Although their marriage once attracted public attention, actors Song Hye Kyo and Song Joong Ki, who divorced six years ago, now appear on variety shows. While their names continue to spark public interest, how do their post-divorce journeys differ?
Song Hye Kyo: a sincere return after 23 years
Recently, Song Hye Kyo appeared on a talk show for the first time in 23 years, sharing updates about her life. Addressing long-standing rumors and opening up honestly, she said: “I wasn’t aware of this, but it seems like there are so many rumors about me. Since I started working as a young man, there have always been small and big voices around me. Given my profession, I often let them go in one ear and out the other.
When asked about the rumors, she wittily noted: “Go ask the person who made them.”
His open and frank demeanor resonated with viewers, leading the show “You Quiz on the Block” to achieve a top rating of 8.1%. With an average national rating of 5.6%, the episode topped its timeslot among cable and full programming channels. In the coveted 20-49 demographic, the show averaged 3.0% and peaked at 3.8%, marking it as the highest-rated “You Quiz on the Block” episode of 2024 .
Song Hye Kyo’s rare appearance on a variety show has garnered significant attention due to her long-standing mystique. Unlike many actors who use such appearances for promotional purposes, her decision seemed more personal, setting her apart. Additionally, she reunited with Song Eun Yi after 20 years, announcing more appearances on variety shows.
Song Joong Ki: a romantic image
Meanwhile, Song Joong Ki, her ex-husband, has been actively promoting her latest film “Bogota”. The two stars, who met on the 2016 drama series “Descendants of the Sun” and married in 2017, finalized their divorce in 2019 after two years of marriage.
Song Joong Ki, now remarried to a British woman in 2023, has shown his affectionate side during his appearances on variety shows. On JTBC’s “Please Take Care of My Refrigerator,” he shared anecdotes about his wife, revealing their mutual nicknames and other heartwarming stories. In “Salon Drip” he described the features of his children, “My first child has my lips and my wife’s eyes, and my second has my eyes, nose and my wife’s lips.”
Although it was his first return to variety shows in 10 years since “Running Man,” the response to his appearances was lukewarm. For example, “Please Take Care of My Refrigerator” had a national rating of 4.2%, a 0.4 percentage point improvement over the previous episode, but still 1.0 percentage points below its maximum rating.
Divergent paths
Six years after their divorce, the two stars find themselves embarking on parallel but distinct journeys. Although both have re-entered the variety show arena, the public reaction to their appearances highlights the contrast in their post-divorce narratives. Song Hye Kyo’s candid revelations sparked widespread intrigue, while Song Joong Ki’s romantic stories elicited a more subdued response.
