Song Seung-heon

Career

1995–2004: Beginnings and Pan-asia stardom

Song Seung-heon began his career in 1995 as a model for the jeans brand 292513=STORM, and first became known to viewers in the popular sitcom Three Guys, Three Girls in 1996. The following year he debuted as an actor. His feature film debut came in 1999 in the film Calla co-starring Kim Hee-sun.

True stardom came to Song in late 2000, with the broadcast of the hugely popular TV drama Autumn in My Heart. 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. Since then he has been actively recruited for film roles and advertisements in Japan, Hong Kong and other Asian countries.

In 2002, Song starred in the action comedy Make It Big by director Cho Ui-seok, and also in the Hong Kong film So Close with actresses Karen Mok, Shu Qi and Zhao Wei.

Song further solidified his status as a Hallyu (Korean Wave) star in 2003 with Summer Scent, co-starring Son Ye-jin. The series is the third "season-themed" Yoon Seok-ho TV drama after Autumn in My Heart and Winter Sonata, but did not become as popular as the ones that preceded it.

In 2004, Song appeared in two films, but neither was a success: Ice Rain, shot in the Canadian Rockies, failed to enthuse viewers with its mixture of mountaineering and melodrama, while He Was Cool, based on an internet novel by Guiyeoni, was unable to compete with Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban and other films from the 2004 summer season.

2005–2007: Enlistment and scandal

Meanwhile, in late 2004, just as he was getting ready to start shooting another high-profile TV drama Sad Love Story, it was revealed that the actor had illegally avoided his compulsory military service by submitting tainted urine samples that suggested he was suffering from certain illnesses and was thus unfit for the army. Amidst the press coverage and scandal this aroused, Song agreed to immediately serve his two-year term in the military. Song was discharged on November 15, 2006, with the rank of corporal, to much fanfare and media attention. For a time he kept a low profile, trying to gauge public opinion on his return to the entertainment world.

2008–2013: Comeback

For his comeback, Song took on a tough image, playing aggressive and masculine roles in the 2008 drama East of Eden, which he won the "Daesang" (Grand Prize) for at the MBC Drama Awards. He also starred in the action film Fate, and the 2010 remake A Better Tomorrow.

His popularity in Japan continued, and in 2010 he starred in Ghost remake Ghost: In Your Arms Again with Matsushima Nanako.

In 2011, Song starred in My Princess opposite Kim Tae-hee, his first romantic comedy. He considers the series a turning point in his career, saying, "Previously, I took on characters living a life full of ups and downs. For me, Hae-young was the first character that was so rich, bright and cheerful. I felt much lighter while acting the character."

His 30-minute short film Lucid Dreaming, helmed by director Chang of 2008 feature Death Bell, was shot particularly for his fans in China and Japan and released on DVD in early 2012.

Based on the original comic by Motoka Murakami and previously dramatized in Japan, in 2012's Dr. Jin Song played the titular smart and cold-hearted surgeon who takes a journey back through time to the late 19th century Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910). He then played a cold-hearted loan shark and gangster who morphs into a successful businessman for his love in 2013 melodrama When a Man Falls in Love.

2014–present: Mature roles

In 2014, Song starred in Kim Dae-woo's erotic period film Obsessed. Set in 1969 at the end of the Vietnam War, he played a high-ranking officer suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder who falls into an obsessive love affair with his subordinate's wife.

In 2015, he starred in the Chinese romantic melodrama The Third Way of Love, followed by family comedy Wonderful Nightmare. Song was next cast as a fighter pilot in his second Chinese project, World War II film Air Strike. He is also set to star in the film Man of Will, portraying a cruel and cold-hearted prison director.

Back on the Korean screen in 2017, Song starred opposite Lee Young-ae in period drama Saimdang, Memoir of Colors, about the Joseon artist and calligrapher Shin Saimdang; Song played a fictional character, an aristocrat and painter who has loved the heroine since childhood. The same year, he was cast in the fantasy thriller drama Black alongside Go Ara, playing the role of a grim reaper. Song reunited with Black director Ko Jae-hyun in another OCN drama Player in 2018, playing the role of a con-artist.

