Decoding the Phenomenon of Song Kang: The Journey, the Roles, and the Man Behind the Screen

When Hallyu fans search for “Song Kang sinh năm” (Vietnamese for “What year was Song Kang born?”), they are usually met with the key date: April 23, 1994. Born in Suwon, South Korea, this Taurus actor has spent the last several years transforming from a fresh-faced rookie into one of the most recognizable faces in global entertainment.

Often dubbed the “Son of Netflix,” Song Kang’s journey through the glittering yet demanding world of Korean dramas is a story of persistence, striking versatility, and an undeniable screen presence that transcends language barriers.

From Artistic Roots to the Silver Screen

Growing up in Suwon, Song was immersed in an artistic environment. His father was a former artistic gymnast, and his mother worked as a piano teacher. Despite receiving numerous offers to train as an idol singer in his early years, Song turned them down. His true calling lay in acting, a passion sparked after watching Leonardo DiCaprio in Titanic.

He went on to major in Film Arts at Konkuk University, laying the technical foundation for a career that officially kicked off in 2017 with a supporting role in the tvN romantic-comedy series The Liar and His Lover.

The Rise of the “Son of Netflix”

While Song cut his teeth playing minor roles and hosting the music show Inkigayo, his true breakthrough arrived when he beat out massive competition to land the lead role of Hwang Sun-oh in Netflix’s adaptation of Love Alarm (2019).

What followed was an unprecedented golden streak of hit streaming dramas that earned him his global moniker:

• Sweet Home (2020–2023): Demonstrating his range, Song stepped into the dark, apocalyptic world of creature features as Cha Hyun-su, a traumatized high school student fighting for survival.
• Navillera (2021): A deeply emotional pivot where he played a gifted yet struggling ballet dancer, pushing himself through rigorous physical training to master the art form.
• Nevertheless (2021): He captured global attention as the enigmatic, campus heartbreaker Park Jae-eon in this atmospheric webtoon adaptation.
• Forecasting Love and Weather (2022) & My Demon (2023): He solidified his status as a master of modern romance, winning major accolades including the Top Excellence Award at the SBS Drama Awards for his charismatic portrayal of a supernatural demon in My Demon.

Milestones, Military Service, and What’s Next

Like all able-bodied South Korean men, Song paused his stellar momentum to fulfill his mandatory military service. He enlisted as an active-duty soldier in April 2024 and completed his service, returning to civilian life and the entertainment industry in October 2025.