From Descendants of The Sun to Full House, here are five of K-drama queen Song Hye-kyo’s most memorable roles

Netflix is filling their portfolio with popular K-dramas recently, from Squid Game to My Name. If you’ve binge-watched all of these, check out Song Hye-kyo’s latest drama Now, We Are Breaking Up. This is Song’s first drama after her divorce from Song Joong-ki.

Here we take a look back at the roles that built her career. See the five television milestones that put her on the map as the Queen of K-Drama.

All In

Her first lead role in drama Autumn in My Heart garnered a 40 per cent rating in 2000. The show’s success led Song to her breakout role in All In. The 2003 drama starred famous South Korean actor, Lee Byung-hun, and allowed Song to showcase her acting abilities.

There were many top actors in this casino-themed drama, including Ji Sung and Han Ji-min. Song gained various awards from this drama, including the Best Actress award from SBS Drama Awards. If you’re interested in the story of professional poker players, this one’s for you.

Also see: Squid Game’s HoYeon Jung, Indian star Lisa Haydon- 6 models who became actresses

Full House

In the following year, Song Hye-kyo was in another hit drama with the K-pop megastar Rain. The role proved her ability for spotting hits. This romantic comedy series became the blueprint for modern South Korean romantic comedy series to come and scored a 30 per cent ratings. The show’s soundtrack also became a hit, including the “Three Bears” song to which Song Hye-kyo frequently danced to in the drama.

That Winter, The Wind Blows

If you enjoy romance, this sad romantic melodrama is for you. This Japanese drama-based series was written and directed by renowned South Korean scriptwriter, Noh Hee-kyung, and director, Kim Kyu-tae. 

The show stars actor Hyun Bin who plays an orphan left heartbroken after his first love’s death. Song Hye-kyo played a blind woman who doesn’t believe in love. The chemistry is intense between the two leads – Hyun Bin and Song Hye-kyo fell in love during filming and dated for two years.

Descendants of The Sun 

One of Song’s most famous roles also landed her in a marriage with co-star, Song Joong-ki. This army-themed drama was a major hit in South Korea, where it drew a peak audience share of 38.8 per cent. It even received several awards, including the Grand Prize in television at the 52nd Baeksang Arts Awards. 

The actress plays a cardiothoracic surgeon who travels alongside Song Joong-ki’s army character, to among other places, scenic Greece.

Encounter

The first drama after her marriage to Song Joong-ki and the last drama before her divorce, she took the lead role in the series Encounter with the popular South Korean actor, Park Bo-gum. Soong plays a hotel executive who finds love as she opens up to a young employee, played by Park. This drama was praised for its beautiful cinematography and for capturing the beautiful scenery of Cuba.

Also see: Crash Landing On You studio cuts deal to film K-dramas in Hong Kong