Son Ye-jin Gets Real About Life With Hyun Bin, Their Son, and Overcoming Her 'Tough' 20s
In a rare interview, 'Crash Landing on You' star Son Ye-jin opens up about the profound joy of motherhood, her marriage to Hyun Bin, and why she wouldn't want to relive her 20s.
For global fans, Son Ye-jin and Hyun Bin are the ultimate K-drama couple, whose on-screen chemistry in Crash Landing on You blossomed into a real-life fairytale romance. But in a recent, candid conversation on the YouTube channel “Fairy Jaehyung,” Son Ye-jin offered a rare and refreshingly honest look beyond the fairytale, sharing intimate stories about motherhood, her marriage, and the immense pressures she faced as a young actress.
Finding “Perfect Happiness” in Everyday Moments
The biggest change in her life, Son Ye-jin shared, is the “dream-like happiness” she’s found since the birth of her son.
“It’s a feeling I’ve truly never had before,” she confessed. For the first time, simple, everyday moments—like visiting a playground or sharing a meal with her husband and child—bring a sense of complete and utter fulfillment.
She glowed with pride when talking about her son, revealing a sentiment many parents can relate to. “He’s so beautiful. He looks like both me and his father,” she said, adding with a laugh that she and Hyun Bin often playfully argue over which of them the baby resembles more. This glimpse into their family life shows a relatable, down-to-earth side to the superstar couple.
Her relationship with Hyun Bin is built on a foundation of mutual respect. When asked about his best quality, she praised him for being a “good person” who doesn’t try to control her. Their connection deepened after filming Crash Landing on You, evolving from the good impression she had of him during their first movie together, The Negotiation, where she saw him as a sincere and kind person.
Reflecting on a “Tough” But Formative Decade
While her 20s established her as a top star with iconic roles in films like The Classic and A Moment to Remember, Son Ye-jin revealed it was a period of immense struggle.
“I don’t think I could go back,” she admitted, recalling the overwhelming pressure and grueling schedules. “Success didn’t just feel like happiness; it felt like a huge responsibility. I always felt like I had to climb to the next step.”
This constant pressure to succeed and to continuously reinvent her image was intense. She recalled the immense stress she felt with every project, thinking, “The project will be a flop if I don’t do this.” From taking on comedy in The Art of Seduction to action in Open City, she constantly pushed her boundaries, building the versatile filmography she’s known for today. Interestingly, she feels her earliest work, filmed just a year after her debut, had a certain “fresh and natural” quality because she was less conscious of public perception.
New Challenges and Upcoming Projects
Never one to rest on her laurels, Son Ye-jin is still taking on exciting new challenges. She recently worked with acclaimed director Park Chan-wook and veteran actor Lee Byung-hun on the film A Normal Family (working title). Though she initially hesitated due to the role’s size, the powerful script and the opportunity to work with such respected figures convinced her. She praised Park Chan-wook’s meticulous, detailed directing style, which she found incredibly educational.
Fans can look forward to seeing her in two new projects: a Netflix series set in the Joseon era titled Scandal, and a role as an entertainment agency CEO in a drama that delves into the darker side of the K-pop idol industry.
Son Ye-jin’s journey—from a young star grappling with pressure to a fulfilled wife, mother, and ever-evolving actress—is a powerful story of growth that continues to inspire fans worldwide.