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The Korea Times

Fighting against various prejudices is an unavoidable challenge in an actor’s career. A character’s image can become deeply attached to them, or a casual remark on a variety show can lead to significant misunderstandings.
Song Hye-kyo, 43, has not been immune to these challenges. she has even been labelled a “selfish woman”.
However, during a recent interview, she came across as both warm and cheerful while discussing her latest film.
After the revenge drama The Glory, Song returns to the screen in Dark Nuns.


The movie, also known as The Priest 2: Dark Nuns, tells the story of individuals who risk everything to perform a forbidden ritual to save a boy possessed by a powerful evil spirit.
Song plays Sister Yunia, a nun who goes to any lengths to save the boy, showcasing a different side of her acting.












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“When I was younger, I would watch myself on screen and think, ‘Do I look pretty?’ It was unavoidable at that age when you just want to look good,” Song said. “Of course, I still want to look good, but now I focus on whether I’ve expressed the character as I intended.”
She shared that she has been enjoying taking on darker roles recently, though she remains grateful for her success in romantic dramas.
“Romantic dramas are the reason I’m here today,” Song said. “But when one project does well, many similar scripts come in. It feels like a guaranteed formula for success, but it can also feel limiting.”

It was at this point, as she began feeling the monotony of repetitive love stories, that she encountered The Glory.
“I had started to find acting less exciting,” she admitted. “The Glory reignited my passion, which is why I took on Dark Nuns as my next challenge.”
In Dark Nuns, Song delivers a powerful performance as Sister Yunia, a character far removed from the traditional image of a nun. Yunia is blunt, curses, and even smokes – a stark contrast to the conventional portrayal.
“As a non-smoker, I initially had a lot of concerns,” Song said. “I wondered how I should approach it, but considering the character, it felt like an essential part of the role. So, I started practising smoking six months before filming began.”
She added: “There were close-up scenes, so I didn’t want to fake it. Throughout the production, I spent a lot of time not only on acting practice but also on smoking practice.”
I really want to take on a comedy that reflects life in my forties.
Song Hye-kyo
Song emphasised the importance of a pleasant and lighthearted environment, saying, “In my younger days, if one person was unresponsive during a conversation, it would bother me so much that I couldn’t concentrate. It’s not as bad now, but I still hope to work with people who are cheerful and happy.”
She also addressed misconceptions about her personality, saying: “Many people think I’m stand-offish. I’ve even heard that I come off as a selfish woman who only cares about herself.” Song credited The Glory with helping dispel some of these biases.
The next realm Song hopes to explore is comedy.
“Since starring in the romantic comedy Full House (2004) in my twenties, I haven’t had another opportunity to try comedy,” she said. “I really want to take on a comedy that reflects life in my forties.”
Dark Nuns, co-starring Jeon Yeo-been and Lee Jin-wook, premieres in Korea on January 24.
This article from the Hankook Ilbo, a sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a generative AI and edited by The Korea Times.
Read the full story at The Korea Times.
Additional reporting by Staff reporter.


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Korean actress Song Hye-kyo at the launch of her new film, Dark Nuns, co-starring Jeon Yeo-been and Lee Jin-wook. Photo: Instagram/enykajol

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Back on screen in Dark Nuns, movie about nuns saving a boy who is possessed, Korean actress says The Glory reignited her passion for acting


Back on screen in Dark Nuns, movie about nuns saving a boy who is possessed, Korean actress says The Glory reignited her passion for acting.


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