For decades, Song Hye Kyo has maintained a reputation as one of South Korea’s most beloved actresses, known for her professionalism, elegance and a relatively scandal-free career. However, an old story involving actor Ryu Seung Bum recently resurfaced online, reigniting the debate among netizens more than 20 years later.
According to Ryu Seung Bum, the incident dates back to 2004, when the two actors worked together on the drama series. “Sunlight pours in.” During an interview in June 2025, the actor unexpectedly brought up what he described as a painful memory of filming.
Ryu Seung Bum claimed that the production originally included a kiss scene between him and Song Hye Kyo, but the actress reportedly refused to film it because she believed he was “unhygienic”.
He explained, “She absolutely refused to film the kissing scene. It seriously hurt my pride. I was so embarrassed that I’m only talking about it now.”
The actor also addressed long-standing rumors about his personal hygiene, which had circulated widely during the early years of his career.
“There were rumors that I rarely showered and didn’t take care of myself, and many people believed them, including Song Hye Kyo,” he said. “But the truth is, I shower often and I keep myself very clean.”
Ryu Seung Bum also expressed disappointment with the situation, suggesting that the real reason behind the rejection may have been different.
He stated, “She had a boyfriend at the time. But blaming it on my poor hygiene seemed disingenuous. I wanted to tell her: please stop pretending.”
The remarks quickly attracted attention because they marked one of the rare occasions in Song Hye Kyo’s long career in which a former co-star publicly criticized her work attitude or on-set behavior.
However, some viewers also questioned Ryu Seung Bum’s explanation. Netizens pointed out that in 2004, Song Hye Kyo was simultaneously gaining huge popularity “Sold Out,” where he filmed numerous romantic and kissing scenes with co-star Rain. For this reason, some argued that avoiding kissing scenes just because she had a boyfriend didn’t make complete sense.
Born in 1981, Song Hye Kyo remains one of Korea’s most iconic actresses and is often called a “ageless beauty” and the “Asian Drama Queen.” She first entered the entertainment industry as a teenage model before rising to fame through hit dramas such as “Autumn in my heart” (2000), “Sold Out” (2004), “That winter the wind blows” (2013), “Descendants of the Sun” (2016) e “The Glory” (2022-2023).
Thanks to her refined acting style and elegant image, Song Hye Kyo has become not only one of Korea’s top celebrities, but also one of the most recognizable global Halyu stars. She is currently considered one of the highest-paid actresses in South Korea, earning around 60 million won per episode while maintaining numerous luxury endorsement deals.
Song Hye Kyo is also widely recognized as one of the rare actresses who have successfully maintained high-level popularity for three decades. From his successful years in his late teens to his success throughout his 20s, 30s and 40s, he has consistently delivered projects that have become huge hits across Asia.
Furthermore, many fans see her as a symbol of independence and resilience for overcoming various difficult periods throughout her career.
Meanwhile, Ryu Seung Bum, born in 1980, has built a reputation as a talented actor known for his unique charisma and natural acting style. He has appeared in acclaimed works including “Waikiki Brothers”, “Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance”, “Zero Conduct”, “Crying Fist”, “The Unjust”, “The Berlin dossier”, AND “New World”.
In 2023 he successfully returned to the spotlight through the Disney+ original series “Moving”, marking his first major comeback in four years and reconnecting with audiences across Asia.
Sources: kenh14
