Few actors navigate the line between public adoration and private scrutiny quite like Song Joong-ki. The South Korean star has seen his personal milestones — a highly publicized marriage and divorce, a remarriage, and the birth of two children — unfold alongside a career that includes the global hit drama “Descendants of the Sun” and multiple acting awards.
Birthdate: September 19, 1985 ·
Number of marriages: 2 ·
Instagram followers: 11 million ·
Debut film: A Frozen Flower (2008)
Quick snapshot
- Born September 19, 1985 in South Korea (Wikipedia)
- Married Song Hye-kyo on October 31, 2017 (Wikipedia)
- Divorce finalized in July 2019 (Wikipedia)
- Married Katy Louise Saunders in January 2023 (The Straits Times)
- Exact reason for divorce beyond “personality differences”
- Whether he remains in contact with Song Hye-kyo
- Specific details about how he met Katy Louise Saunders
- October 2017: Marriage to Song Hye-kyo (Wikipedia)
- July 2019: Divorce finalized (Wikipedia)
- January 2023: Marriage to Katy Louise Saunders (The Straits Times)
- June 2023: First child born (Wikipedia)
- November 2024: Second child born (Yonhap News Agency)
- Continued acting career; father of two children (Yonhap News Agency)
- Family life split between Rome and Seoul (Yonhap News Agency)
Seven key facts, one pattern: his personal life milestones have been consistently announced through official channels, giving fans a rare window into his private world.
The biography table below consolidates his essential identifiers into a single view.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Song Joong-ki (Wikipedia) |
| Date of Birth | September 19, 1985 (Wikipedia) |
| Nationality | South Korean (Wikipedia) |
| Occupation | Actor (Wikipedia) |
| Years Active | 2008–present (Wikipedia) |
| Spouse(s) | Song Hye-kyo (m. 2017; div. 2019), Katy Louise Saunders (m. 2023) (Wikipedia) |
| Children | 2 (Yonhap News Agency) |
Did Song Joong-ki have a child?
Yes, Song Joong-ki has two children as of November 2024. According to a statement from his agency reported by Yonhap News Agency (South Korea’s leading news wire), his second child, a daughter, was born in Rome on November 20, 2024. His first child, a son, was born in Rome on June 14, 2023, as confirmed by Wikipedia (biographical database).
The pattern: both children were born in Rome, where the couple reportedly spends part of the year.
When was Song Joong-ki’s child born?
- First child (son): June 14, 2023 in Rome (Wikipedia)
- Second child (daughter): November 20, 2024 in Rome (Yonhap News Agency)
Who is the mother of Song Joong-ki’s child?
The mother of both children is Katy Louise Saunders, a British actress. Song Joong-ki announced her pregnancy in January 2023 when he confirmed their marriage, according to The Straits Times (Singapore’s leading English-language daily).
Song Joong-ki became a father of two in under 18 months, a rapid family expansion that contrasts with the more private approach of many Korean celebrities.
What happened between Song Hye-kyo and Song Joong-ki?
Song Joong-ki and actress Song Hye-kyo were one of South Korea’s most famous couples. They met on the set of the 2016 drama “Descendants of the Sun” and announced their engagement in July 2017. The marriage lasted less than two years.
When did Song Joong-ki and Song Hye-kyo marry?
- Engagement announcement: July 5, 2017 (Wikipedia)
- Wedding date: October 31, 2017 at Youngbingwan, Hotel Shilla, Seoul (Wikipedia)
When did they divorce?
- Divorce announcement: June 26, 2019 (Wikipedia)
- Divorce finalized: July 2019 (Wikipedia)
The implication: the entire marriage lasted just 21 months, making it one of the shortest celebrity marriages in Korean entertainment history.
Why did Song Joong-ki leave his wife?
The official statement issued by both parties’ agencies cited “personality differences” as the reason for the divorce, as recorded by Wikipedia (biographical database). No further details have been officially provided. Speculation in Korean media suggested various explanations, but none were confirmed.
The “personality differences” explanation is a standard placeholder in Korean celebrity divorce statements. Without a more detailed account from either party, the real reasons remain unknown.
Who is Joong-ki’s ex-wife?
Song Joong-ki’s ex-wife is Song Hye-kyo, one of South Korea’s most recognized actresses. She is known for her roles in “Descendants of the Sun” and “The Glory.”
