Song Il-kook Biography: Wife, Age, Children, Net Worth, Height, Dramas, Triplets, Awards

Song Il-kook, a distinguished actor and television personality, is a celebrated figure in South Korea’s entertainment industry, best known for his iconic role as the titular character in the 2006 historical drama Jumong.

His commanding performances in historical dramas and his endearing role as a father on The Return of Superman have solidified his status as a beloved public figure.

Profile

• Full Name: Song Il-kook
• Stage Name: Song Il-kook
• Born: October 1, 1971
• Age: 53 years old
• Birthplace: Seoul, South Korea
• Nationality: South Korean
• Occupation: Actor, Television Personality
• Height: 6 feet 1 inch (1.85 m)
• Parents: Kim Eul-dong and Mr. Song
• Siblings: Unknown
• Spouse: Jung Seung-yeon
• Children: Song Dae-han, Song Min-guk, Song Man-se
• Relationship: Married
• Net Worth: $50 million USD

Early Life and Education

Song Il-kook, a distinguished actor and television personality, was born on October 1, 1971, in Seoul, South Korea.

Raised by his mother, Kim Eul-dong, a former actress and politician, and his father, Mr. Song, he grew up in a family with a rich legacy.

He is the grandson of politician Kim Du-han and the great-grandson of Kim Jwa-jin, a renowned Korean independence movement general and anarchist. Information about his siblings remains private.

Song excelled academically, graduating from Cheongju University with a degree in Performing Arts. He later pursued further education, earning a master’s degree from Chung-Ang University.

His early exposure to the arts and his disciplined upbringing shaped his path toward acting. Song is of South Korean descent and follows Roman Catholicism.

Career

Song Il-kook, a distinguished actor and television personality, began his acting career in 1998 as part of MBC’s 27th talent cohort, debuting in the drama Did We Really Love? (1999).

He gained early recognition for roles in All About Eve (2000) and Album of Life (2002) but rose to international fame with his lead role as Jumong in the 2006 historical drama Jumong, which achieved over 90% viewership in Iran and 40% in South Korea.

His portrayal of physically demanding roles requiring martial arts, swordsmanship, and horsemanship became a hallmark of his career, seen in dramas like Emperor of the Sea (2004), The Kingdom of the Winds (2008), and A Man Called God (2010).

Song also starred in films such as The Art of Seduction (2005) and Tattoo (2015).

From 2014 to 2016, he appeared on the variety show The Return of Superman with his triplet sons, Dae-han, Min-guk, and Man-se, earning widespread admiration for his hands-on parenting.

His stage work includes musicals like I Am You (2012) and theater productions like 42nd Street (2016).

In 2025, Song returned to television with a guest appearance on You Quiz on the Block, showcasing his enduring popularity. He is currently signed with C-JeS Entertainment and serves as vice-president of the Korean Triathlon Confederation.

Awards and Nominations

• 2002: KBS Drama Awards – Excellence Award, Actor (Album of Life)
• 2005: KBS Drama Awards – Popularity Award, Actor (Emperor of the Sea)
• 2006: 14th Korean Culture and Entertainment Awards – Best Actor (Jumong)
• 2008: KBS Drama Awards – Top Excellence Award, Actor (The Kingdom of the Winds)
• 2009: Asia Model Festival Awards – Special Award
• 2014: KBS Entertainment Awards – Best Entertainer Award (The Return of Superman)
• 2015: KBS Entertainment Awards – Excellence Award (The Return of Superman)
• 2011: State Honors, South Korea – Commendation for Model Taxpayer
• 2009: Hawaii State – Declared March 21 as Song Il-kook Day

Social Media

• Instagram Handle: @songilkook

Personal Life

Song Il-kook, a distinguished actor and television personality, is 53 years old and resides in Seoul, South Korea, with his family.

He married High Court Judge Jung Seung-yeon in March 2008 after they began dating in 2007.

The couple welcomed fraternal triplet sons—Dae-han, Min-guk, and Man-se—on March 16, 2012, whose names together mean “Long live the Republic of Korea.”

Song’s commitment to family led him to prioritize raising his children, reducing his acting workload between 2011 and 2016, including a period in France to support his wife’s career.

Filmography

• Did We Really Love? (1999, Drama) – Supporting role
• All About Eve (2000, Drama) – Supporting role
• Album of Life (2002, Drama) – Lead role
• Bodyguard (2003, Drama) – Supporting role
• Desert Spring (2003, Drama) – Supporting role
• Emperor of the Sea (2004, Drama) – Yeom Jang
• The Art of Seduction (2005, Film) – Supporting role
• Red Eye (2005, Film) – Supporting role
• Jumong (2006, Drama) – Jumong
• Lobbyist (2007, Drama) – Harry Kim
• The Kingdom of the Winds (2008, Drama) – Muhyul
• A Man Called God (2010, Drama) – Michael King
• Crime Squad (2011, Drama) – Park Sae-hyuk
• Fermentation Family (2011, Drama) – Ki Ho-tae
• The Return of Superman (2014–2016, Variety Show) – Himself with triplets
• Jang Yeong-sil (2016, Drama) – Jang Yeong-sil
• Tattoo (2015, Film) – Han Ji-soon
• 42nd Street (2016, Theater) – Lead role
• I Am You (2012, Musical) – Lead role
• You Quiz on the Block (2024, Talk Show) – Guest with triplets

Net Worth

Song Il-kook, a distinguished actor and television personality, has an estimated net worth of approximately $50 million USD.

His wealth is primarily derived from his successful acting career in television dramas and films, supplemented by appearances on variety shows and brand endorsements through his social media platforms.

His role in Jumong and subsequent projects significantly boosted his earnings, making him one of South Korea’s highest-paid actors during his peak.

Additional income from stage performances and his involvement in the Korean Triathlon Confederation further contribute to his financial success.