In 2019, Song starred in the political family comedy drama The Great Show. In April 2019, Song signed with new agency King Kong by Starship.

In 2020, Song starred in the romance drama Dinner Mate as a psychiatrist.

In 2021, Song took the role as the main lead in the fourth season of Voice.

Other activities

In 2009 he founded his own management agency, Storm S Company (later renamed Better ENT, now majority-owned by KOSDAQ-listed Signal Entertainment Group). It currently manages actors Kim Min-jung, Chae Jung-an and Goo Jae-yi. Song also owns the Sinsa-dong branch of Italian restaurant chain Blacksmith, launched by Caffe Bene.

In 2011, Song was named PR ambassador for cultural sharing by the Korea Foundation. His role was to promote Korean language, food and other cultural heritages overseas. In 2015, he was named as a promotional ambassador for the National Tax Service.

Filmography

Film

Television

Web shows

Music videos

Discography

Studio albums

Singles

Soundtrack appearances

Awards and nominations

State honors

References

References

1. link
2. link. (14 November 2018)
3. link. (May 29, 1999)
4. Paquet, Darcy. "Actors and Actresses of Korean Cinema: Song Seung-hun". Koreanfilm.org.
5. (14 October 2007). "10 Hallyu Stars". [[The Korea Times]].
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10. (10 January 2003). "Love and Destiny, New TV Series Set to Lure Chinese Audience".
11. (12 February 2005). ""Bingwoo - Ice Rain starring Song Seung-heon, was sold out in just three minutes"".
12. (22 July 2004). ""The Guy was Cool caters to teen love fantasies".".
13. Han, Jae-hyun. (9 September 2004). "More Actors Come Forward on Draft Dodging". [[The Chosun Ilbo]].
14. Lee, Brian. (20 September 2004). "TV stars confess to dodging draft". [[Korea JoongAng Daily]].
15. Jang, Il-hyun. (20 October 2004). "Celebrity Draft Dodgers Face Conscription in November". [[The Chosun Ilbo]].
16. (17 December 2004). "Song Seung-heon Appointed as Artilleryman, Jang Hyuk as Rifleman". KBS Global.
17. (20 October 2006). "Fuji TV Producing Special on Korean Wave Star". [[The Chosun Ilbo]].
18. (14 November 2006). "Asian Press Gears up for Star's Release from Army". [[The Chosun Ilbo]].
19. (16 November 2006). "Yellow Ribbons Time for Song Seung-hun". [[The Chosun Ilbo]].
20. Lee, Brian. (4 June 2007). "Korean draft dodgers sing the G.I. blues". [[Korea JoongAng Daily]].
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23. (18 March 2008). "Actors Kwon, Song Get Rough in 'Fate'". [[The Korea Times]].
24. Lee, Ji-hye. (9 September 2010). "Song Seung-heon ''Invincible'' will be "lucky to break even"".
25. (7 August 2010). "Tomorrow remake to bring macho drama". [[The Korea Times]].
26. (15 May 2010). "Song Seung-hun to Star in Remake of ''Ghost''". [[The Chosun Ilbo]].
27. Hong, Lucia. (24 November 2010). "Song Seung-hun says goal is not to outdo original ''Ghost''". 10Asia.
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29. Oh, Jean. (4 January 2011). "Hallyu stars take first stab at rom-com". [[The Korea Herald]].
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36. Oh, Jean. (28 May 2012). "Song says new role is very ''Alice in Wonderland''". [[The Korea Herald]].
37. Oh, Jean. (28 March 2013). "Song Seung-heon sheds 'pretty boy' image".
38. Han, Je-hee. (16 May 2013). "Song is a remade man". [[Korea JoongAng Daily]].
39. (12 June 2013). "'I put myself down for acting': Song Seung-heon". [[The Korea Herald]].
