Hyun Bin and Son Ye-jin's dual victory at the 46th Blue Dragon Film Awards has renewed attention on one of South Korea's most prominent celebrity couples, whose on-screen partnership in Crash Landing on You ultimately evolved into one of the entertainment industry's most talked-about real-life romances. The pair captured Best Actor and Best Actress for Harbin and No Other Choice, respectively, and each used the moment to acknowledge one another and their young son. Their shared milestone marks the first time a married couple has swept the top acting prizes at the ceremony, underscoring the public fascination with their relationship.
Hyun Bin earned Best Actor for his portrayal of independence activist General Ahn Jung-geun, while Son Ye-jin won Best Actress for her lead role opposite Lee Byung Hun in the dark comedy thriller No Other Choice. Longtime fans noted that their references to each other at the podium were consistent with a relationship that has been unusually public for two top actors in a traditionally private industry.
Their connection predates their global success in Crash Landing on You. The two initially met in 2018 while filming The Negotiation, a project in which they shared limited screen time but nevertheless left strong impressions. Son Ye-jin once described her first impression of Hyun Bin by saying, "I thought that he was a male actor with smooth skin and healthy hair even women would envy." Hyun Bin's reaction, captured in interviews at the time, was a modest "Thank you."
Both actors' agencies later confirmed that their professional collaboration created the foundation for a deeper relationship. VAST Entertainment said, "Hyun Bin and Son Ye-jin became connected through their work, and after the drama ended, they developed good feelings for each other and became a couple."
Their partnership shifted dramatically during Crash Landing on You, which aired from 2019 to 2020 and became one of the most-watched Korean dramas globally. Hyun Bin later remarked, "It's a project that gave me so much - not just amazing ratings, but also my wife." Son Ye-jin similarly described her emotional shift during filming, saying, "It built up over time. Around episode three, I started to realise there was something special."
The pair confirmed their romantic relationship publicly on January 1, 2021. In joint announcements, both of their agencies stated, "Actors Hyun Bin and Son Ye-jin ... after the end of their drama, their positive feelings ... developed into a romantic relationship." Son Ye-jin followed with a message to fans on Instagram: "I'm thankful to have met a good person, and I'll work hard to tend [to the relationship] with care."
Their engagement was announced in February 2022, when Son Ye-jin wrote, "I found someone to spend the rest of my life with. Yes ... it's him." The two married the following month in a private ceremony and welcomed their first child later that year. Reflecting on fatherhood, Hyun Bin has said, "We usually take him for walks and to the playground ... I love reading storybooks to him, although I believe Son Ye-jin does it better." He also expressed admiration for his wife, telling interviewers, "When I see what you do for us, I feel amazed, full of respect and grateful."
Son Ye-jin shared her own reflections on motherhood and their family's growth. Posting a photo of their newborn, she wrote, "This year was even more special for me..As you know, a precious life has been born to me and my husband.. " She later reflected on the arc of her life and career, saying, "The drama ended with a happy ending, and my real life also turned into a happy ending because of it."
