[OFFICIAL] Hyun Bin ❤️ Son Ye Jin (BinJin Couple)

[QueenieBee]

1 hour ago, LavenderVirgo said:

@bin-jin thanks for sharing!  
 

Was the interviewer trying to indirectly ask THE question that can’t be asked? I feel like the interviewer was hinting at, how come you guys are so comfortable with the each other when you only had a few scenes together (in TN)?!  

 

Would’ve loved to see HB’s face (smile) when the SYJ question came up.

 

Yes the interviewer was working an angle for sure and it basically came across like this:

 

Interviewer: So you and SYJ have great chemistry in CLOY and fit so well together. 

 

HB: Yes we were comfortable  in our scenes because its our second time working together. 

 

Interviewer: But in your first project you barely had scenes together and mainly acted through monitors. 

 

HB: 

[soongjoongkissi]

 

 

 

 

 

[lovelyz]

The Interviewer trying to make him spill but I bet HB has been warned by YJ not to be so obvious and be more careful with his answers this time...i mean remember Esquire 2019 - the whole “Breathing the same air,staring into her eyes..” thing lol 
And I’m glad it’s not only us that’s clearly curious and wanting them to announced soon...  

And the fact that he let them ask questions about YJ...clearly he still wants to talk about her but just have to be more careful this time lol

As for YJ,I understand her situation...i mean look at her during her FM lol And clearly we can see from CLOY PressCon too that she let HB do all the talking when it comes to them.

Anyway,I love how BinJin handle their relationship.They’re trying to be  lowkey but at the same time still wants people to get the hint that they’re indeed together.

 

My Fav Part of the Interview:

• HB talking about how him and YJ are comfortable with eachother.

• The Interviewer being somewhat a shipper trying to make him spill and dig more infos lol I mean HB was like “We’re much comfortable because we worked together before” and the Interviewer was like “But didn’t you both only have one scene...how is that making any sense” LOL And that part “We’re together,We’re apart but we’re not apart”....That Interviewer should get a raise for atleast trying hahahah

And also LOL at this part... 

HB we all know how you feel....

We all are kind of allergic to Weibo hahaha

 

Have a good day everyone!

Don’t you just love being in this ship

[MASTERPIECE]

His response regarding his popularity is positive in China and when Weibo was mentioned is so SARCASTIC! haha

[ElectricHearts]

msteam did an update

https://www.instagram.com/p/CJC3Ft2Hq14/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

 

when i look at the naver link - it was the same before but now it is dated for dec 21 LOL

 

https://m.post.naver.com/viewer/postView.nhn?volumeNo=30275131&memberNo=22874259

[MASTERPIECE]

HB why do you have to keep bringing The Negotiation times? Can't get enough of your lady love? All this questions are pre reviewed and approved by VAST! We all already knew how she took your heart away the moment you two worked together 3 years ago! Love is always in the air for these two!

[Babycake82]

Word for the day ... IS THAT SO? 

 

Wow CLOY really set the bar so high! The photobook in Japan is at number 1 in sales.

 

 

And ranked #1 in HongKong Tatler!

 

And then there's Vast and MsTeam same day updates again. Yeah subtle way of telling us, they are tag team now. Just kidding lol

 

[Samsam]

Happy holidays Soompi Binjin Shippers and "Is that so" community 

 

I see that our other ship, V/ast and M/steam happen to update  at the same day again, just a few moments apart. Good job, good job. 

 

Anyway, just a few observations with the first part of the Esquire interview of Hyun Bin.  

 

1. The Negotiation (TN) was a project he filmed in 2017 (shot some parts the following year) and released in 2018. In between CLOY and TN, He did Rampant and MOTA. 

 

Question: Why is there a need to talk about TN and skip his 2 other most recent projects? If I were the interviewer, i might want to discuss about The Bargaining, or touch on MOTA and Rampant as well since these films are more recent. 

 

But what is so special about TN and even give details about how you went about shooting this special film.

 

If this is a post CLOY interview, why touch on TN? I believe every sane and rational individual who's reading the same article as I read this morning will ask the same thing. 

 

2. He expressed it himself that he is aware of the articles being written about him and the impact of CLOY specially overseas. Special mention was even given to Japan because of their tremendous love for CLOY that it is still trending and being talked about in their country.  

 

But despite his awareness of CLOY's overseas popularity, Hyun Bin's comment of "Is that so" over the Weibo comment of the interviewer made some spark online. 

 

Question: Why Hyun Bin? Your answer gave the same vibe and impression as July 31st V/ast statement. Short and savage. But maybe that's just me 

 

3. CLOY was filmed for about 7-8 months. please correct me if i'm wrong. other shows didn't take that long to finish. It was indeed difficult for everyone specially when they had to delay shooting and thereby affecting the airing of some episodes. It was also reported that Son Ye Jin was rushed to the Emergency Room due to fatigue. As a present to the staff and crew, SYJ and HB even gave complementing gifts to the staff that's very timely: boots, scarf, and vest. Very sweet of the 2 if you ask me. 

 

But all this difficult situation, winter, fatigue, it all paid off. 

