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Song Hye-kyo (Template:Lang-ko, born November 22, 1981) is a South Korean model and actress. She gained popularity through television dramas such as Autumn in My Heart (2000), All In (2003), and Full House (2004).

Career

Song Hye-kyo debuted in the entertainment industry in 1996 when she won First Place in the SunKyung Smart (a school uniform company) Model Contest when she was finishing her third year in high school. It was not long until she starred in her first drama, Merry Morning. Since then, she would continue to star in a string of various dramas and sitcoms but it wasn't until the KBS drama Autumn in My Heart in 2000 with Song Seung-hun and Won Bin that she rose to fame throughout Asia.

In 2003, her popularity continued to climb when she played a leading role alongside Lee Byung-hun in the gambling drama All In. The following year, she co-starred with singer Rain in the hit romantic comedy series Full House.

After the pan-Asian success of Full House, she made her big-screen debut in My Girl and I (a Korean adaptation of Crying Out Love in the Center of the World), which was panned by audiences and critics alike. Vocal about her dissatisfaction with typecasting in the roles she was being offered, Song went on a 2-year hiatus. She went to San Francisco to study English, and later traveled to Seattle. "I have had a good rest. It was a good opportunity to reflect on myself," Song said.

She returned to acting in 2007, as the titular gisaeng in the film adaptation of Hwang Jin Yi. Because they found Song's image "too cute", Jun Ji-hyun and Soo Ae were the producers' original choices for the role, but Song went on a vigorous diet and surprised them with her will and desire to be Hwang Jini. A year later, she made her American debut in the Hollywood indie Make Yourself at Home (formerly titled Fetish), a psychological thriller about a girl who was born to a shaman mother and tries to flee her fate by becoming an immigrant bride in the U.S. Despite Song’s attempts to challenge herself, both films underwhelmed at the box office.

She made her TV comeback in late 2008 with The World That They Live In (also known as Worlds Within), a series set at a broadcast station in which Song and Hyun Bin play drama PDs who work together and fall in love.

In 2010, she starred in Camellia, an omnibus pic made up of three feature films directed by three Asian directors. Each episode is set in the past, present and future of the city of Busan, Korea. In the film's final segment Love for Sale, Song and Kang Dong-won play former lovers who forget their memories about each other which later leads them to a fatal destiny.

Considered one of Korea's most beautiful women, in early 2011 Song released the photobook Song Hye-kyo's Moment which was shot by top photographers in Atlanta, New York, Buenos Aires, Patagonia, Paris, the Netherlands and Brazil.

Song played a documentary producer who finds the strength to forgive the 17-year-old boy who killed her fiance but instead of redemption finds only greater tragedy in A Reason to Live (Korean title: Today), which after several delays was released in October 2011. Song was a huge fan of the director and had actively sought her out, and though she had difficulty getting into character, Song said she fell in love with the script and felt her acting had matured. She considers the film "a turning point" in her life.

Two years after it was cancelled, it was announced in 2011 that Song's movie with Chinese director John Woo Love and Let Love (previously titled 1949) would begin filming in Shanghai and Taiwan. But production was once again halted in 2012 while Woo recovered from a tonsil tumor removal. Due to the cast's schedule conflicts as a result of the delay while he was undergoing treatment, Woo said he is hoping to restart production in early 2013. Song will play a wealthy, driven woman who lives through the end of World War II and the Chinese Civil War in Love and Let Love, which is based on the true story of the Taiping steamer that sunk after colliding with a freighter carrying coal and timber en route to Taiwan in 1949, claiming about 1,000 lives. Woo's longtime friend and producer Terence Chang has been managing Song's overseas activities since 2008.

In 2011 she became the first Asian actress to sign a contract with French global agency Effigies, paving the way for her possible entry into the European market. She released a photo-essay book in 2012 titled It's Time for Hye-kyo.

She had a supporting role in The Grandmasters, Chinese director Wong Kar-wai's biopic about Bruce Lee's kung fu master Ip Man. Song learned Cantonese and martial arts for the film.

In 2013 Song reunites with the writer and director of Worlds Within in That Winter, the Wind Blows, a remake of 2002 Japanese drama Ai Nante Irane Yo, Natsu ("I Don't Need Love, Summer"), which was previously adapted into the 2006 film Love Me Not. She plays a blind heiress in the melodrama, opposite actor Zo In-sung's character, a con man pretending to be her long-lost brother.

Endorsements

Song is one of the most in-demand product endorsers in Korea and has done many TV commercials and print ads over the years. She has been a spokesperson for popular brands such as Laneige, Levi's Lady Style, Etude, Whitea, Aritaum, Innisfree, Roem, McDonalds Ice Cream, Nintendo DS Animal Crossing, FHM and Vivien Bra.

