Son Ye-jin returns to film in "No Other Choice" after marrying Hyun Bin and having their son. She plays a strong mother, a role enriched by her personal experience with motherhood. The film is directed by Park Chan-wook and has been invited to major international festivals.
Son Ye-jin is a name that resonates far beyond the borders of South Korea, synonymous with a rare blend of elegance, profound acting chops, and undeniable star power. For over two decades, she has gracefully dominated both the small and big screens, earning the affectionate title of "nation's first love" early in her career before meticulously building a filmography that showcases incredible range, from the heart-wrenching melodramas like "The Classic" and "April Snow" to the thrilling action of "The Pirates" and the global cultural phenomenon that was the romance series "Crash Landing on You." Her ability to fully inhabit her characters, conveying deep wells of emotion with often just a glance, has cemented her status not just as a Hallyu star, but as a respected artist of her generation.
This reputation for excellence is precisely why her return to cinema is such a significant event. After a period focused on a monumental personal chapter, marriage and motherhood, all eyes are on her professional comeback, eager to see how her life experiences have enriched her craft. The project she chose for this highly anticipated return is no ordinary film; it's "No Other Choice," directed by the revered auteur Park Chan-wook. This selection itself speaks volumes about her priorities as an actress, opting for a director's vision and a powerful narrative over a simply commercial vehicle.
Stepping into Miri's Shoes: A Pillar of Strength in 'No Other Choice'
Source: Instagram/yejinhand
In "No Other Choice" a dark comedy-drama that has already garnered massive global attention with invitations to Venice, Toronto, and New York film festivals, Son Ye-jin takes on the role of Mi-ri. She is the wife of Man-su (Lee Byung-hun), an office worker who finds his perfectly structured life dismantled after a sudden firing.
Rather than playing a stereotypical nagging or despairing spouse, Mi-ri is the rational, unshaken core of her family. When confronted with sudden financial hardship, she is the one who pragmatically gives up her own hobbies and charges headfirst into the front lines of life to protect her husband and their two children. She is the embodiment of resilient optimism, a character whose strength is quiet yet formidable, providing a crucial emotional anchor for the film's tense narrative.
This portrayal of a mother felt particularly resonant for Son Ye-jin, marking her first role since giving birth to her son in late 2022. She revealed how her real-life experience directly informed her performance, noting a distinct difference between playing a mother before and after having a child of her own.
"Before giving birth, I played many roles as a mother and a divorced woman, but I thought, 'That's different! What I actually experienced is incomparable to anything else. I felt natural with my children. A mother's maternal instincts play an important part. It's a positive mother role where she wants to take responsibility for her family and be a warm mother. That part made it easy for me to immerse myself in it," revealed Son Ye-jin.
The choice of this project was a deliberate one, driven by a deep desire to collaborate with a master director and a legendary co-star.
"The biggest reason was that I wanted to work with director Park Chan-wook, and since senior Byung-hun was cast, I put aside many things that were different from my character and thought, 'I'll regret it if I don't do this project.' It was such a powerful narrative. I put the book down and thought, 'Is this the right thing for me to do?' but then I thought, 'I feel like I have to do it,' so I chose it," she explained, showcasing her immense trust in the project.
A Dynamic On-Set Family and a Link to Real-Life Romance
The chemistry on set was palpable, leading to some hilariously revealing moments during the press conference. Senior actor Lee Byung-hun playfully exposed Son Ye-jin's intense focus, recounting how she handled the curious child actors on set.
"What I saw on set was different… One of the little kids kept asking questions on set. I kept answering their questions, but when it came time to act, there were times when I couldn't control my emotions. But Ye-jin never answered even once. (Laughs) There was a time when I said, 'Ye-jin, please answer the questions too.' Then she said, 'Senior, you take care of that~' She said that she had to immerse herself emotionally."
A wronged Son Ye-jin quickly jumped to her own defense, explaining her method with a touch of humor that highlighted their great rapport.
"The child who plays my daughter was very curious and kept asking us questions. During rehearsals, right up until right before shooting, she asked questions. I had lines and had to be emotionally detailed and direct the director, so I was very careful."
She even teased Lee Byung-hun back, saying, "My senior didn't have many lines. I was driving and had to say the lines in my head," a comment that drew laughter from everyone present.
This professional chapter is, of course, inextricably linked to her beloved personal story with husband Hyun Bin. Their fairy-tale romance, which captivated millions worldwide, began on the set of "The Negotiation" in 2018 but truly blossomed during their iconic pairing in "Crash Landing on You."
They married in a private, intimate ceremony in Seoul on March 31, 2022, surrounded by family and close friends, and welcomed their first child, a baby boy, on November 27, 2022. They have been fiercely private about their son, carefully shielding him from the public eye while occasionally sharing tiny glimpses of their happiness.
Hyun Bin has often expressed that his family is now the absolute center of his life, a sentiment that adds a deeper layer of understanding to Son Ye-jin's own comments on motherhood and her graceful balancing of a stellar career with a cherished private life. Their real-life love story continues to be a source of joy for fans, proving that sometimes, the most beautiful on-screen stories can truly come to life.
Meanwhile, No Other Choice will be release at September 2025.
Souce: Chosun, OSEN
So proud of her for balancing an amazing career and family. A true queen! 
She’s showing that marriage and motherhood don’t limit her shine at all, they make her performances even richer.