The Stellar Journey of Song Hye-kyo: Awards, Life, and Legacy

Actress Song Hye-kyo is well-known in South Korea for her appearances in numerous highly rated films and television shows. Her roles in Full House, Descendants of the Sun, The Glory, Autumn in My Heart, and Full House catapulted her to stardom on a global scale. A leading personality in the Hallyu wave (Korean wave), she receives honors for her performance, beauty, and style. Many awards have been given to Song Hye-kyo for her performances, and she is still an important name in the South Korean entertainment world.

Song Hye-kyo’s Personal Life

Song Hye-kyo’s birthday is November 22, 1981, and she is 42 years old right now. Her birthplace is Dalseo District, Daegu, South Korea. After appearing in a string of critically acclaimed films and TV shows, she became known around the world as one of South Korea’s top actresses. Not only is she a talented actress, but her 1.61 m height makes her a timeless beauty and a fashion icon.

Her marriage to fellow actor Song Joong-ki ended in divorce on July 22, 2019, after being tied the knot on October 31, 2017. Internationally, Song Hye-kyo is repped by Jet Tone Films, while in South Korea, she is represented by United Artists Agency. Being Song Dae-seob’s daughter, she has maintained her place as an important figure in the world of entertainment.

Song Hye-kyo was raised up by her mother after her parents’ divorced when she was a little girl. They moved to Seoul’s Gangnam District from her hometown of Daegu after the divorce. Song used to be a figure skater when she was younger, but she stopped when she was in the eighth grade. She was an introvert who thought she was quiet and reserved, but her English teacher at Ewha Girls’ High School said she had a “cheerful character” and was popular with her classmates. Afterwards, Song enrolled at Sejong University to study cinematography.

Song Hye-kyo’s Career Highlights

When Song Hye-kyo was 14 years old, she won the SunKyung Smart Model Contest. That same year, she landed her first television role in First Love. In 2000, her single “Autumn in My Heart” catapulted her to stardom as a Hallyu artist on a global scale. After this, she became a household name in Asia thanks to her parts in critically acclaimed dramas such as Full House (2004) and All In (2003).

Song returned to film in 2005 after a short absence, but her big-screen efforts, such as Hwang Jin Yi and My Girl and I, had mixed reviews. With 2008’s Make Yourself at Home, she made her Hollywood debut. Following her 2008 television return with The World That They Live In, Song went on to star in films such as Camellia (2010) and A Reason to Live (2011), among others.

That Winter, the Wind Blows, Song’s 2013 comeback collection, was a critical and commercial success. Her subsequent film credits include The Crossing and The Queens, both set in China. In 2016, she landed her most famous part in the worldwide smash hit Descendants of the Sun, which solidified her status as a leading actor.

Returning with 2018’s Encounter and 2021’s Now, We Are Breaking Up, she had a short break. She won Best Actress at the 59th Baeksang Arts Awards in 2022 for her performance in the critically acclaimed Netflix series The Glory.

Song Hye-kyo’s Controversies

The public took notice of Song Hye-kyo in 2014 when a politician unintentionally exposed her role in a tax cheating case. This is what happened:

Tax Evasion Allegations

Song was said to have avoided paying her income tax of 2.56 billion Korean won (about $2.76 million) from 2009 to 2011.

Song’s Response

she said that her accountant had made a mistake with the paperwork and she was unaware of it. In October 2012, she was alerted by the National Tax Service (NTS) and promptly paid the ₩3.8 billion tax balance, including penalties.

Additional Problems

Song was hit with a ₩700 million tax debt in April 2014 as a result of a legally mandated five-year audit of her tax returns from 2008.

Apology to the Public

Song sincerely apologized to the public, admitting her error and accepting all responsibility for what had happened.

Song Hye-kyo also formally sued fifteen people on July 25, 2019, for allegedly circulating rumors about her, smearing her reputation, and insulting her. Her determination to safeguard her reputation and her stand against damaging internet conduct were both highlighted by this move.

Song Hye-kyo: $42 Million Net Worth and Global Fame

Renowned worldwide for her memorable performances in renowned love dramas like Autumn in My Heart, The Glory, and Descendants of the Sun, Song Hye-kyo has not only solidified her position as one of South Korea’s leading actors but has also accumulated an impressive net worth of $42 million. Her exceptional skill, elegance, and adaptability have established her as a well recognized figure in Asia and other regions, attracting a vast multitude of admirers globally.

