in 2003 by taking the lead in TV drama Summer Scent
Summer Scent
Summer Scent is a 20-episode TV drama series made in 2003. It is the third installment of the four part Endless Love drama series directed by Yoon Seok-Ho, produced by South Korean TV Network KBS.- Storyline :...
, a part of the hugely successful series of TV dramas including Autumn Love Story and Winter Sonata
Winter Sonata
Winter Sonata is a South Korean television drama series broadcast by KBS in 2002. It is the second part of the Endless Love installment directed by Yoon Seok-Ho...
(though this drama would not attract the attention of the previous two). Her next two films also proved to be huge hits in Asia: A Moment to Remember
A Moment to Remember
A Moment to Remember is a 2004 South Korean film based on a 2001 Japanese television drama Pure Soul broadcast by Yomiuri Telecasting Corporation. It stars Son Ye-jin and Jung Woo-sung. A Moment to Remember follows the theme of discovery in a relationship and the burdens of loss caused by...
, based on a famous Japanese TV series, set box office records in Japan and sold over two million tickets in Korea, while April Snow
April Snow
April Snow is a 2005 Korean romance film. Filming commenced on February 4, 2005 under the director Hur Jin-ho. The film was released in September 2005. Despite not making a profit in its country of origin, the film was a box-office success in several other Asian countries, owing mostly to the...
in which she co-starred with superstar Bae Yong-joon was also a smash hit in Japan and China (though not, incidentally, in Korea).
Son's most recent work sees her cast off her nice girl image. She took on the roles of a con artist
Confidence trick
A confidence trick is an attempt to defraud a person or group by gaining their confidence. A confidence artist is an individual working alone or in concert with others who exploits characteristics of the human psyche such as dishonesty and honesty, vanity, compassion, credulity, irresponsibility,...
in The Art of Seduction
The Art of Seduction (film)
Art of Seduction is a 2005 South Korean film.-Synopsis:Min-Jun and Ji-Won are so-called the first-rate "players" who are dating gurus with 100% success rates in any dating pursuits...
, an ambitious reporter in Spotlight, a femme fatale
Femme fatale
A femme fatale is a mysterious and seductive woman whose charms ensnare her lovers in bonds of irresistible desire, often leading them into compromising, dangerous, and deadly situations. She is an archetype of literature and art...
in Open City
Open City (film)
- Plot :Jo Dae-yeong is a police officer investigating a pickpocket ring with ties to the Yakuza. One day he rescues Baek Jang-mi from danger, only to discover that she is the boss of the gang he has been tracking.- Cast :* Kim Myung-min ... Jo Dae-yeong...
, and a divorcée in the critically acclaimed 2006 TV drama Alone in Love
Alone in Love
Alone in Love is a 16-episode South Korean TV drama series which aired in 2006, starring Son Ye-jin, Gam Wu-seong, Lee Hana and Gong Hyeong-Jin. The story is about two ordinary people who fall in love, marry and divorce, but are unable to move on from that point, because their love did not end...
opposite Gam Woo-sung. In 2008, her portrayal of a polyandrous woman in My Wife Got Married
My Wife Got Married
My Wife Got Married is a 2008 South Korean film. Directed by Jeong Yoon-soo and starring Kim Joo-hyuk and Son Ye-jin in the lead roles, the film is adapted from a bestselling novel of the same name by Park Hyun-wook....
bagged her Best Actress honors from the prestigious Blue Dragon Film Awards
Blue Dragon Film Awards
The Blue Dragon Film Awards is an annual awards ceremony that is presented annually by Sports Chosun for excellence in film in South Korea....
and other local award-giving bodies.
After filming the dark mystery White Night
White Night (film)
White Night is a South Korean mystery thriller based on the original Japanese novel by Keigo Higashino and the screenplay by Park Shin Woo. The film is the director's feature debut...
, Son wanted to do a more fun project, so she chose the romantic comedy Personal Taste
Personal Preference (TV series)
Personal Preference is a South Korean drama series adapted from a 2007 novel "Gaeinui Chwihyang" by Lee Sae In, about a man pretending to be homosexual in order to become roommates with a woman who wants to live with a gay male friend...
, followed by the supernatural love story Spellbound (Korean title: Chilling Romance). She next stars in her first blockbuster action flick, Tower, a remake of the 1974 Hollywood film The Towering Inferno
The Towering Inferno
The Towering Inferno is a 1974 American action disaster film produced by Irwin Allen featuring an all-star cast led by Steve McQueen and Paul Newman.A co-production between Twentieth Century-Fox and Warner Bros...
.