To promote a new line for cosmetics brand Laneige, Song made her official singing debut in a collaboration with Superstar K2 runner-up John Park. The single Switch: Be White was released in March 2012, along with a music video which featured Song and Park recording the track. Proceeds from the sale of the tune benefited the “Be Waterful” campaign, a joint project between Laneige and Save the Children, an international aid group.

Personal life

When Song was born, she was sick and her parents and doctor thought she would not survive. Miraculously she did and her parents only registered her birth on February 26, 1982 (instead of her actual birthdate). She has no siblings. Her hobbies are traveling, figure skating, and swimming. She was described by her high school teacher as having a "cheerful character, she mixed well with her friends and was always in a bright mood."

In 2003, Song began dating actor Lee Byung-hun while both were filming All In. Their relationship and subsequent break-up in 2004 generated much media attention and gossip. The experience taught her to draw a clear line between private and public life, saying in a 2008 interview with The Dong-a Ilbo, "The viewers suddenly learned, while in the midst of watching a drama I was acting in, that I was somebody’s girlfriend. In the end, this was an obstacle and only served to create a sense of dislike among viewers."

Song kept in touch with Worlds Within co-star Hyun Bin after the drama ended, but it was their separation while Hyun was filming Friend, Our Legend in Busan that made them realize they were in love. They announced their dating status in June 2009. But unlike her previous relationship with Lee, Song and Hyun were rarely seen in public together and refused to discuss their relationship with the press. In March 2011 mere hours after Hyun's military enlistment, his and Song's agencies confirmed speculation that the couple had broken up. According to the joint press release, "Both have been very busy shooting films and dramas both in and out of Korea, which inevitably caused them to grow apart." With rumors of their separation circulating since late 2010, the agencies said the two split up in early 2011 but wanted to keep it secret for the time being "because neither of them wanted the public attention to be directed on their split instead of their professional work. Hyun also did not want a personal issue to interfere with his last days with his fans before starting his military service."

Asked about the aftereffects of her two romantic relationships that caught the public's attention, Song said in October 2011, "I think the time when I felt uncomfortable about living under a microscope has gone. I'm no longer afraid of such things. What I did was typical of any woman my age. In fact, I haven't had any time to feel lonely."

In February 2012, Song filed a defamation suit against 41 Internet users. The case is currently under investigation by the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency.

Filmography

TV Dramas

Films

Music Videos

MC

Discography

• "Switch: Be White" (duet with John Park - single, 2012)

Photo books

• Song Hye-kyo's Moment (2011)
• It's Time for Hye-kyo (2012)

Awards

• 2011 Women in Film Korea Awards: Best Actress (A Reason to Live)
• 2007 Korean Film Awards: Best New Actress (Hwang Jin Yi)
• 2004 KBS Drama Awards: Top Excellence Award, Actress (Full House)
• 2004 KBS Drama Awards: Popularity Award (Full House)
• 2004 KBS Drama Awards: Best Couple with Rain (Full House)
• 2003 SBS Drama Awards: Top Excellence Award, Actress (All In)
• 2003 SBS Drama Awards: Top 10 Stars (All In)
• 2002 China Entertainment Television Awards: Top 10 Asian Entertainers
• 2001 SBS Drama Awards: Top 10 Stars (Guardian Angel)
• 2001 Baeksang Arts Awards: Popularity Award (TV category)
• 2001 Golden Disk Awards: Popular Music Video Award (Kim Bum-soo's Once Upon a Day)
• 2001 Gold Song Awards (Hong Kong): Top Korean Star
• 2000 KBS Drama Awards: Photogenic Award (Autumn in My Heart)
• 2000 KBS Drama Awards: Popularity Award (Autumn in My Heart)
• 1998 SBS Drama Awards: Best New Actor/Actress (Soonpoong Clinic)
• 1996 SunKyung Smart Model Contest: First Place

