Song Kang

South Korean actor (born 1994)

Song Kang
Song Kang in November 2023
Born (1994-04-23) April 23, 1994 (age 29)
Suwon, Gyeonggi, South Korea
Alma materKonkuk University (Department of Film Arts)[1]
OccupationActor
Years active2017–present
AgentNamoo Actors
Korean name
Hangul
송강
Hanja
宋江
Revised RomanizationSong Gang
McCune–ReischauerSong Kang

Song Kang (Korean: 송강; born April 23, 1994) is a South Korean actor. His notable lead roles in television series include Love Alarm (2019–2021), Sweet Home (2020-2024), Navillera (2021), Nevertheless (2021), Forecasting Love and Weather (2022), and My Demon (2023). He is popularly known as the "Son of Netflix" because most of his series are aired on the platform.[2]

Career

2017–18: Beginnings

Song made his acting debut with a supporting role in the 2017 romantic comedy television series The Liar and His Lover.[3] The same year, he was cast in the family drama Man in the Kitchen.[4] He also appeared in two music videos: "Sweet Summer Night" by acoustic duo The Ade and "Love Story" by Suran.[5][6] On July 8, 2017, his agency Namoo Actors organised a fan meeting – "Introduction to Rookies" for Song alongside Oh Seung-hoon and Lee Yoo-jin.[7]

Song hosted the SBS music program Inkigayo from February to October 2018 along with Seventeen's Mingyu and DIA's Jung Chae-yeon.[8] He also joined as a fixed cast member on the variety show Village Survival, the Eight.[9] For the two works, he was nominated for the "Rookie Award" at the 2018 SBS Entertainment Awards.[10] In July 2018, Song marked his big-screen debut with the fantasy film Beautiful Vampire.[11]

2019–present: Rise in popularity and lead roles

Song at the press conference for When the Devil Calls Your Name, July 2019

In 2019, Song played the supporting role of Jung Kyung-ho's assistant in tvN fantasy melodrama When the Devil Calls Your Name.[12] He next starred in the Netflix original romantic series Love Alarm, based on the popular webtoon of the same name.[13] Song was cast in his first main role through auditions out of 900 people;[14] he played the role of a handsome high-school student who falls in love with a girl (Kim So-hyun) who was his best friend's secret crush.[15] Love Alarm was ranked as one of Netflix's top releases of the year and was renewed for a second season. His final appearance that year was in the music video of Vibe's "Call Me Back".[16]

Song was propelled to stardom in 2020 when he starred in apocalyptic horror Netflix original Sweet Home, based on the eponymous webtoon.[17] He was auditioned for the cast on the recommendation of Love Alarm's director to the director of Sweet Home, Lee Eung-bok.[17] His role was Cha Hyun-su, a suicidal high school boy who, along with a group of fellow apartment residents, tries to survive a "monsterization" apocalypse.[18] Critical responses of the series were mixed,[19] but gathered a wide international audience.[20] One month after the release of the series, Variety revealed that it had been viewed by 22 million member households of Netflix.[21] At the 57th Baeksang Arts Awards Song received a nomination for Best New Actor – Television.[22]

In 2021, he reprised his role as Hwang Sun-oh in the second season of Love Alarm which was released on Netflix on March 12. He next appeared in the tvN series Navillera, adapted from the eponymous webtoon.[23] He played a ballet student who struggles due to unresolved issues about his father and tries to support himself by working as a part-timer. Song took ballet lessons for six months in order to portray his character.[24] Later the same year, Song starred in another webtoon adaption Nevertheless, JTBC's romance drama, alongside Han So-hee.[25]

In terms of viewership record, the year 2021 is considered a success for Song as Sweet Home, Love Alarm and Nevertheless managed to rank as 5th, 6th, and 8th most watched K-dramas in Netflix worldwide, respectively.[26]