Films
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | Secret Tears | |
| 2002 | Chi-hwa-seon Chi-hwa-seon Chi-hwa-seon or Chwi-hwa-seon, , is a 2002 South Korean drama film directed by Im Kwon-taek about Jang Seung-up , a nineteenth-century Korean painter who changed the direction of Korean art.-Synopsis:It begins with the Korean artist being suspicious of a Japanese... |
So-woon |
| Lover's Concerto Lovers' Concerto (film) Lovers' Concerto is a 2002 South Korean film directed by Lee Han. It is a romantic melodrama dealing with friendship, jealousy and the ties that bind.-Plot synopsis:... |
Shim Soo-in / Gyung-hee | |
| 2003 | The Classic The Classic The Classic is a 2003 South Korean melodrama / romance film directed by Kwak Jae-yong.- Plot :The film tells the parallel love stories of a mother and daughter. The story of the mother is told partially in flashbacks.The movie starts in the present day... |
Ji-hye / Joo-hee |
| Crazy First Love | Il-mae | |
| 2004 | A Moment to Remember A Moment to Remember A Moment to Remember is a 2004 South Korean film based on a 2001 Japanese television drama Pure Soul broadcast by Yomiuri Telecasting Corporation. It stars Son Ye-jin and Jung Woo-sung. A Moment to Remember follows the theme of discovery in a relationship and the burdens of loss caused by... |
Su-jin |
| 2005 | April Snow April Snow April Snow is a 2005 Korean romance film. Filming commenced on February 4, 2005 under the director Hur Jin-ho. The film was released in September 2005. Despite not making a profit in its country of origin, the film was a box-office success in several other Asian countries, owing mostly to the... |
Seo-young |
| The Art of Seduction The Art of Seduction (film) Art of Seduction is a 2005 South Korean film.-Synopsis:Min-Jun and Ji-Won are so-called the first-rate "players" who are dating gurus with 100% success rates in any dating pursuits... |
Han Ji-won | |
| 2007 | Yobi, the Five Tailed Fox Yobi, the Five Tailed Fox Yobi, the Five Tailed Fox is a 2007 animated Korean film by Lee Seong-gang, the director of My Beautiful Girl, Mari. The film loosely draws upon the Korean folk tales of the kumiho.- Plot :... (animated) |
Yobi (voice) |
| 2008 | Open City Open City (film) - Plot :Jo Dae-yeong is a police officer investigating a pickpocket ring with ties to the Yakuza. One day he rescues Baek Jang-mi from danger, only to discover that she is the boss of the gang he has been tracking.- Cast :* Kim Myung-min ... Jo Dae-yeong... |
Baek Jang-mi |
| My Wife Got Married My Wife Got Married My Wife Got Married is a 2008 South Korean film. Directed by Jeong Yoon-soo and starring Kim Joo-hyuk and Son Ye-jin in the lead roles, the film is adapted from a bestselling novel of the same name by Park Hyun-wook.... |
Joo In-ah | |
| 2009 | White Night White Night (film) White Night is a South Korean mystery thriller based on the original Japanese novel by Keigo Higashino and the screenplay by Park Shin Woo. The film is the director's feature debut... |
Yoo Mi-ho / Lee Ji-ah |
| 2011 | Spellbound | Yeo-ri |
| 2012 | Tower | |
TV series
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2001 | MBC Delicious Proposal Delicious Proposal Delicious Proposal , also known as Sweet Proposal, is a 16-episode Korean television drama from MBC in 2001.- Overview :... (맛있는 청혼) |
Jang Hee-ae |
| MBC Sun-hee and Jin-hee (선희 진희) | Shim Sun-hee | |
| 2002 | SBS Daemang (대망, lit. Great Ambition) | Choi Dong-hee |
| 2003 | KBS Summer Scent Summer Scent Summer Scent is a 20-episode TV drama series made in 2003. It is the third installment of the four part Endless Love drama series directed by Yoon Seok-Ho, produced by South Korean TV Network KBS.- Storyline :... (여름 향기) |
Shim Hye-won |
| 2006 | SBS Alone in Love Alone in Love Alone in Love is a 16-episode South Korean TV drama series which aired in 2006, starring Son Ye-jin, Gam Wu-seong, Lee Hana and Gong Hyeong-Jin. The story is about two ordinary people who fall in love, marry and divorce, but are unable to move on from that point, because their love did not end... (연애시대) |
Yoo Eun-ho |
| 2008 | MBC Spotlight (스포트라이트) | Seo Woo-jin |
| 2010 | MBC Personal Taste Personal Preference (TV series) Personal Preference is a South Korean drama series adapted from a 2007 novel "Gaeinui Chwihyang" by Lee Sae In, about a man pretending to be homosexual in order to become roommates with a woman who wants to live with a gay male friend... (개인의 취향) |
Park Gae-in |
| 2011 | SBS Secret Garden Secret Garden (TV series) Secret Garden is a 2010 South Korean television drama, starring Ha Ji-won, Hyun Bin, Yoon Sang Hyun, Kim Sa-rang, Lee Jong Suk and Yoo In-na. It was broadcasted on SBS from 13 November 2010 to 16 January 2011. It won a number of awards at both the SBS Drama Awards and 47th Paeksang Arts Awards in... (시크릿 가든) |
Herself (cameo) |
Awards
- 2010 Blue Dragon Film AwardsBlue Dragon Film AwardsThe Blue Dragon Film Awards is an annual awards ceremony that is presented annually by Sports Chosun for excellence in film in South Korea....
