Song Hye-kyo is an extremely beautiful South Korean actress.
She was born on November 22, 1981 (44 years old), in Daegu, South Korea. Her registered birth date is February 26, 1982, due to her childhood illness. She is best known for her powerful work in Korean dramas and films, and her success helped make her one of the leading Hallyu stars across Asia.
She gained wide fame through hit dramas like Autumn in My Heart, Full House, Descendants of the Sun, Encounter, and The Glory. Her film work includes Hwang Jin Yi, The Grandmaster, My Brilliant Life, and Dark Nuns.
Her performance as Moon Dong-eun in The Glory received strong praise, and she won Best Actress Television at the 59th Baeksang Arts Awards for the role.
Quick Facts of Song Hye-kyo
| Full Name | Song Hye-kyo |
| Profession | Actress |
| Age | 44 years old |
| Date of Birth | November 22, 1981 |
| Nationality | South Korean |
| Zodiac/Sun Sign | Sagittarius |
| Birthplace | Daegu, South Korea |
| Current Address | Samseong-dong, Seoul, South Korea |
| Gender | Female |
Song Hye-kyo Early Life and Education
Song Hye-kyo was born in Daegu, South Korea. When she was born, she was seriously ill, and her registered birth date was later recorded as February 26, 1982, although her actual birth date is November 22, 1981.
Her parents divorced when she was young, and she was raised by her mother. She later moved from Daegu to Seoul, where she trained as a figure skater in elementary school before leaving the sport in eighth grade.
Education
Song Hye-kyo attended Ewha Girls’ High School and later studied Film Arts at Sejong University.
| School | Ewha Girls’ High School |
| Alma Mater | Sejong University |
| Highest Qualification | BFA in Film Arts |
Song Hye-kyo Personal Life
Song Hye-kyo keeps her personal life private. Publicly confirmed details mainly include her past marriage, her divorce, and her family background.
Ex-Husband

Song Hye-kyo was previously married to South Korean actor Song Joong-ki. The two worked together in Descendants of the Sun and announced their engagement through their agencies on July 5, 2017. They got married on October 31, 2017, in a private ceremony at The Shilla in Seoul.
Song Joong-ki is a South Korean actor known for Descendants of the Sun, Vincenzo, Reborn Rich, and Space Sweepers. He is regarded as one of the well-known Hallyu actors from South Korea.
The couple separated in 2019. Song Joong-ki filed for divorce in June 2019, and their divorce was finalised in July 2019. Song Hye-kyo’s agency said the reason was personality differences.
Children
Song Hye-kyo has no publicly confirmed children.
Family
Song Hye-kyo’s parents divorced when she was young. After the divorce, she was raised by her mother and later moved from Daegu to Seoul.
She is the only child of her parents. The names and professions of her parents are yet to be updated.
| Relationship Status | Divorced |
| Ex-Husband | Song Joong-ki |
| Parents | Yet to be updated |
Song Hye-kyo Career

Song Hye-kyo’s career started in 1996 and grew from school uniform modelling into television, film, streaming dramas, international cinema, and global brand power. Her timeline shows a steady move from early supporting roles to major Hallyu stardom and award winning lead performances.
Early Acting Work and Television Debut 1996 to 1999
Song Hye-kyo entered entertainment after winning first place in the SunKyung Smart Model Contest in 1996. This led to her first television role in First Love, where she appeared as a student.
In her early years, she worked through many small and supporting television roles. Her early series included New Generation Report: Adults Don’t Know, First Love, Happy Morning, Beautiful Face, 70 Minute Drama: When They Met, Six Siblings, Soonpoong Clinic, White Nights 3.98, Deadly Eyes, How Am I?, Marching, and Sweet Bride.
These roles helped her become familiar to Korean viewers before her major breakout. Among them, Soonpoong Clinic became one of her most remembered early works and helped build her public recognition.
Breakthrough with Korean Dramas 2000 to 2004
Song Hye-kyo became a major name in 2000 with Autumn in My Heart on KBS2. She played Yoon Eun-seo alongside Song Seung-heon, Won Bin, Han Chae-young, and Han Na-na. The drama became a landmark Korean melodrama and played a key role in the early Korean Wave.
In 2001, she appeared in Hotelier as Kim Yoon-hee with Bae Yong-joon, Song Yoon-ah, and Kim Seung-woo. The same year, she led Guardian Angel as Jung Da-so opposite Kim Min-jong, with Yoon Da-hoon, and Jang Hang-sun in the cast.
