“The Glory” Song Hye Kyo’s Age Difference With Younger Co-Star Lee Do Hyun Comes Under Fire — Korean Netizens Hit Back At The Misogyny

As one of the hottest shows right now, it isn’t surprising that K-Drama The Glory has often been subjected to criticism from netizens. The story showcases the harsh reality of bullying and follows Moon Dong Eun (Song Hye Kyo) and her journey to get revenge.

The show is extremely dark and touches upon some dark topics. Yet, one part of the show that has received mixed views is the love line between Song Hye Kyo’s character Moon Dong Eun…

And the character of Joo Yeo Jeong, played by Lee Do Hyun.

The two first meet in the hospital, and it seems like fate has brought them together, showcasing their journey from just acquaintances, becoming partners and then lovers.

Although the show was by no means a romantic K-Drama, there were moments between Song Hye Kyo and Lee Do Hyun that truly melted the hearts of netizens. Their characters were two people who needed each other for “revenge” but found love along the way.

In the final episode, the two officially showcased their love for each other, showing that their relationship was far from over, despite the revenge being completed for Dong Eun.

Recently, the couple became a hot topic online after a discussion about their ages as Song Hye Kyo is 41 years old, and Lee Do Hyun is only 27 years old.

On a Korean forum, the OP posted photos of Song Hye Kyo from the K-Drama Soonpoong Clinic. In the photos, she was with actress Kim Sung Eun. In the scenes, it is clear that Song Hye Kyo is portraying the adult with her age and visuals.

They then pointed out that the young actress was born in 1990 and played Song Hye Kyo’s niece. The OP found it odd as Lee Do Hyun is even younger and was playing the actress’s love interest in The Glory.

While it is common for female actresses to get more criticism, Korean netizens couldn’t get over the sheer misogyny in the original post.

After seeing the images and post, Korean netizens hit back at the OP, not only sharing how this is never a topic when male actors are alongside younger females but also that the romance wasn’t even the center of the show. One even shared that the “weirdness” of the couple doesn’t come from age but their contrasting visual styles.

• “Isn’t there a lot of examples in which the men are older?”
• “They only make stuff like this about Song Hye Kyo, LOL. While they praise  male actors who cheat on their wives for filming romance dramas with actresses 20, 17 years younger.”
• “Then what, is Lee Sun Kyun and IU a perfect match? Although the drama isn’t a romance, wasn’t there a complex emotional tie between them? Although The Glory kind of forces romance in the end, in part 1, they too had a complex emotional relationship. Whenever it’s the female that is older, people are uncomfortable with it.”
• “Although there is the age thing, I think it was weirder because they have different images. Song Hye Kyo is a classic beauty with strong features, while Lee Do Hyun has softer features and is the boy-next-door type that is popular these days.”
• “Do a male version too.”

While misogyny isn’t new in the Korean entertainment industry, the backlash Song Hye Kyo regularly receives has prompted netizens to defend the actress.