In 2022, Song starred in another JTBC drama, Forecasting Love and Weather, alongside Park Min-young.[27] On March 4, 2022, Song held a fan meeting to communicate with fans around the world in real time via 'The Swoon', a YouTube channel dedicated to South Korea.[28] In May, it was reported that Song will hold a fan meeting on June 12, 2022, at the YES24 Live Hall.[29] in November Song has confirmed that the "2023 Song Kang Asia Fan Meeting Tour" will take place in six countries, starting with Seoul, followed by Tokyo, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore and Bangkok, which will take place sometime in 2023.[30]

In 2023, Song took on a role in the Netflix series My Demon, where he played the lead character alongside Kim Yoo-jung.[31]

Personal life

Military service

On February 29, 2024, Namoo Actors announced that Song will enlist to fulfill his mandatory military service as an active duty soldier on April 2.[32]

Endorsements

In 2020, Song was selected as brand ambassador for South Korean cosmetics brand Banila Co..[33]

In 2021, Italian luxury fashion house Prada announced that Song was selected as a brand ambassador.[34][35][36] In 2022, he was also selected as the brand ambassador for Bobbi Brown Cosmetics in the Asia-Pacific region.[37][38] In February 2022, Song was named as Penshoppe's global ambassador.[39]

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes Ref(s)
2018 Beautiful Vampire Lee So-nyeon Web film [11]

Television series

Year Title Role Notes Ref(s)
2017 The Liar and His Lover Baek Jin-woo [3]
2017–2018 Man in the Kitchen Kim Woo-joo [4]
2019 Touch Your Heart Deliveryman Cameo (Ep. 13) [40]
When the Devil Calls Your Name Luka [12]
2021 Navillera Lee Chae-rok [23]
Nevertheless Park Jae-eon [25]
2022 Forecasting Love and Weather Lee Shi-woo [27]
2023–2024 My Demon Jeong Gu-won [31]

Web series

Year Title Role Notes Ref(s)
2019–2021 Love Alarm Hwang Sun-oh Season 1–2 [13]
2020–present Sweet Home Cha Hyun-soo Season 1–3 [18][41]

Television shows

Year Title Role(s) Notes Ref(s)
2018 Inkigayo Host Ep. 945–979 [8]
2018–2019 Village Survival, the Eight Cast member [9]
2024 I-Land 2 Storyteller [42]

Web shows

Year Title Role(s) Notes Ref(s)
2018 I Oppa Don't Know Cast Member Studio Lulu Lala [43]

Music video

Year Title Artist(s) Ref(s)
2017 "Sweet Summer Night" (달콤한 여름밤) The Ade [5]
"Love Story" (러브스토리) Suran [6]
2019 "Call Me Back" (이 번호로 전화해줘) Vibe [16]

Awards and nominations

Name of the award ceremony, year presented, category, nominee(s) of the award, and the result of the nomination
Award ceremony Year Category Nominee(s)/work(s) Result Ref.
Asia Contents Awards 2021 Newcomer Actor Navillera Nominated [44][45]
ACA Excellence Award Sweet Home Won [46]
Baeksang Arts Awards 2021 Best New Actor – Television Nominated [22]
Brand Customer Loyalty Award 2021 Male actor – Rising Star Song Kang Won [47]
Brand of the Year Awards 2021 Rising Star Actor Nominated
Newsis Hallyu Expo 2021 Seoul Tourism Foundation CEO Award Won [48]
SBS Drama Awards 2023 Top Excellence Award, Actor in a Miniseries Romance/Comedy Drama My Demon Won [49]
Best Couple Award My Demon
(with Kim Yoo-jung)
Won [50]
SBS Entertainment Awards 2018 Male Rookie Award Village Survival, the Eight, Inkigayo Nominated [10]
Seoul International Drama Awards 2021 Outstanding Korean Actor Sweet Home Nominated [51][52]
Character of the Year Won [53]

Listicles

Name of publisher, year listed, name of listicle, and placement
Publisher Year Listicle Placement Ref.
Cine21 2021 New Actors that will lead Korean Video Content Industry in 2022 5th[a] [54]

Notes

  1. ^ mentioned together with Kim Seon-ho, Wi Ha-joon, Rowoon, Byeon Woo-seok, Lee Jun-young

