When Stars Align

South Korean actress Song Hye-kyo, a Chaumet brand ambassador, gets candid about jewels, a birthday wish and fate

South Korean actress Song Hye-kyo gets candid about jewels, a birthday wish and fate

It’s a glorious summer day in Monaco and we’re waiting for actress Song Hye-kyo in a suite at the famed Hôtel de Paris Monte-carlo. It was the late Princess Grace’s favourite hotel and, as I take in the Murano glass chandeliers, sleek wooden floors and Louis Xiv-style carvings, I realise it’s the perfect place to meet South Korea’s modern-day princess. Ranked 6th on the Forbes Korea Power Celebrity list, Song has starred in a string of hit TV dramas and is perhaps best known for her role in the series Descendants of the Sun. One of South Korea’s most sought-after actresses, her fame has spread like wildfire across Asia.

I had a brief encounter with Song the previous day during a photo call at the Grimaldi Forum, where she was a special guest at the opening of Chaumet in Majesty, an exhibition of the jewels of sovereigns since 1780, and again at a gala dinner at the Casino de Monte-carlo, where she stunned in a simple but sophisticated white lace dress and a suite of diamond jewellery—chaumet’s, of course.

Constantly surrounded by people, Song can seem guarded, but she exudes elegance, confidence and a sense of calm that make her appear approachable if rather enigmatic. She arrives at the suite in a rose-pink dress and diamond jewellery. “Hi, it’s so nice to meet you. I remember you from yesterday,” she says, smiling and offering her hand. She slips into the conversation with ease and right away I understand why everyone is so enamoured of her.

Is this your first time in Monaco? I did a picture book a long time ago and while travelling from Italy to Nice I passed by quickly, but it’s the first time I’ve spent time and stayed in Monaco. I’m having such a great time. It’s a beautiful city with a lot of details in the buildings so I really like it here.

What did you think of the Chaumet exhibition? I saw one or two of the tiaras that I wore at the shoot for Chaumet, and many of them I recognise from books Chaumet has published. I found it amazing to see all these pieces at the exhibition, together in one place. It shows a lot of the history of the brand. It was just an amazing experience for me. One day I hope I will be able to wear one of the tiaras I saw. When I put that on I will feel like a princess. I was very happy with the amazing experience I had looking at all this history and beauty.

Was there a piece you particularly liked? There was so much variety in design—from classic to modern—and I personally am into more classic jewellery. One part of the exhibition I particularly enjoyed was all the pieces Queen Joséphine wore; those pieces really spoke to me.

If you were allowed to wear one of the tiaras, what occasion would you choose? There are so many big events in Taiwan, Hong Kong, China, so it would be nice to be able to wear one of the tiaras to one of those events. And I would love to be able to wear one on my birthday, November 22.

Do you have a favourite line of jewellery? I love the Liens collection. While I like classic pieces, my fashion style is very simple and understated. Of course I wear a lot of luxurious and beautiful jewellery when I work, but because my everyday style is very simple, I like the Liens line, which is simple.

What drew you to working with Chaumet specifically? When I approach any project, be it professional or personal, I feel that the project that comes to me does so because it was meant to be—that the stars aligned for me, that it was my fate. It was like that with Chaumet; the timing was right—and, of course, I’ve always loved the brand.

What are your plans for the rest of the year? I will take some personal time off. I need some time for myself. Apart from maybe events like these, I will take it easy. And next year I will start a new project, but nothing has been fully decided yet. If the stars align...

“Be it professional or personal, I feel a project comes because it was meant to be—that the stars aligned for me, that it was my fate”