Song Il-kook
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Song Il-kook (Korean: 송일국; born 1 October 1971) is a South Korean actor. He is best known for his role in the 2006 hit series Jumong as the titular character.
Early life and education
Song is the grandson of politician Kim Du-han, great grandson of Kim Chwa-jin, the famous anarchist and Korean independence movement general during the early 1900s. Song is the son of politician and former actress Kim Eul-dong.
He graduated from Cheongju University, majoring in performing arts, and later obtained a master's degree from Chung-Ang University.
Personal life
Song is the vice-president of the Korean Triathlon Confederation and participated in the 2008 Seoul International Triathlon Competition. In April 2008, Song carried the Olympic torch through Seoul.
Song is also an amateur sketch artist. He has also modelled professionally, both on the runway and in print. In 2008, he was one of the subjects of the Kolon Christmas Photo Shoot.
In 2009, the state of Hawaii designated March 21 as Song Il-kook day. In April 2010, he was invited to the Blue House to dine with Heads of State, including the president of Kazakhstan, as Jumong garnered immense popularity in the central Asian country.
Marriage
On 15 March 2008, Song was wed to High Court Judge Jung Seung-yeon in a private, traditional Korean wedding at the Sheraton Walkerhill Hotel in Seoul.
Song and Jung became parents to fraternal triplet sons at a hospital in Seoul on 16 March 2012. Their sons are named Dae-han, Min-guk and Man-se which, when said together mean "Long live the Republic of Korea". Song and his sons starred in the variety show The Return of Superman from 6 July 2014 to 7 February 2016. The triplets also made a cameo appearance in Song's television series Jang Yeong-sil (2016).
Song adheres to a pescetarian diet for both health and ethical reasons.
Filmography
Film
| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | The Art of Seduction | Seo Min-jun | ||
| Red Eye | Chan-sik | |||
| 2014 | Entangled | Hyun Ki-jeung | ||
| Fly high | Chang-beom | |||
| Vertigo | Sang-ho | |||
| 2015 | Tattoo | Han Ji-soon |
Television series
| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | Did We Really Love? | |||
| Goodbye My Love | ||||
| Into the Sunlight | ||||
| 2000 | All About Eve | |||
| 2002 | Hard Love | Na Young-jae | ||
| Royal Story: Jang Hui-bin | Kim Chun-taek | |||
| Album of Life | Shin Hyung-shik | |||
| 2003 | A Dream of a Thousand Years[ko] | Tae-sang | ||
| Bodyguard | Han Sung-soo | |||
| Desert Spring | Ki-hyun | |||
| 2004 | People of the Water Flower Village | Kang Sung-woo | ||
| Terms of Endearment | Na Jang-soo | |||
| Emperor of the Sea | Yeom Moon/Yeom Jang | |||
| 2006 | Jumong | Jumong, later King Dongmyeong | ||
| 2007 | Lobbyist | Harry/Kim Joo-ho | ||
| 2008 | The Kingdom of the Winds | Prince Muhyul, later King Daemusin | ||
| 2010 | A Man Called God | Michael King/Choi Kang-ta/ Peter Pan | ||
| 2011 | Crime Squad | Park Sae-hyuk | ||
| Kimchi Family | Ki Ho-tae | |||
| 2016 | Jang Yeong-sil | Jang Yeong-sil |
Television shows
| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Qualifications of Men | Triathlon Coach | Ep 173–174, 178–180 | |
| 2014–2016 | The Return of Superman | Cast member | Ep 34–116, 156 |
Stage
Musical
| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016; 2020; 2022–2023 | Broadway 42nd Street (브로드웨이 42번가) | Julian Marsh | ||
| 2023 | Mamma Mia! (맘마미아) | Bill |
Theatre
| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | I Am You (나는 너다) | An Jung-geun | ||
| 2017; 2019 | The God of Carnage (대학살의 신) | Michelle | ||
| 2024 | Macbeth (맥베스) | Banquo |
Awards and nominations
| Award ceremony | Year | Category | Nominee / Work | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Asia Model Awards | 2009 | Asia Star Awards | Song Il-kook | Won | |
| Baeksang Arts Awards | 2007 | Best Actor – Television | Jumong | Nominated | |
| 2009 | Best Actor – Television | The Kingdom of the Winds | Nominated | ||
| Grimae Awards | 2006 | Best Actor | Jumong | Won | |
| Historical Drama Festival | 2013 | Historical Drama Star Who's Brightened Korea | Song Il-kook | Won | |
| KBS Drama Awards | 2002 | Best New Actor | Album of Life | Won | |
| 2003 | Excellence Award, Actor | Bodyguard | Nominated | ||
| 2004 | Best Couple Award | Song Il-kook (with Han Ga-in) Terms of Endearment | Won | ||
| Excellence Award, Actor | Terms of Endearment | Nominated | |||
| 2005 | Best Couple Award | Song Il-kook (with Soo Ae) Emperor of the Sea | Won | ||
| Excellence Award, Actor | Emperor of the Sea | Won | |||
| Popularity Award, Actor | Won | ||||
| 2008 | Best Couple Award | Song Il-kook (with Choi Jung-won) The Kingdom of the Winds | Won | ||
| Top Excellence Award, Actor | The Kingdom of the Winds | Won | |||
| 2011 | Excellence Award, Actor in a Miniseries | Crime Squad | Nominated | ||
| 2016 | Excellence Award, Actor in a Mid-length Drama | Jang Yeong-sil | Won | ||
| Top Excellence Award, Actor | Nominated | ||||
| KBS Entertainment Awards | 2014 | Producers' Special Award | The Return of Superman | Won | |
| 2015 | Excellence Award, Male in Variety Show Category | The Return of Superman | Won | ||
| Korea Producer's Awards | 2007 | Best Actor | Jumong | Won | |
| Korean Culture and Entertainment Awards | 2006 | Best Actor | Jumong | Won | |
| MBC Drama Awards | 2006 | Grand Prize (Daesang) | Jumong | Won | |
| Top Excellence Award, Actor | Won | ||||
| SBS Drama Awards | 2007 | Top Excellence Award, Actor | Lobbyist | Nominated |
Honors
| Country or organization | Year | Honor / Award | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Goodwill Cooperation Service (GCS) | 2012 | Award for Service Towards World Peace, Celebrities Who Serve Category | |
| National Tax Service | 2007 | Presidential Commendation as Exemplary Taxpayer | |
| South Korea | 2011 | Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Commendation |
Notes
External links
- on X
- at HanCinema
- at IMDb
- at the Korean Movie Database