 

There are a few other observations but i'll stick with the 3 for now.   3 things are certain: (1) CLOY is special. (2) TN is special. and (3) I don't see any other names mentioned in this interview just yet... just Son Ye Jin. 
 

edit. HJW and HJM were mentioned in passing in the second part. It is worth noting that they were NAMED by the interviewer and not freely dropped by Hyun Bin.  
 

worth noting as well is the known fact that the ONLY person whom HB is close friends with and whom he is caught grocery shopping with is Son Ye Jin. In a grocery in LA. Am I gloating? no. I’m just stating a known and verified fact. 

 

take care everyone! 

 

[LavenderVirgo]

The recent SYJ (Elle)and HB (Esquire) interviews are the long awaited post-drama interviews fans have been waiting for, and BinJin could have put an end to the rumours if they wanted to. What do they have to gain by being linked to each other now, months after their drama finished? 

 
Instead we see SYJ talking about her current interests which can be easily linked to HB. We see HB answering questions which can also be linked to SYJ. Their responses are cautious (saying something without really saying something, if you get me?), and it’s more telling on what they don’t explicitly say.
 

So at the end of all this, they are still being linked to each other.  What does that tell you then?!

 

[HannaBanana]

Hyun Bin said in his interview that he is aware about Crash Landing On You's success in Japan thru articles. Hmmm he might be lurking here, that's why he is updated. 

 

Hi Hyun Bin we will keep you more updated about articles written about you and Yejin. This thread has always been my source when i need to know something aside from twitter. Just keep on lurking lol

[RiRiGaGa]

 

RI-LY CRASH LANDED ON YOU

Cloyversary Bonus Edition 

Poem by: RiRiGaGa

Inspired by: CLOY's Ri Jeong Hyuk & Yoon Se Ri

Dedicated with much love to: BinJin

                                         

Like a surprise crash landing, you enthrall me 

Like a helpless moth to a flame, you draw me

 

 

Like courageously hiding a deadly secret, you conceal me

Like gentle medication to my wounded soul, you heal me  

Like two separated worlds existing in unity, you feel me 

 

 

Like a scented candle lighting the dark, you guide me 

Like two broken parallel worlds, you stand beside me

 

 

Like the excited wheels of a tandem starry bike ride, you turn me 

Like the anxious tides beneath a secret boat ride, you churn me 

Like every sacrificial cut and bruise on your face, you concern me 

 

 

Like the soil and roots beneath a tomato plant, you ground me

Like the strong arms of a warm embrace, you surround me 

Like a valuable gift to my life I did not expect, you astound me 

 

 

Like fresh water nourishing Edelweiss flowers, you yield me  

Like a dependable umbrella sheltering rain, you shield me 

 

 

Like the wind under my soaring parachute, you uplift me 

Like unraveling layers of vulnerable truths, you decrypt me

Like redefining what happiness could mean, you shift me 

 

 

 

Like the lens of a camera peering into my soul, you see me 

Like one small step across the forbidden border, you free me 

 

 

 

Like being there at precisely the right time and right place, you save me

Like remembering you for the rest of my life no matter what, you enslave me

Like secretly keeping a photo memento of me in your pocket, you engrave me

 

 

 

 

Like handmade noodles to a rich broth, you seep me

Like promise rings to delicate fingers, you keep me

 

 

Like going through a fake breakup condolence period, you amuse me

Like liberally giving away multiple lousy capitalist hearts, you confuse me

Like the fateful matching type O blood that saved my life, you transfuse me

 

 

 

 

Like the precious words lined on my bookshelf, you rearrange me 

Like courageous words breaking lifelong silence, you change me

Like a patient hand wiping away my tears, you dry me

Like loving you beyond all logic and reason, you defy me 

Like a laminated promise to never let you go, you tie me

 

 

 

Like looking exactly your "type," your U.F. G.G.W., the secret 8th member of BTS, you favor me

Like purposely losing your way in the dark to extend our parting deadline, you savor me

Like transforming my broken life of empty grey sorrow into vibrant colorful joy, you flavor me

 

 

 

Like the drops of fragrant fresh drip coffee, you swallow me   

Like the wrong train leading to the right station, you follow me

 

 

 

 

Like searching for you even in the depths of my subconscious dreams, you wake me

Like the terrifying thought of how I am supposed to go on living without you, you break me

Like choosing to go through hell or high water to meet again & fall in love, you never forsake me

 

 

 

Like a hair tie to fancy, disheveled strands, you secure me 

Like a melancholic piano melody to my heart, you hear me

 

 

Like year-long considerate texts to a phone, you receive me 

Like an unfaltering strong shoulder to lean on, you relieve me 

Like patiently waiting and desperately praying, you believe me 

 

 

Like the sweet soju to my bulgogi clam, you intoxicate me 

Like reigniting the spark of an old passion, you ri-innovate me

Like saying 10 nice things to my plant every day, you cultivate me

 

 

 

Like teary, wistful eyes that cannot look away, you captivate me 

Like unlocking my guarded, imprisoned heart, you emancipate me 

Like navigating your way to me no matter how far apart, you locate me

 

 

 

Like a body shield to a bullet, you protect me 

Like the fear of losing you forever, you wreck me

Like it was always meant to be, you select me

 

 

 

Like the destruction of all my hopeless defenses, you defeat me

Like Captain Ri Jeong Hyuk is to CEO Yoon Se-Ri, you complete me

 

