For fans of Korean drama, few stories have unfolded quite like Song Joong-ki’s personal life — a narrative that turned from a fairy-tale wedding to a high-profile divorce, then to a quieter second act in Rome. This timeline pieces together the verified milestones: his 2017 marriage to Song Hye-kyo, their 2019 divorce, his 2023 remarriage to Katy Louise Saunders, and becoming a father of two.

Birthdate: September 19, 1985 ·
Height: 178 cm (5 ft 10 in) ·
Ex-spouse: Song Hye-kyo (2017–2019) ·
Current wife: Katy Louise Saunders (m. 2023) ·
Children: 2 (son b. 2023, daughter b. 2024) ·
Net worth estimate: $20 million (industry reports)

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
  • Married Katy Louise Saunders in January 2023 ([1])
  • Son born June 2023 in Rome ([2])
  • Daughter born November 20, 2024 in Rome ([3])
  • Divorce from Song Hye-kyo finalised July 2019 ([1])
2What’s unclear
  • Exact cause of the 2019 divorce beyond “personality differences”
  • Children’s names (withheld from public coverage per family privacy)
  • Exact net worth figure
  • Second pregnancy details (due date, gender) not publicly disclosed
3Timeline signal
  • 2008: Film debut in A Frozen Flower ([1])
  • 2016: Breakthrough with Descendants of the Sun ([1])
  • Oct 2017: Married Song Hye-kyo ([1])
  • Jul 2019: Divorce finalised ([1])
  • 2021: Lead role in Vincenzo ([1])
  • Jan 2023: Announced marriage to Katy Louise Saunders ([1])
  • Jun 2023: First child (son) born ([2])
  • Nov 2024: Second child (daughter) born ([3])
4What’s next
  • Continued acting projects (Tier 2 sources confirm ongoing career)
  • Family life in Rome remains private

Five key facts, one pattern: Song Joong-ki’s personal life has moved through three distinct phases — a public marriage, a private divorce, and a European resettlement centred on fatherhood.

Attribute Value
Birthdate September 19, 1985 ([1])
Birthplace South Korea ([1])
Occupation Actor ([1])
Years active 2008–present ([1])
Notable works Descendants of the Sun, Vincenzo, Space Sweepers ([1])
First marriage Song Hye-kyo (Oct 2017 – Jul 2019) ([1])
Second marriage Katy Louise Saunders (Jan 2023) ([1])
Children Son (b. Jun 2023), Daughter (b. Nov 2024) ([3])

Did Song Joong-ki have a child?

Yes — actually, two children as of late 2024. Song Joong-ki and his wife Katy Louise Saunders have a son born in June 2023 and a daughter born on November 20, 2024, both delivered in Rome, Italy ([2]; [3]). The actor shared the news of his son via his fan cafe, writing, “He is a healthy son” ([4]). For his daughter, he posted, “Our lovely princess was born healthy. Both my wife and our baby are resting well in good health” ([3]).

When was Song Joong-ki’s child born?

  • First child (son): June 2023, in Rome ([2])
  • Second child (daughter): November 20, 2024, in Rome ([3])

The gap between births: about 17 months, making Song Joong-ki a father of two by the end of 2024 ([6]).

Who is the mother of Song Joong-ki’s child?

Katy Louise Saunders, a British actress and model. Song Joong-ki married Saunders in January 2023 ([1]). She gave birth to both children in Rome, where the couple resides.

The upshot

Fans tracking Song Joong-ki’s family status: the actor shifted from a no-children marriage with Song Hye-kyo to a two-child family in under 18 months with Saunders. That’s a complete personal reinvention by age 39.

The pattern: Song Joong-ki’s transition to fatherhood was swift and private.

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

Song Joong-ki married actress Song Hye-kyo in October 2017, after they co-starred in the mega-hit drama Descendants of the Sun. The marriage lasted less than two years; their divorce was finalised in July 2019 ([1]). Neither party disclosed a specific cause. Song Hye-kyo’s agency cited “irreconcilable differences” in an official statement at the time. The divorce was among the most covered celebrity splits in South Korean entertainment history.

“Irreconcilable differences.”

— Song Hye-kyo’s agency, as reported by multiple outlets

When did Song Joong-ki divorce Song Hye-kyo?

July 2019. The divorce filing was confirmed in June 2019, and the proceedings concluded the following month ([1]).

Why did Song Joong-ki end his marriage with Song Hye-kyo?

No single verified reason was ever published. The official statement from Song Hye-kyo’s agency cited “personality differences” as the reason for the split. Both parties asked the public to respect their privacy, and neither has elaborated since.

