Song Hye-kyo

Song Hye-kyo (born November 22, 1981) is a South Korean actress. She gained popularity through her leading roles in television dramas Autumn in My Heart (2000), All In (2003), Full House (2004), That Winter, the Wind Blows (2013) and Descendants of the Sun (2016) which achieved pan-Asia success. The success of Song's television dramas internationally established her as a top Hallyu star. She has also starred in films Hwang Jin Yi (2007), The Grandmaster (2013), My Brilliant Life (2014) and The Queens (2015).

When Song Hye-kyo was born, she was sick and her parents and doctors thought that she would not survive. Upon her recovery, Song's parents registered her birth on February 26, 1982 (instead of her actual birthdate, November 22, 1981).

Song's parents divorced when she was a young girl, and she was raised by her mother. They moved from her birthplace in Daegu to the Gangnam District in Seoul, where she trained as a figure skater in elementary school, but quit when she was in the eighth grade. Though Song considered herself shy and introverted, she was described by her high school teacher as having a "cheerful character, she mixed well with her friends and was always in a bright mood." Song Hye-kyo attended college at Sejong University, where she majored in Film Arts.

1996–2004: Breakthrough and international fame

In 1996, the 14-year-old Song, then a third-year junior high school student, won first place in the SunKyung Smart Model Contest, and she made her entertainment debut as a model for the school uniform company. This led to her being cast in a small role in her first television drama, First Love. She would continue to appear in a string of various dramas and sitcoms, notably Soonpoong Clinic. But it wasn't until the KBS drama Autumn in My Heart in 2000 with Song Seung-heon and Won Bin that she rose to fame in Korea and throughout Asia. The romantic melodrama series was a ratings success, pioneering a trend in Korean melodramatic series and launching a fever that is commonly referred to as the "Korean Wave" and leading to Song becoming a Hallyu star.

In 2003, her popularity continued to climb when she played a leading role alongside Lee Byung-hun in the gambling drama All In, which drew solid viewership ratings nationwide throughout its run with a peak viewer rating of 47.7 percent. The following year, she co-starred with singer Rain in the hit romantic comedy series Full House. The drama achieved pan-asia success and established Song as one of the most well-known Korean actress in Asia.

2005–2012: Film debut and overseas ventures

Early 2005, Song went to San Francisco to study English, and later traveled to Seattle. Song took time off to recharge herself after the successful asia drama Full House. "I have had a good rest. It was a good opportunity to reflect on myself," said Song. Song returned to Korea on March 5 2005. The same year, Song made her big-screen debut in My Girl and I (a Korean remake of Crying Out Love in the Center of the World), which was panned by audiences and critics alike. Vocal about her dissatisfaction with typecasting in the roles she was being offered, Song proved in the following year that she took on different roles.

In October 2008

She returned to the big-screen in 2007, as the titular gisaeng in the film adaptation of Hwang Jin Yi. Because they found Song's image "too cute," Jun Ji-hyun and Soo Ae were the producers' original choices for the role, but Song went on a rigorous diet and surprised them with her will and desire to be Hwang Jini. A year later, she made her American debut in the Hollywood indie Make Yourself at Home (formerly titled Fetish), a psychological thriller about a girl who was born to a shaman mother and tries to flee her fate by becoming an immigrant bride in the U.S. Despite Song's attempts to challenge herself, both films underwhelmed at the box office.

She made her TV comeback in late 2008 with The World That They Live In (also known as Worlds Within), a series set at a broadcast station in which Song and Hyun Bin played drama PDs who work together and fall in love.

In 2010, she starred in Camellia, an omnibus pic made up of three short films directed by three Asian directors. Each episode is set in the past, present and future of the city of Busan. In the film's final segment Love for Sale, Song and Kang Dong-won played former lovers who forget their memories about each other which later leads them to a fatal destiny.

Considered one of Korea's most beautiful women, in early 2011 Song released the photobook Song Hye-kyo's Moment which was shot by top photographers in Atlanta, New York City, Buenos Aires, Patagonia, Paris, the Netherlands and Brazil. Proceeds from the sales of the photo book was donated to a children's foundation.

Song then played a documentary filmmaker who finds the strength to forgive the 17-year-old boy who killed her fiance but instead of redemption finds only greater tragedy in A Reason to Live (Korean title: Today), which after several delays was released in October 2011. Song was a huge fan of director Lee Jeong-hyang and had actively sought her out, and though she had difficulty getting into character, Song said she fell in love with the script and felt her acting had matured. She considers the film "a turning point" in her life.

In 2011, she became the first Asian actress to sign a contract with French global agency Effigies, paving the way for her possible entry into the European market. She released a photo-essay book in 2012 titled It's Time for Hye-kyo.

Song then played a supporting role in The Grandmaster, Chinese director Wong Kar-wai's biographical film about Bruce Lee's kung fu master Ip Man, for which she learned Cantonese and martial arts. She later admitted there had been "a bit of friction and misunderstanding" with Wong while filming, but that the difficulties helped her mature.