 

 

Like serendipitous destiny meets fate, you find me

Like the Hyun Bin to my Son Ye Jin, you bind me…

Into your love, and I, I am always and forever yours 

              

 

 

 

 

 

Ctto: all the photos used from a variety of sources

 

 

Author's Note: Hi, BinJin nation, it's been a while! Hope everyone is healthy and well! Happy Cloyversary! Last year, I posted this CLOY-RiRi-BinJin inspired poem as a passion project and labor of love to dedicate to BinJin before the Baesang Awards to celebrate their brilliant acting and for bringing such a beautiful love story to life. In it, I had hoped to capture every swoon-worthy moment and sentiment between RiRi that made me go so "RiRiGaGa" over them lol ;). In celebration of Cloyversary this year, I have updated this poem with the addition of new lines from memorable scenes that I did not get a chance to capture the first time around. So let's walk down memory lane again and reminisce over all the amazing reasons why this beautiful couple captivates us so much and doesn't let go. Hope you enjoy this Cloyversary edition! My poem evolves because my love for CLOY-RiRi-BinJin evolves. CLOY is truly a valuable gift that keeps on giving and I am grateful for that. I cannot believe it is been a year since this beloved k-drama has crash landed into our hearts and remains to this day. Every time I re-watch this show (I've lost count), I am just as enchanted as the first time and I walk away with additional insights, deeper feelings, and an ever-growing appreciation for everything that this masterpiece embodies: love, loss, friendship, hope, joy, strength, kindness, forgiveness, unity, and perseverance. As isolating, lonely, and devastating as this crazy year has been, I am grateful for the happiness and hope that CLOY continues to bring to the world. I'm so proud that CLOY continues to take the world by storm! Truly well-deserved. Personally speaking, re-watching CLOY has helped me get through some very painful and dark periods of grief and loss this year and I could not be more thankful for the comfort and joy that CLOY continues to bring.

 

     HB/Captain Ri and SYJ/Se Ri gifted us with a love so pure, so persistent, and so unwavering. A love that knew no boundaries, no limitations, and no borders. They brought to life a tale that restores your hope in kindness in the world, of finding family, friends, and joy in the least expected places, and encountering a love that lights up your heart and soothes your soul. 
 

     For how easy it was for us to fall in love with their story, their love story was anything but easy. It was hard fought and well earned. Both of these beautiful people gave, sacrificed, and endured. They were two broken souls that opened up to each other, found solace in each other, and healed each other by selflessly giving their unconditional love knowing that this love had a deadline and could be taken away from them at any second. Knowing this, they still went all in. Yes, they were indeed fatefully destined to be end game but they earned that end game! It did not just happen for them. They made it happen! So every kiss, hug, starry-eyed look that swooned over and cheered on was hard fought with tears, heartbreak, blood, separation, loss, desperation, and faith. 

 

     CLOY was what brought us to this shipping journey so when we witness sweet, real-life moments of BinJin basically being Ri Jeong Hyuk and Se-Ri in real life and tabbing up their long list of receipts, it is hard to not want more from them. When this shipping journey feels long and arduous, it is natural to feel tired, impatient, and downtrodden at times. But remember that all worthwhile things are worth the time, effort, and wait. If BinJin is truly working on building forever, that takes time. Just like RiRi did not give up on each other despite impossible circumstances, let's not give up on BinJin despite our yet-to-be-fulfilled well wishes for them.

 

        Thank you, Binjin, for gifting us with your embodiment of Captain Ri and Yoon Se Ri. Thank you for giving us beautiful glimpses of the real-life connection you guys have (no matter how you want to label it right now or how much of it you choose to disclose). Thank you CLOY writer for your beautiful story and CLOY director for bringing this story to life! 

 

     CLOY, RiRi, BinJin- Thank you for bringing the world so much joy, laughter, and hope during a dark, scary time of social isolation, uncertainty, and fear. Thank you for bridging fans all over the world together to share in the joy of witnessing the love you have so earnestly displayed. You two remind us that love exists in all forms everywhere and that love knows no bounds and finds no limits. It’s inspiring and hopeful. I can only hope that we will get to witness you two making magic on and off the screen again soon!

 

 

 

 

Edited December 21, 2020 by RiRiGaGa
Some of the photos aren't coming through, formatting was messed up :(

[CartPusherInLA]

@RiRiGaGayou never ever cease to amaze.  You eloquently put into words what most of us feel not only about CLoy but also about our love for our OTP, why we are on this ship and why we continue to do so. Thank you for sharing your gift.

[Bin-Jin]

HB Esquire Part 2 interview and still Yejin ssi ah.

 

Only 1 question on his new proj Bargaining, the rest of the questions are on CLOY & HIS YEJIINssi ah!!  

 

NOTHING on his decade ago projects and the only other costar being ask was HJM and our whipped HB only answered “...it takes alot of tine to get acquainted and the rest of his answer is YEJINssi.

 

 

 

[LavenderVirgo]

The interviewer is still fishing haha!!  And the below... don’t we all know someone who thinks he’s pretty funny?
 

HB: it's hard to make someone laugh. Even if it’s not acting. 

