The Rise, Reign, and Return of Song Kang: The Journey of South Korea’s “Son of Netflix”

When fans search for “Song Kang tiểu sử” (Song Kang biography), they aren’t just looking for a timeline of birthdates and filmography credits. They are tracing the meteoric rise of a powerhouse actor who captured global hearts, dominated streaming platforms, earned the affectionate title “Son of Netflix,” and successfully transitioned from a fresh-faced rookie to a seasoned leading man.

1. Early Life and the Road to Acting

Born on April 23, 1994, in Suwon, South Korea, Song Kang grew up in a household deeply appreciative of the arts. With a father who was an artistic gymnast and a mother working as a piano teacher, athletics and creativity were baked into his upbringing.

However, acting wasn’t his immediate, lifelong goal. As a teenager, young Song Kang toyed with dreams of becoming an architect or furniture designer after being captivated by structural aesthetics. It wasn’t until he watched Leonardo DiCaprio’s iconic performance in Titanic that a cinematic spark was ignited within him. Inspired, he decided to pursue the craft seriously, eventually majoring in Film Arts at Konkuk University. Before officially stepping into the entertainment sphere, his striking height (186 cm) and boyish charm even drew scouting offers to become a K-pop idol, but he firmly turned them down to focus entirely on acting.

2. Breaking Through: From Support Roles to Global Stardom

Song Kang officially debuted in 2017 with a supporting role in the tvN romantic comedy “The Liar and His Lover”, followed by a part in the family weekend drama “Man in the Kitchen”. Eager to build his screen presence, he expanded into variety shows, famously serving as an MC for the music program Inkigayo and joining the fixed cast of the mystery variety show “Village Survival, the Eight”, which earned him a Best Male Rookie nomination at the 2018 SBS Entertainment Awards.

His true turning point arrived in 2019 when he beat out 900 hopefuls in an open audition to land the male lead role of Hwang Sun-oh in Netflix’s hit webtoon adaptation “Love Alarm”. The series became a massive international hit, instantly thrusting Song Kang into the global spotlight.

The “Son of Netflix” Era (2020–2023)

Riding the wave of Love Alarm, Song Kang cemented his streaming royalty status with a string of back-to-back hits:

• “Sweet Home” (2020): Shifting gears entirely, he portrayed Cha Hyun-soo, a depressed, reclusive teenager fighting for survival in a world overrun by grotesque monsters. His performance earned him a Best New Actor nomination at the prestigious Baeksang Arts Awards.
• “Navillera” (2021): Displaying incredible dedication, Song spent six months intensively training in ballet to play Chae Rok, a troubled young dancer forming a poignant bond with an older man pursuing his lifelong dream.
• “Nevertheless” (2021): Paired with Han So-hee, he played the magnetic yet elusive art student Park Jae-on, driving global social media engagement into a frenzy.
• “Forecasting Love and Weather” (2022): Played a cheerful, weather-obsessed forecaster opposite Park Min-young.
• “My Demon” (2023–2024): Displaying razor-sharp chemistry with Kim Yoo-jung, he played a power-losing demon named Jung Gu-won, a role that earned him the prestigious Top Excellence Award and the Best Couple Award at the 2023 SBS Drama Awards.

3. Military Service and 2026 Comeback

At the peak of his career momentum, Song Kang fulfilled his mandatory national service, enlisting as an active-duty soldier in April 2024. True to form, he greeted fans warmly and completed his service dutifully, receiving an honorable discharge as an Army sergeant in October 2025.

Stepping right back into the spotlight, Song Kang wasted no time feeding his fans’ anticipation. He returned to television screens headlining tvN’s music-themed romance drama “Four Hands” (alongside Lee Jun-young), playing a razor-sharp, charismatic piano prodigy.

4. Quick Facts & Personal Profile

• Full Name: Song Kang (송강)
• Birthdate: April 23, 1994
• Zodiac Sign: Taurus
• Birthplace: Suwon, Gyeonggi Province, South Korea
• Height: 186 cm (6 feet 1 inch)
• Blood Type: B
• MBTI Type: INTP
• Fandom Name: Songpyeon (송편) – named after traditional half-moon rice cakes, symbolizing comfort and sweetness for his fans.
• Hobbies: Reading mystery novels, playing the piano, and playing video games.

From an aspiring architect to an elite, award-winning actor carrying global franchises on his shoulders, Song Kang’s biography is a testament to quiet dedication meeting undeniable star power. With his military chapter behind him and fresh creative projects underway, his second act in the entertainment industry promises to be even more compelling.