Furthermore, apart from her exceptional acting career, Song Hye-kyo has achieved iconic status in the fashion and beauty industry by partnering with esteemed luxury labels such as Fendi, Laneige, and Chaumet. Her impact extends well beyond the realm of cinema, as she frequently appears on international red carpets, magazine covers, and ad campaigns, therefore reinforcing her status as a well recognized global celebrity. Her capacity to enthrall both spectators and esteemed fashion experts alike underscores her timeless allure and indisputable ability.

Song Hye-kyo’s Donations and Endorsements

Not only has Song Hye-kyo won over audiences with her onscreen antics, but her charitable work and endorsement deals have also had a major influence. Her brand endorsements and charitable work are detailed here:

Notable Donations

Busan International Film Festival (2013): Song gave away 1,000 tickets to the 2013 Busan International Film Festival so that underprivileged children in the region might enjoy a night at the movies.

Seoul International Women’s Film Festival (2014): She bought 800 tickets to the 2014 Seoul International Women’s Film Festival and gave them to the Korean Psychological Association and the Magdalena Community so that everyone could enjoy the films.

Beautiful Foundation (2016): Song helped fund educational support programs for low-income kids with aspirations of becoming design specialists (2016) through the Beautiful Foundation, giving these young people a fighting chance.

Seoul National University Children’s Hospital (2017): She gave a hundred million won(2017) to the children’s hospital at Seoul National University to help with the medical expenses of their young patients.

Korean Red Cross (2022): In 2022, after the devastating wildfires in Uljin and Samcheok, Song showed her dedication to aiding during emergencies by donating ₩100 million to the Korean Red Cross to aid the victims.

Key Endorsements

Etude House (2001–2005): From 2001 until 2005, Song was the face of Etude House and remained their model for the longest time.

Laneige (2008): She represented the skincare behemoth Laneige on a worldwide scale after being chosen as their global brand ambassador in 2008.

Chaumet (2018): With her classic good looks, Song was selected as the Asia-Pacific spokesperson for the esteemed luxury jewelry brand Chaumet (2018).

Fendi (2021): Song further cemented her global prominence in the fashion industry when she became the first Korean brand ambassador for the Italian fashion business, Fendi.

As an inspiration, Song Hye-kyo isn’t only onstage; she’s also a community activist and brand ambassador for some of the biggest names in the industry.

Song Hye-kyo: A Star’s Cinematic Journey

Films

TBA: Dark Nuns – Sister Junia
2015: The Queens – Annie (Chinese film)
2015: The Crossing: Part 2 – Zhou Yunfen (Chinese film)
2014: The Crossing: Part 1 – Zhou Yunfen (Chinese film)
2014: My Brilliant Life – Choi Mi-ra
2013: The Grandmaster – Zhang Yongcheng (Chinese film)
2011: A Reason to Live – Da-hye
2011: Countdown – Pretty Girl (Special appearance)
2010: Camellia – “Love for Sale” – Bo-ra (Omnibus film)
2008: Make Yourself at Home – Sookhy (American indie film)
2007: Hwang Jin Yi – Hwang Jin-yi
2005: My Girl and I – Bae Su-eun

Television Series

2024

Everything Shall Come True – Special Appearance

2021–2022

Now, We Are Breaking Up – Ha Young-eun

2018–2019

Encounter – Cha Soo-hyun

2016

Descendants of the Sun – Kang Mo-yeon

2013

That Winter, the Wind Blows – Oh Young

2008

Worlds Within – Joo Joon-young

2004

Full House – Han Ji-eun
Sunlight Pours Down – Ji Yeon-woo

2003

All In – Min Su-yeon / Angela

2001

Hotelier – Kim Yoon-hee
Guardian Angel – Jung Da-so

2000

Autumn in My Heart – Yoon / Choi Eun-seo

1999–2000

Marching – Song Hye-kyo
Sweet Bride – Kim Young-hee

1998–2000

Soonpoong Clinic – Oh Hye-kyo

1998–1999

Six Siblings – Choi Eun-shil
How Am I? – Ye-rin

1998

White Nights 3.98 – Young Hong Jung-yeon
Deadly Eyes – Oh Jung-ah

1997–1998

Wedding Dress – Granddaughter

1997

Happy Morning – Oh Ye-boon
Beautiful Face – Bit part
70-minute Drama: When They Met – Extra
One of a Pair – Extra