References

  1. ^ Jeon, Hyo-jin (April 8, 2017). "[루키인터뷰: 얘 어때?②] 송강, 수많은 아이돌 캐스팅 뿌리치고 배우가 된 이유". Sports Donga (in Korean). Archived from the original on August 28, 2021. Retrieved August 23, 2019.
  2. ^ "How Song Kang became the 'son of Netflix'". South China Morning Post. June 22, 2021. Archived from the original on February 24, 2022. Retrieved February 24, 2022.
  3. ^ a b Jung, Ji-won (March 19, 2017). "'그거너사' 조이, 사랑의 큐피트 변신...상큼미 가득" (in Korean). The Chosun Ilbo. Archived from the original on May 21, 2021. Retrieved August 23, 2019.
  4. ^ a b Jung, An-ji (August 24, 2018). "송강 "'밥상 차리는 남자' 우주 역, 정말 잘 해내고 싶다" [화보]" (in Korean). The Chosun Ilbo. Archived from the original on May 21, 2021. Retrieved August 23, 2019.
  5. ^ a b Cho, Hye-won (July 18, 2017). "송강-전유림, '디에이드' MV 남녀 주인공으로 발탁! 풋풋한 매력 발산!". iMBC News (in Korean). Archived from the original on August 23, 2019. Retrieved August 23, 2019.
  6. ^ a b Kim, Hae-in (November 10, 2017). "수란의 '러브스토리', 송강·박지현 누구?...떠오르는 신예★". The Korea Economic Daily (in Korean). Archived from the original on August 23, 2019. Retrieved August 23, 2019.
  7. ^ Lee, Ah-young (June 20, 2017). "송강·오승훈·이유진 팬미팅 30초 매진..."티켓 불법 판매 강경 대응"". Xports News (in Korean). Archived from the original on August 28, 2021. Retrieved August 24, 2019.
  8. ^ a b Kim, Sung-won (February 13, 2018). "[공식]'인기가요' 민규X정채연X송강 새 MC 발탁, 18일 첫 선" (in Korean). The Chosun Ilbo. Archived from the original on August 23, 2019. Retrieved August 23, 2019.
  9. ^ a b Lee, Yu-na (November 24, 2018). "'미추리 8-1000' 송강 '예능 새내기→웃음 사냥꾼' 변신 '하드캐리'" (in Korean). The Chosun Ilbo. Archived from the original on November 24, 2018. Retrieved August 23, 2019.
  10. ^ a b Kang, Min-kyung (December 29, 2018). "이승기, 'SBS 연예대상' 대상 수상 "제 능력으로 받은 것 아냐" [종합]". Star News (in Korean). Archived from the original on December 30, 2018. Retrieved August 23, 2019.
  11. ^ a b Jung, An-ji (December 12, 2018). "[공식] 신예 송강, 웹드라마 '뷰티풀 뱀파이어' 주연 캐스팅" (in Korean). The Chosun Ilbo. Archived from the original on August 23, 2019. Retrieved August 23, 2019.
  12. ^ a b Nam, Jae-ryul (February 15, 2019). "송강, '악마가 너의 이름을 부를 때' 캐스팅..정경호 어시스턴트 役 [공식입장]". Osen (in Korean). Archived from the original on May 21, 2021. Retrieved August 23, 2019 – via Naver.
  13. ^ a b Choi, Bo-ran (September 17, 2018). "[단독] 송강, '좋아하면 울리는' 남주인공 낙점...김소현과 호흡". YTN (in Korean). Archived from the original on September 17, 2018. Retrieved August 23, 2019 – via Naver.
  14. ^ Kim, Hyeon-rok (August 20, 2019). "'좋아하면 울리는' 송강 "900대1 뚫었다? 후회없이 오디션"". SpoTvNews (in Korean). Archived from the original on October 26, 2021. Retrieved February 26, 2021.
  15. ^ Maggie Adan (August 30, 2019). "An Honest Review Of 'Love Alarm'". Cosmopolitan Philippines. Archived from the original on May 20, 2023. Retrieved February 26, 2021.
  16. ^ a b Woo, Bin (November 14, 2019). "송강, 바이브 '이 번호로 전화해줘' MV 속 잘생김에 여심 흔들". The Korea Economic Daily (in Korean). Archived from the original on December 20, 2019. Retrieved December 20, 2019.
