Before he earned the title “Son of Netflix” and captured international audiences with hit series like Sweet Home, Love Alarm, Nevertheless, and My Demon, Song Kang was an ordinary young man searching for his life’s direction. Today, his striking visual appeal and versatile acting range make it hard to imagine him doing anything else, but his path to stardom was anything but linear.
Early Life and Childhood Ambitions
Born on April 23, 1994, in Suwon, South Korea, Song Kang grew up in an active, supportive household. His father was an artistic gymnast and his mother was a piano teacher. Growing up in a home that valued physical discipline and musical art, Song Kang explored various hobbies as a boy, including playing the piano, learning Kendo (Japanese fencing), and staying active through sports.
Despite his artistic surroundings, acting was not on his radar during his school years. As a child, Song Kang dreamed of becoming an architect or furniture designer. He was captivated by interior design and architectural schematics. However, as high school drew to a close, he realized the reality of pursuing those technical fields felt daunting, leaving him unsure of what direction his career should take.
The Turning Point: A Movie Scene That Changed Everything
In his late teens, while adrift about his future, Song Kang had an epiphany while watching cinema. The defining moment occurred when he watched the 1997 classic film Titanic. Seeing Leonardo DiCaprio’s emotional depth on screen captivated him.
“I was so enchanted by Leonardo DiCaprio’s eyes in that movie,” Song Kang later reflected in interviews. “I thought to myself, ‘I want to convey emotions like that through acting.’”
Determined to pursue this new ambition, he told his father about his decision. His father gave him full support, encouraging him to dive in immediately. Song Kang enrolled in an acting academy to prepare for university entrance exams.
The transition wasn’t smooth right away. In early acting classes, he frequently burst out laughing from shyness while performing in front of fellow students. Returning home after tough days, he often questioned if he could truly pull it off, but his refusal to give up pushed him forward.
College Days and Turning Down Idol Scout Offers
Song Kang’s dedication paid off when he earned admission into Konkuk University’s Department of Film and Arts, one of South Korea’s premier acting institutions.
During his university years, his tall stature (186 cm), sharp features, and athletic physique made him impossible to miss. It didn’t take long for K-pop talent recruiters to notice him. He was approached repeatedly on the street and scouted by multiple idol agencies offering him opportunities to train as a K-pop boy group member.
While many aspiring entertainment trainees leap at idol opportunities, Song Kang consistently turned them down. Knowing his strengths and limitations, he humbly admitted that singing and dancing were not his strong suits and chose to stay focused exclusively on his dream of becoming a professional actor.
[ Childhood Dream ] ➔ [ Discovered "Titanic" ] ➔ [ Konkuk University ] ➔ [ Rejected Idol Offers ] ➔ [ Signed with Namoo Actors ]
(Architecture) (DiCaprio Inspiration) (Film & Arts Department) (Focus on Acting) (Professional Debut)
Signing with Namoo Actors & Preparing for the Camera
Song Kang eventually signed with Namoo Actors, a prominent South Korean talent agency known for managing top actors. Prior to his screen debut, he underwent structured agency training, taking script-reading workshops, camera test sessions, and minor commercial auditions.
In July 2017, Namoo Actors introduced Song Kang to the media alongside fellow rookies through a special showcase titled “Introduction to Rookies”. Industry insiders immediately took note of his magnetic screen presence and natural charm.
The Official Debut (2017–2018)
Song Kang made his television acting debut in March 2017 in tvN’s romantic comedy drama The Liar and His Lover, starring opposite Red Velvet’s Joy. He played Baek Jin-woo, an upbeat high school guitarist secretly in love with his childhood friend.
That same year, he landed a supporting role in the MBC weekend drama Man in the Kitchen. Beyond dramas, his early days saw him expanding into television hosting and variety:
- Music Show MC: He hosted SBS’s live music broadcast Inkigayo alongside SEVENTEEN’s Mingyu and DIA’s Chaeyeon.
- Variety Shows: He joined the permanent cast of SBS’s mystery-comedy variety show Village Survival, the Eight alongside BLACKPINK’s Jennie and Yoo Jae-suk.
- Awards Recognition: His charisma on live TV earned him a nomination for the Best Male Rookie Award at the 2018 SBS Entertainment Awards.
The Audition That Changed Everything: Love Alarm
While 2017 and 2018 established his foundation, Song Kang’s ultimate breakthrough was secured through pure perseverance.
In late 2018, Netflix announced auditions for its original Korean series Love Alarm. Over 900 candidates auditioned for the lead role of Hwang Sun-oh. Song Kang went into the audition hoping for the best, assuming another experienced actor would get selected.
While sitting at a dermatologist’s office days later, he received the phone call that he had landed the role. Director Lee Na-jung noted that Song Kang possessed an unusual combination of confident innocence and emotional vulnerability that matched the webtoon character.
The release of Love Alarm in August 2019 launched Song Kang from a promising rookie into a global star overnight, setting the stage for his rise as a leading actor in international K-drama.
Song Kang’s journey—from a shy teenager giggling during his first acting classes to turning down idol offers in pursuit of genuine acting—highlights the determination behind his successful career.
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