The paradox

The same actor who played a romantic military captain in Descendants of the Sun experienced a real-life marriage that ended faster than the drama’s production cycle. The contrast between on-screen fairy tale and off-screen reality defined his post-2019 public image.

The implication: Song Joong-ki’s public persona shifted from fairy-tale husband to a more reserved figure after the divorce.

Who is Song Joong-ki’s ex-wife?

Song Hye-kyo, a South Korean actress who gained international fame through dramas like Descendants of the Sun and The Glory ([5]). Born November 22, 1981, she is one of Korea’s most recognised actresses. The two have no public contact since the divorce.

What is Song Hye-kyo known for?

  • Descendants of the Sun (2016) – the drama that led to her meeting Song Joong-ki
  • The Glory (2022–2023) – a Netflix revenge drama that won critical acclaim
  • Autumn in My Heart (2000) – her breakout role

Are Song Hye-kyo and Song Joong-ki still in contact?

No public evidence suggests they are. Neither has spoken positively or negatively about the other since the 2019 divorce. Entertainment reporters consistently note zero interaction between the two post-split.

How did Song Joong-ki meet his new wife?

Song Joong-ki met Katy Louise Saunders through work and mutual connections in the entertainment industry ([1]). The actor announced his marriage to Saunders in a handwritten letter posted to his fan cafe in January 2023, confirming they had registered their marriage and were expecting their first child.

Where did Song Joong-ki meet Katy Louise Saunders?

The exact venue or project where they met has not been publicly disclosed. Media reports suggest they were introduced through industry circles during Song Joong-ki’s work on film projects in Europe.

When did Song Joong-ki and Katy Louise Saunders start dating?

A specific start date has not been confirmed. The timeline suggests the relationship developed in late 2021 or early 2022, as the marriage announcement came in early 2023, alongside news of the first pregnancy.

Song Joong-ki net worth and career milestones

Six career data points, one pattern: Song Joong-ki’s earnings and fame escalated in parallel with his personal life shifts — each new relationship phase coincided with a major career peak.

Dimension Value
Net worth estimate $20 million (industry reports)
Birth year 1985 (age 39 as of 2025)
Debut 2008, film A Frozen Flower ([1])
Breakthrough 2016, Descendants of the Sun ([1])
Highest-grossing drama Vincenzo (2021) – widely streamed globally ([1])
Notable film Space Sweepers (2021) – Netflix sci-fi hit

What is Song Joong-ki’s age?

He was born September 19, 1985, making him 39 years old as of February 2025 ([1]).

What are Song Joong-ki’s most famous movies?

  • Descendants of the Sun (2016) – KBS drama, 38.8% peak viewership
  • Vincenzo (2021) – tvN drama, global Netflix popularity
  • Space Sweepers (2021) – Netflix original film
  • A Werewolf Boy (2012) – box office hit in Korea

The implication: For Korean entertainment investors and casting directors, Song Joong-ki’s career post-divorce has been more commercially successful than his pre-divorce years — his peak global recognition came after 2020.

Bottom line: Song Joong-ki transformed from a bachelor actor to a father of two living in Italy within six years. For fans interested in his personal timeline: the divorce from Song Hye-kyo (2019) marked an inflection point, followed by rapid personal reinvention (marriage 2023, two children by 2024). For industry observers: his best commercial performances came after the divorce.

“Our lovely princess was born healthy. Both my wife and our baby are resting well in good health.”

— Song Joong-ki, as reported by [3]

“He is a healthy son.”

— Song Joong-ki, as reported by [4]

For a detailed breakdown of his personal milestones, see Song Joong-kis personal timeline.

Frequently asked questions

What is Song Joong-ki’s religion?

Song Joong-ki has not publicly disclosed his religious affiliation. No verified sources confirm a specific religion.

How old is Song Joong-ki?

Born September 19, 1985, he is 39 as of early 2025 ([1]).

What is Song Joong-ki’s height?

178 cm (5 ft 10 in) — confirmed by his official profile ([1]).

Does Song Joong-ki have siblings?

Yes, he has one younger brother ([1]).

What is Song Joong-ki’s most popular drama?

Descendants of the Sun (2016) remains his most popular drama by viewership, while Vincenzo (2021) achieved the widest global reach on Netflix ([1]).

Has Song Joong-ki won any acting awards?

Yes. He has won multiple Baeksang Arts Awards, APAN Star Awards, and KBS Drama Awards, including the Baeksang Grand Prize for Descendants of the Sun in 2016 ([1]).

How many wives has Song Joong-ki had?

Two: Song Hye-kyo (2017–2019) and Katy Louise Saunders (married 2023, current) ([1]).