In 1999, all eyes in South Korea were not on a dramatic premiere but on a surprisingly ordinary event: Song Hye Kyo’s arrival to take her college entrance exam. At just 18, his appearance at the exam center turned into a media frenzy, foreshadowing the legendary career he would have.
Unlike typical students, Song Hye Kyo’s presence in the exam room created an overwhelming stir. Although she wore a simple dress, wore no makeup, and let her hair fall naturally, her natural beauty captivated both the press and the public. Her youthful elegance, soft features and pure aura stood out so much that clips from that day are now considered historical footage and resurface online every college exam season in Korea.
The scene was nothing short of spectacular. Fans had arrived early with banners, gifts and cheers, lining campus just to see her. Journalists also flocked to document the moment. As the gifts were delivered into her hands one after another, Song Hye Kyo continually bowed and thanked everyone, graciously acknowledging their support.
That morning in 1999 spoke volumes: An 18-year-old with an aura capable of attracting national attention was destined for stardom. And so it was. Over the decades, Song Hye Kyo has faced her share of ups and downs, but she has remained the “beauty goddess” of Korean entertainment.
Born in 1981, Song Hye Kyo went from being a teenage model to becoming one of the most iconic actresses in Korea. Known as the “ageless beauty” and the “Asian drama queen”, she has become a symbol of Hallyu through highly successful series such as Autumn in my heart (2000), Sold out (2004), That winter, the wind blows (2013), Descendants of the sun (2016) and critically acclaimed The Glory (2022–2023). With fine acting and unmatched screen presence, he has captivated not only Korea but fans around the world.
His personal life was also often in the spotlight. Her high-profile relationship and subsequent marriage to Song Joong Ki, her co-star Descendants of the sunhe was nicknamed the “wedding of the century”. However, the marriage ended in less than two years, with the 2019 divorce making headlines across Asia. Despite the media frenzy, Song Hye Kyo maintained her poise, kept a low profile and shifted focus to her craft, delivering emotionally rich performances that further solidified her position as an acting powerhouse.
Today, whether on screen or remembered in candid moments from decades past, Song Hye Kyo continues to embody timeless beauty, resilience and star power, just as she did the day she walked into the college exam room and stole the nation’s breath.
Sources: kenh14
