Why Song Hye-kyo Chose Dark Thrillers and Occult Over Romance

Actress Song Hye-kyo recently revealed why she decided to step away from her signature romance dramas in favor of the occult genre.

On January 21, Song met with WikiTree for an interview at a café in Jongno, Seoul, to discuss her latest film, Dark Nuns. The movie revolves around individuals who perform a forbidden ritual to save a boy possessed by a powerful demon. Song plays Sister Yunia, a determined and fearless nun who risks everything to save the boy.

Moving Beyond Romance

When asked why she chose Dark Nuns after the revenge drama The Glory, Song reflected on her career trajectory:

“I’ve done a lot of love stories and melodramas. While there are different kinds of love, portraying romantic relationships between men and women tends to follow similar patterns,” she shared.

Song admitted that her own performances began to feel monotonous. “When I’m not excited about watching my work, how much less interesting must it be for the audience?” she said candidly.

Her turning point came with The Glory. “The timing was perfect,” Song said. “It was a genre I hadn’t tried before—a revenge story where the character systematically confronts her enemies. It was refreshing and exciting to explore sides of myself I hadn’t seen on screen before. For the first time in a long while, I felt joy and excitement in acting.”

A New Path Forward

This transformative experience led Song to seek roles outside the romantic genre. “After The Glory, I didn’t want to go back to melodramas right away,” she admitted. “It’s not that I don’t love romance—I do, and it’s the genre that shaped my career. I’m deeply grateful for it. But The Glory sparked a desire to explore the unknown and take on roles I’ve never done before.”

Dark Nuns: Coming Soon

Dark Nuns will premiere in theaters nationwide on January 24, and audiences are eager to see Song Hye-kyo’s bold new role in this gripping occult drama.