The Rise, Reign, and Return of Song Kang: The “Son of Netflix”
When fans search for “Song Kang sinh năm” (asking for the birth year of South Korean actor Song Kang), they quickly discover he was born on April 23, 1994. Entering the entertainment industry with a charming smile, immense dedication, and towering height, Song Kang has spent the last several years carving out a distinct space as one of Asia’s most recognizable leading men.
Affectionately dubbed the “Son of Netflix” due to the global streaming success of his hit series, Song Kang’s journey from an aspiring actor to an international superstar is a story defined by hard work, versatility, and undeniable charisma.
From Suwon Roots to Stardom
Born and raised in Suwon, South Korea, Song Kang originally explored various career paths before catching the acting bug. Heavily inspired by Hollywood icon Leonardo DiCaprio, he decided to study Film Arts at Konkuk University.
Before making his official acting debut in the 2017 tvN romantic-comedy series The Liar and His Lover, Song Kang was approached multiple times by talent scouts hoping to recruit him into a K-pop idol group. However, he politely turned down those opportunities, keeping his sights firmly set on mastering the craft of acting. Early in his career, he also gained public recognition as a host of the popular music program Inkigayo and as a fixed cast member on the variety show Village Survival, the Eight.
The Breakthrough: Conquering the Screen
Song Kang’s big break came when he beat out hundreds of hopefuls in an audition for the hit Netflix romance series Love Alarm (2019), playing the popular model Hwang Sun-oh. The show’s massive global following catapulted him into the international spotlight.
Instead of getting typecast in romantic roles, however, Song Kang aggressively expanded his range:
- The Monster-Fighting Hero: In Sweet Home (2020), he transformed into Cha Hyun-su, a troubled, reclusive high school student fighting for survival against terrifying monsters.
- The Dedicated Ballerino: For Navillera (2021), Song Kang spent roughly six months undergoing intense physical training in ballet to convincingly portray a young dancer struggling through life’s hardships alongside a retired senior.
- The Enigmatic Romantic: He returned to romance with mainstream hits like Nevertheless (2021) and Forecasting Love and Weather (2022), before starring as a supernatural, powerless demon in the fantasy-romance blockbuster My Demon (2023).
Military Service and Next Chapter
In April 2024, Song Kang enlisted to fulfill his mandatory South Korean military service as an active-duty soldier. Following an 18-month hiatus, he officially completed his service and was discharged in October 2025.
Stepping back into the spotlight, he waste no time diving back into his passion, taking on compelling new roles—such as a talented pianist in the tvN drama Four Hands, Two Sonatas.
Whether he is playing a dark, brooding hero, an aspiring dancer, or a charming supernatural being, Song Kang continues to prove that his longevity as an actor goes far beyond his striking looks. With a global fanbase cheering him on, his post-military career promises even more dynamic performances.
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