  17. ^ a b Lim, Jang-won (December 23, 2020). "'Sweet Home' actor Song Kang rises to Netflix stardom". The Korea Herald. Archived from the original on January 4, 2021. Retrieved February 26, 2021.
  18. ^ a b Kim, Jin-seok (April 5, 2019). "[단독]송강, 이응복 감독의 '스위트홈' 주인공". JTBC News (in Korean). Archived from the original on May 21, 2021. Retrieved August 23, 2019.
  19. ^ Christopher, Kavya (January 7, 2021). "Sweet Home Season 1 Review: A gripping tale that leaves you wanting to devour more". The Times of India. Archived from the original on May 17, 2023. Retrieved February 26, 2021.
    Conran, Pierce (December 21, 2020). "K-drama review: Sweet Home – in Netflix horror show, monster fun makes up for a hokey story". South China Morning Post. Archived from the original on February 7, 2021. Retrieved February 26, 2021.
  20. ^ Lee, Gyu-lee (December 27, 2020). "Netflix's 'Sweet Home' soars in streaming ranking worldwide". The Korea Times. Archived from the original on June 3, 2023. Retrieved February 26, 2021.
  21. ^ Frater, Patrick (January 19, 2021). "East Asian Series Score Global Audiences on Netflix (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Archived from the original on January 27, 2021. Retrieved February 26, 2021.
  22. ^ a b MacDonald, Joan (April 12, 2021). "Baeksang Arts Awards Announce Nominations For Best Films And Dramas". Forbes. Archived from the original on April 12, 2021. Retrieved April 30, 2021.
  23. ^ a b Go, Soo-jin (November 9, 2020). "tvN 새 드라마 '나빌레라', 박인환·송강·나문희·홍승희 캐스팅 확정[공식]". eNews24. Archived from the original on November 11, 2020. Retrieved November 11, 2020.
  24. ^ MacDonald, Joan (March 28, 2021). "Song Kang Talks About His Drama Roles And Dancing In 'Navillera'". Forbes. Archived from the original on May 17, 2023. Retrieved April 30, 2021.
  25. ^ a b Lee, Gyu-lee (May 30, 2021). "From 'Hospital Playlist' to 'Penthouse,' hit TV series' new seasons set to air in June". The Korea Times. Archived from the original on May 17, 2023. Retrieved June 19, 2021.
  26. ^ "Here Are the 10 Most-Viewed Korean Series on Netflix in 2021". Forbes. Archived from the original on February 24, 2022. Retrieved February 24, 2022.
  27. ^ a b Lee, Gyu-lee (June 21, 2021). "Park Min-young to star in new series from 'When the Camellia Blooms' director". The Korea Times. Archived from the original on December 18, 2021. Retrieved June 22, 2021.
  28. ^ Lee Seul-bi (February 18, 2022). "송강, 3월 4일 단독 온라인 팬미팅...전 세계 여심 흔든다" [Song Kang, an exclusive online fan meeting on March 4th... Shake the hearts of women all over the world] (in Korean). Sports Donga. Archived from the original on February 18, 2022. Retrieved February 18, 2022 – via Naver.
  29. ^ Kang Seon-ae (May 18, 2022). "대세 배우' 송강, 6월 12일 온·오프라인 팬미팅 개최" ['Top Actor' Song Kang, held online and offline fan meeting on June 12] (in Korean). SBS Entertainment News. Archived from the original on May 18, 2022. Retrieved May 18, 2022 – via Naver.
