Ji-hyo Song is a South Korean actress and model. She had a dream of earning a reputation for herself in show industry since she was in high school, and despite all obstacles, she was able to realize her ambitions. She is currently one of South Korea’s most well-known film and television actresses. In 2002, she made her acting debut in the TV series ‘Age of Innocence,’ and the following year, she starred in the film ‘Whispering Corridors: Wishing Stairs.’ Her part in the historical television series ‘Jumong,’ which premiered in 2006, established her into a household name in South Korea and allowed her to pursue more dreamlike roles in films and television. She demonstrated her broad range of acting abilities in both serious and dramatic parts. Her sex comedy picture ‘Sex is Zero 2’ as well as her historical epic ‘Frozen Flower’ were both box office hits. She won multiple drama prizes for her roles in ‘Emergency Couple’ and ‘Running Man’ on television. She is currently working on her next feature, ‘Wind Wind Wind,’ and is looking forward to the premiere of her TV series, ‘Chief B and the Love Letter.’
Childhood and Adolescence
On August 15, 1981, Song Ji-hyo was born in the Pohang district of South Korea as Cheon Seong-im. As a child, she was incredibly close to her younger brother, Cheon Seong-moon. He’s a budding model and actor, and Song featured him on her show ‘Running Man,’ where he was praised for his good looks and lovely demeanor. Song had a nice existence as a child, spending a lot of time with her siblings, an older sister and a younger brother. Due to their mother’s career as a swimmer, the family lived a more or less disciplined life.
As a former athlete, she understood the importance of living a disciplined lifestyle and pushed her children to do the same. This was beneficial because all three of her children grew up to be health-conscious and sporty. Song has been a film enthusiast since she was a teenager, and she recalls wanting to pursue a career in acting after seeing the 1998 film ‘Promise.’ She was in high school at the time, and she had resolved to make a comprehensive strategy for her career, which included modeling and acting.
In terms of her education, she attended Daerim Elementary School, then Hwagye Middle School, and lastly Ilsan Convention High School, where she opted to pursue a career as an actor and model. However, because the mother prioritized education, Song had to first complete her Kyungmoon University graduating degree in tax and accounting. She finally came out in quest of modelling assignments after completing her degree from the university, and performed some odd jobs to supplement her income. Soon after, she began to be noticed as a model, and her dreams began to come true.
Career of Song
Song Ji-hyo began her modeling career performing picture sessions for the prestigious Kiki magazine, and the exposure she gained there led to her being hired on for some music videos, with her first being ‘Just Say Goodbye’ in 2001. She continued to do music videos and modeling jobs while waiting for film or television offers, which she received almost immediately in the shape of ‘Age of Innocence’ in 2002. Despite the fact that it was only a cameo, it wasn’t a horrible start.
She then went on to audition for the film, which was the third installment in the popular horror trilogy ‘Whispering Corridors.’ The audition drew over 3000 girls from all around the country, and Song beat them all to land the role of Yoon Ji-sung. Her performance in the film, which was released in 2003, was well-received, and Song was nominated for a Blue Dragon Film Award in the category of best new actress. It was clear from the confidence she exuded that she was here to stay, and she showed it again the following year with the film ‘Some,’ a criminal thriller in which Song played a reporter.
She hesitated to do TV for the first few years of her career, but when a large offer came in the form of the popular series ‘Princess Hour,’ she couldn’t say no. She debuted on television in 2006, and the series became a huge hit in South Korea and overseas. In the same year, she had another home run with the historical epic drama series ‘Jumong,’ which was an instant popularity with audiences and earned her a Baeksang Arts Award nomination for Best Actress in 2006.
In 2007, she returned to film with a lighter role in the sex comedy flick ‘Sex is Zero 2’. The picture was not a critical success, which is unusual for films of this genre, but it was a sure-fire hit with the youth. Then, in 2008, she starred in the historical film ‘A Frozen Flower,’ in which she played Queen Elizabeth II. Despite some controversy over the personal sequences done on Song, the film went on to become one of the year’s biggest grossing pictures.
Song appeared in a few episodes of the variety show ‘Running Man’ in 2010, before becoming a regular. She continued her record of portraying historical figures in the 2011 series ‘Gyebaek,’ for which she earned an award at the MBC drama awards. She was also named the brand ambassador for the Ministry of Education by the South Korean government at the conclusion of the year.
Song made her acting debut in the 2012 film ‘Code Name: Jackal,’ in which she performed several perilous stunts on her own and starred in the historical drama series ‘The Fugitive of Joseon.’ She subsequently went on to star in the medical comedy series ‘Emergency Couple.’ The show was a big hit in South Korea, and the rights were sold to nine additional nations.
Song starred in the romantic comedy television series ‘Ex-Girlfriend Club’ in 2015, and she also performed in the music video for ace Taiwanese singer and actor Kenji Wu’s song ‘You’re so Cute.’ This attracted the attention of Chinese and Taiwanese producers, and Song starred in the Chinese film ‘708090’ alongside Taiwanese sensation Kenji Wu. Her second Chinese film production, ‘Super Express,’ made her highly popular in the neighboring country as well. She is now completing up filming for her next feature, ‘Wind Wind Wind,’ as well as the TV series ‘Chief B and the Love Letter.’
Personal Experiences of Song
Song Ji-hyo has always been interested in athletics, as her mother was an athlete, and she enjoys cycling and wake boarding in her spare time. Despite the fact that she has never made any of her relationships public, she was rumored to be dating her ‘Running Man’ co-star Baek Chang Joo. Gary was said to be in a romantic connection with her. When the media inquired about Song’s reaction to Gary’s surprise marriage, she stated that she was disappointed but wished the couple a bright future together.
Estimated Net Worth
Song Ji-hyo has a net worth of $12 million. Song Ji-hyo is a South Korean actress and model. In August 1981, Song Ji-hyo was born in Pohang, North Gyeongsang, South Korea. Whispering Corridors: Wishing Stairs, Some, Sex Is Zero 2, A Frozen Flower, Late Blossom, Code Name: Jackal, New World, 708090, Super Express, and Wind Wind Wind are some of her film credits.
Trivia
Because they went to high school together, the majority of the cast from her famed variety show ‘Running Man’ knew each other well before they came together for the program.