Metro.Style Most Beautiful Korean Actresses: Song Ji-Hyo And Her Career Highlights
She's been in the industry for close to two decades and has breathed life into many memorable characters, which is why Hallyu fans have a special place for her in their hearts
Really, she's the whole package. Song Ji-hyo, who debuted in the entertainment industry in 2001, has grown to become a model of what it means to be a truly likable star. She's immensely talented and beautiful, sure, but she's also got a great sense of humor, doesn't take herself too seriously, and has a genuine love for the art form she's chosen!
Starring in 12 films, 10 K-Dramas, with hosting gigs and a long-running stint on variety show Running Man, plus more than 15 Best Actress nominations and wins to her name, she's proven time and time again that her career only gets better with time and gives a whole other meaning to illustriousness and longevity. Aside from her talent and charm, she's noticeably gorgeous too, that's why her fans deemed her fitting to be nominated in Metro.Style's Most Beautiful Korean Actresses poll.
Check the gallery below for Song Ji-hyo's career highlights:
Get To Know Actress Song Ji-Hyo
Get To Know Actress Song Ji-Hyo
The typical path for an actress-hopeful in Korea is to start early, possibly get experience in commercials and bit roles in TV or film, then eventually pick a college major in film, theater, singing, or music for formal training before auditioning for the big leagues. When it came to Song Ji-hyo, however, her beginnings as a Hallyu star couldn't have been more different! She had no ambition of becoming a celebrity and only did some minor print modeling here and there as a teenager. Working odd jobs as a university student, she eventually graduated with a degree in tax accounting, showing just how far away her mind was from show business.
Photo Credit: Creative Group ING
Then the new millennium came, and as it seemed, Song Ji-hyo's stars had other plans for her in the years to come. K-Drama "Autumn in My Heart" aired in the year 2000, and you can bet that she never, ever missed a single episode. She fell in love with the show, more so with its lead stars Song Seung-heon and Song Hye-kyo, and that was it. She couldn't get acting off her mind after that, and decided to make a dramatic career change. She was 19 by the time she switched gears in life, but wasted no time in trying to get a foot in the door in the industry.
Photo Credit: Fossil
It would take three years and many auditions before Song Ji-hyo would get cast—enough time for any aspiring actress to lose hope and abandon the dream! 2003's "Wishing Stairs" from the "Whispering Corridors" anthology horror series proved to be the break she was looking for, as she reportedly beat thousands of other actresses, most more experienced than her, to land the coveted role. Come awards season, it didn't matter that it was her first full-length feature film of her budding career; her performance garnered her a Best New Actress award, and it became known far and wide. Song Ji-hyo was born with an inherent ability to captivate onscreen, and onscreen she would stay in the years that followed.
Photo Credit: Creative Group ING
Little did she know that her career change came at exactly the right time. The world was opening its borders to international movie and TV stars, learning that there was more to acting talent than just Hollywood. Korea in particular was enjoying its first wave of K-Drama and film imports—many of which included commercially successful titles that Song Ji-hyo starred in. Her very first K-Drama, 2006's "Princess Hours" was one of the first Koreanovelas to become a pan-Asian hit. It was well-received among Filipinos, too! In the same year, she starred in historical drama "Jumong," Korea's top-rated K-Drama of that year. In just her first few projects, Song Ji-hyo was already leaving one lasting impression after another.
Photo Credit: @my_songjihyo
With experience came more confidence for Song Ji-hyo. She deviated from traditional characters, opening herself to more experimental and demanding roles. By 2008, at 25 year old, she was working with some of the best directors and found herself gaining widespread recognition for 2008's historical fictional drama "A Frozen Flower." The massively successful film required her to film nude scenes, something most actresses shy away from. Unfazed, Song Ji-hyo took on the challenge with a deepened appreciation for authentic storytelling. You might say that it was at this point when she thought of acting as a real art, rather than a simple quest for fame.
Photo Credit: @my_songjihyo
In the first seven years of her career, Song Ji-hyo concentrated on drama, romance, and period projects, but in 2010, one of her best career decisions was made! She was cast as the only female cast member of prime time variety show "Running Man," and she's been with the group ever since. It brought out a totally different side to her, and audiences fell harder for the actress who's unafraid to be herself on- and off-screen. "Running Man" is one of her most well-known projects to date, and it's what made her a household name in Korea!
Photo Credit: Vidi Vici
Post-2010, Song Ji-hyo had reached that point in her career where anything she starred in would become a sure hit. She was an A-list actress by all accounts, and nominations and awards for her performances were to be expected at major annual awards ceremonies. She's received the most attention for her 2015's "Emergency Couple," 2016's "Ex-Girlfriend Club" and "Listen to Love," as well as 2018's "Lovely Horribly." She has a 2020 title that recently ended; "Was It Love?" may still be streamed on Netflix. She also released a new film during the pandemic titled "Intruder," a mystery thriller that attracted a sizable audience.
Photo Credit: Fossil
In her almost two-decade-long career, Song Ji-hyo has also enjoyed her fair share of international collaborations. She's worked with Taiwanese, Chinese, and Japanese groups, and even partnered with the NBA to create her very own line of merchandise. Aside from acting, she's also tried her hand at singing and hosting from time to time.
Photo Credit: @my_songjihyo
As for her personal life, Song Ji-hyo is happily single. She's dated in the past but isn't known to be seeing anyone at the moment. She's a career-driven woman who gets a sense of fulfillment from her professional achievements. As long she's happy where she's at, her fans will surely be, too!
Photo Credit: @my_songjihyo
You may still vote for Song Ji-hyo in Metro.Style's Most Beautiful Korean Actresses poll. Click here to vote! Voting is until September 29, Tuesday, 11:59 p.m.
Lead photos from Vidi Vici and Creative Group ING
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