If you’ve missed South Korean actress Son Ye-jin from the hit Korean drama Crash Landing on You, there might be a possibility that you’ll next catch her on the big screen in a Hollywood movie, The Cross. Born on January 11, 1982, the star first made her debut in 2000 in the movie Secret Tears.
When Crash Landing on You released its very first episode on Netflix in late December 2019, no one had any idea that it’d be the absolute hit that it is today. Fans from all around the world followed the lives of two star-crossed lovers, South Korean heiress Yoon Se-ri and North Korean army officer Ri Jeong-hyeok (played by her now-husband, Hyun Bin) and watched their love story unfold over the 16 episodes that were aired.
The romantic drama became so critically acclaimed that it was the second highest-rated K-drama in cable television history, beating out other popular K-dramas like Mr. Sunshine and 100 Days My Prince.
When the show started gaining traction in early 2020, fans became even more interested in the life of the lead actress, Son Ye-jin. Some had seen her work in past K-dramas before, while others saw her as a fresh face in the industry.
Recently, Son Ye-jin and Kim Hyun Bin also welcomed their child, a baby boy, on November 27, after the two tied the knot in March last year.
So in celebration of her birthday, we’ve rounded up a few things you might not know about this South Korean actress. To find out more about her, keep on scrolling.
Related articles: K-Star Hyun Bin’s Madame Tussauds Wax Figure To Land In Singapore
We’ve all seen Son Ye-jin’s on-screen chemistry with her co-star, Hyun Bin, on Crash Landing on You, and believe it or not, the pair are actually married in real life!
The two first co-starred in The Negotiation in 2018, before landing the lead roles as star-crossed lovers in 2019 K-drama Crash Landing On You. While they were rumoured to be a pair since then, they only made the announcement official in January 2021, before announcing their engagement in February 2022.
The star couple recently announced that they are officially parents. The two, who got married in March 2022, revealed on social media that they welcomed their first child, a baby boy, on November 27.
In a statement shared by Son Ye-jin’s agency MSteam Entertainment, they shared that both Son Ye-jin and the baby were in good health.
Previously, it was revealed that Son Ye-jin was due in December, but the actress gave birth earlier than expected.
Just like many of us, Son Ye-jin gets really excited when she tries out new cuisines. Her Instagram is filled with snaps of food and you’ll definitely find your mouth watering when scrolling through her socials. Here, she’s trying peach pasta, which is just one of the many unique dishes that she enjoys sampling.
So, if you’re looking to experiment with new dishes in the kitchen, check out her profile for some #foodspiration.
Aside from acting, you’d be surprised to know that the star also has a passion for fitness. With more than 10 years of experience, Son Ye-jin revealed that she’s a TRX Instructor (Total Resistance Exercises). Besides this, the star also revealed that she enjoys playing golf in her free time too.
The 41-year-old actress always knew she wanted to be in the acting industry, even when she was younger. She studied film at the Seoul Institute of the Arts, a prestigious school that’s the alma mater of many other popular Korean actors as well.
In an interview with Section TV, Entertainment News in 2013, she gushed about how she was just “an ordinary high school student” that preferred to indulge in ddeokbokki (Korean rice cakes) rather than studying hard to get good grades.
Son Ye-jin’s name in the K-drama industry was finally put on the map when she starred as Jang Hee-ae in the 2001 romantic comedy Delicious Proposal. The TV series revolved around two opposing families in the restaurant business and the blossoming love between high school students on their paths to becoming chefs. The show also starred popular Korean actor Jung Joon as Hee-ae’s love interest.
Prior to that, she starred in her first movie called Secret Tears, which was about a drunk man who becomes involved in some extra-sensory experiences after knocking down a girl who turns out to have paranormal powers.
If you’ve been following Son Ye-jin on Instagram (her handle is @yejinhand), you’d probably notice that she likes to take time off from her busy schedule to meet up with her girlfriends.
Here’s just one of the many pictures that she’s posted with her friends – I guess you could say she enjoys girls’ nights out as much as we all do.
Whether it’s celebrating a birthday or just hanging out with the girls for some drinks, it’s nice to see that Son Ye-jin manages to keep her personal life exciting despite her hectic work schedule.
Just like her character in Crash Landing On You, Son Ye-jin also prefers a natural no-makeup makeup look off-screen too. She’s often seen with a light base makeup, flushed cheeks and just-bitten lips.
If you’re recreating a makeup look like hers, don’t forget to pop on some sunscreen so you’re protected from the harsh UV rays. Opt for a lip stain instead of a lipstick, for an effortless, chic look.
Even though Son Ye-jin's most famous performances are of her being that down-to-earth girl that everyone loves, she’s extended her acting roles to more than just that.
In 2005, she played a con-artist Han Ji-wan in the popular Korean romantic comedy film The Art of Seduction. She also played a woman with two husbands in the 2008 film My Wife Got Married. Well, she’s clearly a versatile actress who can easily play different personalities — talk about talent.
This article originally appeared in Her World.