1996–1997

First Love – Student

1995

New Generation Report: Adults Don’t Know – Bit part

Web Series

Title: The Glory
Year: 2022–2023
Role: Moon Dong-eun

Television Shows

1998: Inkigayo Live 20 – Host, with Park Soo-hong
1999–2000: Our Happy Saturday
2000: Music Bank – Host, with Lee Hwi-jae
2001: Mnet KM Music Festival – Host, with Cha Tae-hyun
2007: She’s Olive: Song Hye-kyo in Paris – Herself
2009: Good Morning Panda – Narrator (Documentary)
2016: May, the Children
2023: Grandma Is Back – Documentary on the March 1st Movement

Music Video Appearances

1996: “This Promise” by Kim Soo-keun
2000: “Curious Destiny” by Shin Sung-woo
2000: “Once Upon a Day” by Kim Bum-soo

State Honors

Country	Organization	Year	Honor
South Korea	National Tax Service	2011	Prime Minister’s Commendation
South Korea	Korean Popular Culture and Arts Awards	2016	Presidential Commendation

Awards and Nominations

CJENM Visionary Awards

2024
- 2024 Visionary – Won

Brand Customer Loyalty Awards

2023
- Best Actress – OTT – Won

Blue Dragon Series Awards

2023
- Blue Dragon’s Choice (Grand Prize) for The Glory – Won
- Best Actress – Nominated

Asian Academy Creative Awards

2023
- Best Actress in A Leading Role (National Winners – Korea) for The Glory – Won

iQiyi Global Star Award

2023
- Best Actress – Television for The Glory – Won

Korean Fashion Photographers Association

2022
- Photogenic Cup – Won

Blue Dragon Film Awards

2007
- Best Leading Actress for Hwang Jin Yi – Nominated

Grand Bell Awards

2023
- Best Actress in a Series for The Glory – Nominated

SBS Drama Awards

2021
- Grand Prize (Daesang) for Now, We Are Breaking Up – Nominated
- Top Excellence Award, Actress in a Miniseries Romance/Comedy Drama – Nominated
- Best Couple Award (with Jang Ki-yong) – Nominated
2013
- Top Excellence Award, Actress in a Miniseries for That Winter, the Wind Blows – Won
- Top 10 Stars – Won
- Best Couple Award (with Jo In-sung) – Nominated
2004
- Top Excellence Award, Actress for Sunlight Pours Down – Nominated
- Excellence Award, Actress in Drama Special – Nominated
2003
- Top Excellence Award, Actress for All In – Won
- Top 10 Stars – Won
2001
- Top 10 Stars for Guardian Angel – Won
- SBSi Award – Won
1998
- Best New Actress in a Sitcom for Soonpoong Clinic, How Am I? – Won

Women in Film Korea Awards

2011
- Best Actress for A Reason to Live – Won

Shanghai New Entertainment Charity Awards

2009
- Most Charming Charity Star Award – Won

KBS Drama Awards

2016
- Grand Prize (Daesang) for Descendants of the Sun – Won
- Top Excellence Award, Actress – Nominated
- Excellence Award, Actress in a Miniseries – Nominated
- Best Couple (with Song Joong-ki) – Won
- Asia Best Couple (with Song Joong-ki) – Won
2008
- Excellence Award, Actress in a Miniseries for Worlds Within – Nominated
2004
- Top Excellence Award, Actress for Full House – Won
- Popularity Award, Actress – Won
- Best Couple (with Rain) – Won
2000
- Top Excellence Award, Actress for Autumn in My Heart – Nominated
- Photogenic Award, Actress – Won
- Popularity Award, Actress – Won

Baeksang Arts Awards

2016
- Best Actress – Television for Descendants of the Sun – Nominated
- Most Popular Actress (TV) – Won
- iQiyi Global Star Award – Won
2013
- Best Actress – Television for That Winter, the Wind Blows – Nominated
- Most Popular Actress (TV) – Won
2006
- Best New Actress – Film for My Girl and I – Nominated
2005
- Best Actress – Television for Full House – Nominated
2001
- Best New Actress – Television for Autumn in My Heart – Nominated
- Most Popular Actress (TV) – Won