Song Joong-ki is a South Korean actor who once chased medals on an ice rink long before he ever chased roles on screen. Born on September 19, 1985 (40 years old) in Daejeon, South Korea, he trained as a competitive short track speed skater in his younger days.
An injury closed that door, and acting quietly opened another. He studied business at Sungkyunkwan University and made his film debut in 2008.
His real turning point came with the fusion historical drama Sungkyunkwan Scandal (2010), followed by the record-breaking melodrama film A Werewolf Boy (2012). Then came Descendants of the Sun (2016), the drama that turned him into a household name across Asia.
For that performance, he won the Daesang, the top Grand Prize, at the KBS Drama Awards. He later led global favorites like Vincenzo (2021), Reborn Rich (2022), and the Netflix film Space Sweepers (2021).
Quick Facts of Song Joong-ki
| Full Name | Song Joong-ki |
| Profession | Actor |
| Age | 40 years old |
| Date of Birth | September 19, 1985 |
| Nationality | South Korean |
| Zodiac/Sun Sign | Virgo |
| Birthplace | Daejeon, South Korea |
| Current Address | Seoul, South Korea (also has a home in Tuscany, Italy) |
| Gender | Male |
Song Joong-ki Early Life and Education
Song Joong-ki was born in Dong District, Daejeon, South Korea. He grew up in the quiet, rural outskirts of the city as the middle child of three.
As a boy, Song was far more interested in speed than in stardom. He trained as a short track speed skater and represented Daejeon at the national level, taking part in the National Sports Festival several times.
That dream ended after an injury in his first year of high school forced him to give up the sport. He then turned all his energy toward his studies, and he did so with remarkable focus.
He was a top student who served as a student council president and scored 380 out of 400 on Korea’s national college entrance exam. Interestingly, he was once scouted by an agent on a Seoul subway, but he was too unsure of himself to say yes at the time.
Education
Song completed his schooling in his hometown and attended Namdaejeon High School in Daejeon.
His strong exam results earned him a place at the prestigious Sungkyunkwan University in Seoul, one of the oldest universities in the country.
There he majored in Business Administration with a minor in broadcasting. He stayed active on campus as a student broadcaster and even worked as a cover model for the school magazine, finally graduating in 2012.
| School | Namdaejeon High School, Daejeon |
| Alma Mater | Sungkyunkwan University, Seoul |
| Highest Qualification | Graduate (Bachelor’s in Business Administration) |
Song Joong-ki Personal Life
Song Joong-ki is famously private about his personal life, yet few Korean stars have had their relationships followed as closely as his. His two marriages have both made headlines across Asia.
Wife
Song Joong-ki is married to Katy Louise Saunders, a former actress of British and Colombian heritage. He announced their marriage on January 30, 2023, through his official fan cafe.
Born on July 21, 1984, in London, Katy grew up between London and Italy and later settled in Milan. She acted mainly in Italian films between 2002 and 2018 before stepping away from the industry.
She studied business and economics at Bocconi University and even launched a startup making organic juices. The couple first met in 2021, when she helped Song learn Italian for his role in Vincenzo.
Children
The couple has two children, and they keep them well away from the public eye. Their son was born on June 14, 2023, in Rome, Italy.
Their second child, a daughter, arrived in November 2024, with Song sharing the happy news from Rome. Beyond this, the family keeps most details private.
Previous Marriage
Before this, Song was married to acclaimed actress Song Hye-kyo, one of the biggest names in Korean drama. She is known for hits like Autumn in My Heart, That Winter, the Wind Blows, and The Glory.
The two met on the set of the mega hit Descendants of the Sun (2016), where their on-screen romance turned real. They married on October 31, 2017, in a private ceremony at Hotel Shilla in Seoul.
Their union, dubbed the “Song Song couple,” ended in divorce in 2019, with both sides citing differences in personality.
Parents
Song grew up in a close family in Daejeon that eventually supported his acting dreams.
