Son Ye-jin Returns to the Silver Screen After 7 Years with 'The Inevitable'

Actress Son Ye-jin is making her much-anticipated return to the silver screen after a seven-year hiatus with Director Park Chan-wook's film, 'The Inevitable.' This marks her first movie project since her marriage.

In the film, Son Ye-jin portrays Mi-ri, a wife whose life takes a turn when her husband Man-su (played by Lee Byung-hun) loses his job. She revealed that Mi-ri's character was initially underdeveloped in the script, prompting her to request more dialogue and screen time, which were subsequently incorporated into the final cut.

The role of Mi-ri, who possesses a materialistic streak and a past as a single mother, demanded nuanced emotional acting. Son Ye-jin explained the challenge of portraying a character who spends most of her time at home with limited interaction, focusing on subtle gestures to convey her presence within the narrative. She also shared that her chemistry with co-star Lee Byung-hun was remarkably seamless, even without extensive prior rehearsals, highlighting the importance of their comedic exchanges.

Initially a minor character in the original work, Mi-ri's role was expanded to accommodate Son Ye-jin's star power. She recalled persuading the director against a storyline where Mi-ri's family was wealthy, arguing it would diminish the film's realism given the husband's unemployment.

Looking ahead, Son Ye-jin has signed on for two Netflix projects, 'Scandal' and 'Variety,' and is set for a busy period of work. She likened her acting career to the autumn season, expressing anticipation for future transformations.

Son Ye-jin debuted in the 2001 drama 'Delicious Proposal.' She rose to stardom through numerous melodrama films such as 'The Classic' and 'A Moment to Remember.' 'The Inevitable' is her first film project after marrying actor Hyun Bin in 2022.