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Song Joong-ki: children, divorce, and biography

Lucas Noah Mitchell MacDonald • 2026-07-08 • Reviewed by Ethan Collins

Song Joong-ki’s public life spans dramatic highs and lows, yet intimate details remain tucked away. In January 2023, he surprised fans by marrying British actress Katy Louise Saunders, marking a stark shift from his previous relationship with Song Hye-kyo.

Full name: Song Joong-ki ·
Born: September 19, 1985 ·
Nationality: South Korean ·
Occupation: Actor ·
Spouse: Katy Louise Saunders (m. 2023); Song Hye-kyo (m. 2017–2019) ·
Children: 2

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
3Timeline signal
4What’s next
  • Continues acting career with upcoming projects (Wikipedia (biographical database))
  • Family life between Seoul and Tuscany (Wikipedia (biographical database))
  • Potential focus on producing or directing (Wikipedia (biographical database))

Five key facts, one pattern: Song Joong-ki’s family narrative flipped dramatically from a high-profile celebrity marriage to a quiet, international family life.

Category Detail
Nationality South Korean
Occupation Actor
Years active 2008–present
Spouse(s) Song Hye-kyo (2017-2019), Katy Louise Saunders (2023-present)
Children 2

Does Song Joong-ki have a child?

Song Joong-ki’s first child with Katy Louise Saunders

Birth of second child in 2024

  • Second child, a daughter, announced on November 20, 2024 (Wikipedia (biographical database))
  • The family now has two children, a son and a daughter
The upshot

Song Joong-ki has moved from a public, celebrity-centric marriage to a private family life with two children. The shift from his previous relationship couldn’t be starker: where his first marriage was a media frenzy, his second is built on quiet announcements and overseas births.

The pattern is clear: his family priorities have shifted significantly.

What really happened between Song Hye-kyo and Song Joong-ki?

Marriage in 2017

  • Engagement announced July 5, 2017 through their agencies (Wikipedia (biographical database))
  • Married October 31, 2017 in Seoul (Wikipedia (biographical database))
  • The couple were known as the “Song-Song couple” and were a major celebrity pairing

Divorce in 2019

  • Divorce announced June 26, 2019 (Wikipedia (biographical database))
  • Divorce finalized July 22, 2019 by Seoul Family Court (GMA Network (Philippine news portal))
  • The marriage lasted about 20 months (Gulf News (UAE-based newspaper))
  • Combined net assets reportedly over 100 billion won during divorce proceedings (Soompi (K-pop news outlet))

Speculated reasons for divorce

No official reason was given by either party. Media speculation points to career clashes and personality differences. The couple’s busy schedules and the pressure of public attention are often cited, but these remain unconfirmed.

The paradox

The Song-Song divorce was one of the most dissected breakups in Korean entertainment, yet the real cause remains a well-guarded secret. Both stars moved on quickly — she to her career, he to a new family — leaving fans to draw their own conclusions.

The true cause of the divorce remains unknown.

What happened between Song Joong-ki and his wife?

Marriage to Katy Louise Saunders in 2023

  • Married Katy Louise Saunders on January 30, 2023 (Wikipedia (biographical database))
  • Katy is a British actress who also worked as a translator and English tutor
  • He revealed the marriage in a handwritten letter posted on his fan cafe (Vogue India (culture and lifestyle publication))

Family life and parenting

  • The couple splits time between Seoul, South Korea and Tuscany, Italy (Wikipedia (biographical database))
  • They have two children born in 2023 and 2024
  • He has described family life as peaceful and grounded

How he met his wife

Song Joong-ki met Katy through mutual professional connections. She worked as a translator and English tutor in the Korean entertainment industry. They bonded over shared interests and a low-key lifestyle.

Can Joong Ki speak English?

Evidence of English fluency

  • Song Joong-ki is fluent in English (YouTube (social media platform))
  • He studied English briefly while attending university
  • He has given interviews and speeches in English without relying on interpreters

His English skills in interviews and dramas

  • Delivered a speech in English at the 2016 Baeksang Arts Awards
  • Used English naturally in the drama “Descendants of the Sun” (2016)
  • His English proficiency is considered above average for a Korean celebrity
What to watch

Song Joong-ki’s English fluency gives him a distinct edge for international projects and roles. With his second marriage to a British woman, his English skills have likely improved further, potentially opening doors to Hollywood or global streaming productions.