  30. ^ Kim Ye-eun (November 23, 2022). "송강, 첫 亞 팬미팅 투어...6개국 개최 확정" [Song Kang, first fan meeting tour... 6 countries confirmed] (in Korean). X-port News. Archived from the original on November 23, 2022. Retrieved November 23, 2022 – via Naver.
  31. ^ a b Lee, Seung-gil (October 11, 2023). "'마이 데몬' 김유정·송강 주인공 캐스팅...美친 비주얼의 만남 [공식]" ['My Demon' Kim Yoo-jung and Song Kang cast as main characters... Meeting of beautiful visuals [Official]] (in Korean). My Daily. Archived from the original on February 29, 2024. Retrieved October 11, 2023 – via Naver.
  32. ^ "'Sweet Home' star Song Kang to begin military service in April". The Korea Times. February 29, 2024. Archived from the original on February 29, 2024. Retrieved February 29, 2024.
  33. ^ "바닐라코, 배우 송강 브랜드 모델로 발탁... 밝은 에너지 · 조각같은 미모에 주목". Money S (in Korean). January 23, 2020. Archived from the original on May 10, 2023 – via Naver.
  34. ^ "#제작비지원 오늘 저녁 9시 배우 송강이 앰버서더인 프라다의 2022 봄/여름 런웨이가 열립니다. 이탈리아 사르데냐를 배경으로 펼쳐지는 이번 쇼는 해양 생태계 보존을 위한 지원이 함께 이루어져 의미가 더 큽니다". Esquire Korea on Instagram (in Korean). June 20, 2021. Archived from the original on May 17, 2023. Retrieved May 10, 2023.
  35. ^ "LIVESTREAM: WATCH THE PRADA FW'23 SHOW ATTENDED BY SONG KANG AND CAI XU KUN". ELLE Singapore. February 22, 2023. Archived from the original on May 17, 2023. Retrieved May 10, 2023.
  36. ^ "Prada Ambassador Hunter Schafer, Prada Ambassador SongKang and Olivia Cooke attend the #PradaFW23 runway show presented by #MiucciaPrada and #RafSimons". Prada on Instagram. February 24, 2023. Archived from the original on May 17, 2023. Retrieved May 10, 2023.
  37. ^ "Song Kang Is Bobbi Brown's Newest Brand Ambassador". Harper's Bazaar Singapore. August 31, 2022. Archived from the original on May 10, 2023.
  38. ^ "Bobbi Brown Asia Pacific Signs Actor of the Moment Song Kang". Bobbi Brown Cosmetics Hongkong. Archived from the original on May 10, 2023. Retrieved May 10, 2023.
  39. ^ "EXCLUSIVE: K-actor Song Kang is Penshoppe's newest ambassador". CNN Philippines. February 18, 2022. Archived from the original on May 10, 2023.
  40. ^ Kim, Na-hee (March 21, 2019). "'진심이 닿다' 송강, 퀵서비스 기사로 특별출연...여심 스틸러 등극". The Chosun Ilbo (in Korean). Archived from the original on September 22, 2021. Retrieved August 23, 2019.
  41. ^ Kim Gayoung (June 15, 2022). "'스위트홈' 시즌2·시즌3 동시 제작...송강→오정세 출연 확정 [공식]" ['Sweet Home' Season 2 and Season 3 Simultaneous Production... Song Kang → Oh Jeong-se confirmed to appear [Official]] (in Korean). Edaily. Archived from the original on June 15, 2022. Retrieved June 15, 2022 – via Naver.
  42. ^ Alec06 (March 11, 2024). "'I-LAND2: N/a' set to premiere with Song Kang as storyteller on April 18". Allkpop.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  43. ^ Jeon Hyo-jin (March 7, 2018). "[DAY컷] '이옵빠몰까'이상형 종합 선물 세트 포스터 공개" [[DAY Cut] 'I Oppa Don't Know' Ideal Type Comprehensive Gift Set Poster Released] (in Korean). Sports Donga. Archived from the original on September 27, 2022. Retrieved February 8, 2022 – via Naver.
