Song Seung-heon

Song Seung-heon (Template:Korean; born October 5, 1976) is a South Korean model and actor. He has acted in various television dramas, notably Autumn in My Heart (2000), East of Eden (2008), My Princess (2011), Black (2017), Player (2018), The Great Show (2019), and Dinner Mate (2020). His latest on-screen appearance was in the fourth season of Voice (2021).<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>Template:Unreliable source?

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.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The following year he debuted as an actor. His feature film debut came in 1999 in the film Calla co-starring Kim Hee-sun.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name=paquet>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

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.<ref name=hallyu>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Since then he has been actively recruited for film roles and advertisements in Japan, Hong Kong and other Asian countries.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name=paquet />

In 2002, Song starred in the action comedy Make It Big by director Cho Ui-seok,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> and also in the Hong Kong film So Close with actresses Karen Mok, Shu Qi and Zhao Wei.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Song further solidified his status as a Hallyu (Korean Wave) star in 2003 with Summer Scent, co-starring Son Ye-jin.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name=hallyu /> 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.<ref name=paquet />

In 2004, Song appeared in two films, but neither was a success: Ice Rain,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> shot in the Canadian Rockies, failed to enthuse viewers with its mixture of mountaineering and melodrama, while He Was Cool,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> 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.<ref name=paquet />

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.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Amidst the press coverage and scandal this aroused, Song agreed to immediately serve his two-year term in the military.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Song was discharged on November 15, 2006, with the rank of corporal, to much fanfare and media attention.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> For a time he kept a low profile, trying to gauge public opinion on his return to the entertainment world.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

2008–2013: Comeback

For his comeback, Song took on a tough image, playing aggressive and masculine roles in the 2008 drama East of Eden,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> which he won the "Daesang" (Grand Prize) for at the MBC Drama Awards. He also starred in the action film Fate,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> and the 2010 remake A Better Tomorrow.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

His popularity in Japan continued, and in 2010 he starred in Ghost remake Ghost: In Your Arms Again with Matsushima Nanako.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

In 2011, Song starred in My Princess opposite Kim Tae-hee, his first romantic comedy.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> 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."<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

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.<ref>Ko, Kyoung-seok (5 October 2011). "Song Seung-heon to shoot short film for Asia fans" Template:Webarchive. 10Asia.</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

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).<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> 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.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

2014–present: Mature roles

In 2014, Song starred in Kim Dae-woo's erotic period film Obsessed.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> 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.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

File:Liu Yifei Song Sehun in 2015.jpg

Song Seung-heon and Liu Yifei 2015

In 2015, he starred in the Chinese romantic melodrama The Third Way of Love,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> followed by family comedy Wonderful Nightmare.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Song was next cast as a fighter pilot in his second Chinese project, World War II film Air Strike.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> He is also set to star in the film Man of Will, portraying a cruel and cold-hearted prison director.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

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.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The same year, he was cast in the fantasy thriller drama Black alongside Go Ara, playing the role of a grim reaper.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Song reunited with Black director Ko Jae-hyun in another OCN drama Player in 2018, playing the role of a con-artist.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

In 2019, Song starred in the political family comedy drama The Great Show.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In April 2019, Song signed with new agency King Kong by Starship.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

In 2020, Song starred in the romance drama Dinner Mate as a psychiatrist.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

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).<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> 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.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

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.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In 2015, he was named as a promotional ambassador for the National Tax Service.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Filmography

Film

Year	Title	Role	Notes	Template:Abbr
1999	Calla	Kim Sun-woo
2002	Make It Big	Seong-hwan
	So Close	Yen	Hong Kong film
2004	Ice Rain	Han Woo-sung
	He Was Cool	Ji Eun-sung
2008	Fate	Kim Woo-min
2010	A Better Tomorrow	Lee Young-choon
	Ghost: In Your Arms Again	Kim Jun-ho	Japanese film
2012	Lucid Dreaming	Template:N/a	Short film
2014	Obsessed	Kim Jin-pyeong
2015	Wonderful Nightmare	Sung-hwan
	The Third Way of Love	Lin Qizheng	Chinese film
2017	Man of Will	Kang Hyung-sik
2018	Air Strike	An Ming Xun / An Ming He	Chinese film
2024	Hidden Face	Sung-jin		citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Television series

Year	Title	Role	Notes	Template:Abbr
1996–99	Three Guys and Three Girls	Song Seung-heon
1997	Beautiful Lady	Lee Min-hyuk
1997–98	You and I	Park Min-kyu		citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
1998	Winners	Jung Min-soo		citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
1999	Happy Together	Seo Ji-suk		citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
	Love Story	Joon-sung	episode 2: "Message"	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
2000	Popcorn	Lee Young-hoon		citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
	Autumn in My Heart	Yoon Joon-seo
2001	Law Firm	Jung Young-woong		citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
2003	Summer Scent	Yoo Min-woo
2008	East of Eden	Lee Dong-chul
2011	My Princess	Park Hae-young
2012	Dr. Jin	Jin Hyuk
2013	When a Man Falls in Love	Han Tae-sang
2017	Saimdang, Memoir of Colors	Lee Gyeom
	Black	Han Moo-gang (Detective) / Black (Grim Reaper #444)
2018–24	Player	Kang Ha-ri	Season 1 and 2	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
2019	The Great Show	Wi Dae-han
2020	Dinner Mate	Kim Hae-kyeong
2021	Voice	Derek Jo	Season 4	<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Web series

