Before this comment, Song Hye Kyo’s reaction was what was noteworthy.

Recently, a clip of Song Hye Kyo sharing her thoughts from an interview last year has gone viral on TikTok. In the clip, the actress calmly recounts the early days of her career, when she was chosen to play the lead role in Full House and immediately faced a wave of opposition from fans of the original novel. The reason was simple but also harsh: Song Hye Kyo was criticized for being too short and not beautiful enough to play the lead role. A comment that seems familiar to many female actors, but when recounted by Song Hye Kyo herself, it surprises viewers because of how she dealt with that skepticism.

According to Song Hye Kyo, instead of retaliating or arguing with fans of the original work, the only thing she told herself was: “I will show you.” It was a daring and stubborn thought, but it was precisely this mindset that propelled Song Hye Kyo beyond all the criticism she faced back then.

Full House aired in 2004 and quickly became a phenomenon across Asia. The drama achieved average ratings of over 30% in South Korea, at one point reaching nearly 40%, a dream figure for any television series. Not only was it a domestic success, Full House was also widely exported to many Asian countries, creating a powerful Hallyu craze in the early 2000s. Song Hye Kyo’s name, from a promising young actress, officially rose to S-list stardom, becoming synonymous with the image of an “Asian goddess” for many years afterward.

Song Hye Kyo’s beauty in Full House

It’s worth noting that the female lead, Han Ji Eun, in Full House is considered one of the most beautiful portrayals in Song Hye Kyo’s career. The character doesn’t possess the glamorous, sharp beauty of a tall, beautiful woman, but rather a “small but mighty” type: a petite figure, a round face, large, clear eyes, and a radiant smile. This imperfection in height unintentionally made Han Ji Eun approachable and lovable; her fashion style and makeup even became a trend that swept across Asia. Song Hye Kyo’s portrayal in the drama is still remembered today as a benchmark of natural beauty – unpretentious yet captivating.

In terms of acting, Song Hye Kyo was considered to have made significant progress at the time. She perfectly portrayed Han Ji Eun, a character who was both naive, optimistic, and vulnerable, yet not overly sentimental. Her comedic scenes with Bi Rain brought natural laughter, while her emotional scenes were subtle enough to resonate with the audience without being overly dramatic. Many critics at the time commented that Song Hye Kyo wasn’t an exceptional actress, but she had the ability to make viewers believe in the character’s emotions, a crucial strength for romantic dramas.

Looking back at the story of not being beautiful enough to play the female lead, audiences now find it even more ironic. Because that very role, once met with opposition, has become iconic, not only for Full House but also for Song Hye Kyo’s entire career. From a girl who was doubted because of her height and appearance, Song Hye Kyo used Full House to prove that whether someone is “beautiful enough” or not doesn’t depend on measurements, but on whether they can make the audience love their character. And clearly, she succeeded in the most convincing way.