[eLizza]

After reading the excerpts from Esquire, there is no doubt as to why it took so long to get an interview related to the main casts from the local media despite CLOY being a huge domestic success ...

 

 I couldn't stop smiling the way the interviewer was being too obvious..He/she definitely wanted some more tea from Hyun Bin..Just look at the questions, it mostly revolved around ,CLOY, Yejin , Nego.

I m sure questions were screened before..but the interviewer didn't back down and somewhat found ways to grill him more.

I guess this is the difference between foreign press and the local one..Yejin shi  your turn next ..for Elle.

....

 

Btw..did you see Hyun Bin's response  to a question where he said that ..."to get closer, you need to work together ".hmmm..now we know why he was so eager to star in another project along with a certain person.... Isn't it the only time when he expressed such a strong desire to work with someone again..??..And even after the drama, they signed for the same telco brand ..so...more working together!!

 

Kudos to the interviewer for trying non-stop to bring down his guard by asking such sly questions...I m sure Yejin had prepared him to not to let this interview become Metro 2.0. HB was cautious not to slip this time...lol!!

Will be waiting for the full issue to be published next month..

[ElectricHearts]

I just read part 2 of his interview lol. Actually his interview so far reminds me of her Esquire 2018 one because she had also talked a lot of her well known projects too. Even though her esquire 2018 interview and photoshoot that was done on her birthday - it was a bit sad as they brought up her working with Kim Joo Hyuk in 2 of her projects and you know how close she was with him as an actor. She even had regret not complimenting him on Truth Beneath when he had to film outside for 3 days in the ground. That was her biggest regret she had. Not telling him before he had passed away. She only briefly talked about The Negotiation back then for that interview lol. 

 

The way he had used comfortable instead of close was more interesting. Since using comfortable, I find to be more intimate of a word lol. So I just picture them on the couch basically Netflix and chilling  Plus he lets SYJ tease him  - plus he said it is hard to make people laugh? - his friends or audience? Not sure by that part of interview.  SYJ laughs all the time with him lol. Since apparently she finds him very funny.. When his other past co stars and friends yes have said hb is funny too. that is not their well known qualities of him when they ask in regards to ideal type on co stars. they always say another actor for funny instead.

 

He can't share much on Bargaining though. That is why he doesn't talk much on the movie.

 

However, yes he spent a lot talking about Crash Landing on You and The Negotiation lol. 

[soongjoongkissi]

HJM and yejin worked with HB twice but what is the difference between them? HB wished to work with yejin again.. breathing the same air and being in the same space looking in the eyes.. he is very vocal on that plus they have grocery shopping in LA.. so many good words from hb for yejin in esquire 2019 interview..  

 

 

I notice the interviewer in esquire 2020 interview she/he wants hb to spill something

 

 

 

[PrettyNoona]

Reading HB's Esquire interview, I can't help but see the similarities in some answers. Both BinJin admitted that they have a lot in common, no wonder the answer is similar too. 

 

 

YJ's Esquire interview on her birthday (Feb 2018 issue):

"It can be scary when we realize that we're lacking, but on the other hand, this can also be something that gives us hope to further also ourselves" 
It motivates you. There were things I lost too as my fresh rookie years passed by. Whether it was because I was lacking in terms of skills or emotionally, it was these aspects that matched the character well. The young age (youth) that comes together and matched well with the character. Recently, I had the opportunity to watch The Classic again and its been 15 years ever since it was released in 2003. I felt that my lines were cringey. My voice was different. I guess our voices change as we get older. I'm really embarrassed about that, but I was really glad that the movie captured the freshness and innocence that I had back then. Even if I'm more experienced now and have better acting skills, I won't be able to do it now. Of course, there are things that are only possible now because of these in-depth experiences. 

 

HB's Esquire interview Jan 2021 issue: 

... (Laughs) It's embarrassing to look at it now. But on the other hand, I think I could only act at that time. It contains expressions and images that were only shown at that time. If you tell me to do it now, I don't think I'll be able to do it.

 

People who became Hyun Bin's fans are surprised when they watch "Secret Garden". Gil Ra-im (Ha Ji-won) and Kim Joo-won (Hyun Bin), who changed their inner roles, are funny, right?
The work is similar. I've changed a lot now. I've changed my mind, my way of expression, my way of looking at scene. Of course, I'm ashamed of my acting, and I think that's the only time I can do it.

 

Perhaps we can revisit YJ's Esquire FULL interview - I think she opened up a lot more back then. One thing about YJ is she is a very honest person. From her interview to what she posted on her IG acct, it’s YJ - no polishing images, no cryptic messages, simply just a humble and down to earth person. 

Spoiler

"I heard that today is your birthday. You ended up spending your birthday at a photoshoot. Today is a special day for Esquire too. This is the first time we're filming a female cover model since the publication of the Korean version." 

 

I don't usually think much of birthdays, because I'm usually at the filming site during my birthdays. If there is nothing special going on I celebrate my birthdays simply. Since there's a photoshoot today, I met lots of people who wished me happy birthday. When I received the proposal from Esquire, I thought it was meaningful. I have a lot of work/projects this year, so it feels nice knowing I can start the year off well with a new mindset. Nowadays, I think that leaving records or pictures becomes good memories later on as time passes. 

