From The Straits Times    |

Some of her biggest fans may not even have been born when Song Hye Kyo got her first modelling job in 1996. Then aged 14, she won a contest and ended up modelling (what else) school uniforms. Four years later, she starred in the drama Autumn in My Heart, and then it was hit after hit with the drama All In, as well as rom-com Full House, which catapulted both her and co-star Rain to fame. After that, the big screen beckoned.

Her remarkable rise to fame is made even more impressive by the fact that she’s managed to sustain her success ever since, with a steady stream of film and TV hits. She’s even stepped out of the Korean film industry to work with legendary Hong Kong directors Wong Kar-wai and John Woo. Last year, she had one of her biggest hits, Descendants of the Sun, which has been viewed an astonishing 2.5 billion times across Asia. And she sealed her status as queen of K-drama with her engagement to Descendants co-star Song Joong Ki. The pair even have their own Brangelina-style monicker: Song-Song.

How did she gain and sustain her success? Obviously, she has talent. And she’s also been putting in the hard work over the years – Song has made more than 20 TV series and 11 movies. The same applies to her looks: Sure, she’s naturally beautiful, but she’s also taken care of her skin from the get-go. These days, her go-to collection is LANEIGE’s Time Freeze, which she’s used since its launch five years ago. 

The star recently appeared in a video attesting to her love for the range. The star products are Time Freeze Essence EX and Time Freeze Intensive Cream EX. Both have recently been revamped with more hydrating and firming ingredients. For hydration, there’s Hyaluronic Bouncing Water, which is designed to penetrate skin effectively to deliver hydration, so that skin becomes densely packed with moisture, and fine lines are filled to restore elasticity and firmness. How it does this: through Skin Fit Up, a technology that reportedly stimulates collagen production to firm and lift skin over time, using a combination of ceratonia siliqua fruit and hibiscus abelmoschus seed extract that have anti-ageing benefits.


In the video, Song gives her definition of ideal skin – that it should be both moisturised and firm. She says that the products have an immediate effect: “Every time I put them on, day and night, I feel my skin getting firmer.”

She also rates Essence EX’s boosted moisturising properties: “I feel the firming and hydration at the same time.” When she’s due to appear on camera, she says: “I don’t forget to put on Time Freeze whenever I have important shooting plans.”

The range also includes Eye Serum to reduce the look of fine lines around the eyes; Face-Fit Roller, a device to improve facial contours; and Firming Sleeping Mask, an overnight mask that firms and lifts skin as you sleep.


LANEIGE Time Freeze Essence EX and Intensive Cream EX are available at the brand’s stores and counters (see listings at LANEIGE) and online at Tangs.

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