Her popularity rose again in 2003 with All In, where she played Min Soo-yeon opposite Lee Byung-hun. The SBS drama also starred Ji Sung and Park Sol-mi, and became one of the most successful dramas of that phase.
In 2004, she starred in Rays of Sunshine, also known as Sunlight Pours Down, with Ryoo Seung-bum, and Jo Hyun-jae. Later that year, she played Han Ji-eun in Full House opposite singer and actor Rain, with Han Da-gam and Kim Sung-su in key roles.
Full House became one of her biggest early career milestones. Its success across Asia made Song Hye-kyo one of the most recognised Korean actresses of her generation.
Film Debut and Image Change 2005 to 2012
After the success of Full House, Song Hye-kyo took time away from Korea and studied English in San Francisco before returning to acting. She made her film debut in My Girl and I in 2005, playing Bae Soo-eun opposite Cha Tae-hyun.
In 2007, she took a more serious screen challenge with Hwang Jin Yi, where she played the title role of Hwang Jin-yi. The film also starred Yoo Ji-tae, Ryu Seung-ryong, and Youn Yuh-jung.
In 2008, she made her American independent film debut with Make Yourself at Home, also known as Fetish. The same year, she returned to Korean television through Worlds Within, where she played drama producer Joo Joon-young opposite Hyun Bin. The drama also featured Uhm Ki-joon, Bae Jong-ok, Kim Kap-soo, Kim Yeo-jin, and Daniel Choi.
In 2010, she appeared in the omnibus film Camellia, in the segment Love for Sale, opposite Gang Dong-won. In 2011, she made a special appearance in Countdown and then led A Reason to Live, also known as Today, as Da-hye with Song Chang-eui, Ki Tae-young, and Nam Ji-hyun.
In 2012, she expanded her international reach further when she signed with the French global agency Effigies. Around this period, she also prepared for her Chinese cinema work and later appeared in The Grandmaster, directed by Wong Kar-wai, with Tony Leung Chiu-wai, Zhang Ziyi, Chang Chen, and Julian Cheung.
Career Resurgence and International Films 2013 to 2017
Song Hye-kyo returned strongly to Korean drama in 2013 with That Winter, the Wind Blows. She played Oh Young, a blind heiress, opposite Zo In-sung, with Kim Bum, Seo Hyo-rim, and Bae Jong-ok also in the cast.
The drama performed well during its run, and Song Hye-kyo received strong praise for her performance. She won the Daesang at the 2nd APAN Star Awards for this role.
In 2014, she reunited with Gang Dong-won in My Brilliant Life, playing Mi-ra in the family drama. The film also starred Baek Il-seob, Lee Sung-min, and Kim Kap-soo.
The same year, she appeared in John Woo’s Chinese epic The Crossing, playing Zhou Yunfen with Zhang Ziyi, Huang Xiaoming, and Masami Nagasawa. She continued the same role in The Crossing: Part 2 in 2015.
In 2015, she starred in the Chinese romance film The Queens as Annie. The film was directed by Annie Yi and also featured Shawn Dou, Joe Chen, Tony Yang, Vivian Wu, and Qin Hao.
Her biggest comeback of this phase came in 2016 with Descendants of the Sun on KBS2. She played surgeon Kang Mo-yeon opposite Song Joong-ki, with Jin Goo, Kim Ji-won, and Tae In-ho in important roles.
Descendants of the Sun became a huge hit in Korea and across Asia. The drama reestablished Song Hye-kyo as a leading Korean Wave actress, and she won the KBS Drama Awards Daesang with Song Joong-ki.
Mature Drama Roles and Streaming Success 2018 to 2024
After a break from television, Song Hye-kyo returned in 2018 with Encounter on tvN. She played Cha Soo-hyun, a hotel CEO, opposite Park Bo-gum, with Jang Seung-jo, Kwak Sun-young, and Kim Ju-hun in the cast.
In 2021, she starred in SBS drama Now, We Are Breaking Up as Ha Young-eun, a fashion design team leader. Her main co star was Jang Ki-yong, who played fashion photographer Yoon Jae-guk.
In 2022, Song Hye-kyo reunited with writer Kim Eun-sook for the Netflix revenge drama The Glory. She played Moon Dong-eun, a woman who plans revenge after surviving school violence. The cast included Lee Do-hyun, Lim Ji-yeon, Yum Hye-ran, Park Sung-hoon, and Shin Ye-eun.
The Glory became one of the most important works of her later career. Her performance received critical praise, and she won Best Actress Television at the 59th Baeksang Arts Awards.
