Song Hye-kyo reveals she couldn't 'escape' a film, director tried to take passport: 'Was tied for three years'

Recently, Song Hye-kyo opened up about a nearly decade-old experience while filming the Chinese biographical epic Grandmaster, revealing she was stuck on the project for almost three years. Even when she wanted to leave, director Wong Kar Wai wouldn’t let her.

When asked about her early work outside of Korea, Song Hye-kyo brought up her film, Grandmaster on musician Jung Jae Hyung’s YouTube show.

She explains that it was the time when the Hallyu boom as surging through China, and she met several industry insiders. That’s when director Wong Kar Wai—then preparing to visit Korea for a film promotion—invited her out for lunch. That casual meeting would soon turn into a working relationship. “This might be short, but you’ll like it,” Wong told her while offering a role. Hye-kyo reveals she was curious and wanted to experience a Chinese film set. And so, she agreed.

However, this turned into three years.  “I went… and then I was tied up for three years,” she said with a laugh. “I barely even appeared in the film.” She also mentioned that the cast didn’t know she was in the film as she barely had screen space in the film. With little to do, she passed time playing badminton with the crew  and relaxing in her hotel room, waiting for her next scene.

During the long stretches of waiting, Hye-kyo would often fly back to Korea—only to be called back immediately for a shoot. But once she returned, the wait would begin all over again, sometimes lasting over a week. The cycle soon wore her down. “I want to leave. I don’t want to be here,” she recalled thinking.

Then came the moment she realized she wasn’t going anywhere. One day, her interpreter—who had a close relationship with the director—was summoned by Wong Kar Wai. He asked, “Who has Hye-kyo’s passport? Is it with Hye-kyo or you?” When the interpreter said it was with her, he responded, “Quickly get it from her. It seems she’s going to slip back to Korea soon.” He even instructed her not to return it until filming was complete.

Laughing, Hye-kyo summed it up: “That’s basically how the filming went.”