 

"It seems like you're saying that you didn't think this way last time." 

 

I have not done a lot of photoshoots, because I feel awkward posing like a model. It is fun, but its not something I prefer to do. However, nowadays I think that it is valuable/precious to be able to see my past appearance, so I accepted it positively. 

 

"You said you have a lot of projects this year. You will begin filming PD Ahn Panseok's drama Something in the Rain in February. The title is so broad, I think there's something deeper in the drama." 

 

PD Ahn Panseok always makes dramas with depth/hidden meanings, and not just one-dimensional interpretations so that viewers can think about different things. But this time, it was so clear to the extent that I thought, he really made this kind of project?'. The drama is not about twisted love or human greed. It is an ordinary story that ordinary working women similar to my age would experience. 

 

"Wouldn't it be a fantasy to you, since you have never experienced what ordinary working women experienced?" 

 

That's right. I've never worked in an office. And most of the people around me work in fields related to my work. There's almost close to no chance of me meeting other women who work in completely different fields. In this drama, Jinah is a supervisor who manages the managers at a coffee shop, and it was interesting to learn what she goes through at work. So this is how women around my age live. 

 

"It's been 5 years since your last drama." 

 

I wanted to do a project that calmly reveals small stories. While looking for a project similar to Alone in Love which depicts the inner feelings of each character in detail, I came across the script for SITR. The scenario was interesting. It was also an opportunity for me to naturally show myself in my late 30s. 

 

"Ever since you started acting in 2000, you've been working continuously. There are actors/actresses now who start acting in their 10s, but at that time, it was not common for actors/actresses to start their careers in their early 20s. You started your social life at an early age." 

 

After a year in college, I took a leave of absence and debuted as an actress and officially started acting. I think it's fortunate that I managed to attend college for even a year. That one year felt very valuable to me. 

 

"Any regrets on not fully experiencing college?" 

 

Not really. I enjoyed myself enough for a year (laughs). It's fortunate that quite a few friends who were in theatre film studies became directors and actresses/actors. Its not easy to fulfil your dreams. I'm a very blessed person too. 

 

"It seems like you build your career without many big ups or downs." 

 

That's something I hear a lot. Its probably because I've never been caught up in a huge scandal or committed anything wrong that required me to discipline/restrain myself. I am a very thorough person. For example, if someone says that they'll set up a meeting me, I'll first be concerned/worried about whether the other person will spread rumors about meeting me. My first priority was to perfectly protect my image as an actress. I didn't want to do anything that would harm other people and I didn't want to make any mistakes. I'm more relaxed now, but when I was in my 20s, I was constrained to this. Work was the most important. 

 

"Was your life as an actress that desperate or is it some sort of sense of responsibility?" 

 

I didn't know that I'd be so hardworking too. I would've gone to Harvard had I studied just as hard (laughs). It was to the extent where close colleagues told me no one is as hardworking as I am. So there was a time I thought, 'An actor is charming and cool when we don't know what to expect from him/her. he I working too hard as if its a rule/formula?'. 

 

"Why did you want to become an actress?" 

 

I was really introverted and shy in school. I was sensitive to the extent that I felt nervous even if someone just calls my name. On the other hand, I was also more on the mature side compared to my peers. There are so many emotions inside of me and I had no confidence in expressing them. In middle school, I started to think that acting could help bring out these inner emotions. Now that I think about it, its really amazing that I had thoughts like these at such a young age. 

 

"Was it because you got a hint of life from watching movies or dramas?" 

 

That's not it. When I was young, I never went to movie theatres. If I did watch a drama, I was only watching it just because it's fun. I had never thought about going into acting. 

 

"In the end, you decided to go into theatre and film studies, so it seems like you were determined to become an actress by then." 

 

I decided to become an actress when I was 3rd grade in high school. I thought it'd be too late to become an actress if I didn't decide by then. So I told my parents about it, and they gladly allowed me to. I'm the second child in my family, so most of the expectations of my family were on my sister. I met my current agency and CEO when I was in 3rd grade high school. She was my manager at that time, and she told me to slowly start preparing. From then onwards, I travelled from Daegu to Seoul once per month to go for auditions. 

 

"If you met her in third grade, its quite a long relationship." 

 

We met when I was 19. Since I'm in my late 30s now, it has been around 19 years? I don't like things I'm unfamiliar with so I feel uneasy getting to know someone new again to work with them. I fit well with my current agency. I can also share a lot of memories with people I have worked with for a long time since young. We've known each other since I was young and when I moved from Daegu to Seoul to live as an actress. I really like that. 

 

"I heard you're close friends with Gong Hyojin. At a birthday party a few days ago, both of you were together with Uhm Jiwon, Lee Junghyun, Song Yoona, Lee Minjung, Oh Yoona. It's interesting to see actresses close together." 

 

To be honest, its really not easy for actresses to get along well like that. I was also sensitive in my 20s. But in my 30s, I was more relaxed and able to look around and take care of others. We can share what we can't tell easily to others, cheer each other on, talk about our worries and comfort each other. There is this bond we share as fellow actresses. It's reassuring. 

 

"Maybe its rare for actresses to become close with each other as there are not many projects/opportunities for them to work together." 