His father is reported to be Song Yong-gak, who worked a regular job. He stood by his son during difficult times, including the public divorce period.
His mother is a homemaker. Further details about her, including her name, are yet to be updated.
Siblings
Song is the middle of three children. He has an older brother named Song Seung-ki, who reportedly studied Chinese literature, and a younger sister named Song Seul-ki, who is about seven years younger than him.
| Relationship Status | Married |
| Wife | Current Wife: Katy Louise Saunders Ex-Wife: Song Hye-kyo |
| Children | Son (born 2023) and Daughter (born 2024) |
| Parents | Father: Song Yong-gak Mother: Yet to be updated |
| Siblings | Brother: Song Seung-ki Sister: Song Seul-ki |
Song Joong-ki Career
Song Joong-ki has built one of the most respected careers in Korean entertainment, moving smoothly between television, film, and streaming. He is known for choosing roles based on the strength of the story rather than the size of the part.
Early Roles and First Steps (2008 to 2010)
Song made his acting debut with a supporting role in the 2008 period film A Frozen Flower, led by Jo In-sung, Ju Jin-mo, and Song Ji-hyo.
He then took small but notable parts in the 2009 dramas Triple, alongside Lee Jung-jae and Min Hyo-rin, and Will It Snow for Christmas?, which starred Go Soo and Han Ye-seul.
During this period, he also hosted the KBS music show Music Bank from 2009 to 2010, which helped him become a familiar face to viewers.
Breakthrough and Rising Fame (2010 to 2011)
His real turning point came with the historical drama Sungkyunkwan Scandal (2010), where he played the charming Gu Yong-ha alongside Park Yoo-chun, Park Min-young, and Yoo Ah-in.
The same year, he joined the original cast of the hit variety show Running Man, staying on from 2010 to 2011. He later led the romantic comedy film Penny Pinchers (2011) with Han Ye-seul.
He then delivered a standout turn as the young King Sejong in Deep Rooted Tree (2011), sharing the screen with Han Suk-kyu, Jang Hyuk, and Shin Se-kyung. The role won him a Producer’s Award at the SBS Drama Awards.
A Phenomenal 2012
Song called 2012 a phenomenal year, and the results proved it. He played the title role in the fantasy melodrama film A Werewolf Boy, opposite Park Bo-young.
The film became the most successful Korean melodrama of its time, selling more than seven million tickets. That same year, he took his first leading drama role in The Innocent Man.
In it, he starred as a wounded antihero alongside Moon Chae-won, Park Si-yeon, and Lee Kwang-soo, earning wide praise for his layered performance.
Military Service and a Historic Comeback (2013 to 2016)
Song enlisted for his mandatory military service in August 2013 and was discharged in May 2015. He then returned with the drama that would change everything.
In Descendants of the Sun (2016), he played Special Forces captain Yoo Si-jin opposite Song Hye-kyo, with Jin Goo and Kim Ji-won as the strong second leads.
The show became a sensation across Asia, and Song won the Daesang, the top Grand Prize, at the KBS Drama Awards for his role.
International Stardom (2017 to 2019)
Song moved into heavier film territory with the period action drama The Battleship Island (2017). He starred alongside So Ji-sub, Hwang Jung-min, Lee Jung-hyun, and young actress Kim Su-an.
He returned to television with the ambitious fantasy epic Arthdal Chronicles (2019). The series reunited him with Kim Ji-won and also featured Jang Dong-gun and Kim Ok-vin.
Global Peak (2021 to 2022)
The year 2021 was a huge one for Song. In the Netflix science fiction film Space Sweepers, he joined Kim Tae-ri and Jin Seon-kyu, with Yoo Hae-jin voicing the robot Bubs and Richard Armitage as the villain.
He then headlined the smash hit Vincenzo (2021) as a Korean Italian mafia lawyer, opposite Jeon Yeo-been, Ok Taec-yeon, Kim Yeo-jin, and Kwak Dong-yeon.