This skill opens opportunities beyond Korean entertainment.

What is Song Joong-ki’s net worth?

Estimated net worth

Song Joong-ki’s exact net worth is not publicly confirmed. Estimates vary:

  • One 2025 video claimed around US$25 million (YouTube (social media platform))
  • Another 2026 video estimated over US$40 million (YouTube (social media platform))
  • Pinkvilla reported an estimated US$25 million, citing GQ (Pinkvilla (entertainment news platform))

These are unofficial figures and should be treated with caution.

Sources of income: acting and endorsements

  • Acting fees for dramas (“Descendants of the Sun”, “Vincenzo”) and films
  • High-value endorsement contracts with brands like LG, Coca-Cola, and others
  • His estimated per-episode fee for “Vincenzo” was reportedly around 200 million won
The catch

Net worth estimates for Korean celebrities often come from unverified social media sources. Without official financial disclosures, any number is speculative. Fans should treat YouTube estimates as entertainment, not fact.

Without official disclosures, reported figures remain speculative.

Timeline of Song Joong-ki’s milestones

Date Event
September 19, 1985 Born in Daejeon, South Korea (Wikipedia (biographical database))
2008 Acting debut in film “A Frozen Flower”
October 2017 Married Song Hye-kyo (Wikipedia (biographical database))
June 2019 Divorced Song Hye-kyo (Wikipedia (biographical database))
January 2023 Married Katy Louise Saunders (Vogue India (culture and lifestyle publication))
2023 First child born (Wikipedia (biographical database))
2024 Second child born (Wikipedia (biographical database))

Clarity check: what’s confirmed vs. what’s still unclear

Confirmed facts

  • Two children with Katy Louise Saunders
  • Divorced Song Hye-kyo in 2019
  • Born 1985
  • Married Katy Louise Saunders in 2023

What’s unclear

  • Exact reason for divorce from Song Hye-kyo
  • Precise net worth
  • Exact IQ score
  • Fluent in English

“I have met a wonderful person who has filled my heart with happiness.”

Song Joong-ki, in his handwritten marriage announcement letter, as reported by Vogue India (culture and lifestyle publication)

“The two have agreed to divorce amicably after careful consideration.”

Song Joong-ki’s agency, as reported by GMA Network (Philippine news portal)

Song Joong-ki’s personal journey shows a clear break between his two marriages. The first was a celebrity whirlwind that ended in a public split; the second is a quiet international partnership focused on family. For fans tracking his life, the contrast is undeniable: one chapter defined by media speculation, the other by private joy. The implication for his career is that he may increasingly prioritize roles that allow him time with his young family over high-profile projects.

For those interested in the financial side of his story, a detailed breakdown of his family timeline and net worth offers further context.

Frequently asked questions

What is the age gap between Song Hye-kyo and Song Joong-ki?

Song Hye-kyo was born November 22, 1981, and Song Joong-ki was born September 19, 1985. The age gap is 3 years and 10 months, with her being older.

What is the IQ of Song Joong-ki?

His IQ is not publicly confirmed. Some unverified sources claim a score of 130 or higher, but there is no official data.

Can Song Joong-ki’s wife speak Korean?

Katy Louise Saunders reportedly speaks Korean moderately well, having worked as a translator in the Korean entertainment industry.

How old is Song Joong-ki?

Born September 19, 1985, he is 39 years old as of 2025.

What is Song Joong-ki’s religion?

He is a practicing Christian (Catholic).

Who is Song Joong-ki’s father?

His father is a businessman. Song Joong-ki is the middle child of three siblings.

What is Song Joong-ki’s Instagram handle?

His official Instagram account is @songjoongkiofficial (as of early 2025).

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Lucas Noah Mitchell MacDonald

About the author

Lucas Noah Mitchell MacDonald

We publish daily fact-based reporting with continuous editorial review.