: Popularity Award - 2010 Baeksang Arts Awards: InStyle Award
- 2010 Asia-Pacific Producer's Network (APN) Awards: Actress Recipient
- 2010 Seoul Arts & Culture Awards: Best Actress (White NightWhite Night (film)White Night is a South Korean mystery thriller based on the original Japanese novel by Keigo Higashino and the screenplay by Park Shin Woo. The film is the director's feature debut...
) - 2009 Baeksang Arts Awards: Best Actress for Film (My Wife Got MarriedMy Wife Got MarriedMy Wife Got Married is a 2008 South Korean film. Directed by Jeong Yoon-soo and starring Kim Joo-hyuk and Son Ye-jin in the lead roles, the film is adapted from a bestselling novel of the same name by Park Hyun-wook....
) - 2008 Korea Gallup Poll: Best Actress (My Wife Got MarriedMy Wife Got MarriedMy Wife Got Married is a 2008 South Korean film. Directed by Jeong Yoon-soo and starring Kim Joo-hyuk and Son Ye-jin in the lead roles, the film is adapted from a bestselling novel of the same name by Park Hyun-wook....
) - 2008 University Film Festival of Korea: Best Actress (My Wife Got MarriedMy Wife Got MarriedMy Wife Got Married is a 2008 South Korean film. Directed by Jeong Yoon-soo and starring Kim Joo-hyuk and Son Ye-jin in the lead roles, the film is adapted from a bestselling novel of the same name by Park Hyun-wook....
) - 2008 Blue Dragon Film AwardsBlue Dragon Film AwardsThe Blue Dragon Film Awards is an annual awards ceremony that is presented annually by Sports Chosun for excellence in film in South Korea....
: Best Actress (My Wife Got MarriedMy Wife Got MarriedMy Wife Got Married is a 2008 South Korean film. Directed by Jeong Yoon-soo and starring Kim Joo-hyuk and Son Ye-jin in the lead roles, the film is adapted from a bestselling novel of the same name by Park Hyun-wook....
) - 2008 Blue Dragon Film AwardsBlue Dragon Film AwardsThe Blue Dragon Film Awards is an annual awards ceremony that is presented annually by Sports Chosun for excellence in film in South Korea....
: Popularity Award (My Wife Got MarriedMy Wife Got MarriedMy Wife Got Married is a 2008 South Korean film. Directed by Jeong Yoon-soo and starring Kim Joo-hyuk and Son Ye-jin in the lead roles, the film is adapted from a bestselling novel of the same name by Park Hyun-wook....
) - 2008 Blue Dragon Film AwardsBlue Dragon Film AwardsThe Blue Dragon Film Awards is an annual awards ceremony that is presented annually by Sports Chosun for excellence in film in South Korea....
: Best Couple with Kim Joo-hyukKim Joo-hyukKim Joo-hyuk is a South Korean actor.- Filmography :-Awards:*2008 Blue Dragon Awards - Best Couple Award with Son Ye-jin *2006 Baeksang Arts Awards - Best Actor for TV...
(My Wife Got MarriedMy Wife Got MarriedMy Wife Got Married is a 2008 South Korean film. Directed by Jeong Yoon-soo and starring Kim Joo-hyuk and Son Ye-jin in the lead roles, the film is adapted from a bestselling novel of the same name by Park Hyun-wook....
