Overcoming Rumors and Divorce.. Song Hye-kyo Reveals the Ultimate Beauty Secret to Looking as Youthful as Suzy

Actress Song Hye-kyo opened up about a special habit that helped her navigate through difficult times.

On January 8, Song appeared on tvN’s You Quiz on the Block, marking her first variety show appearance in over 20 years. During the show, she candidly discussed the emotional toll of battling false rumors over the years. She admitted that being "Song Hye-kyo, the woman" often came with challenges.

Song also reflected on her struggles with harsh criticism about her acting, as well as the wave of rumors that followed her divorce from actor Song Joong-ki. “There were so many rumors floating around. Sometimes during interviews or when meeting people who don’t know me well, they would ask about those rumors,” she said.

Her response to such inquiries? “I would simply say, ‘That’s just something I’ve heard too. You should ask the person who made up the rumor, because I don’t know either.’”

What hurt her most, however, were the baseless rumors about her family. “Those kinds of rumors really broke my heart,” she shared.

Song revealed that she coped with the stress through a practice she calls self-reflection journaling.

“I was in frequent contact with writer Noh Hee-kyung back then, and she told me, ‘You need to learn how to love yourself first to give more love to others.’ But I didn’t know how to do that,” Song recounted.

Following the writer’s advice, Song began journaling daily for five years. “Every morning, I would write down how I wanted to spend my day and what kind of life I wanted to live. At night, I’d list ten things I was grateful for that day.”

She ended the practice last year but reflected on how it changed her perspective. “I used to think I had to focus on grand things to be thankful for, but I realized there are so many little things to appreciate. The more I noticed them, the more I had to be grateful for,” she said.

◆ The Power of Gratitude: A Path to Health ◆

Psychological studies have shown that gratitude contributes to both mental and physical well-being.

Last year, a Harvard University study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association Psychiatry explored the link between gratitude and mortality rates. The study analyzed 49,275 women with an average age of 79, examining their levels of gratitude through standardized surveys and tracking their overall and cause-specific mortality rates over three years.

Results showed that individuals with a strong sense of gratitude had a 29% lower overall mortality rate compared to those who did not. Even after accounting for factors such as preexisting conditions, lifestyle habits, cognitive function, depression, and religious beliefs, mortality rates were still 9% lower among the grateful group. Cardiovascular-related mortality was notably reduced by 15%.

The study concluded that individuals who practice gratitude often lead healthier lifestyles, have stronger social connections, and experience less depression. Song Hye-kyo’s journey serves as an inspiring example of how gratitude can be a transformative and healing practice.