Recent Work and Upcoming Projects 2025 to Present
In 2025, Song Hye-kyo headlined the supernatural thriller film Dark Nuns as Nun Yunia. The film starred Jeon Yeo-been, Lee Jin-uk, Moon Woo-jin, and also included appearances by Gang Dong-won and Park So-dam.
The same year, she made a special appearance as Jinniya in Netflix series Genie, Make a Wish, written by Kim Eun-sook. This marked another link between Song Hye-kyo and the writer after Descendants of the Sun and The Glory.
Her confirmed upcoming project is the Netflix drama Tantara, also known as Show Business and Slowly and Intensely. The drama is written by Noh Hee-kyung, directed by Lee Yoon-jung, and stars Song Hye-kyo as Min-ja opposite Gong Yoo, with Seolhyun, Cha Seung-won, and Lee Ha-nee in the main cast.
Tantara is set in the South Korean entertainment industry from the 1960s to the 1980s and is scheduled for release on Netflix in 2026. It is also her third confirmed collaboration with writer Noh Hee-kyung after Worlds Within and That Winter, the Wind Blows.
Television Shows, Narration and Music Videos
Along with dramas and films, Song Hye-kyo also worked on television shows and music videos. She hosted Inkigayo Live 20 with Park Soo-hong, appeared on Our Happy Saturday, hosted Music Bank with Lee Hwi-jae, and hosted Mnet KM Music Festival with Cha Tae-hyun.
She also appeared as herself in She’s Olive: Song Hye-kyo in Paris, narrated Good Morning Panda, May, the Children, and Grandma Is Back, and appeared in music videos for This Promise by Kim Soo-keun, Curious Destiny by Shin Sung-woo, and Once Upon a Day by Kim Bum-soo.
Song Hye-kyo Awards and Achievements

Song Hye-kyo has received several major awards in Korean television, film, and streaming content. Her honours include multiple Daesang awards, Baeksang recognition, drama award wins, government commendations, and popularity awards.
Her major wins:
- SBS Drama Awards 1998: Won Best New Actress in a Sitcom for Soonpoong Clinic and How Am I?.
- Baeksang Arts Awards 2001: Won Most Popular Actress TV for Autumn in My Heart.
- KBS Drama Awards 2004: Won Top Excellence Award, Actress, Popularity Award, Actress, and Best Couple with Rain for Full House.
- SBS Drama Awards 2003: Won Top Excellence Award, Actress and Top 10 Stars for All In.
- Korean Film Awards 2007: Won Best New Actress for Hwang Jin Yi.
- Women in Film Korea Awards 2011: Won Best Actress for A Reason to Live.
- APAN Star Awards 2013: Won Grand Prize Daesang for That Winter, the Wind Blows.
- SBS Drama Awards 2013: Won Top Excellence Award, Actress in a Miniseries and Top 10 Stars for That Winter, the Wind Blows.
- Baeksang Arts Awards 2016: Won Most Popular Actress TV and iQIYI Global Star Award for Descendants of the Sun.
- KBS Drama Awards 2016: Won Grand Prize Daesang, Best Couple with Song Joong-ki, and Asia Best Couple with Song Joong-ki for Descendants of the Sun.
- Korean Popular Culture and Arts Awards 2016: Received the Presidential Commendation for her contribution to Korean pop culture.
- Baeksang Arts Awards 2023: Won Best Actress Television for The Glory.
- Blue Dragon Series Awards 2023: Won Blue Dragon’s Choice Daesang for The Glory.
- Brand Customer Loyalty Awards 2025: Won Female Actress Film for Dark Nuns.
Her key nominations:
- Baeksang Arts Awards 2001: Nominated for Best New Actress Television for Autumn in My Heart.
- Baeksang Arts Awards 2005: Nominated for Best Actress Television for Full House.
- Baeksang Arts Awards 2006: Nominated for Best New Actress Film for My Girl and I.
- Blue Dragon Film Awards 2007: Nominated for Best Actress for Hwang Jin Yi.
- Hundred Flowers Awards 2014: Nominated for Best Supporting Actress for The Grandmaster.
- Baeksang Arts Awards 2013: Nominated for Best Actress Television for That Winter, the Wind Blows.
- Korea Drama Awards 2013: Nominated for Grand Prize Daesang for That Winter, the Wind Blows.
- Baeksang Arts Awards 2016: Nominated for Best Actress Television for Descendants of the Sun.
- APAN Star Awards 2016: Nominated for Grand Prize Daesang and Top Excellence Award, Actress in a Miniseries for Descendants of the Sun.