) - 2008 Korea Best Dresser Awards: Best Dresser - Female Movie Star
- 2008 Korea Jewelry Awards: Diamond Award
- 2008 Style Icon Awards: Style Icon - Actress
- 2008 Style Icon Awards: Fun Fearless Female
- 2007 Korea Fashion & Design Awards: Fashion Icon Award
- 2007 Baeksang Arts Awards: Best Actress for TV (Alone in LoveAlone in LoveAlone in Love is a 16-episode South Korean TV drama series which aired in 2006, starring Son Ye-jin, Gam Wu-seong, Lee Hana and Gong Hyeong-Jin. The story is about two ordinary people who fall in love, marry and divorce, but are unable to move on from that point, because their love did not end...
) - 2006 Korea International Jewelry & Watch Fair: Best Jewelry Lady
- 2006 Asia Model Festival Awards: Model Star Award (CFTelevision advertisementA television advertisement or television commercial, often just commercial, advert, ad, or ad-film – is a span of television programming produced and paid for by an organization that conveys a message, typically one intended to market a product...
) - 2006 SBS Drama Awards: Best Actress Top Excellence (Alone in LoveAlone in LoveAlone in Love is a 16-episode South Korean TV drama series which aired in 2006, starring Son Ye-jin, Gam Wu-seong, Lee Hana and Gong Hyeong-Jin. The story is about two ordinary people who fall in love, marry and divorce, but are unable to move on from that point, because their love did not end...
) - 2006 SBS Drama Awards: Top 10 Stars (Alone in LoveAlone in LoveAlone in Love is a 16-episode South Korean TV drama series which aired in 2006, starring Son Ye-jin, Gam Wu-seong, Lee Hana and Gong Hyeong-Jin. The story is about two ordinary people who fall in love, marry and divorce, but are unable to move on from that point, because their love did not end...
) - 2006 Asia Pacific Film Festival: Best Actress (April SnowApril SnowApril Snow is a 2005 Korean romance film. Filming commenced on February 4, 2005 under the director Hur Jin-ho. The film was released in September 2005. Despite not making a profit in its country of origin, the film was a box-office success in several other Asian countries, owing mostly to the...
) - 2006 China Golden Rooster and Hundred Flowers Film Festival: Best Actress in a Foreign Film (A Moment to RememberA Moment to RememberA Moment to Remember is a 2004 South Korean film based on a 2001 Japanese television drama Pure Soul broadcast by Yomiuri Telecasting Corporation. It stars Son Ye-jin and Jung Woo-sung. A Moment to Remember follows the theme of discovery in a relationship and the burdens of loss caused by...
) - 2004 Moscow International Love Film Festival: Best Couple with Jo Seung-wooJo Seung-wooJo Seung-woo is a South Korean actor and musical star best known for his roles in Marathon and Tazza: The High Rollers.- Career :...
(The ClassicThe ClassicThe Classic is a 2003 South Korean melodrama / romance film directed by Kwak Jae-yong.- Plot :The film tells the parallel love stories of a mother and daughter. The story of the mother is told partially in flashbacks.The movie starts in the present day...
) - 2003 Grand Bell AwardsGrand Bell AwardsThe Grand Bell Awards is an awards ceremony presented annually by The Motion Pictures Association of Korea for excellence in film in South Korea....
: Best New Actress (The ClassicThe ClassicThe Classic is a 2003 South Korean melodrama / romance film directed by Kwak Jae-yong.- Plot :The film tells the parallel love stories of a mother and daughter. The story of the mother is told partially in flashbacks.The movie starts in the present day...
) - 2003 Baeksang Arts Awards: Best New Actress (The ClassicThe ClassicThe Classic is a 2003 South Korean melodrama / romance film directed by Kwak Jae-yong.- Plot :The film tells the parallel love stories of a mother and daughter. The story of the mother is told partially in flashbacks.The movie starts in the present day...
) - 2003 Blue Dragon Film AwardsBlue Dragon Film AwardsThe Blue Dragon Film Awards is an annual awards ceremony that is presented annually by Sports Chosun for excellence in film in South Korea....
: Popularity Award (The ClassicThe ClassicThe Classic is a 2003 South Korean melodrama / romance film directed by Kwak Jae-yong.- Plot :The film tells the parallel love stories of a mother and daughter. The story of the mother is told partially in flashbacks.The movie starts in the present day...
, Crazy First Love) - 2002 Korean Critics Association: Best New Actress (Lovers' ConcertoLovers' Concerto (film)Lovers' Concerto is a 2002 South Korean film directed by Lee Han. It is a romantic melodrama dealing with friendship, jealousy and the ties that bind.-Plot synopsis:...
) - 2001 MBC Drama Awards: Best New Actress (Delicious ProposalDelicious ProposalDelicious Proposal , also known as Sweet Proposal, is a 16-episode Korean television drama from MBC in 2001.- Overview :...
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