Seven years have passed since the end of the Song-Song couple, and perhaps both Song Hye Kyo and Song Joong Ki have learned to accept one simple truth: they were once a beautiful part of each other’s past, but they were never meant to be part of each other’s future.
In June 2019, Asia was stunned by the news that Song Hye Kyo and Song Joong Ki, often referred to as the “couple of the century,” had filed for divorce, bringing an end to a romance that seemed to have stepped straight out of a fairy tale. Seven years later, the lives of South Korea’s two biggest stars have moved in completely different directions. While Song Hye Kyo turned to her career as a form of healing, Song Joong Ki chose family life as his new destination, though his journey has not been as smooth as many once imagined.
Song Hye Kyo: Overcoming Public Scrutiny Through Artistic Success
When the marriage ended, Song Hye Kyo faced the harsher wave of public criticism. Surrounded by speculation and relentless media attention, she responded with remarkable composure. Rather than defending herself publicly, she allowed her work to speak on her behalf.
After a period of relative quiet, Song Hye Kyo experienced a true career renaissance through The Glory. Her portrayal of Moon Dong Eun—a woman deeply wounded yet fiercely resilient—felt almost like a reflection of her own journey beyond the screen.
No longer the gentle romantic heroine known for her sweet image, Song Hye Kyo emerged as a stronger, sharper, and more commanding figure. She reaffirmed her status as one of Korea’s most influential actresses, while her beauty, maturity, and commercial value continued to thrive at the highest level of the entertainment industry.
Song Joong Ki: Personal Happiness and Career Challenges
In contrast to his former wife’s professional resurgence, Song Joong Ki’s post-divorce story has taken a quieter turn in terms of career achievements.
The actor quickly found happiness again, marrying former actress Katy Louise Saunders and becoming a father of two. Building a peaceful family had long been one of his biggest dreams, and in that respect, he achieved exactly what he wanted.
However, gaining one thing often means sacrificing another. His deep focus on family life appears to have coincided with a less dominant presence on screen. Several of his recent projects received mixed reactions, with critics pointing to less compelling scripts and performances that some felt lacked the impact of his peak years during Descendants of the Sun.
His appearance has also become a topic of discussion among netizens, with some commenting that he no longer maintains the polished image that once defined him. In addition, his frequent discussions about his wife and children during interviews have occasionally sparked mixed responses, leading some fans to feel that the mysterious charm of his former heartthrob image has faded.
A Necessary Goodbye for Two People Moving at Different Rhythms
Looking back over the past seven years, many would agree that the divorce was ultimately the right decision.
Song Joong Ki found peace in the roles of husband and father, the life he had always hoped to build. Song Hye Kyo, meanwhile, fully embraced her professional ambitions, proving that a woman can create her own kingdom without needing a man by her side.
Born in 1981, Song Hye Kyo remains one of South Korea’s most powerful actresses, with iconic works including Autumn in My Heart, Full House, That Winter, the Wind Blows, Descendants of the Sun, and The Glory. Song Joong Ki, born in 1985, rose to fame through Sungkyunkwan Scandal, The Innocent Man, Descendants of the Sun, Vincenzo, and Reborn Rich.
Ten years ago, audiences across Asia were captivated by Descendants of the Sun. The Song-Song couple took their romance from the screen into real life, eventually marrying and appearing to live out a modern fairy tale. Their 2017 wedding was widely described as the “wedding of the century.” Yet less than two years later, they announced their divorce in June 2019.
Now, seven years later, both seem to have accepted that while they were once a beautiful chapter in each other’s lives, they were never destined to share the same future.
Today, the separation between Song Hye Kyo and Song Joong Ki is no longer about comparing who is happier. Instead, it reflects two different lifestyle choices and two individuals who have returned to being their authentic selves. One shines brightly under the spotlight of artistic achievement, while the other finds comfort in the quiet warmth of family life.
Perhaps that is the happiest ending they could have given each other.
Sources: K14