In 2022, he led the record-breaking revenge drama Reborn Rich with veteran Lee Sung-min and Shin Hyun-been, and also made a fun cameo in Little Women, which includes Nam Ji-hyun and Kim Go-eun.
Darker Roles and New Directions (2023 to 2024)
Song surprised audiences with the gritty noir film Hopeless (2023), playing a gang boss opposite newcomer Hong Xa-bin and singer-turned-actress Kim Hyeong-seo, known as Bibi. He won Best Supporting Actor at the Buil Film Awards for it.
In 2024, he led the Netflix film My Name Is Loh Kiwan as a North Korean defector, alongside Choi Sung-eun. He also starred in the crime drama Bogota: City of the Lost with Lee Hee-joon and Kwon Hae-hyo.
That same year, he made a memorable cameo as Vincenzo Cassano in the mega hit Queen of Tears, which starred Kim Soo-hyun and Kim Ji-won.
Recent and Upcoming Work (2025 to 2027)
In 2025, Song returned to romance for the first time in years with the JTBC series My Youth. He played a florist and novelist opposite Chun Woo-hee, with Lee Joo-myung and Seo Ji-hoon also in the cast.
He also made a special appearance in the Korean Japanese series Romantic Anonymous (2025), which starred Han Hyo-joo and Oguri Shun.
Looking ahead in 2027, he is set to star in the romance drama Love Cloud, where he plays an air traffic controller opposite Park Ji-hyun.
Song Joong-ki Filmography
Song Joong-ki has worked across films, television dramas, cameos, and voice roles since 2007. Below is a complete look at his screen credits.
Song Joong-ki Movies
| Year | Title | Role | IMDb |
| 2008 | A Frozen Flower | No-tak | 7.1 |
| 2009 | Five Senses of Eros | Yoo Jae-hyuk | 5.0 |
| 2009 | The Case of Itaewon Homicide | Jo Jong-pil | 6.1 |
| 2010 | Hearty Paws 2 | Dong-wook | 5.8 |
| 2011 | Penny Pinchers | Chun Ji-woong | 6.5 |
| 2011 | Rio | Blu (voice, Korean dub) | 6.9 |
| 2012 | A Werewolf Boy | Chul-soo | 7.2 |
| 2017 | The Battleship Island | Park Moo-young | 7.1 |
| 2021 | Space Sweepers | Kim Tae-ho | 6.5 |
| 2023 | Hopeless | Chi-geon | 6.0 |
| 2024 | My Name Is Loh Kiwan | Loh Kiwan | 6.7 |
| 2024 | Bogota: City of the Lost | Guk-hee | 5.4 |
Song Joong-ki TV Shows
| Year | Title | Role | Platform | IMDb |
| 2008 | My Precious You | Jang Jin-ho | KBS2 | – |
| 2009 | Triple | Ji Poong-ho | MBC | 6.5 |
| 2009 | Will It Snow for Christmas? | Han Ji-yong (cameo) | Rakuten Viki, Prime Video | 6.0 |
| 2010 | OB & GY | Ahn Gyeong-u | Rakuten Viki | 6.9 |
| 2010 | Sungkyunkwan Scandal | Gu Yong-ha | Rakuten Viki, | 7.8 |
| 2011 | Deep Rooted Tree | Young Yi Do | Rakuten Viki, Prime Video | 8.0 |
| 2012 | The Innocent Man | Kang Ma-roo | Rakuten Viki, Prime Video | 7.6 |
| 2016 | Descendants of the Sun | Yoo Shi-jin | Netflix, Disney+, Prime Video | 8.2 |
| 2019 | Arthdal Chronicles | Eun-Seom / Saya | Netflix, Disney+ | 8.2 |
| 2021 | Vincenzo | Vincenzo Cassano | Netflix | 8.4 |
| 2022 | Little Women | Park Joo-hyung (cameo) | Netflix | 7.7 |
| 2022 | Reborn Rich | Jin Do-joon | Rakuten Viki | 8.1 |
| 2024 | Queen of Tears | Vincenzo (cameo) | Netflix | 8.2 |
| 2025 | My Youth | Sunwoo Hae | Rakuten Viki | 6.7 |
Song Joong-ki Upcoming Projects
| Year | Title | Role |
| 2027 | Love Cloud | Kang Woo-joo, an air traffic controller |
Song Joong-ki Awards and Achievements
Song Joong-ki has earned major recognition across both television and film during his long career. His biggest honors came from Descendants of the Sun, which won him the Daesang, and from acclaimed film work like Hopeless.
