Since debuting in 1996, Song has often been one of Korea’s highest-paid stars, reportedly receiving up to an estimated US$42,000 per K-drama episode. Her hallyu status is largely due to her successful series, beginning with Autumn in My Heart in 2000, then Full House in 2004, both of which are considered classics, being part of the first hallyu wave to carry Korean culture beyond its shores.

Song quickly rose to fame all over Asia, especially in China, even appearing in a couple of Chinese films. She has also played a supporting role in Wong Kar-wai’s 2013 movie, The Grandmaster.

In the same year, despite a hiatus from the small screen, Song managed to stage a successful comeback in That Winter, The Wind Blows. In 2016, she starred in Descendants of the Sun, alongside her then-future husband Song Joong-ki. The drama topped the ratings and proved popular overseas, resulting in international remakes.

In 2017, Song’s personal life took over the headlines following her whirlwind romance and then marriage to Song Joong-ki. However, Song-Song saw an unfortunate ending to their love story, and the pair figured in one of Korea’s most controversial and high profile divorces.

As divorce still carries a stigma in Korea, fans worried that this might affect Song’s endorsement deals – but this proved hardly the case. Her status, sophisticated image and widespread influence remained too strong to be overtaken by personal matters, and to date, she remains the preferred ambassadress of luxury names.

Song is currently the Asia-Pacific representative of jeweller Chaumet. She has also recently been featured in a short film to promote fashion label Bottega Veneta’s 2020 spring collection. Having been Laneige’s endorser-of-choice for 10 years since 2008, Song has now transitioned to modelling for its sister brand, Sulwhasoo.

With an estimated net worth of about US$31 million, according to KDrama Stars, Song spends most of her fortune on luxury real estate. She owns three properties in Samseong-dong, one of Seoul’s most expensive neighbourhoods. She first acquired a US$4.3 million residence in 2004, which had doubled in value as of 2019. Song also bought a US$7.9 million residence said to have belonged to a former chairman of Korea’s top pharmaceutical company, and another luxury villa worth US$2.6 million, as per Soompi.

The actress used to own a Manhattan flat, right in front of New York’s Central Park, which she decided to sell in 2018. According to the same report, Song is believed to navigate her financial matters with her mother’s retirement in mind. Song’s parents parted ways when she was young and she was raised by her mother.

Other than spending on real estate, Song is also known for her generous donations in support of various causes.

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