- SBS Drama Awards 2021: Nominated for Grand Prize Daesang, Top Excellence Award, Actress in a Miniseries Romance or Comedy Drama, and Best Couple with Jang Ki-yong for Now, We Are Breaking Up.
- Asia Contents Awards and Global OTT Awards 2023: Nominated for Best Actress for The Glory.
- Blue Dragon Series Awards 2023: Nominated for Best Actress for The Glory.
- Grand Bell Awards 2023: Nominated for Best Actress in a Series for The Glory.
- Baeksang Arts Awards 2025: Nominated for Best Actress Film for Dark Nuns.
- Blue Dragon Film Awards 2025: Nominated for Best Actress for Dark Nuns.
Song Hye-kyo Controversies
2014 tax reporting issue: Song Hye-kyo faced public criticism in 2014 after Korean tax authorities found problems with her reported income tax filings for earlier years. She apologised publicly, said she deeply regretted mishandling her tax affairs, and accepted responsibility after the issue became public.
Tax accountant explanation: Reports stated that Song Hye-kyo said she had trusted her tax accountant and was not aware of the reporting problem until the tax authority notified her. However, she still took responsibility for the matter and paid the required tax and additional charges.
2019 divorce media attention: Song Hye-kyo’s divorce from actor Song Joong-ki became a major public story because both actors were famous for Descendants of the Sun and had married in 2017. Her agency stated that the divorce happened because of personality differences and asked the public to understand that private details could not be discussed.
Song Hye-kyo Net Worth
Song Hye-kyo has not officially confirmed her net worth or salary. Public figures are media estimates based on her acting fees, brand endorsements, luxury campaigns, and long career in Korean entertainment.
Different reports estimate her net worth between $20 million and $31 million approx. Her reported drama fee has also been estimated at around ₩200 million per episode, which is about $148,000 approx., but this is not an official figure.
| Net Worth in Dollars (Approx.) | approx. $20 to $31 million |
| Salary (Approx.) | approx. $148,000 per episode |
Song Hye-kyo Height, Weight and Physical Stats

| Height | In centimetres: 161 cm In meters: 1.61 m In feet & inches: 5 feet 3 inches |
| Weight | In kg: 45 kg In lbs: 99 lbs |
| Body Measurements | 34-25-34 inches |
| Hair Color | Black |
| Eye Color | Dark Brown |
Song Hye-kyo Social media
Interesting Facts about Song Hye-kyo
- Song Hye-kyo has worked with Professor Seo Kyoung-duk for years to support Korean history projects overseas. By 2025, their donations had reached 39 Korean historical sites abroad.
- In 2025, she helped donate 10,000 Korean history guidebooks in Korean and Spanish to the Korean Cultural Center in Mexico for Korea’s National Liberation Day.
- She became Fendi’s first Korean actress ambassador in 2021, making her one of the major Korean faces in global luxury fashion.
- She was named Chaumet’s Asia Pacific ambassador in 2018, and later appeared in several campaigns and luxury events for the French jewellery house.
- In 2025, Guerlain selected Song Hye-kyo as its first Asia Pacific skincare and makeup ambassador.
- Forbes Korea placed her at number 7 on its 2017 Power Celebrity list and number 6 on its 2018 list, showing her strong influence beyond dramas and films.
- Before becoming a global luxury ambassador, she was connected with major Korean beauty brands. She was Etude House’s long serving model from 2001 to 2005 and later became Laneige’s global brand ambassador in 2008.
FAQs
Who is Song Hye-kyo?
Song Hye-kyo is a South Korean actress known for Autumn in My Heart, Full House, Descendants of the Sun, and The Glory.
What is Song Hye-kyo’s age?
Song Hye-kyo is 44 years old. She was born on November 22, 1981, in Daegu, South Korea.
What is Song Hye-kyo famous for?
She is famous for becoming one of the leading Hallyu stars through major Korean dramas and films.
Who is Song Hye-kyo’s ex-husband?
Her ex-husband is South Korean actor Song Joong-ki.
Is Song Hye-kyo married now?
No confirmed current marriage is publicly available. Her confirmed past marriage was with Song Joong-ki.
What did Song Hye-kyo study?
She attended Sejong University, where she majored in Film Arts.
What are Song Hye-kyo’s latest works?
Her recent works include Dark Nuns in 2025 and a special appearance in Genie, Make a Wish.
What is Song Hye-kyo’s upcoming drama?
Her confirmed upcoming Netflix drama is Tantara, which is scheduled for release in 2026.



