Biography
- Name and surname: Jae-rim song
- Date of birth: February 18, 1985
- Place of birth: Samseong-dong, Gwanak-gu, Seoul, South Korea
- Date of death: November 12, 2024 (age 39)
- Nationality: South Korean
- Family: Parents, younger sister Song Soo-rim (born 1986)
- Instruction: Attended Chung-Ang University (Information Systems), but dropped out to pursue acting.
- Military service: Industrial Skills Service, resigned
- Agency: Independent at the time of his passing
Early life and career
Song Jae-rim attended Kwangshin High School and later enrolled at Chung-Ang University, where he majored in Information Systems. However, his true passion was art, which led him to drop out of university and pursue a career in entertainment. He served in the military through an industrial skills program due to health issues.
Song’s career began as a model, where his striking features and well-proportioned physique made him popular. She quickly attracted attention, becoming the first Korean model to be featured in major Japanese magazines such as Men’s Grandfather AND POPEYE in 2011. His strong visual appeal and success as a model opened doors for him to acting, which had always been his main ambition.
Acting career
Song Jae-rim made his acting debut in the 2009 film Actresses and took on minor roles in films, music videos and commercials. His breakout role came in the 2012 drama The Moon embracing the Sun, where he portrayed a calm warrior who protects the king. This role earned him the nickname “Chag-gul-nam” (cool and charismatic guy) and introduced him to a wider audience.
Filmography
| Movies | – Actresses (2009): His debut film role, where he made his first big screen appearance. – Lies (2010): He played a supporting role in this drama film. – The Moon That Embraces the Sun (2012): He gained a lot of attention with his role as Kim Je-woon, a warrior who protects the king, in this historical drama which was a huge success. – Two Weeks (2013): Song Jae-rim played a more intense role as a reticent assassin in this action-packed drama. – The Master’s Sun (2013): He continued his streak of notable supporting roles, playing a key character in this popular romantic drama. |
| TV dramas | – The Moon That Embraces the Sun (2012): This was his breakout role and he became widely known as a “charming warrior” thanks to his portrayal of Kim Je-woon. – Nail shop Paris (2013): A cable drama in which he played a role in a more modern setting, broadening his range. – Illusory Tower (2013): Another cable drama where Song played a character involved in a suspenseful narrative. – Two Weeks (2013): Played a key role in this action-packed series. – We Got Married (2014): His appearance in this reality show with actress Kim So-eun helped him gain popularity, showing a more playful and charming side of his personality. – Rude Women (2015): In this drama he played Iruo, a kendo instructor. – Our Gap-soon (2016): Song Jae-rim played the male lead role in this SBS weekend drama, playing Heo Gap-dol, the main character’s long-time boyfriend. – My Naughty Girl (2017): He also appeared in this drama, playing a role that was part of the love story. |
| Variety shows | We Got Married (2014): He gained a lot of attention due to his appearance with Kim So-eun, showing a playful and bold personality. |
Career highlights
Throughout his career, Song has been known for his unique roles in both romance and action-oriented series. He has played a wide range of characters, from skilled martial artists to gentle lovers, making him a versatile actor.
In 2015, he joined We Got Married and became a couple with Kim So-eun. The couple was loved by fans at the time so much so that they were even caught by dating rumors.
Personal life and dating
Although Song has maintained a relatively private life, his close on-screen chemistry with co-star Kim So-eun has led to widespread speculation from fans about their relationship. However, Song has rarely spoken about his personal life, instead focusing on his work and passion for acting. He was known for his love of cats, raising two named Leon and Brown Sugar.
In 2020, Sports Kyunghyang reported that actor Song Jae Rim and T-ara’s Jiyeon were spotted together at a gas station, sparking dating rumors. The two seemed affectionate, leading to speculation that they were in a relationship. However, both of their agencies quickly denied the rumors, insisting that Song Jae Rim and Jiyeon are just close friends. Dating rumors between the two stars, who have an eight-year age gap, were dismissed within an hour of the initial report.
Death at the age of 39
On November 12, 2024, Song Jae-rim was found dead. He was 39 years old. The funeral of the deceased took place at Yeouido St. Mary’s Funeral Hall.
