"I think the action genre might be difficult because of my age, but I still want to challenge myself. I really want to try comedy too. Haha."

Song Hye Kyo's passion for taking on new challenges shows no signs of slowing down. After receiving widespread acclaim for her role in the Netflix series The Glory, which showcased her versatility in genre-based roles, she now appears before audiences in the occult film Dark Nuns. The film tells the story of people performing a forbidden ritual to save a boy possessed by a powerful evil spirit. Song Hye Kyo plays Sister Unia, a nun with an unyielding temperament and strong will.

This marks Song Hye Kyo's first venture into the occult genre since her debut. Dressed in a long black nun's habit and veil, she focused more on her acting than her appearance. However, her striking visuals once again stood out, and her impressive acting skills left a lasting impact.

“When I was younger, I think my main concern was whether I looked good on camera. Of course, I still want to look beautiful now, but at that age, that was my top priority. Now, I care more about whether the emotions I wanted to express are captured well, rather than just how I look. For the exorcism scenes, I had no prior experience, but while acting, I thought, ‘Wow, I never knew this kind of expression existed.’”

Discussing Dark Nuns, Song Hye Kyo shared the film’s unique appeal: “Many people probably expect it to be a scary movie because it’s about the occult. But what drew me in was the part where two women, despite their different beliefs, unite to save a child. I loved that sense of solidarity.” In the film, her character, Unia, is bold and unconventional—she swears and smokes, traits unusual for a nun. To prepare for the role, Song Hye Kyo, a non-smoker, practiced smoking for six months to make the scenes as realistic as possible.

“When I was in my 20s, I passed on a film because it had a smoking scene. I thought, ‘Why do I need to do two bad things? One is enough.’ Haha. When I first received the script for Dark Nuns, I hesitated about the smoking scenes and even considered asking for them to be removed. But I realized that without them, Unia’s free-spirited character wouldn’t be fully expressed. People who smoke can immediately tell if a scene looks fake. Since the film starts with Unia smoking, I felt it had to be authentic to avoid making the character seem inauthentic.”

To promote the film, Song Hye Kyo has been appearing on various TV and YouTube variety shows, including You Quiz on the Block and Secret Guarantee, which has drawn significant attention as she rarely participates in variety programs. 

When asked about future variety show appearances, she joked, “If I throw myself into variety shows, I probably wouldn’t be able to do melodramas anymore. I don’t think people would take my acting seriously. It’s better to appear occasionally.”

She also released a vlog through her close friend Kang Min Kyung (singer) on her YouTube channel. The first episode garnered 4.75 million views, while the second episode reached 2.46 million views, surpassing a total of 7.21 million views and creating a buzz. When asked about future vlogs, Song Hye Kyo said:

“I’m really bad with computers, so I don’t think I could do it. It’s a bit troublesome for me. If I were good at it, I’d definitely try, but I’m really not. Haha. I didn’t expect the response to be this good, but I’m happy about it. I received so much positive energy. I’m glad I did it. I think it was fine because there were only two episodes. It’s better to end while it’s still enjoyable. Haha.”

Having debuted in her mid-teens, Song Hye Kyo remains a top star at the age of 44.

“I’m not afraid of getting older. I’m not the only one aging, after all. We all grow older together. Haha. I’ve had my 20s and 30s, and now I’m in my 40s. There’s no fear. But since I’m in the public eye, I do my best to manage myself and slow down the aging process. I naturally accept how I look and the stage of life I’m in.”

Now in the middle of her life, Song Hye Kyo has shifted her focus toward self-care. She believes this has allowed her to love herself and the people around her more deeply. Song Hye Kyo emphasized, “I don’t have any particular beliefs or dreams. The past is gone, and I’m not overly curious about the future. The present is the most important. If I live wisely in the present, I believe a good future will follow.”

“I used to prioritize the opinions of others—my friends, my family, and the people I love—over my own. I was okay with being at a disadvantage if it made them happy. But one day, I thought, ‘What’s going on?’ I realized I had never made myself my top priority. So, I decided to put myself first. Even my mom comes second. Haha. Whatever I do, in any situation, I now prioritize myself. Because of this, I feel like I’ve grown a little more. And thanks to that, I can give double the love to the people around me.”