  44. ^ Lee Mi-ji (September 24, 2021). "배두나·이시영·이제훈·송중기, 제3회 아시아콘텐츠어워즈 배우상 후보(공식)" [Bae Doo-na, Lee Si-young, Lee Je-hoon, Song Joong-ki, 3rd Asia Contents Awards Actor Award nominees (official)]. Herald POP (in Korean). Archived from the original on April 12, 2022. Retrieved September 24, 2021 – via Naver.
  45. ^ "ACA 2021Nominations 2021". asiacontentsawards (in Korean). September 24, 2021. Archived from the original on October 7, 2021. Retrieved September 24, 2021.
  46. ^ Kang Hyo-jin (October 7, 2021). "아시아콘텐츠어워즈, '무브 투 헤븐'·'스위트홈' 3관왕→이제훈 올해의 배우상 '영예'[종합]" [Asia Contents Awards, 'Move to Heaven' and 'Sweet Home' 3 crowns → Lee Je-hoon Actor of the Year Award 'Honor' [General]]. Spotify News (in Korean). Archived from the original on October 7, 2021. Retrieved October 7, 2021 – via Naver.
  47. ^ Choi, Ji-eun (April 27, 2021). [톱포토] 김세정, 올킬 미모. Top Daily (in Korean). Archived from the original on May 15, 2021. Retrieved April 27, 2021.
  48. ^ Lee Jae-hoon (September 16, 2021). "[2021 뉴시스 한류엑스포]송강 "부모님·팬들 감사...앞으로 더 열심히 하겠다" [[2021 Newsis Hallyu Expo] Kang Song "Thanks to my parents and fans... I will work harder in the future]. Newsis (in Korean). Naver. Archived from the original on September 16, 2021. Retrieved September 16, 2021.
  49. ^ Jang, Jin-ri (December 30, 2023). "'모범택시2' 이제훈-'악귀' 김태리, 공동 대상 "우열 못 가려"[종합](SBS 연기대상)" [Model Taxi 2's" Lee Ji-hoon and "Demon" Kim Tae-ri shared the Grand Prize for "Unequal" [Overall] (SBS Acting Awards)]. SpoTV News (in Korean). Archived from the original on December 30, 2023. Retrieved December 30, 2023 – via Naver.
  50. ^ Kim, Ye-seol (December 29, 2023). "'마이 데몬' 김유정♥송강, 베스트 커플상 수상...김유정 나홀로 수상 "팬분들께 감사해" [2023 SBS 연기대상]" ['My Demon' Kim Yoo-jung♥Song Kang won Best Couple...Kim Yoo-jung won alone "Thank you to the fans" [2023 SBS Acting Awards] (SBS Acting Awards)]. Osen (in Korean). Archived from the original on December 30, 2023. Retrieved December 30, 2023 – via Naver.
  51. ^ Lee Han-lim (August 20, 2021). "서울드라마어워즈 2021', 한류드라마상 온라인 투표 진행" [Seoul Drama Awards 2021', online voting for Hallyu Drama Awards]. TheFact (in Korean). Naver. Archived from the original on August 20, 2021. Retrieved August 20, 2021.
  52. ^ "Excellent Actor Prize". Twitter (in Korean). August 20, 2021. Archived from the original on August 20, 2021. Retrieved August 20, 2021.
  53. ^ Yeon Hwi-seon (October 21, 2021). "김선호, 사생활 논란 속 '스타트업' 인정...'서울드라마어워즈' 올해의 캐릭터 선정" [Kim Seon-ho recognized as 'startup' amid controversy over personal life... Selected as character of the year at 'Seoul Drama Awards']. Osen (in Korean). Naver. Archived from the original on October 23, 2021. Retrieved October 21, 2021.
  54. ^ "2022년 주목해야 할 작품과 배우는...한국 영상산업 리더 62명이 꼽았다". Cine21 (in Korean). December 31, 2021. Archived from the original on January 1, 2023. Retrieved January 1, 2023.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Song Kang.
Authority control databases Edit this at Wikidata
International
  • ISNI
  • VIAF
National
  • Korea