2013–present: Career resurgence

Song reunited with the writer and director of Worlds Within in That Winter, the Wind Blows, a 2013 remake of 2002 Japanese drama Ai Nante Irane Yo, Natsu ("I Don't Need Love, Summer"). She played a blind heiress in the melodrama, opposite a con man pretending to be her long-lost brother (played by Jo In-sung). That Winter, the Wind Blows placed number one in its timeslot during most of its run, and Song and Jo were praised for their performances. Song won the Daesang (or "Grand Prize"), the highest award for television, at the 2nd APAN Star Awards.

In June 2016

In 2014, Song reunited with Kang Dong-won in My Brilliant Life, E J-yong's film adaptation of Kim Aeran's bestselling novel My Palpitating Life about a couple who watched their son suffering from progeria grow prematurely old.

Romantic epic The Crossing was Song's second Chinese film to be released and was directed by John Woo (Woo's longtime friend and producer Terence Chang has been managing Song's overseas activities since 2008). Previously titled 1949 and Love and Let Love, the long-gestating project had originally been announced at the Cannes Film Festival in 2008, then cancelled in 2009, and revived again in 2011. Woo's recovery from tonsil tumor removal in 2012 led to another delay due to scheduling conflicts among the cast, and Song finally began filming in June 2013. The Crossing is based on the true story of the Taiping steamer collision and follows six characters and their intertwining love stories in Taiwan and Shanghai during the 1930s; Song played the daughter of a wealthy banker.

Another Chinese film followed in 2015, The Queens, a contemporary romantic comedy about three cosmopolitan women – an actress, a PR specialist and a gallery manager – who manipulate friends and put down their enemies as they play the game of love. Also starring Joe Chen and Vivian Wu, it was actress Annie Yi's directorial debut.

In 2016, Song starred in the mega-hit romantic comedy series Descendants of the Sun, an intense drama about an army captain (played by Song Joong-ki)and a surgeon who fall in love while working amidst disaster-torn areas. 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. The drama reestablished Song as a leader of the Hallyu and she topped popularity polls in Asia and was noted for her immense brand recognition in South Korea. Song won Daesang (Grand Prize), the highest award at the 2016 KBS Drama Awards along with her co-star, Song Joong-ki.

In 2003, Song began dating actor Lee Byung-hun while both were filming All In. Their relationship and subsequent break-up in 2004 generated much media attention and gossip. The experience taught her to draw a clear line between private and public life, saying in a 2008 interview with The Dong-a Ilbo, "The viewers suddenly learned, while in the midst of watching a drama I was acting in, that I was somebody’s girlfriend. In the end, this was an obstacle and only served to create a sense of dislike among viewers."

In December 2016

Song kept in touch with Worlds Within co-star Hyun Bin after the drama ended, but it was their separation while Hyun was filming Friend, Our Legend in Busan that made them realize they were in love. They announced their dating status in June 2009. But unlike her previous relationship with Lee, Song and Hyun were rarely seen in public together and refused to discuss their relationship with the press. In March 2011 mere hours after Hyun's military enlistment, his and Song's agencies confirmed speculation that the couple had broken up. According to the joint press release, "Both have been very busy shooting films and dramas both in and out of Korea, which inevitably caused them to grow apart." With rumours of their separation circulating since late 2010, the agencies said the two split up in early 2011 but wanted to keep it secret for the time being "because neither of them wanted the public attention to be directed on their split instead of their professional work. Hyun also did not want a personal issue to interfere with his last days with his fans before starting his military service."

Asked about the after effects of her two romantic relationships that caught the public's attention, Song said in October 2011, "I think the time when I felt uncomfortable about living under a microscope has gone. I'm no longer afraid of such things. What I did was typical of any woman my age. In fact, I haven't had any time to feel lonely."

In February 2012, Song filed a defamation suit against 41 Internet users for fabricating and spreading groundless rumours about her. After an investigation by the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, prosecutors charged 24 of the netizens in July 2013.

In August 2014, Song made a public apology for committing tax evasion, arguing that her accountant had mishandled her paper work without her knowledge, with her omitted income tax from 2009 to 2011 totaling ₩2.56 billion. She said that after receiving a notification from the National Tax Service, she paid the full amount with additional fines in the amount of ₩3.8 billion (US$3.7 million) in October 2012.

Not many fans know that Song has donated her time to help animals since 2007 or perhaps earlier. Song has been very careful not to draw any attention to her work. In 2012, Pictures of Song secretly participating in volunteer work appears online. The pictures showed of Song volunteering on a rainy day at a stray animal shelter in Cheonan. In 2013, KARA posted photos of Song and her co-star, Im Se-mi from That Winter, the Wind Blows working at a house dog shelter in Yeoju.

In March 2012, Song has released a single "Switch: Be White" feat. John Park from Superstar K2 to promote Laneige along with a music video which featured Song and Park recording the track. Proceeds from the sale of the tune will benefit the "Be Waterful" campaign, a joint project between Laneige and Save the Children, an international aid group. In November 2012, Song has also donated her earnings from CF Doosan, campaign "The Children are Our Future" to build an elementary school in China.

In 2013, Song became the 7th member of a small charity project called "Cinema Angels" and handed out 1,000 movie tickets for children in Busan. She commented, "I hope these tickets will allow needy children in Busan have good memories from the Busan International Film Festival."

