Son Ye-jin Embraces Motherhood in New Film 'No Choice'

Son Ye-jin reveals that her real-life experience as a mother helped her immerse deeply into her role as a mother in the film 'No Choice.' After dedicating time to raising her child, Son Ye-jin made a quicker-than-expected return to acting with this project. She also shared insights on her approach to parenting.

Recently, at a café in Sogyeok-dong, Seoul, we met with actress Son Ye-jin, who stars in the movie 'No Choice.'

'No Choice' tells the story of Mansu, played by Lee Byung-hun, who struggles to find new employment after being unexpectedly laid off from a paper company where he worked for 25 years. Son Ye-jin plays the role of Miri, who steps into the workforce after her husband Mansu loses his job.

Discussing her character, Son Ye-jin said, "Miri is not overly dramatic or expressive. She tends to show restrained emotions. Except for the scenes where she argues with her husband, most of her actions are quite ordinary. She portrays a cheerful and optimistic mother."

When asked if she discovered anything new about herself through this role, she responded, "In the film, when Miri's son has a nightmare, she doesn't say much to him. Instead, she reassures him with her eyes, ensuring he doesn't dwell on negative thoughts. I wonder if I could have related to that extent if I hadn't experienced motherhood myself."

On her real-life parenting style, Son Ye-jin described herself as "a mother who strives to do her best for her child." She elaborated, "I don't believe that buying every toy my child asks for makes me a good mother. I focus on understanding what my child needs at this stage and how I should interact with him to ensure he grows up mentally and physically healthy."

Regarding her return to acting post-marriage and childbirth, Son Ye-jin admitted, "I did ponder over when and with which project to make my comeback." She added, "Having a child means I don't have as much free time as before, so I needed to think carefully. After a few years away, I wanted to present my best self. I planned to return after about three years of parenting, but this project came sooner than expected." She expressed satisfaction with her decision, saying, "Starting with Director Park's film turned out to be the best choice."

Even before marriage, Son Ye-jin had taken on challenging roles such as mothers and divorcees, building a solid acting career alongside her striking looks. In this film, she enriches the narrative with her portrayal of a remarried single mom. Known for tackling difficult roles, Son Ye-jin expressed her enthusiasm, saying, "It's about the depth and density of the role. If given the chance, I'd love to do thrillers and action films." She continued, "Although I showcased a different kind of maternal instinct in 'The Truth Beneath,' focusing on obsession and madness, these days, with parenting on my mind, I want to explore stories about motherhood. It could be a narrative like 'Mother' or a tale of unconditional maternal love."

By Kim Ji-won, TenAsia Reporter bella@tenasia.co.kr