 

That's right. There's no reason to meet. There are a lot of opportunities for male actors to work together but its rare for actresses to have such opportunities. There are many movies which cast many actors but this is not the case for actresses. Even if there's multicasting, its usually multiple actors with one actress. So there's no chance to meet them. 

 

"Were there times when you felt more competitive because there are fewer opportunities for actresses to take on charming roles, as compared to male actors?" 

 

I think male actors feel the same way too. We're all humans. Isn't it the same for work life too? Feeling jealous if someone gets promoted, but not me? Likewise, its natural for actresses to feel competitive. If my work did not receive good responses but other actors' work did well, its normal to feel discouraged. This is why I feel glad that I have colleagues whom I can honestly talk with and sincerely congratulate each other's happiness. 

 

"Last November, you wrapped up filming for Be With You, which is a remake of the Japanese movie. Its been a long time since you acted in melo genre." 

 

Nowadays, it is so rare to see a melo movie screening. I even heard that the only melo movie showing this year is ours. Even if you want to watch melo movies, you can't. So I feel a sense of responsibility. This movie must be successful so that more melo movies will be produced. I hope this movie does well, in hopes for diversity in the Korean movie industry and from the perspective of the audience. 

 

"The Classic and A Moment to Remember were released 10 years ago and are still melo movies which are talked about often. Its not an exaggeration to say that you're an actress that contributed greatly to Korea's melo movies. Perhaps it was actress Son Yejin's collateral value which convinced the difficult situation of the melo movie market." 

 

You said this but what if the movie doesn't do well? (laughs) Its hard to decide on a melo movie. Since I am remembered as someone in (successful) melo movies which are still being talked about now, I shouldn't be told that last time was better. I feel like there is a need to choose a work that exceeds past works, and I also feel like I need to portray deeper melo acting. Which is why it has been a long time since I decide to do a melo movie. 

 

"It does seem like the absence of melo movies led to fewer projects that actresses can choose from." 

 

In melo or romantic comedy genres, there's definitely a role for actresses. Although actresses do appear in thriller movies as well, a majority of Korean movies tend to be centered on male actors. 

 

"Nowadays, there are times I wonder if there's a need to this extent to watch male crime genre." 

 

The Outlaws was a really great/fun movie though. I follow it sometimes (laughs). Of course, when I watch certain movies, I do think about how it would have been if that character was a female. But I have to admit its difficult, to draw a cool female character in a noir movie. 

 

'The movie that defined 'transformation for actress Son Yejin who was no different from a melodrama icon, was Open City. You wanted to do something different at that time?" 

 

Starting from Lover's Concerto to The Classic, AMTR, April Snow and romantic comedy Art of Seduction, most of my career in my early 20s were melo genre. There were many great works, but I had a desire to show transformation, which was why I chose another genre. After which, I filmed thrillers and blockbusters and a variety of other works too. 

 

"You manage to pull off your character role well, no matter what it is. It feels like a model student who work hard sincerely and does her own role well." 

 

I did work really hard. But the more variety of genres you choose, the more risk there is. There were people saying whether it was necessary for me to do comedy acting when my melo image is good enough. Now that I think about it, there were many times where I looked awkward. Similarly, in Open City, it was difficult to act charismatically. (laughs) But My Wife Got Married helped me gain confidence as an actress. Before that movie, I did a lot of romance genre movies and portrayed gentle female roles, but in this movie, I had to portray provocative acting. It feels like I'm betraying a genre. But I wasn't scared of that. I didn't know where the confidence came from but the desire to do it was strong. 

 

"There are things you only know once you do it" 

 

There's no choice but to continuously put in effort and work hard because in the end, en if one tries to express/portray various sides, they still have the same face, the same voice. That's why I want to keep trying to portray change. Through this process, I will know what kind of acting feels awkward for me. As these experiences build up, fear disappears and I learn a lot. 

 

"It can be scary when we realize that we're lacking, but on the other hand, this can also be something that gives us hope to further also ourselves" 

 

It motivates you. There were things I lost too as my fresh rookie years passed by. Whether it was because I was lacking in terms of skills or emotionally, it was these aspects that matched the character well. The young age (youth) that comes together and matched well with the character. Recently, I had the opportunity to watch The Classic again and its been 15 years ever since it was released in 2003. I felt that my lines were cringey. My voice was different. I guess our voices change as we get older. I'm really embarrassed about that, but I was really glad that the movie captured the freshness and innocence that I had back then. Even if I'm more experienced now and have better acting skills, I won't be able to do it now. Of course, there are things that are only possible now because of these in-depth experiences. 

 

"I think the movie that brought out the other side of Actress Son Yejin is The Truth Beneath. Actress Son Yejin is seen as a bright person, but in TTB, Yeonhong gave off a cool/chilly feel. It is the first project that proved that Son Yejin can act in an evil way. However, it is also interesting how the director of TTB, Lee Kyungmi, is a female. It was a refreshing type of acting directed by a female director." 

 

To be honest, Lee Kyungmi's style is unique. As I read the scenario and thought that it would be okay to act in this tone, she always throws me off unexpectedly. She wanted to destroy everything that was typical, and always wanted to show things differently and strangely. I've always been acting with the mindset that I need to connect emotionally with the audience. No matter what character I act, I thought that it was meaningless if I'm unable to gain the audience's sympathy for my character. But TTB was the first project I filmed without those kind of thoughts. 