Who is Song Joong-ki’s current wife?
- Current wife: Katy Louise Saunders, a British actress (Wikipedia)
- Marriage registered: January 2023 (The Straits Times)
- Relationship confirmed: December 2022 (The Straits Times)
How did Song Joong-ki meet his new wife?
According to Wikipedia (biographical database), Song Joong-ki met Katy Louise Saunders through work connections. The couple was first reported to be dating in December 2022, and they married in January 2023.
The trade-off: unlike his highly publicized first marriage, this relationship was kept largely private until the marriage and pregnancy were announced simultaneously.
Timeline
- 1985 – Born September 19 in South Korea (Wikipedia)
- 2008 – Acting debut in film “A Frozen Flower” (Wikipedia)
- 2017 – Married Song Hye-kyo on October 31 (Wikipedia)
- 2019 – Divorce from Song Hye-kyo finalized in July (Wikipedia)
- 2023 – Married Katy Louise Saunders in January; first child (son) born June 14 (Wikipedia, The Straits Times)
- 2024 – Second child (daughter) born November 20 (Yonhap News Agency)
Clarity: what’s confirmed vs. what’s unclear
Confirmed facts
- Birthdate and birthplace (Wikipedia)
- Marriage to Song Hye-kyo in 2017 and divorce in 2019 (Wikipedia)
- Marriage to Katy Louise Saunders in 2023 (The Straits Times)
- Two children: son born June 2023, daughter born November 2024 (Wikipedia, Yonhap News Agency)
- Instagram account with 11 million followers
What’s unclear
- Exact reason for divorce beyond “personality differences”
- Whether he is still in contact with Song Hye-kyo
- Specific details about how he met Katy Louise Saunders
- Future projects and career direction
Quotes
“We are informing you that actor Song Joong-ki has married his lifelong partner, Katy Louise Saunders… We ask for your warm support as they begin their married life.”
– Song Joong-ki’s official statement on his fan cafe, January 2023, as reported by Wikipedia (biographical database)
“I am blessed to have a healthy baby girl.”
– Song Joong-ki, as reported by South China Morning Post (Hong Kong-based English-language news publisher), November 2024
Summary
Song Joong-ki’s personal life has been a lesson in contrast: a whirlwind first marriage that ended abruptly, followed by a quieter second marriage and rapid expansion into fatherhood. The official statements from his agencies provide the backbone of what we know, but the gaps — especially around the divorce — remain. For South Korean entertainment industry observers, the takeaway is that even the most public stars can reset their boundaries. Shah Rukh Khan: Net Worth, Wives, Religion, and Friends Answered and Madhuri Dixit: Biography, Age, Husband, Children & Career Facts offer similar biographical deep dives into other Asian entertainment icons.
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Fans wanting to learn more about his marriages and children can read his marriages and children for a detailed timeline.
Frequently asked questions
What is Song Joong-ki’s net worth?
Estimates vary, but according to multiple Korean entertainment publications, his net worth is believed to be in the range of $20–30 million, largely from acting fees, endorsements, and real estate investments. No official figure has been confirmed.
What are Song Joong-ki’s most famous dramas?
His most famous drama is “Descendants of the Sun” (2016), which became a global phenomenon. He also starred in “Sungkyunkwan Scandal” (2010), “The Innocent Man” (2012), and “Vincenzo” (2021).
Does Song Joong-ki have siblings?
Yes, he has one younger brother, according to biographical profiles on Wikipedia (biographical database).
What is Song Joong-ki’s height?
He is listed as 178 cm (5 ft 10 in) tall on Wikipedia (biographical database).
Is Song Joong-ki active on social media?
Yes, he has an official Instagram account with over 11 million followers. He posts occasionally about his projects and personal life.
What was Song Joong-ki’s role in ‘Descendants of the Sun’?
He played Captain Yoo Shi-jin, a special forces officer, opposite Song Hye-kyo’s character. The role won him the Baeksang Arts Award for Best Actor in Television.
Has Song Joong-ki won any awards?
Yes, he has won multiple awards, including the Baeksang Arts Award for Best Actor (2016) for “Descendants of the Sun,” and several KBS Drama Awards and APAN Star Awards, as listed on Wikipedia (biographical database).
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Jonathan Ellery is Editor-in-Chief and Responsible Publisher at Press Hive, overseeing editorial standards, publication decisions and the corrections process.