Two Lead Actors
Over 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 unfamiliar to Gen Z audiences. While Choi Ji Woo occasionally updates her Instagram with new photos, Bae Yong Joon has almost “disappeared” from the entertainment scene.
Bae Yong Joon (born in 1972) is considered a pioneer of the Hallyu wave, spreading Korean culture and arts beyond its borders, reaching most Asian countries.
Before Winter Sonata, Bae Yong Joon had already made a name for himself through various dramas such as First Love, Have We Really Loved?, and Hotelier. His work alongside Choi Ji Woo in Winter Sonata 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 toward production work. In 2006, he founded KeyEast Entertainment and ventured into various businesses, including restaurants, teahouses, and cafés.
Bae Yong Joon’s last leading role on television was in The Legend (2007), and his final on-screen appearance was a guest role in 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 son and a daughter.
In 2018, Bae Yong Joon sold all his shares in KeyEast to SM Entertainment. Four years later, rumors of his retirement circulated when he sold a website he had been running for nearly 20 years.
Little is known about the actor’s current life, as he does not use social media. Meanwhile, his wife’s latest Instagram post was in January, but it was quickly deleted.
In April, KeyEast confirmed that Park Soo Jin had ended 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 Bae Yong Joon has chosen to step away from the noisy world of entertainment to enjoy a peaceful life with his family.
Unlike her on-screen partner, Choi Ji Woo remains part of Korea’s showbiz, though she has slowed down her activities. Her most recent lead role was in the family-themed drama The Most Beautiful Goodbye (2017). Since then, she made brief guest appearances in Crash Landing on You (2020) and a supporting role in Shooting Stars (2024).
However, fans can still follow Choi Ji Woo through her personal Instagram account. Her most recent post, dated October 4, shares behind-the-scenes photos from a commercial shoot.
At 49, 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, elegant fashion style.
Choi Ji Woo married in March 2018 to a non-celebrity husband who is 9 years younger than her. Information about her husband remains private, but according to media reports, he is the CEO of a tech company. In 2020, Choi Ji Woo gave birth to their first daughter.
Lee Hye Eun
Apart from the famous duo of Choi Ji Woo and Bae Yong Jun, the supporting actress Lee Hye Eun has also garnered continued attention. In “Winter Sonata,” she played Kong Jin Suk, the female lead’s best friend, 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 to greater recognition. She even landed her first lead role in the series “Love and Hate.” However, despite the initial success, her career did not progress as expected. Over the years, she primarily took on supporting roles, guest appearances, and only a few rare leading parts.
Despite the lack of major peaks in her acting career, Lee Hye Eun has remained dedicated to her craft. Recently, she appeared in the drama “Kill Heel,” which aired earlier this year, though she once again played a guest role.
While her professional life may not have reached great heights, her personal life is deeply fulfilling. At 49, she enjoys a happy family life and often shares pictures of her son with the media. Her son, though still young, has excelled academically and in sports, further enriching her life. This balance between a modest career and a thriving family brings her a sense of contentment.
Now at 49, Lee Hye Eun has changed significantly since her “Winter Sonata” days. When not working on film projects, she opts for a natural look, often forgoing makeup and luxury clothing. Though she no longer has the youthful appearance of her earlier years, she embraces her natural beauty and is content 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.
Park Sol Mi
‘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 its cast’s names rise.
One of the cast members’ names that is mentioned the most after the series finished is actress Park Sol Mi who played the role of the male lead’s mistress. If the female lead Choi Ji Woo (played by Jung Yoo Jin) still goes on in her career with new works, actress Park Sol Mi chooses a more secretive life. That’s why, when the actress opened up about her behind-the-scenes life, the audience was astounded by her youthful beauty.
After many years of staying away from showbiz, Park Sol Mi recently participated in the show Stars’ Top Recipe at Fun-Staurant with the ‘Glass Slippers’ actor, Han Jae Suk. While the actor shocked netizens with his changed appearance, Park Sol Mi was praised for her youthful and increasingly attractive visual even though the actress is now 44 years old. In addition, on social networks, the actress also occasionally posts her young and beautiful daily images.
When ‘Winter Sonata’ was released, Oh Jae Rin was the most hated character because of her selfish, evil personality. However, she is still remembered by the audience as an actress with an impressive acting style. In ‘All In’, she continued to impress the public as the most prominent supporting role in the Korean film industry at that time. Despite possessing beautiful visual and good acting skills, Park Sol Mi’s film career is not as successful as the other 3 names. She is mainly given the role of “mistress” or lackluster supporting characters or projects that do not get much attention.
She did not have a successful career, but Park Sol Mi is the one who owns the most fulfilling life in the cast as she now has a happy family with her husband – Han Jae Suk.