He has also collected Baeksang Arts Awards recognition, popularity awards, and even a Presidential Commendation for his contributions.
His Major Wins
- KBS Drama Awards (2010): Won the Popularity Award and Best Couple Award with Yoo Ah-in for Sungkyunkwan Scandal (2010).
- SBS Drama Awards (2011): Won the Producer’s Award for Deep Rooted Tree (2011).
- APAN Star Awards (2012): Won Top Excellence Award, Actor, for The Innocent Man (2012).
- KBS Drama Awards (2012): Won Top Excellence Award (Actor), the Netizens’ Award, and Best Couple with Moon Chae-won for The Innocent Man (2012).
- Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards (2013): Won Favorite Actor for A Werewolf Boy (2012).
- KBS Drama Awards (2016): Won the Grand Prize (Daesang) and Best Couple with Song Hye-kyo for Descendants of the Sun (2016).
- APAN Star Awards (2016): Won the Grand Prize (Daesang) for Descendants of the Sun (2016).
- Baeksang Arts Awards (2016): Won Most Popular Actor (TV) for Descendants of the Sun (2016).
- Seoul International Drama Awards (2016 and 2021): Won Outstanding Korean Actor for Descendants of the Sun and later for Vincenzo (2021).
- Chunsa Film Art Awards (2021): Won Best Actor for Space Sweepers (2021).
- APAN Star Awards (2022): Won the Grand Prize (Daesang) for Vincenzo (2021).
- Buil Film Awards (2024): Won Best Supporting Actor for Hopeless (2023).
His Key Nominations
- Baeksang Arts Awards (2013): Nominated for Best Actor, Film, for A Werewolf Boy (2012).
- Baeksang Arts Awards (2016): Nominated for Best Actor, Television, for Descendants of the Sun (2016).
- Blue Dragon Film Awards (2021): Nominated for Best Actor for Space Sweepers (2021).
- Baeksang Arts Awards (2021): Nominated for Best Actor, Television, for Vincenzo (2021).
- Blue Dragon Film Awards (2023): Nominated for Best Supporting Actor for Hopeless (2023).
- Baeksang Arts Awards (2024): Nominated for Best Supporting Actor, Film, for Hopeless (2023).
Other Recognitions
- Gallup Korea: Named Television Actor of the Year in 2012 and 2017.
- Forbes Korea Power Celebrity: Featured on the list several times, ranking as high as 2nd in 2017.
- Presidential Commendations: Honored at the Korean Popular Culture and Arts Awards (2016) and by the Financial Services Commission (2021) for his contributions and donations.
Song Joong-ki Controversies
Song Joong-ki has largely kept a clean public image, but a few moments in his life and career have drawn strong reactions. Most of these are tied to his high-profile divorce and one on-set advertising row.
Divorce from Song Hye-kyo and public fallout (2019): When Song announced his divorce from Song Hye-kyo in June 2019, it dominated headlines across Asia. Reports that he filed first, without her prior knowledge, split fans into camps and led to intense online debate on both sides.
Park Bo-gum rumors during the divorce (2019): In the wake of the divorce, baseless online rumors tried to link Song Hye-kyo with actor Park Bo-gum, her Encounter screen partner and Song Joong-ki’s close friend. Their shared agency, Blossom Entertainment, called the claims groundless and announced legal action.
