Actress Song Hye Kyo has returned to the big screen for the first time in 11 years since 'My Brilliant Life.' 

In a recent interview with Ilgan Sports, Song Hye Kyo shared, "I always strive to do my best in every project. But when I watch my own films, I tend to focus on what I missed, so there's always some regret. This time is no different," she admitted, before adding with a smile, "Still, I'd say I’d give my performance a solid 80 out of 100."

Her latest film, 'Dark Nuns' premiered at the box office on January 24. The movie is set in the same universe as 'The Priests,' a film that helped spark the K-occult trend. It tells the story of two nuns who perform a forbidden ritual to save a boy possessed by a powerful evil spirit.

Song Hye Kyo explained, "Although it’s an occult film, I saw it as a drama-driven story. I loved the way two women with different beliefs came together and united under a shared conviction. The fact that they work as one to save a child deeply resonated with me."

In the film, she plays Sister Junia, a nun who will stop at nothing to rescue the possessed boy. Describing her character, Song Hy Kyo said, "She has a firm belief in humanity. She makes bold, courageous choices that I personally wouldn’t be able to make. I admired her bravery and found her incredibly compelling."

Reflecting on the grueling exorcism scene, one of the movie’s highlights, she candidly admitted, "It was physically exhausting." During filming, she exerted so much force that she temporarily experienced muscle paralysis.

She shared, "Thankfully, we filmed it near the end of the shoot, so even though my body was worn out, my emotions came naturally. To be honest, the exorcism scene was one of the reasons I chose this project. Since I had never done a scene like that before, I was excited about the possibility of showing a different side of myself."

She also spoke about another buzzworthy aspect of her performance: her use of profanity and smoking scenes. The actress confessed, "Back when I filmed 'My Brilliant Life,' I was so bad at cursing that I got criticized for it." She joked, "I was in my early 30s then, but now, after years of life experience, I’ve improved. So that part wasn’t difficult."

However, she admitted that smoking was a challenge. She elaborated, "I have a personal rule to only have one unhealthy habit, and for me, that’s drinking. (Laughs) But when I read the script, I saw that there were quite a few smoking scenes, even from the very first scene. I didn’t want to fake it. If people could tell it was staged, it would make the entire character feel inauthentic. So, six months before filming, I learned from friends who smoke. At first, it was tough—I remember my throat hurting."

Song Hye Kyo’s bold transformation as an actress was largely influenced by 'The Glory,' her Netflix series that became a massive hit. The revenge thriller marked her first foray into a new genre, earning her another career peak and expanding her acting spectrum beyond romance.

She shared, "I've done a lot of melodramas over the years. There are different kinds of love and heartbreak, but ultimately, they all fall under the same category. Doing them repeatedly became dull for me, and I’m sure it was boring for viewers too. 'The Glory' gave me a fresh experience. It made me reflect on my shortcomings and study the kind of performances that resonate with audiences. Now, I feel excited about exploring new roles."

She added, "Acting is still challenging in every project, but that’s what makes it fun. I’m an INFJ, so I have a naturally reserved personality, but acting allows me to experience things vicariously."

Song Hye Kyo’s latest evolution isn’t limited to her film choices. She has also been actively engaging with the public through appearances on variety shows like tvN’s 'You Quiz on the Block' and YouTube channels such as 'Kyang Min Kyung' and 'Fairy Jae Hyung.'

Song Hye Kyo confessed, "To be honest, I initially did it just to promote my movie. The way films are marketed has changed a lot. But I also wanted to connect with younger audiences—they know me from 'The Glory,' after all. (Laughs) At first, I was hesitant, but I figured it wouldn’t hurt to show my more relaxed, everyday self. Thankfully, people have responded positively, and I’m grateful for that."

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