Few Korean actors have lived their personal story so publicly as Song Joong‑ki. From his fairytale wedding to co‑star Song Hye‑kyo to their abrupt divorce, then a quiet remarriage and the birth of a second child, his off‑screen arc rivals any drama. This profile sorts the verified milestones from the rumors, drawing on official reports and entertainment coverage up to late 2024.

Born: September 19, 1985 · Height: 178 cm (5 ft 10 in) · Net worth (estimated): $20 million · Number of marriages: 2 · Children: 2 (son born 2023, daughter born 2024) · Notable works: Descendants of the Sun, Vincenzo, Reborn Rich

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts

2What’s unclear

3Timeline signal
  • 2008 – film debut in A Frozen Flower (Wikipedia)
  • 2016 – breakthrough with Descendants of the Sun (Wikipedia)
  • October 2017 – married Song Hye‑kyo (The Korea Times (English‑language daily))
  • July 2019 – divorce finalized (Soompi)
  • January 2023 – married Katy Louise Saunders (The Straits Times)
  • November 2024 – second child (daughter) born in Rome (The Straits Times)

4What’s next

Six key identifiers sum up the actor’s profile:

Attribute Detail
Full name Song Joong‑ki ( )
Date of birth September 19, 1985
Place of birth Daejeon, South Korea
Height 178 cm (5 ft 10 in)
Education Sungkyunkwan University (Business Administration)
Agency HighZium Studio

What happened between Song Hye‑kyo and Song Joong‑ki?

Marriage and divorce timeline

Bottom line: The marriage lasted just 21 months. Despite their on‑screen chemistry in Descendants of the Sun, the couple grew apart and neither side has offered further explanation.

Who filed for divorce?

  • Song Joong‑ki announced the divorce filing in June 2019 (Soompi)
  • Song Hye‑kyo’s agency confirmed the following month (Soompi)

The implication: the split was initiated by the actor, but both parties publicly maintained a tone of mutual respect.

Where is Song Joong‑ki now?

Current residence and family life

  • Lives in Seoul with wife Katy Louise Saunders (The Straits Times)
  • Married in January 2023 (The Straits Times)
  • First son born June 2023 (The Straits Times)
  • Second child (daughter) born November 2024 in Rome (The Straits Times)
The upshot

Song Joong‑ki is now a father of two with a British wife, settling into a more private family life than his first marriage allowed.

Recent projects

The pattern: after his divorce, Song Joong‑ki took on grittier roles, moving away from romantic leads to edgier characters.

How many wives does Song Joong‑ki have?

First marriage

  • Married actress Song Hye‑kyo on October 31, 2017 (The Korea Times)
  • Divorced July 2019 (Soompi)

Second marriage

  • Married Katy Louise Saunders in January 2023 (The Straits Times)
  • Still married as of 2025

The trade‑off: a total of two marriages, each representing a different phase of his public life — the first a celebrity super‑couple, the second a quieter cross‑cultural union.

Can Song Joong‑ki speak English?

English proficiency level

  • He is fluent in English (Soompi (K‑drama news site))
  • Studied Business Administration at Sungkyunkwan University, but his English skills come from personal study and practice (Wikipedia)

Examples of English usage

Why this matters: his English ability has broadened his appeal to non‑Korean audiences and helped him land global projects.

What is the age gap between Song Hye‑kyo and Song Joong‑ki?

Exact age difference

  • Song Hye‑kyo was born November 22, 1981 (Wikipedia (community‑edited biography))
  • Song Joong‑ki was born September 19, 1985
  • Difference: Song Hye‑kyo is 3 years, 10 months older (approx. 4 years) (Wikipedia)

How age gap affected their relationship

  • Neither party has cited age as a factor (Soompi)
  • In Korean celebrity culture, smaller age gaps are common and rarely cause public friction

The catch: while fans speculated about age‑related dynamics, official statements never mentioned it. The marriage ended for reasons that remain private.

Timeline of major events

  • 2008 – Film debut in A Frozen Flower (Wikipedia)
  • 2016 – Breakout role in Descendants of the Sun (Wikipedia)
  • October 31, 2017 – Married Song Hye‑kyo (The Korea Times)
  • July 2019 – Divorce finalized (Soompi)
  • January 2023 – Married Katy Louise Saunders (The Straits Times)
  • June 2023 – Birth of first son (The Straits Times)
  • November 2024 – Birth of second child (daughter) in Rome (The Straits Times)

What’s confirmed and what’s not

Confirmed facts

  • Song Joong‑ki was born in 1985 and studied at Sungkyunkwan University (Wikipedia)
  • He was married to Song Hye‑kyo from 2017 to 2019 (Soompi)
  • He has been married to Katy Louise Saunders since January 2023 (The Straits Times)
  • He has two children (son and daughter) (The Straits Times)
  • He is fluent in English (Soompi)

What’s unclear

  • Net worth — estimates range from $13 million to $25 million (Pinkvilla vs. social media)
  • Exact reason for divorce — only “personality differences” stated (Soompi)
  • Future career direction — he reportedly is considering new projects but nothing confirmed (Soompi)

In his own words

“It was a painful time, but I have no regrets.”

— Song Joong‑ki, in an interview with Harper’s Bazaar (fashion magazine) discussing his divorce

“I try my best to communicate with international fans in English.”

— Song Joong‑ki, at a press conference for My name is Loh Kiwan (Soompi)

For international audiences, the takeaway is clear: Song Joong‑ki’s life story is as complex as any character he has played, and the biggest remaining question marks — his net worth and the full reason behind his first divorce — are likely to stay unanswered unless he chooses to share them. For fans wanting a complete picture, Song Hye‑kyo biography offers the other side of that story, while highest‑paid Korean actors list provides context on industry earnings.

For a more detailed biography of Song Joong-ki, including his early life and career milestones, check out detailed biography of Song Joong-ki.

Frequently asked questions

What is Song Joong‑ki’s height?

178 cm (5 ft 10 in) according to his agency profile (Wikipedia).

Does Song Joong‑ki have siblings?

He has a younger brother, according to Wikipedia.

What is Song Joong‑ki’s Instagram handle?

Official Instagram account: @hi_songjoongki.

What is Song Joong‑ki’s religion?

He has not publicly disclosed his religious beliefs.

What are Song Joong‑ki’s most famous roles?

His breakout role was in Descendants of the Sun (2016), followed by Vincenzo (2021) and Reborn Rich (2022). (Wikipedia)

Is Song Joong‑ki still acting?

Yes, he appeared in My name is Loh Kiwan (2024) and is reportedly considering new projects (Soompi).

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