The January 8 episode of tvN’s 'You Quiz on the Block' featured actress Song Hye Kyo, making headlines as her first variety show appearance in 23 years, despite being in her 28th year in the industry.

Song Hye Kyo shared her story with a calm demeanor. She recalled how she entered the entertainment industry as a teenager after winning a school uniform contest and gained widespread fame at 20 through the hit drama 'Autumn in My Heart.' Following that success, she dominated TV ratings in her 20s with popular dramas such as 'All In,' 'Hotelier,' and 'Full House.'

She admitted that she didn’t feel much anxiety during that time and shared nonchalantly, "I wasn’t worried about my projects failing. I even spent a lot of time having fun. Sometimes, I was annoyed that I had to work when I just wanted to hang out with my friends. I’d often think about what to do for fun once work was done." 

She also reflected on moments when she made decisions she now slightly regrets. She explained, "There were times I turned down projects just because I thought I should play a serious character after doing a comedic role. I didn’t need to overthink it—I should have done everything. I sometimes regret, wondering, ‘Why did I get so picky when my acting range wasn’t even that broad?’"

Known for her extensive network and being highly regarded by her peers, Song Hye Kyo remarked, "People often say I’m funnier than they expected and that others should know how funny I am. But I don’t think I’m funny—I just react to situations, and somehow, people find it funny."

Jo Se Ho chimed in, "Shin Hyun Ji messaged me and said that Song Hye Kyo is really funny—like a swamp, you can’t escape from once you’re in." This comment brought laughter, and Song Hye Kyo joked, "It’s not like I don’t have a desire to be funny."

Despite her calm and successful exterior, Song Hye Kyo’s career has not been without challenges. She revealed, "Since I started working at such a young age, there were countless rumors about me—big and small. Because of my job, I tried to let them go in one ear and out the other, but sometimes it became overwhelming."

She recalled being asked about rumors in interviews and shared how she handled them: "I would tell them, ‘I don’t even know about that story. You should ask the person who made it up.’"

Reflecting on her current stage in life, Song Hye Kyo candidly spoke about her mindset in her 40s. She shared, "As I entered my 40s, I felt I needed to prepare little by little. There’s now a clear difference between me and younger actors in terms of appearance. So I’ve realized I really need to focus on acting well—it’s not a time where I can rely on my looks anymore."

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