Busan, South Korea: Son Ye-jin drew back the curtain on the tough routines behind the glamour of red carpets, opening up about dieting, self-doubt, and the pressures of acting during a candid talk at the 30th Busan International Film Festival (BIFF).

The ‘Crash Landing on You’ star took part in the Actors’ House programme at Sohyang Theater in Haeundae on September 18, where she reflected on her journey as an actress, her physical preparations for festivals, and how her outlook has shifted with age and motherhood.

Red carpets and strict diets

Speaking about her early memories of BIFF, the 43-year-old admitted she could only recall her dresses and the effort that went into wearing them. “For film festivals, it’s crucial to decide what dress to wear, how much to diet, and how daring the neckline will be. All actresses go through strict diets before these events, it’s the same for everyone,” she said.

Son, who previously grabbed attention for her appearances at the Venice International Film Festival, revealed the lengths she goes to prepare. “I eat chicken breast endlessly and do back workouts every day. My face looks terrible during training, but my friends say, ‘Everyone should know how hard you work,’ and look at me with pity.”

Behind the glamour, she noted, lies constant struggle. “Actors shine under the spotlight and on red carpets, but behind that moment lies endless endurance. It’s not about working hard—it’s about doing it well. That’s reality.”

Looking back at her youth

The actress spoke about her twenties as a time consumed by acting. “My youth only exists through my works. I never really enjoyed life outside of acting. But as an actress, I’m grateful that those moments are preserved. Without them, I wouldn’t be able to share my story here today.”

She added that she once longed for maturity. “When I think about my twenties, I remember wanting to grow older quickly. I wanted to play mature roles, to show deeper and richer emotions rather than the awkwardness or uncertainty that comes with youth. In some ways, I was an old soul back then.”

Her drive, she explained, came from sheer persistence. “My greed and excessive passion pushed me. I would work until I collapsed, get up, and push forward again. It was painful at times, but that desperation to do well is what carried me here.”

Life after marriage and motherhood

Son, who married fellow actor Hyun Bin and welcomed a child, admitted to feeling anxious about her future in the industry. “After marriage and giving birth, I was anxious about whether I could still meet audiences with great works like before. I wondered, ‘Can I still do melodramas? Will people still look for me?’”

She said the uncertainty made her look toward veteran actresses for reassurance. “I didn’t think it would be exactly the same as before. But in my uncertainty, I looked at the paths of senior actresses like Youn Yuh-jung, Kim Hee-ae, Jeon Do-yeon, and Kim Hye-soo. Their careers showed me that there can also be roles only I can play at this stage of my life.”

Encouraging fans, she said, “Sometimes you need to give it your all, even to the point of exhaustion. In the end, there will be a moment when you truly shine.”

Son’s upcoming film ‘No Other Choice’ is set to premiere on September 24 during BIFF, which runs until September 26 and features 328 films from 64 countries.