#SHOWBIZ: K-drama star Song Hye-kyo feared leaving home over TV beauty expectation vs. reality

Seoul-based actress Song Hye-kyo has long been celebrated as a beauty icon in the South Korean entertainment industry, thanks to her roles in numerous hit dramas. One of her most iconic portrayals was that of Oh Young, an emotionally troubled visually impaired heiress in the drama That Winter, the Wind Blows. The show's enduring popularity is partly attributed to Song's captivating appearance, with images of her from the drama resurfacing recently and drawing wide admiration even a decade after the show concluded.

While she has received much praise for her looks during the show's original run, Song has admitted that much of her beauty was due to the lighting. In a recent interview, the actress joked that she was actually worried about appearing so perfect on screen that she might have avoided going outside to prevent spoiling everyone's expectations.

She now takes good care of her skin, having visited a dermatologist regularly and learned the importance of skincare as she's grown older. The close-up shots in That Winter, the Wind Blows allowed Song to express Oh Young's anxious emotions clearly, highlighting her typical modesty amidst widespread celebration of her timeless beauty across Asia and beyond.

In recent years, Song has taken on more challenging roles, including playing Moon Dong-eun, a woman seeking revenge in The Glory, and making a memorable special appearance in Genie, Make a Wish. Her upcoming project, the drama Tantara, set to star alongside Gong Yoo, Seolhyun, Cha Seung-won, and Lee Ha-nee, promises to further cement her status as a leading actress in the industry.