It’s pretty hard to miss Song Joong Ki these days. With his stellar turns in “Space Sweepers” and “Vincenzo,” he is showing just how broad his range is, going from a downtrodden spaceship pilot to a former mafia lawyer who curses flawlessly in Italian and has impeccable comic timing.
Doesn’t it seem like these top Hallyu stars often seem like they just walked onto the screen perfectly formed? But we all know that becoming a capable actor is a journey. I have to admit, when I run across such a capable actor, one of the first things I want to do is see their earlier works and appreciate how far they’ve come. Song Joong Ki was already making an impression before he went into the military in 2013. I think the work he did then set him on the path to becoming the top Hallyu star he is now, so I decided to look into it a little more.
Running Man
One of the best places to find early Song Joong Ki moments is on “Running Man.” Starting in 2010, he appeared in over 40 episodes as his sweet, lighthearted self. It’s fun to see how much the Running Man cast knows about him — episode 12 is a great insight into his VERY early days. Did you know Song Joong Ki got second place in Quiz Korea?? Me either! Knowing that made it even more entertaining when the cast and crew conspired to outwit him during the trivia portion of the episode. Of course, the cast had to cram HARD to memorize the answers to the difficult questions. It was just as funny as watching Song Joong Ki’s bewildered face as they got the answers right before he did!
You can find Song Joong Ki on classic episodes of “Running Man” streaming LIVE on KOCOWA every Sunday at 5pm PT/8pm ET!
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Sungkyunkwan Scandal
During his time on “Running Man,” Song Joong Ki was also part of the gender bender drama “Sungkyunkwan Scandal” (2010). He shines as the mischievous flirt of the “Jalgeum Quartet” — every good team needs one, right? His wink was devastating! The drama may have revolved around Park Min Young and her struggles, but it’s the friendship between the four scholars that makes the drama memorable.
Tree with Deep Roots
The 2011 drama “Tree with Deep Roots” is a standout historical drama, as are most stories surrounding King Sejong. Song Joong Ki played a young Sejong, and his impressive cameo will be branded in my memory forever. Who can forget him confidently walking across the courtyard to greet his father, arrows flying by him on every side?
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The Werewolf Boy
Now raise your hand if you fell in love with Chul Soo in “The Werewolf Boy” (2012). Song Joong Ki communicated so much without even speaking — watching him ask Park Bo Young for more headpats cracked me up. Granted, this is a drama you watch with tissues in hand, but seeing Song Joong Ki communicate so intensely with those amazing eyes of his is worth it.
The Innocent Man
Last, but not least, we have Song Joong Ki in “The Innocent Man” (2012), the drama that cemented his reputation as an A-list star. In “The Innocent Man,” Song Joong Ki goes from being a hopelessly romantic medical student to a hard-hearted bartender out for revenge after the love of his life dumps him for a rich CEO. Song Joong Ki had incredible chemistry with his co-star, the excellent Moon Chae Won — their characters’ strong personalities were enthralling to watch together. But was their chemistry worth the price of his revenge?
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Playful, soulful, and charming, Song Joong Ki brings his entire self to every project, and has been from the very beginning. He really is the kind of actor Hallyu dreams are made of. You can watch Song Joong Ki in “Running Man,” “The Innocent Man,” and “Tree with Deep Roots” right here on KOCOWA. I’ll be following his career eagerly, and I can’t wait to see what he does next!
Tell me, which Song Joong Ki drama will become your next favorite?
