Son Ye-jin

Son Ye-jin is a South Korean actress whose career spans over two decades, marked by critical acclaim and commercial success. She is best known for her versatility across genres, from romantic classics like The Classic (2003) and A Moment to Remember (2004) to the global phenomenon Crash Landing on You (2019-2020). With numerous awards including Best Actress at the Grand Bell Awards and Baeksang Arts Awards, she has consistently ranked among Korea's most bankable stars. As of 2026, she remains active in film and television, with upcoming projects like Park Chan-wook's No Other Choice. Fans admire her emotional depth and elegant screen presence, which have earned her the enduring nickname 'Nation's First Love.' She has been listed on the Forbes Korea Power Celebrity list for four consecutive years (2019–2022). Her Instagram handle is @yejinhand. She is represented by MSTeam Entertainment. [edit]

Son Ye-jin was born Son Eon-jin on January 11, 1982, in Daegu's Suseong District, where she grew up with her older sister. She attended local schools and was a quiet, observant child who loved watching movies. After graduating high school, she enrolled at the Seoul Institute of the Arts to study film, but the pull of acting was too strong. She dropped out shortly after and began auditioning. In 2001, she landed her first role as the female lead in the MBC drama Delicious Proposal, a stroke of beginner's luck that launched her career. That same year, she won MBC's Best New Actress award for Delicious Proposal, signaling the arrival of a major talent. Her early film role in Lovers' Concerto (2002) gave her initial exposure. She is 165 cm (5 ft 5 in) tall. [edit]

Her breakthrough came in 2003 with two projects that defined early Hallyu: the film The Classic, directed by Kwak Jae-yong of My Sassy Girl fame, and the KBS drama Summer Scent, part of the Endless Love tetralogy. Both were massive hits across Asia, making her a household name. For The Classic, she won Best New Actress at the Baeksang Arts Awards, Grand Bell Awards, Korean Film Awards, and Blue Dragon Film Awards in 2003. She followed up with A Moment to Remember (2004) and April Snow (2005), which became box office hits across Asia. In 2007, she won the Baeksang Best Actress award for the drama Alone in Love, proving her range. She continued to diversify: the comedy My Wife Got Married (2008), the horror Spellbound (2011), the disaster film The Tower (2012), and the historical action film The Pirates (2014). In 2016, she delivered a career-best performance as Princess Deokhye in The Last Princess, winning Best Actress at the Grand Bell Awards. That same year, she starred in Park Chan-wook's political thriller The Truth Beneath. On television, her 2018 drama Something in the Rain was praised for its realistic portrayal of a mature relationship. But it was Crash Landing on You (2019-2020) that turned her into a global star, breaking tvN viewership records and earning her multiple Daesang (Grand Prize) awards. She later starred in Thirty-Nine (2022) and is set to appear in Park Chan-wook's No Other Choice in 2025. [edit]

Son Ye-jin is widely regarded as one of Korea's most elegant and versatile actresses. The media often highlights her 'nation's first love' image, a term that stuck after her early romantic roles. She is known for her graceful fashion sense, often appearing in sophisticated silhouettes on red carpets. Her social media presence is warm and personal, sharing behind-the-scenes moments and family life. Fans appreciate her authenticity and the emotional honesty she brings to every role. She has no official fan club name, but her international following has grown immensely since Crash Landing on You. She is widely admired for her professionalism and ability to balance commercial success with artistic credibility. [edit]

