Song Joong Ki, Song Hye Kyo marriage ends as actor files for divorce

It's a sad day for K-Drama fans. The Song Joong Ki and Song Hye Kyo marriage is coming to an end. South Korea's celebrity power couple, who got married in a highly-guarded Korean-style banquet nearly 2 years ago, have announced their split. 

In a statement through his agency on Thursday (27 Jun), Song Joong Ki said he has filed for a divorce with Song Hye Kyo at the Seoul Family Court on Wednesday (26 Jun).

Song Joong Ki, Song Hye Kyo marriage ends

A report on 27 June by online portal Soompi read Song Joong Ki's announcement of the split:

"Hello. This is Song Joong Ki.

First, I’d like to apologize for delivering this unfortunate news to the many fans who love and care for me.

I have begun the process of filing for divorce from Song Hye Kyo.

Rather than denouncing one another and arguing over who is to blame, I hope that the divorce process can be wrapped up amicably.

I ask for your understanding in regards to the fact that it is difficult to discuss the details of my personal life. I will recover from my current wounds and do my utmost as an actor to repay you through great productions in the future.

Thank you."

The actor's agency Blossom Entertainment also released a statement. It read: "Song Joong-Ki and Song Hye Kyo decided to end their marriage following careful consideration. After reaching an amicable settlement, they are currently going through divorce proceedings," the agency said. "But since it is the matter of the actor's privacy, please refrain from making groundless speculations and spreading false information concerning the divorce," it added.

Song Hye Kyo's management agency United Artists Agency released an official statement on behalf of the actress which read: "[Song] Hye Kyo is currently going through divorce proceedings with her husband, following careful consideration. The reason for divorce is a difference in personality. The decision came because the pair could not overcome the difference." 

Both artists' full statements are released in Korean and were published in English by The Korean Times.

From on-screen to off-screen

Dubbed as the Song-Song couple, they met at the set of the 2016 hit Korean drama "Descendants of the Sun."

He played Special Forces captain Yoo Si-jin and she played his love interest, doctor Kang Mo-yeon.

The on-screen couple was first rumoured to be dating in March 2016. Both flatly denied the rumours until a year later in July when their respective agencies announced their wedding plans.

The Korean drama golden couple turned into off-screen, real-life partners when they got married on 31 October 2017, in an intimate ceremony at Korean-style banquet annex, Yeong Bin Gwan, at The Shilla hotel in Seoul. Some of South Korea’s biggest and brightest stars including Park Bo-gum, Kim Ji-won and Lee Kwang-soo attended the tightly-guarded wedding.

The couple then had their honeymoon in Europe.

During their marriage, they were said to have resided in the wealthy neighbourhood of Itaewon-dong. Song Joongki reportedly bought the house there for 10 billion won (S$11.7 million).