Song Joong-ki, Song Hye-Kyo Join Hands To Re-Define K-Pop Culture
South Korean actors Song Joong-ki and Song Hye-kyo have taken Korean pop culture to new heights.
When the K-drama Descendants of the Sun first aired in February, not only did it create a good first impression, but it also left a lasting impact on its viewers.
The credit goes to its writers Kim Eun-sook and Kim Won-seok, directors Lee Eung-bok and Baek Sang-hoon, and its music composer Gang Dong-yun. However, the real show stealers were its lead actors Song Joong-ki and Song Hye-kyo. The love story between a soldier and a doctor captured the hearts of many that it spread from South Korea to Asia to U.S. to Europe.
Today, Song Joong-ki and Song Hye-kyo are global social media sensations. The on-screen duo, who was much appreciated for their performance will be acknowledged nationally.
According to a report by K-Pop Herald, this year, the President’s Award will be given to Descendants of the Sun co-stars Song Joong-ki and Song Hye-kyo, singer BoA, writer Kim Eun-sook, blues musician Lee Jung-sun, comedian Uhm Yong-soo, and cartoon artist Lee Hyun-jae.
The awards ceremony will take place on Thursday at the National Theater of Korea.
BRING BACK THE DOTS FEELS! Who still remember this scene?
"I haven't poked yet"#SongSongCouple #DOTS pic.twitter.com/N8mI1WzwV5
— jie | ia (@gayeopcult) October 22, 2016
Both Song Joong-ki and Song Hye-kyo helped South Korea scale new heights. While Song Hye-kyo made her country proud by promoting South Korean fashion and winning the Goddess of Asia title, Song Joong-ki represented the beautiful tourist spots of South Korea to the rest of the world. Together, the on-screen couple of Descendants of the Sun redefined K-pop, its culture and presented the country in a good light.
Even the South Korean president spoke highly of Song Joong-ki calling him a true soldier.
“I am very happy to see you becoming a great hallyu star after completing the military well,” the president said.
Both Song Joong-ki and Song Hye-kyo have remained true to themselves. When asked to represent a brand or a product, they became its ambassadors only if they believed in the product. Song Hye-kyo reportedly turned down the brand ambassador role for Mitsubishi Group when she learned that the company was involved in lawsuits over the alleged use of Korean forced labor during Japan’s colonial rule over Korea, according to a report by AsiaOne.
The President’s Award is something which both stars deserve, as both Song Joong-ki and Song Hye-kyo have visibly altered the South Korean entertainment scene.
Even the online presence of both these stars are huge. Irrespective of the China imposing ban on all South Korean celebrities, including Song Joong-ki and Song Hye-kyo, they still have fans in China. In fact, Song Joong-ki topped the list for most searched South Korean actor on Chinese search engine Baidu, while Song Hye-kyo recently was among the most searched South Korean actress on Google.
For Song Hye-kyo fans, the Presidents’ Award is a sight for sore eyes. Fans were earlier dismayed when their favorite actress lost the Seoul Drama Award on September 8. Even, the APAN award for the best actress was a deal breaker.
And now, this honor seems to surpass all awards because it reflects how Song Hye-kyo as well as Song Joong-ki played an active role in reshaping and boosting South Korea’s economy.
After the conclusion of Descendants of the Sun, Song Joong-ki started filming Battleship Island, which is slated for an early release next year.
Song Hye-kyo, on the other hand, is waiting for an opportune moment to grab that perfect role which will make her a character as memorable as Dr. Kang Mo-yeon in Descendants of the Sun.
A President’s Award for Song Joong-ki and Song Hye-kyo is truly an honor.
[Featured Image by Ahn Young-joon/AP Images]