 

"You didn't feel anxious because of that?" 

 

Of co it wasn't easy. Yeonhong was a difficult character and it was a character that was hard for the audience to follow. There were times when even I couldn't understand (Yeonhong). But at some point, I convinced myself, by thinking that she's this type of person and that she does not have any other choice but to act this way. The process was painful but it felt so new and interesting/fun.a I also thought that I won't  be able to act this way elsewhere. It felt refreshing to explosively release/vent my emotions like that. Controlling yourself is ore difficult. Of course, my energy felt drained, but even close colleagues told me that they did not expect that I would deliver my lines this way, and that they didn't know I had that kind of energy. I guess there was something (in me) that I didn't know. 

 

"You reunited with director Heo Jinho in The Last Princess, 11 years after April Snow. Come to think of it, April Snow was a movie that demanded maturity emotionally, compared to your previous works at that time". 

 

There were people that said they liked my acting, but now that I think about it, I think it was a role that I should have taken on after getting older. Anyway, I was into the character during the 4 months of filming. I thought a lot about the character and conversed a lot with director Heo Jinho. It was interesting reflecting my opinions in the process. Often, the director closely observes the actor and discovers and draws out these appearances/images to a cinematic setting. I always wear earphones to bring out emotions. After the director saw that, he told me to wear earphones in the movie too. I think it was a setting that considered my age, and how I played the role of young wife who was too young to deal with an affair. 

 

"Director Heo Jinho was the only director you worked twice with. You may have felt a sense of closeness with him that you never felt before." 

 

Princess Deokhye was a difficult character. I was concerned because it was my first time playing a historical character. There were so many concerns since it was a period historical movie that required a high budget and the fact that a female actress was leading it, and there were so many ups and downs even before the shooting started. Still, due to the trust we built in the past, I could rely on the director. On the other hand, we were both amazed at how much both of us changed after 10 years, ever since we first met. The Last Princess is not Heo Jinho's melo movie, but a movie based on historical facts, so the director must have had a hard time challenging a new style. I'm glad/relieved that the end result was good. 

 

"In a sense, it was comforting that the both of you have been living well" (t/n: SYJ and HJH being successful in their on careers) 

 

It is more difficult for a director to get the chance to produce/direct a new project, than for an actor to get the opportunity to act in a new project. But director Heo Jinho has been firmly directing films and I became an actress who plays title roles in directors' project. I feel good, at the same time bitter, and lots of other emotions as well. 

 

"Last year, you finished filming for The Negotiation, a crime film. I heard you played the role of a negotiator" 

 

To be honest, the plot may feel unfamiliar in Korea. The director met with foreign negotiators and gained materials for the movie, so it may be different but I heard that there are actually two people in Korea who do this type of job. The character I played, Ha Chaeyoon, leads the story. She was attractive because she looked strong-willed.

 

"Perhaps it was a role possible only now"

 

While filming the movie, there were many moments where I felt that my emotions became intense, since we needed to negotiate to save the hostages and every minute and second is important. What 's harder is that I can't act while having eye contact with the lead costar, but I needed to act while looking at a monitor. Two filming sets were built and we acted simultaneously in each filming set, just like a live broadcast. We could've act by looking at a recording, but if we do that, the acting may feel less realistic, so we decided to use monitors and act at the same time. But it was difficult delivering emotions through a monitor. I couldn't 't feel the detailed emotions through looking at the expressions on a monitor, so I needed to bring out as much emotions as possible and act.

 

"Two movies might be released this year"

 

Both of them need to do well. Be With You could be the starting point for Korean melo movies, and The Negotiation could show that even an actress can fit well with a crime genre movie. I shouldn't make it harder for actresses if it doesn't do well (laughs).

 

"You can 't help but feel a burden on your shoulders"

 

As many keywords get attached in front of my name, I feel burdened. But I think I enjoy that too nowadays. And I was lucky. The success of a movie is not something that can be achieved by an actor's efforts alone. No matter how hard I worked, if the movie didn't do well, who will cast me?

 

"Such luck is determined through the choices we make every moment. Are there any past choices that you still think about and look back on?"

 

I try not to regret on things that already happened. Choosing a project is also considered as fate. And I believe in my destiny. In the end, it is my destiny to choose a project I like, and to choose a project I want to challenge. Everyone works hard. It's not that the movie didn't do well because you didn't work hard. In the end, with whatever you have, you'll need to train yourself painfully in order to do well. When I meet a new character, I put in effort to make different expressions from before, even if it's just a slight difference. Of course, other people may not know it, but from my perspective, it bothers me. I feel like changing lines that I've heard before. I want to show a new side of me, so I choose a different character.

 

"Kim Joohyuk, who co-starred with you in My Wife Got Married and The Truth Beneath, passed away last year. It feel even more regrettable as recently, his career was facing an interesting turning point. "

 

Everyone talked about that at the funeral. That it should have been the best time for him. So my heart really aches. I feel indebted to him. The two roles that I felt which allowed me to grow as an actor were MWGM and TTB, and for MWGM, it was difficult to act as the character playing Inah's husband. If it's done wrong, the character might end up looking pitiful. TTB was a movie where the female lead stands out, and the male character was not the kind of character through which the actor can show his acting. But KJH took on these characters in both projects. I don 't think anyone else could have done that. 

