A rare behind-the-scenes photo of Song Hye-kyo from her upcoming drama Slowly and Intensely has taken social media by storm, instantly becoming a hot topic among netizens.
In the newly leaked image, Song Hye-kyo is seen with a short haircut—reportedly styled specifically for her role as Min-ja. Dressed in a simple khaki jacket and seemingly without makeup, her look marks a stark contrast from her previous glamorous drama appearances. Her styling this time leans toward a minimalist, even unisex aesthetic.
However, what drew the most attention was her significantly slimmed-down physique. Online comments flooded in: “What happened to her neck?”, “She looks even thinner than in The Glory,” “Is that really Song Hye-kyo?”, “She’s still beautiful, but so skinny—her collarbones are protruding.”
Earlier, Song Hye-kyo admitted in interviews that she went on an extreme diet for this role, at times eating only a few slices of bread per day. Her transformation appears even more drastic than during her performance as Moon Dong-eun in The Glory, where she had also lost weight for the character.
In Slowly and Intensely, Song Hye-kyo plays Min-ja, a woman with a troubled childhood who later finds passion and opportunity in Korea’s budding music industry. Alongside her is Dong-gu (played by Gong Yoo), her childhood friend, who supports her throughout their emotional journey. As they chase their dreams in music, a subtle romantic bond begins to form between them.
Though it’s a drama centered around the music industry, Slowly and Intensely is set in the past—specifically the 1960s and 1970s, rather than the present-day K-pop scene. The script is penned by renowned writer Noh Hee-kyung, known for iconic dramas like That Winter, The Wind Blows and Worlds Within, both of which also starred Song Hye-kyo.
This project marks Song Hye-kyo’s third collaboration with Noh Hee-kyung and her first-ever pairing with Gong Yoo. With their powerful team-up and her dramatic transformation, Slowly and Intensely is poised to be another major milestone in her already illustrious career.