Son Ye-jin commands a dedicated following defined by high digital mobilization rather than a formalized club structure, with supporters often referring to themselves simply as her fans. This group has demonstrated significant influence in competitive voting environments, such as the July 2026 surge where her community secured 43.17% of the vote to propel her to the top of a ranking system. Their engagement extends beyond charts into philanthropy, evidenced by recent efforts raising nearly 40 million KRW for charitable causes. While her personal life remains relatively private, moments sharing family updates or responding to public discourse on fashion consistently draw massive attention and reinforce her status as a cultural icon alongside her husband, Hyun Bin. Her legacy is further anchored in the enduring narrative of *Crash Landing on You*, a drama whose real-life romance between the lead actors became a defining mythos of modern Korean entertainment. Amidst this cultural footprint, iFANN Global Fame Rankings places her among the most prominent figures in her field. She holds the position of the 37th most famous person in South Korea, a standing she maintains from the previous cycle. Furthermore, she is ranked the 34th most famous person from South Korea and the 67th most famous person in East Asia. Within her specific sector, she stands as the 11th most famous person in K-Drama. These placements reflect a sustained presence across global media coverage and consumption signals worldwide.[edit]

Son Ye-jin maintains physical fitness through regular swimming and possesses blood type A. She shares close friendships with fellow actresses Gong Hyo-jin, Kim Hye-soo, and Lee Min-jung. Her filmography includes multiple collaborations with Kim Nam-gil, Kim Joo-hyuk, and So Ji-sub, having worked with each of them twice. Known for her meticulous approach to acting, she frequently rehearses scenes dozens of times to achieve perfection. Despite her polished public image, she enjoys cooking and has stated that a career as a chef would have been her alternative path. In 2004, she received a Best Couple Award at the Moscow International Love Film Festival for her role in *The Classic*. Beyond these facts, her career is marked by legendary status derived from *Crash Landing on You*, where her on-screen romance with co-star Hyun Bin evolved into a real-life marriage that fans regard as the fulfillment of the show's promise. Additionally, her 2026 viral moment regarding a fashion debate, handled with noted grace, reinforced her reputation as an enduring style icon whose every move is scrutinized and celebrated.[edit]

Son Ye-jin grew up in Daegu with her parents and an older sister. Her father ran a small business, and her mother was a homemaker. She has two nephews from her sister. She has a dog named Mocha, a Maltese she adopted in 2018. In 2022, she married actor Hyun Bin, her co-star from The Negotiation (2018) and Crash Landing on You. They have one son, born in November 2022. The family lives in Seoul, and Son often shares glimpses of their home life on social media. [edit]

Son Ye-jin is closely associated with director Park Chan-wook, having worked with him on The Truth Beneath (2016) and the upcoming No Other Choice (2025). She is also frequently linked with actor Hyun Bin, her husband and co-star in two projects. Her frequent collaborators include actors Kim Nam-gil, Kim Joo-hyuk, and So Ji-sub, each of whom she has worked with twice. [edit]

Son Ye-jin's only known public relationship is with actor Hyun Bin. The two co-starred in the 2018 film The Negotiation and the 2019-2020 drama Crash Landing on You. Rumors of a romance surfaced during the drama's run, but they kept their relationship private until January 2021, when both confirmed they were dating. They married in a private ceremony in March 2022, attended by close friends and family. In November 2022, they welcomed their first child, a son. As of 2026, they remain married and are considered one of Korea's most beloved celebrity couples. No other public romantic relationships are documented. [edit]

Per iFANN's editorial analysis, Son Ye-jin's net worth is estimated at $15 Million as of 2026. This valuation reflects her earnings from blockbuster films and hit dramas, which have commanded top rates within the Korean entertainment industry for over two decades. Significant revenue streams also originate from endorsement partnerships with luxury brands, cosmetics companies, and fashion labels. Real estate holdings in Seoul contribute substantially to her financial portfolio. Industry observers consider her one of the highest-earning actresses in South Korea, noting steady growth in her wealth since the international success of *Crash Landing on You*. She has served as a model for numerous prestigious brands throughout her career.[edit]

Son Ye-jin has won numerous major awards throughout her career. She swept Best New Actress honors for The Classic in 2003 at the Baeksang Arts Awards, Grand Bell Awards, and Blue Dragon Film Awards. She won Best Actress at the Baeksang Arts Awards in 2007 for Alone in Love and at the Grand Bell Awards in 2016 for The Last Princess. She also received multiple Daesang (Grand Prize) awards for Crash Landing on You. [edit]