 

Even while filming Yeonhong's revenge scenes at the end of TTB, he worked hard and lay on the floor for three days in that cold weather and acted without saying anything. He was a really kind person. But I couldn't say thank you to him. I felt shy/ strange saying that at that time. So I really regret it. I just couldn't believe it. It seemed like a lie. So my heart ached more. We lost an actor who's so precious. I heard that Heungbu, the movie KJH is in, will be released soon. I'll definitely be watching it.

 

"Maybe it serve as a chance to remind us to look back on everyday life and on our surroundings"

 

That's right. There's nothing much to life, and there's no point arguing over something insignificant. Each and every single day is precious. Looking back, there are many people I'm grateful for, and I realized that I didn't express it well because I was not generous with it. It feels like maturing little by little.

 

"What do you think about marriage?

 

In my 20s, I wouldn't have thought that I will live without getting married up until now (laughs). So in my early 30s, I thought that I should get married soon, but now that time has passed, I'm not sure now. I do not plan to force myself to meet someone just to get married. There are things/work I need to do, and I want to enjoy the present now. I also like travelling alone. 

 

"I think there is a reason why you travel alone. " 

 

I like travelling. It is not easy to enjoy everyday life in Seoul. And I also feel stress/pressure related to work. I am happy because I am doing what I enjoy, but at the same time, I can't help but feel the need to work. So I feel more free when I go overseas. After a project ends, I travel. It is also a way for me

to prepare myself to work again.

 

"You 're already past your mid 30s. Do you feel pressured about getting older?"

 

I think everything is good other than my memory getting poorer and wrinkles appearing on my face. Now that I have more time (feel more relaxed), I can look around my surroundings and broaden my mind. Even if you 're in your 30s and 40s, if you exercise hard, your stamina will be better than compared to your 20s. I think my stamina now is better than when I was in my 20s. 

 

I like getting older. I feel more comfortable living now, and I feel grateful. It may differ for other people, but when I was young, even if there was something to be thankful for, I didn't know it. So I think it's really amazing if you know that at a young age. Because I wasn't able to be like that. Maybe that's why I was so fierce/competitive in my 20s. I like the freedom (relax) I have now.

 

"This realization may feel stronger maybe because you 're an actor. As you get older, it can't be helped but to give way to a new generation. On the other hand, you also need to find your own place which is suitable for your age".

 

When I was in my 20s, I wanted to be in my 30s. I anticipated the future as I thought about what I could show in my 30s as an actress but now, I'm

just focusing on my current project/work. It's possible to become a successful actress in my 40s, it's unpredictable. So there is nothing else I can do, other than to do my best with the role I am given now. As long as I love acting, I will act until the end. At some point, I will have to make a choice when I think that I won't be able to do a certain role, or when I am offered a role that someone else can play even if it's not me.

 

When you get older, even if you want to do a melo movie, it's possible to receive only roles of mother. In the end, it's something I have to decide/choose once I face it. For now, it is difficult to imagine what I feel about it.

 

"Last year, at the film awards ceremony, Na Moonhee was called many times as the winner of the Best Actress Award. It must be encouraging to have a senior who has kept her position for so long. "

 

It is encouraging. She's probably approaching 80 years old, yet she always shows such refreshing and new acting, filled with sincerity that can touch your heart. It is comforting to junior actresses. Because it gives us hope that as long as we work hard, we can be like that too.

 

"Unlike male actors, it seems like female actresses are destined to have a certain sense of responsibility as their experiences build up"

 

It 's the same for senior Yoon Yeojung, senior Kim Hyesoo and senior Jeon Doyeon. There is a need for such seniors in order to see our future. Without them, I won't be able to imagine what I should do. After all, we need such amazing role models.

 

"You're now at an age where you have more juniors than seniors, on the filming set"

 

Actually, I got older, but I still feel youngest at heart (laughs). Even though I'm over my mid 30s, I still feel like I'm in my late 20s, early 30s. Not everyone is an adult from the beginning. It 's just that in the process of becoming an adult, you accept it at some point. I didn't have thoughts of wanting to become a good senior to my juniors, but I feel proud of myself for living well when I meet a junior that calls me their role model. Whether it's from seniors or juniors, I want to hear that 'Son Yejin is a really hardworking actress '.

 

[Halinakorea]

@RiRiGaGayou rocked it again . your poem again is so amazing. I woke- up today amazingly when i read that poem . trully excellent. We missed you. Merry Christmas.

[Whitecheddarpopcorn]

 

Aside from the yejjn inserts, loved the part where HB said how he has changed and even mentioned God. Is this the first time he has ever mentioned the higher being in an interview? He sounds so mature now.

 

The interviewer is definitely binjin shipper btw. Gotta give this interviewer credit for probing the answer that everyone wants to know. Always loved how HB shamelessly, casually and comfortably blurts out SYJ and TN even if it happened several years ago. The heart trully speaks what it wants.

 

And yeah, the "is that so" statement is also funny