In 2014, Song has donated 800 movie tickets to the 16th Seoul International Women's Film Festival. The tickets donated will be given to Magdalena Organization which is community that focuses on the happiness and rights of women hurt from prostitution.

Collaboration with Professor Seo Kyung-duk

When Song goes to overseas, she sees brochure or information in Chinese and Japanese at various archaeological sites and museums, but no Korean. She's very sad and disappointed by that. Another reason, “Because she has travelled extensively for work, Song has become aware of how important it is for tourists to be able to read information in their own language,” said a representative from Song's agency. So, Song in collaboration with professor Seo Kyung-duk of Sungshin Women's University have decided to donate brochure or information in Korean to various historic Korean sites, art galleries and museums in the world. Professor Seo praised Song who is supporting her country quietly.

• In January 2012, Song and Seo funds publication of new MoMA Korean guidebook in New York City. "Song covered the cost of publishing a new Korean guidebook for MoMA," said Seo.
• In April 2012, Song also covered the cost for the production of the new Korean brochure for Yun Bong-gil Memorial Hall in Shanghai, China.
• In November 2012, Song and Seo installed a promotional video box about Korea at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston.
• Song acutely aware of the challenges faced by the visually impaired when Song playing the role as them in That Winter, the Wind Blows. So, In March 2013, Song has decided to sponsor the publication of guidebooks for the blind at the Independence Hall of Korea in Cheonan.
• In August 2013, Song and Korea PR expert Seo Kyung-duk have donated a relief work of three independence fighters to the Yi Jun Peace Museum in The Hague, Netherlands.
• In October 2013, Song and Korea PR specialist Seo Kyung-duk again donated guidebooks to Korean at An Jung-geun Memorial Hall in Harbin, China.
• In November 2013, Korea PR specialist Seo Kyung-duk and the fan club of Song Hye-kyo announced that they donated Korean guidebooks to National History Museum in Uzbekistan.
• In April 2014, Song and Seo have decided to donate 10,000 Korean information pamphlets for the building of the now-defunct Provisional Government of Korea in Hangzhou, China.
• In April 2015, Song has donated money to print brochures at a church in New York City, which has been deemed as a historic Korean site.
• In April 2016, Song and Seo have donated 10,000 Korean language brochures to the historic site of the Korean Provisional Government in Changsha. She has donated Korean language brochures to the Statue of Liberty in New York City too.
• In August 2016, To commemorate the National Liberation Day of Korea on August 15, Song in collaboration with professor Seo donated a total of 10,000 brochures to the Utoro Village in Japan.
• In December 2016, Song & Professor Seo have donated 10,000 copies of a Korean Guidebook to Yun Bong-gil Memorial Hall in Shanghai for commemoration of his passing (December 19, 1932).

• "Song Hye Gyo is a Volunteer Angel". enewsWorld. March 20, 2012. 
• "Actress Song Hye-gyo helps Africa". Korea JoongAng Daily. March 9, 2012. 
• "[Video] Song Hye Gyo to Donate Full Earnings of Charity CF to School in China". enewsWorld. November 11, 2012. 
• "Song Hye-gyo a model for charity". Korea JoongAng Daily. November 9, 2012. 
• "Song Hye-kyo donates 800 movie tickets". HanCinema. June 1, 2014. 
• "Actress Song Hye-gyo funds update to MoMA's Korean-language guide". Korea JoongAng Daily. January 10, 2012. 
• "Song Hye-kyo's quiet Korean love". HanCinema. October 8, 2012. 
• "Song Hye Gyo Funds New MoMA Korean Guidebook". enewsWorld. January 10, 2012. 
• "Song funds publication of MoMA Korean guidebook". The Korea Herald. January 10, 2012. 
• "Song Hye Gyo to Fund Korea Brochure Distribution in China". enewsWorld. April 27, 2012. 
• "Song Hye-kyo Opens Wallet to Help the Blind". The Chosun Ilbo. March 28, 2013. 
• "Actress, professor donate relief to Yi Jun museum". The Korea Herald. August 14, 2013. 
• "Song Hye Kyo Supports Patriot Ahn Joong Kun Memorial Hall in Harbin, China". BNTNews. October 29, 2013. 
• "Song Hye Kyo's Fan Club Donates Korean Guidebooks to History Museum in Uzbekistan". BNTNews. November 21, 2013. 
• "Actress donates pamphlets to historic building in China". The Korea Times. April 11, 2014. 
• "Song Hye Kyo Donates Korean Guidebooks to the Provisional Government in Hangzhou". BNTNews. April 11, 2014. 
• "Song Hye-kyo donates to 'historic Korean site' in NY". K-pop Herald. April 17, 2015. 
• "Song Hye Kyo makes generous efforts on Korean Independence Day". IBTimes. August 17, 2016. 
• "Song Hye-kyo donates Korean Guidebook to Yoon Bong Gil Memorial". HanCinema. December 19, 2016. 
• "Song Hye-kyo endows memorial in China". K-pop Herald. December 19, 2016. 

Television dramas

Films

Music videos

Educational, music, radio and entertainment shows