Son Ye-jin Opens Up About Pressure Portraying 'Princess Deokhye'

Actress Son Ye-jin has candidly shared the immense pressure she felt while taking on the lead role in the historical film 'Princess Deokhye.'

During a recent appearance on the YouTube channel 'Yeojeong Jaewhyeong,' the actress recalled crying uncontrollably after the premiere of the film. She explained that her tears stemmed not just from the sadness of the story, but from the profound sorrow she felt witnessing the tragic life of a historical female figure from an objective standpoint.

Son Ye-jin expressed the significant burden placed on her as a leading actress in a major production, especially considering the rarity of such films led by women. "Unlike male actors, films like this aren't made often, and I feared that if my film failed, such attempts would cease entirely," she revealed.

She admitted to the fear that a failure might reinforce negative perceptions, stating, "I was scared that people would think, 'See, it just doesn't work.'" To cope with this immense pressure, she recounted waking up at 6 AM daily to walk at a local playground, trying to manage her emotions amidst demanding scenes that required intense emotional output.

When asked if portraying a single individual's narrative so deeply was a new experience, Son Ye-jin confirmed it was, particularly when delving into the life of a historical person. She even shared a dream where Princess Deokhye herself appeared to her.

Son Ye-jin debuted in 2001 with the drama 'Delicious Proposal,' marking the beginning of her acting career. She gained widespread recognition for her roles in romantic films such as 'The Classic' and 'A Moment to Remember.' In 2022, she married actor Hyun Bin, and they currently have a son.