Year	Title	Role	Template:Abbr
2023	Black Knight	Ryu Seok	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Web shows

Year	Title	Role	Notes	Template:Abbr
2022	Saturday Night Live Korea	Host	Episode 1 – Season 3	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Music video appearances

Year	Song Title	Artist	Template:Abbr
2001	"Once Upon a Day"	Kim Bum-soo
2005	"Sad Love Story"	Yoon Gun
2008	"I Miss You"	SG Wannabe

Discography

Studio albums

List of studio albums, with selected details, and track listing

Title	Album details	Track listing
First Album	Released: December 7, 2004 Label: ESJ Entertainment	Template:Hidden

Singles

Soundtrack appearances

List of singles, with year, and album

Title	Year	Album
"Even After Ten Years" ({{#invoke:Lang|lang}})	2005	Sad Love Story OST
"For You" ({{#invoke:Lang|lang}})
"As Time Goes By" ({{#invoke:Lang|lang}})	2008	East of Eden OST
"Last Love" ({{#invoke:Lang|lang}})<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>	2012	Dr. Jin OST

Awards and nominations

Name of the award ceremony, year presented, category, nominee of the award, and the result of the nomination

Award ceremony	Year	Category	Nominee / Work	Result	Template:Abbr
Andre Kim Best Star Awards	2009	Male Star Award	Song Seung-heon	Template:Won	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Baeksang Arts Awards	1998	Most Popular Actor – Television	You and I	Template:Won	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
	2009	Best Actor – Television	East of Eden	Template:Nom
Blue Dragon Film Awards	1999	Best New Actor	Calla	Template:Nom
	2014	Popular Star Award	Obsessed	Template:Won	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
China Cosmopolitan Beauty Awards	2012	Asia's Most Charming Artist	Song Seung-heon	Template:Won	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
KBS Drama Awards	2000	Top Excellence Award, Actor	Autumn in My Heart	Template:Nom
		Popularity Award		Template:Won	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
		Photogenic Award		Template:Won
	2003	Netizen Award, Actor	Summer Scent	Template:Nom
		Best Couple Award	Song Seung-heon with Son Ye-jin Summer Scent	Template:Nom
KCA Consumer Day Awards	2019	Best Drama Actor	Player	Template:Won	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
KMTV	1997	Best New Actor	Song Seung-heon	Template:Won
Korean Culture and Entertainment Awards	2009	Grand Prize (Daesang) in a TV Drama	East of Eden	Template:Won	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
MBC Drama Awards	2008	Grand Prize (Daesang)	East of Eden	Template:Won	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
		Top Excellence Award, Actor		Template:Nom
		Popularity Award, Actor		Template:Won
		Best Couple Award	Song Seung-heon with Lee Yeon-hee East of Eden	Template:Won
	2011	Top Excellence Award, Actor in a Miniseries	My Princess	Template:Nom
		Popularity Award, Actor		Template:Nom
		Best Couple Award	Song Seung-heon with Kim Tae-hee My Princess	Template:Nom
	2012	Top Excellence Award, Actor in a Miniseries	Dr. Jin	Template:Nom
		Popularity Award, Actor		Template:Nom
	2013	Top Excellence Award, Actor in a Miniseries	When a Man Falls in Love	Template:Nom
		Popularity Award, Actor		Template:Nom
		Best Couple Award	Song Seung-heon with Shin Se-kyung When a Man Falls in Love	Template:Nom
	2020	Top Excellence Award, Actor in a Monday-Tuesday Miniseries / Short Drama	Dinner Mate	Template:Nom
		Best Couple Award	Song Seung-heon with Seo Ji-hye Dinner Mate	Template:Nom
Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism Content Industry Awards	2010	Distinguished Hallyu Entertainer Award of Merit (co-winner with Girls' Generation)	Song Seung-heon	Template:Won	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>Template:Unreliable source?<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
SBS Drama Awards	1998	Popularity Award, Actor	Winners	Template:Won	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
	1999	Netizen Popularity Award	Happy Together	Template:Won
		Top 10 Stars		Template:Won
	2001	Excellence Award, Actor in a Drama Special	Law Firm	Template:Nom
		Top 10 Stars		Template:Won	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
	2017	Top Excellence Award, Actor in a Wednesday-Thursday Drama	Saimdang, Memoir of Colors	Template:Nom	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Seoul International Drama Awards	2011	Outstanding Korean Actor	My Princess	Template:Nom
	2021		Dinner Mate	Template:Nom	<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Style Icon Asia	2016	Top 10 Style Icons	Song Seung-heon	Template:Won	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>

State honors

Name of the organization, year presented, and the award given

Organization	Year	Award	Template:Abbr
Taxpayers' Day	2010	Exemplary Taxpayer Citation	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
	2015	Presidential Commendation	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>

External links

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