References

1. A Giant Leap for Song Hye-kyo?. The Chosun Ilbo. December 22, 2005.
2. Song Hye-gyo to Resume Acting Soon. KBS Global. March 7, 2005.
3. Song Hye-kyo Sheds Cute Image for Gisaeng Role. The Chosun Ilbo. March 27, 2007.
4. Song Hye-kyo, "Hwangjini only held one man in her heart". Broasia via Hancinema. June 1, 2007.
5. New Song picked for ‘Hwang Jin Yi’. Korea JoongAng Daily. April 17, 2007.
6. Song Hye-kyo Poised for U.S. Debut. The Chosun Ilbo. November 22, 2007.
7. Song Hye-kyo Reveals a Dark Side in New Movie. The Chosun Ilbo. November 23, 2010.
8. Jeon Ji-hyun Takes a Big-Screen Gamble. The Chosun Ilbo. January 25, 2008.
9. Song Hye-go, Hyun Bin Star in New KBS Drama Series. KBS Global. October 28, 2008.
10. Song Hye-kyo Goes Behind the Scenes in New Drama. The Chosun Ilbo. October 25, 2008.
11. Gang Dong-won, Song Hye-kyo start filming "Love". 10Asia. January 20, 2010.
12. http://www.tccandler.com/beautiful-faces/most-beautiful-2010/
13. Fans of Snubbed Beauties up in Arms. The Chosun Ilbo. April 6, 2005.
14. Song Hye-kyo Returns to Spotlight with Photobook. The Chosun Ilbo. January 28, 2011.
15. Glam picture book. Korea JoongAng Daily. January 31, 2011.
16. Actress’ limited-edition photo essay selling fast. Korea JoongAng Daily. February 10, 2011.
17. Song Hye-kyo's new film to open in theaters next month. 10Asia. September 6, 2011.
18. In new film, director puts spotlight back on women. Korea JoongAng Daily. October 7, 2011.
19. Song Hye-kyo says was difficult getting into character for new movie. 10Asia. September 26, 2011.
20. Song Hye Kyo: 'It Is My Honor To Be Compared to Actress Shim Eun Ha'. KBS Global. September 27, 2011.
21. Song stars as grieving documentary maker. The Korea Herald. September 27, 2011.
22. ^ Song Hye-kyo Returns with New Movie. The Chosun Ilbo. October 22, 2011.
23. Song Hye-kyo finishes shooting upcoming drama flick. 10Asia. March 23, 2011.
24. Song Hye-kyo: I will not think lightly about forgiveness anymore. 10Asia. October 8, 2011.
25. Interview: Actress Song Hye-kyo - Part 1. 10Asia. November 3, 2011.
26. Interview: Actress Song Hye-kyo - Part 2. 10Asia. November 3, 2011.
27. New John Woo film canceled. Korea JoongAng Daily. April 3, 2009.
28. Song Hye-kyo "I got to do a movie like a first love". Hancinema. May 22, 2008.
29. Song Hye-kyo to Star in New John Woo Movie. The Korea Times. May 21, 2008.
30. Song Hye-kyo Stars in John Woo Film. KBS Global. May 23, 2008.
31. Song Hye-kyo to star in Woo’s film. The Korea Herald. December 19, 2011.
32. Song Hye Kyo Cast as Protagonist in Director John Woo's New Movie. KBS Global. December 21, 2011.
33. John Woo denies throat cancer. China.org.cn. May 27, 2012.
34. John Woo Recovers from Tonsillar Tumor; Returns to Work. JayneStars.com. July 24, 2012.
35. Song Hye Gyo Signs Contract with Global Agency in France. Soompi. October 21, 2011.
36. "Actress Song Hye-kyo Talks About Life and Work in Book of Essays". The Chosun Ilbo. September 3, 2012.
37. Song Hye-kyo to appear in Wong Kar-wai biopic. 10Asia. December 21, 2009.
38. Song Hye-kyo to Star in Wong Kar Wai Film. The Chosun Ilbo. December 24, 2009.
39. "Song Hye-kyo Turns Heads in Wong Kar-wai's Kung Fu Flick". The Chosun Ilbo. November 7, 2012.
40. "Song Hye-kyo Confirms Role in Zo In-sung's New TV Series". 10Asia. October 22, 2012.
41. Actress Song Hye-gyo helps Africa. Korea JoongAng Daily. March 9, 2012.
42. "송혜교 탤런트, 영화배우". Naver (in Korean). Retrieved 2011-08-07.
43. History Attests to Korean Stars' All-Natural Looks. The Chosun Ilbo. June 6, 2006.
44. "컴백하는 송혜교 "소망? 다작배우 그리고 남친"". The Dong-a Ilbo (in Korean). October 1, 2008. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |trans_title= ignored (|trans-title= suggested) (help)
45. 송혜교ㆍ현빈 "우리 사랑에 빠졌어요" (Song Hye-kyo & Hyun Bin: "We Fell in Love") (in Korean). Hankook Ilbo. August 5, 2009.
46. ‘Worlds Within’ stars couple up. Korea JoongAng Daily. August 6, 2009.
47. Hyun Bin, Song Hye-kyo Announce Split. The Chosun Ilbo. March 9, 2011.
48. Hyun Bin and Song Hye-kyo call it quits. 10Asia. March 8, 2011.
49. Song Hye-kyo Files Complaint Against 41 Internet Users. The Chosun Ilbo. February 27, 2012.

External links

• http://www.songhyekyo.co.kr/ (Official Website)
• http://hyebaragi.com/ (Official Fansite)
• Song Hye-kyo at Effigies
• Song Hye-kyo at IMDb
• Song Hye-kyo at HanCinema

Template:Persondata

• South Korean film actors
• South Korean television actors
• South Korean female models
• South Korean Roman Catholics
• Sejong University alumni
• People from Seoul
• 1982 births
• Living people