40. Tae, Sang-joon. (24 September 2013). "KIM Dae-woo Prep Story of Forbidden Love during Vietnam War". Korean Film Council.
41. (17 April 2014). "Song Seung-heon gets 'Obsessed'". [[Korea JoongAng Daily]].
42. (23 May 2014). "Song Seung-hun Reflects on Edgier Role in Latest Flick". [[The Chosun Ilbo]].
43. (25 June 2014). "Song to star in 'Another Love'". [[Korea JoongAng Daily]].
44. Kim, June. (27 November 2014). "UHM Jeong-hwa and SONG Seung-heon to Play Husband and Wife".
45. Kim, Yeon-ji. (31 July 2015). "An actor tries to spread his wings".
46. Yoon, Sarah. (3 June 2015). "Song Seung-heon, Bruce Willis cast in Chinese war film".
47. (7 November 2016). "Actor Song Seung-heon to play villain in new movie". [[Yonhap News Agency]].
48. Shim Sun-ah. (12 September 2017). "New Korean film depicts early years of prominent independence fighter".
49. (5 August 2015). "Song Seung-hun to Pair with Lee Young-ae in Upcoming Drama".
50. Lim, Jeong-yeo. (10 August 2015). "Lee Young-ae, Song Seung-heon to be lovers in new TV drama".
51. (30 November 2015). "Anticipation grows for Lee Young-ae, Song Seung-heon drama".
52. (5 August 2017). "Song Sung-heon, Go A-ra cast in OCN drama". [[Korea JoongAng Daily]].
53. (4 June 2018). "Song Seung-heon, Krystal, and Lee Si-eon in "Player"". Star Money.
54. (December 29, 2018). "Song Seung-heon finally loves to act: It took the TV and film veteran a while, but now he appreciates his job".
55. link. (August 2, 2019)
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57. (February 6, 2020). "'저녁 같이 드실래요?' 송승헌 출연확정, 5월 MBC 월화극 편성 [공식입장]".
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59. "Affiliate". [[Signal Entertainment Group]].
60. (3 January 2012). "Stars Show Business Savvy with Successful Food, Coffee Franchises". [[The Chosun Ilbo]].
61. (13 December 2011). "Actor Song named PR ambassador". [[The Korea Times]].
62. (24 April 2015). "Song Seung-hun, Yoon-a Named Tax Service Ambassadors". [[The Chosun Ilbo]].
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74. Park, Elli. (5 July 2012). "Song Seung-hun sings for ''Time Slip Dr. Jin'' OST". [[Korea JoongAng Daily]].
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77. Kim, June. (18 December 2014). "35th Blue Dragon Awards Names THE ATTORNEY Best Film".
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79. (1 January 2001). "KBS 연기대상에 김영철".
80. (17 December 2018). "[N현장] 하정우→워너원·'윤식당2', 2018 소비자가 뽑은 영광의 얼굴들(종합)".
81. link. (30 November 2009). [[Star News (South Korea). Star News]]
82. (2 January 2009). "MBC Should Be Ashamed of Farcical Awards". [[The Chosun Ilbo]].
83. (8 May 2014). "Song Seung Heon Knows He Didn't Deserve His Daesang". enewsWorld.
84. (1 January 2009). "[MBC연기대상]김명민-송승헌 대상 공동수상, '에덴의 동쪽' 14개 부문 수상(종합)".
85. Lee, Sarah. (14 January 2010). "Girl's Generation and Song Seung Hun wins award". Korea.com.
86. (29 March 2010). "Korean Wave stars receive government awards". [[The Korea Herald]].
87. (30 December 1998). "98 SBS 연기대상에 김희선씨".
88. (1 January 2002). "SBS 연기대상에「여인천하」전인화.강수연".
89. Kim, Sol-ji. (December 31, 2017). "[2017 SBS 연기대상] '당잠사' 커플 이종석·수지, 나란히 최우수 연기상 수상". [[Maeil Broadcasting Network]].
90. Lee Han-lim. (August 20, 2021). "서울드라마어워즈 2021', 한류드라마상 온라인 투표 진행". [[Naver]].
91. (August 20, 2021). "Excellent Actor Prize". twitter.
92. (13 March 2016). "G-Dragon, Park Bo-gum, Girls' Generation and Song Joong-ki picked as style icons". [[Kpop Herald]].
93. link. (4 March 2010)
94. (4 March 2015). "Stars picked as top taxpayers". [[Korea JoongAng Daily]].