Song Joong-ki

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This is a Korean name; the family name is Song.
Song Joong-ki

Song Joong-ki at Style Icon Asia 2016

September 19, 1985 (age 30)
Born
Daejeon, South Korea
Sungkyunkwan University -
Education
Business Administration
Occupation Actor, Host
Years active 2008-present
Agent Blossom Entertainment
Korean name
Hangul 송중기
Hanja 宋仲基
McCune–
Song Chung-gi
Reischauer
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proper rendering support, you may see question
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and hanja.

Song Joong-ki (Hangul: 송중기); (born September 19, 1985) is a South Korean actor and
host. He rose to fame in the historical drama Sungkyunkwan Scandal (2010) and the variety
show Running Man as one of the original cast members when it premiered in 2010. Song
played his first TV leading role in the melodrama The Innocent Man (2012). He has also
starred in feature films, notably as the titular character in the box office hit A Werewolf Boy
(2012).[1] After his mandatory military service, he took on the lead role in the massive pan-
Asia hit 2016 drama, Descendants of the Sun.
Contents
 1 Early life and education
 2 Career
 3 Filmography
o 3.1 Film
o 3.2 Television Drama
o 3.3 Variety shows
o 3.4 Music videos
 4 Discography
 5 Book
 6 Awards and nominations
 7 References
 8 External links

Early life and education

Song Joong-ki competed at the higher level for short track speed skating. Representing his
hometown, the city of Daejeon, Song participated in the National Games three times and won
awards at other large meets. During his first year of high school, however, he was injured and
had to quit the sport (Song would later play a national speed skater in the TV series Triple).[2]
[3]
He then turned his attention to his studies, which improved his grades dramatically and he
received the highest grades for all his subjects. Having scored 380 points out of 400 on his
national college entrance, he entered the prestigious Sungkyunkwan University.[4]

Because of his timid personality, his parents had sent Song to a variety of classes, including
acting classes, to improve his social skills. During his sophomore year in college, Song's
sterling academic record as a business administration major took a dip when he finally
decided to pursue acting seriously. He made his television debut as a contestant on KBS's
Quiz Korea, making it all the way to the finals (but not winning). Song also became a cover
model for College.[2][3]

Career
He made his acting debut in the 2008 period film A Frozen Flower. The following year, he
appeared in the couple-swapping segment "Believe in the Moment" of omnibus Five Senses
of Eros and continued to take on small but notable roles in Triple, and Will It Snow for
Christmas?. Furthermore, he became a regular host of KBS Friday music program Music
Bank from 2009 to 2010 and a cast member on SBS variety show Running Man from 2010 to
2011. He then appeared in the 2010 medical drama OB/GYN Doctors,[5] and animal movie
sequel Hearty Paws 2.[6] Eventually, it was the role of an 18th-century Joseon-era rich,
indolent playboy in the 2010 fusion period drama Sungkyunkwan Scandal, that made Song
shoot to stardom along with the rest of the young cast.[7][8][9] Song published the book
Beautiful Skin Project, a bestselling health and beauty guide for men (which was re-released
in Japan in 2013[10]).[11] In late 2010, he went on a bicycling tour around Sydney, Australia,
which aired two episodes on TV via ELLE, an offshoot of the eponymous fashion magazine.
Moreover, a TV special of the actor's trip to Japan entitled I'm Real: Song Joong-ki aired two
parts in early 2011.[12] And despite the low ratings of jTBC audition program Made in U,
Song was commended for his smooth hosting skills as MC.[13]

As a jobless deadbeat in the 2011 romantic comedy Penny Pinchers,[14][15][16][17] a film review
described Song as going seamlessly from slapstick comedy to a "charismatic", "swoon-
worthy leading man with a viable presence."[18]

Despite advice to the contrary, Song took on the role of the young king Sejong in Deep
Rooted Tree although his stint was only four episodes long. He read many unofficial
historical accounts and laid the character foundation for lead actor Han Suk-kyu, saying he
felt that "a challenging role was more worthwhile than being in a lead role of a miniseries."[19]
[20]
Critics praised Song's performance, calling it a portrayal of a genius who "realizes the
futility of power early in life" and hides in his books to cope with growing up under the rule
of his tyrannical father Taejong.[17][21][22]

For the MBC program Tears of the Earth, which focuses on pressing environmental issues on
the planet, Song narrated the six-part documentary Tears of the Antarctic, then donated his
entire salary to charity.[23][24] He reprised his role as narrator when the series was re-edited and
released in theaters as Pengi and Sommi.[25][26][27][28] He later went on a six-country tour
entitled Song Joong-ki Asia Fan Meeting Tour - THRILL & LOVE, holding fan meetings in
Thailand, Singapore, China, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Seoul, South Korea.[29][30][31][32]

Song Joong-ki at the The Innocent Man production presentation

Song described 2012 as a "phenomenal year" for his career.[1] He played the titular character
in fantasy romance thriller A Werewolf Boy, which premiered at the 2012 Toronto
International Film Festival.[33] In preparation for his role, Song watched nature documentaries
and observed stray dogs on the streets to learn how to mime and imitate the body movements
of an animal.[34][35] He also repeatedly watched Tim Burton's 1990 romantic fantasy Edward
Scissorhands, Matt Reeves' 2010 vampire flick Let Me In, and Gollum in The Lord of the
Rings.[22][36][37] Song said, "It was a project I took on with the thought that I'm saying good-bye
to the young me. I'm not young anymore and it's time for me to become a man."[38] The film
became the most successful Korean melodrama of all time, with more than 7 million tickets
sold.[1][39]

The Innocent Man (also known as Nice Guy) was the first time he played the leading role in a
TV series.[40] His assured and nuanced portrayal of an antihero received rave reviews.[41][42][43]
[44][45][46]
The Innocent Man attracted high ratings and critical acclaim, which along with the
impressive box office run of A Werewolf Boy, cemented Song's image in the press as the
"savior" of the melodrama genre both on the big and small screen.[1][47] But Song said he'd
rather be a good actor than a popular one, and plans to calmly continue gaining experience
like he had before.[48]
Prior to his enlistment for mandatory military service, Song held a fan meeting on August 17,
2013.[49] He then enlisted on August 27 at the 102nd draft camp in Chuncheon.[50][51][52] Song
was discharged on May 26, 2015.[53][54][55]

He made his comeback in Descendants of the Sun alongside actress Song Hye-kyo, playing
the leader of a peacekeeping unit who clashes with then falls for an army surgeon as they
work together on disaster-relief missions. Written by hitmaker screenwriter Kim Eun-sook,
the series was filmed overseas.[56][57] The Drama was incredibly popular with the final episode
recording a 38.8% viewership rating nationwide and 41.6% in the capital area according to
Nielsen Korea.[58][59] As a result of his dynamic portrayal of a fun-loving yet serious Army
Captain, Song experienced a tremendous growth in his popularity throughout Asia. Song also
became the face of over 30 brands.[60][61]

Song will be appearing next in the 2017 South Korean movie Battleship Island alongside So
Ji-sub and Hwang Jung-min. Song will portray a member of the Korean Independence group.
who sneaks onto Battleship Island to rescue a member of the independence group.[62]