Song Joong-ki: His Two Marriages, Divorce, and Children

Few Korean actors have blurred the line between reel and real life quite like Song Joong-ki. The Descendants of the Sun star married his co-star Song Hye-kyo in 2017, and today he has two children and a new family with British-Italian former actress Katy Louise Saunders.

Born: September 19, 1985 · Debut: 2008 (film A Frozen Flower) · Instagram Followers: 11 million · Number of Marriages: 2 · Children: 2

Six key facts capture the arc of Song Joong-ki’s public and private life.

Did Song Joong-ki have a child?

When was his child born?

Song Joong-ki’s first child, a son, was born on June 14, 2023 at a hospital in Rome, Italy. The birth was announced by the actor on June 15, 2023 through his fan cafe. His second child, a daughter, was welcomed on November 20, 2024, also in Rome.

Who is the mother?

The mother of both children is Katy Louise Saunders, a British-Italian former actress whom Song Joong-ki married in January 2023.

Child’s name?

As of 2025, the names of Song Joong-ki’s children have not been publicly disclosed. The couple has chosen to keep their children’s identities private, a decision consistent with the actor’s guarded approach to family life.

Who is Joong-Ki’s ex-wife?

Song Hye-kyo biography

Song Hye-kyo is a South Korean actress renowned for her roles in dramas such as Autumn in My Heart and Descendants of the Sun. She is one of the most recognized actresses in Korea and has won multiple awards, including Baeksang Arts Awards.

Marriage timeline

Song Joong-ki and Song Hye-kyo announced their engagement on July 5, 2017. They married in a private ceremony at Youngbingwan, Hotel Shilla in Seoul on October 31, 2017. The wedding was a star-studded affair attended by Ma Dong-seok, Cha Tae-hyun, and Zhang Ziyi.

Divorce reasons

On June 26, 2019, Song Joong-ki filed for divorce at the Seoul Family Court. The divorce was finalized on July 22, 2019. Official statements cited “personality differences” as the cause, and both sides emphasized an amicable separation with no alimony or property division.

The implication: The fairy-tale wedding and rapid dissolution of the Song-Song couple remain one of the most scrutinized episodes in Korean entertainment history.

How many wives does Song Joong-ki have?

First marriage to Song Hye-kyo

Song Joong-ki’s first marriage was to actress Song Hye-kyo, lasting from October 31, 2017 to July 22, 2019 — about one year and eight months.

Second marriage to Katy Louise Saunders

On January 30, 2023, Song Joong-ki announced via his fan cafe that he had married Katy Louise Saunders and that she was pregnant with their first child. The marriage was registered in January 2023, according to his agency.

He has been married twice. The first ended in divorce; the second continues with two children.

How did Song Joong-ki meet his new wife?

Meeting through mutual friends

Song Joong-ki and Katy Louise Saunders met through mutual friends in 2021, according to multiple reports. The actor publicly confirmed the relationship in December 2022.

Relationship timeline

• Late 2021: Introduced by common friends
• December 2022: Relationship confirmed publicly
• January 30, 2023: Marriage and pregnancy announced
• June 14, 2023: First child born
• November 20, 2024: Second child born

Wedding details

The couple held a private wedding ceremony, with no public details released. Song Joong-ki announced the marriage through his official fan cafe, not through a public event, reflecting his desire for privacy.

The pattern: Song Joong-ki’s second marriage unfolded rapidly and privately, a stark contrast to the public spectacle of his first.

Why did Song Joong Ki leave his wife?

Official reasons

The official statement from both agencies cited “personality differences” as the reason for the divorce. No third-party involvement was confirmed. Song Joong-ki’s statement at the time: “We hope to continue as good colleagues and friends.” (via his agency Sportskeeda – pop culture site).

Speculation

Some media outlets speculated about career pressures, family expectations, and the burden of public scrutiny. However, no concrete evidence supports any specific cause beyond the official explanation. The divorce was amicable, and neither party has spoken negatively about the other.

Impact on careers

Both actors continued their careers successfully. Song Joong-ki starred in Vincenzo (2021) and Reborn Rich (2022). Song Hye-kyo appeared in The Glory (2022–2023), which earned critical acclaim. The split did not hinder either’s professional trajectory.

Song Joong-ki’s Life Timeline

Five key dates trace the actor’s personal milestones.

• 2008: Film debut in A Frozen Flower
• October 31, 2017: Married Song Hye-kyo
• July 22, 2019: Divorce from Song Hye-kyo finalized
• January 30, 2023: Married Katy Louise Saunders
• June 14, 2023: First child (son) born
• November 20, 2024: Second child (daughter) born

What We Know and What’s Unclear

Confirmed facts

• Born September 19, 1985
• Debut in 2008
• Married Song Hye-kyo in 2017, divorced in 2019
• Married Katy Louise Saunders in 2023
• Has two children (son 2023, daughter 2024)

What’s unclear

• Exact meeting date of Song Joong-ki and Katy Louise Saunders
• Children’s names
• Specific divorce reasons beyond personality differences

Key Quotes

“We hope to continue as good colleagues and friends.”

Song Joong-ki, via official statement, 2019

“We are very happy and grateful.”

Katy Louise Saunders, via social media, 2023

The pattern across both statements is clear: privacy, dignity, and a deliberate avoidance of public drama. For Song Joong-ki, the lesson from his first marriage may have been that the spotlight burns brightest when you let it in.

For a deeper look into his personal milestones, read more at Song Joong-kis family and career.

Frequently asked questions

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