Vincenzo Chinese product placement row (2021): In episode 8 of Vincenzo, a scene showed the lead characters eating bibimbap from a Chinese brand, which upset many Korean viewers amid a cultural feud between the two countries. The scene was later removed, and Song personally apologized in an interview.
Backlash after remarriage and box office slump (2023 to 2024): Some fans reacted negatively when Song announced his marriage to Katy Louise Saunders in early 2023 so soon after his divorce. Around the same time, a run of underperforming films, including Bogota: City of the Lost, drew criticism from detractors.
Song Joong-ki Net Worth
Song Joong-ki has not officially declared his net worth, so the figures that circulate online are estimates. As one of Korea’s top stars, though, his wealth is widely believed to be substantial.
Estimates range from around $24 million (approx. Rs 230 crore) to about $40 million (approx. Rs 384 crore), with the more recent 2026 figures placing him near the higher end.
His income comes from acting fees, brand endorsements, and reported real estate investments in Seoul and abroad. Recent estimates suggest his per-episode fee climbed to around 300 million KRW (approx. $228,000, or roughly Rs 2.2 crore).
| Net Worth in Dollars (Approx.) | $24 million to $40 million (approx. Rs 230 crore to Rs 384 crore) |
| Salary (Approx.) | $228,000 (approx. Rs 2.2 crore) |
Song Joong-ki Height, Weight and Physical Stats
| Height | In centimetres: 178 cm In meters: 1.78 m In feet & inches: 5 feet 10 inches |
| Weight | In kg: 66 kg In lbs: 145 lbs |
| Body Measurements | 38-29-13 inches |
| Hair Color | Black |
| Eye Color | Black |
Song Joong-ki Social media
 @hi_songjoongki |
Interesting Facts about Song Joong-ki
- He is a published author. Back in 2010, Song released a bestselling book called Beautiful Skin Project, a health and beauty guide aimed at men. It was popular enough to be re-released in Japan in 2013.
- His fan club has a sweet meaning. Song’s official fandom is named “Ki Aile,” which translates to “Ki’s wings.” He has said his fans lift him up like wings, both emotionally and in his career.
- He has collected many playful nicknames. Fans and media have called him “Pretty Boy,” “Brainy Joong Ki,” and “umchina,” a Korean term meaning “mom’s friend’s son,” used for someone seen as perfect at everything.
- He is a quiet, long-time philanthropist. Song secretly funded treatment for children with cancer starting in 2011, only revealed years later. He also donated 100 million won to UNICEF for the 2015 Nepal earthquake victims.
- He made television history. In 2016, at the height of Descendants of the Sun, Song became the first actor ever invited onto Korea’s live prime time news program KBS News 9.
- His military posting was no easy job. During his service from 2013 to 2015, Song was assigned to an infantry unit that carried out patrol and reconnaissance duties along the tense Korean Demilitarized Zone.
- He has represented his country’s image. Song has served as an Honorary Ambassador for Korean tourism and also as the honorary ambassador for Incheon International Airport.
FAQs
How old is Song Joong-ki?
He is 40 years old. He was born on September 19, 1985, in Daejeon, South Korea.
What is Song Joong-ki famous for?
He is known for hit dramas like Sungkyunkwan Scandal (2010), Descendants of the Sun (2016), Vincenzo (2021), and Reborn Rich (2022).
Who is the wife of Song Joong-ki?
He is married to Katy Louise Saunders, a former actress of British and Colombian heritage. They married in January 2023.
Was Song Joong-ki married before?
Yes. He was previously married to actress Song Hye-kyo from 2017 to 2019.
How many children does Song Joong-ki have?
He has two children, a son born in 2023 and a daughter born in 2024.
Where did Song Joong-ki study?
He attended Namdaejeon High School and graduated from Sungkyunkwan University with a degree in Business Administration.
How tall is Song Joong-ki?
He is 178 cm tall, which is about 5 feet 10 inches.
What is the net worth of Song Joong-ki?
His net worth is estimated between $24 million and $40 million (approx. Rs 230 crore to Rs 384 crore).
