Two main actors
More than 20 years have passed and Bae Yong Joon and Choi Ji Woo, once among the most famous names in the Korean film industry, have become unknown to Gen Z audiences. While Choi Ji Woo occasionally updates his Instagram with new photos, Bae Yong Joon has almost “disappeared” from the entertainment scene.
Bae Yong Joon (born 1972) is considered a pioneer of the Hallyu wave, spreading Korean culture and arts beyond its borders, reaching most Asian countries.
Before Winter SonataBae Yong Joon had already made a name for himself through various dramas such as First love, Did we really love?AND Hotelier. His work alongside Choi Ji Woo Winter Sonata it elevated his acting career to new heights, but also marked the beginning of his gradual retreat from the spotlight.
After 2002, Bae Yong Joon reduced his acting roles, shifting his focus more towards production work. In 2006, he founded KeyEast Entertainment and ventured into various businesses, including restaurants, tea houses and cafes.
Bae Yong Joon’s last starring role on television was in The legend (2007), and his last screen appearance was a guest role Dream high (2011).
In 2015, Bae Yong Joon made headlines when he announced his marriage to actress Park Soo Jin, who is 13 years younger than him. The couple has two children, a boy and a girl.
In 2018, Bae Yong Joon sold all of his shares in KeyEast to SM Entertainment. Four years later, rumors circulated of his retirement when he sold a website he had run for nearly 20 years.
According to Korean media, Bae Yong Joon and his family currently reside in Hawaii (USA). Sources close to him suggest that their move from Korea resembles a quiet retirement.
Little is known about the actor’s current life, as he does not use social media. Meanwhile, his wife’s last Instagram post was in January, but it was quickly deleted.
In April, KeyEast confirmed that Park Soo Jin had terminated her exclusive contract some time ago, as she had not been active in the entertainment industry for years.
With an estimated net worth of over $74 million, it seems that Bae Yong Joon has chosen to step away from the noisy world of entertainment to enjoy a quiet life with his family.
Unlike his on-screen partner, Choi Ji Woo continues to be part of the Korean entertainment world, although he has slowed down his activities. His most recent starring role was in the family-themed drama The most beautiful goodbye (2017). Since then, he has made brief guest appearances Crash landing on you (2020) and a supporting role in Shooting stars (2022).
However, fans can still follow Choi Ji Woo through his personal Instagram account. His most recent post, dated October 4, shares behind-the-scenes photos from a commercial shoot.
At 49 years old, Choi Ji Woo hasn’t changed much in appearance. She is praised for looking younger than her age, maintaining a slim figure, and having a modern and elegant fashion style.
Choi Ji Woo got married in March 2018 to a non-famous husband who is 9 years younger than her. Information about her husband remains private, but media reports say he is the CEO of a technology company. In 2020, Choi Ji Woo gave birth to their first daughter.
Lee Hye Eun
In addition to the famous duo Choi Ji Woo and Bae Yong Jun, supporting actress Lee Hye Eun has also attracted continuous attention. In “Winter Sonata,” she played Kong Jin Suk, the best friend of the female protagonist, admired for her beauty, bright smile, warmth and kindness.
At the time of filming, Lee Hye Eun was still an amateur actress with little recognition in the industry. Although her screen time in the series was limited, it marked a turning point in her career, leading her to greater recognition. He also got his first leading role in the series “Love and Hate”. However, despite his initial success, his career did not go as planned. Over the years, he has mostly taken on supporting roles, guest appearances, and only a few rare lead parts.
Despite the lack of major peaks in her acting career, Lee Hye Eun has remained dedicated to her craft. She recently appeared in the drama “Kill Heel,” which aired earlier this year, although she once again played a guest role.
While his professional life may not have achieved great heights, his personal life is deeply fulfilling. At 49, he enjoys a happy family life and often shares photos of his son with the media. His son, although still young, has excelled academically and athletically, further enriching his life. This balance between a modest career and a prosperous family gives her a sense of fulfillment.
Now 49 years old, Lee Hye Eun has changed significantly since her “Winter Sonata” days. When she’s not working on film projects, she opts for a natural look, often forgoing makeup and luxury clothes. Although she no longer has the youthful appearance of her early years, she embraces her natural beauty and is happy with where she is now.
Recent photos of Lee Hye Eun show her relaxed and comfortable in her own skin, reflecting her inner happiness and self-acceptance.
Sol Mi Park
‘Winter Sonata‘ is not only one of the most popular series representing the first generation of the Hallyu wave, but also a stepping stone to help the names of its cast rise.
One of the cast member names that gets mentioned the most after the series ended is the actress Sol Mi Park who played the role of the male protagonist’s lover. If the female protagonist Choi Ji Woo (played by Jung Yoo Jin) continues her career with new jobs, actress Sol Mi Park chooses a more secret life. That’s why, when the actress talked about her life behind the scenes, the audience was stunned by her youthful beauty.
After many years away from the world of entertainment, Sol Mi Park recently participated in the show The best recipe from the stars at Fun-Staurant with the “Glass Slippers” actor, Han Jae Suk. While the actor shocked netizens with his changed appearance, Sol Mi Park she has been praised for her youthful and increasingly attractive appearance even though the actress is now 44 years old. In addition, on social networks, the actress also occasionally publishes her young and beautiful daily images.
When “Winter Sonata” was released, Oh Jae Rin was the most hated character due to his selfish and evil personality. However, she is still remembered by audiences as an actress with an impressive acting style. In “All In”, he continued to impress audiences as the most notable supporting role in the Korean film industry at the time. Although he possesses beautiful visual abilities and good acting skills, Sol Mi’ ParkHis film career was not as successful as the other 3 names. She is mostly assigned the role of “lover” or lackluster supporting characters or projects that don’t get much attention.
He didn’t have a successful career, but Sol Mi Park she is the one who has the most fulfilling life in the cast as she now has a happy family with her husband – Han Jae Suk.