SEOUL, June 27 — After months of fevered speculation, it appears that the split rumours are true.
This morning, Song Joong-ki announced via a statement from his lawyer that he has begun divorce proceedings to end his marriage with Song Hye-kyo.
The pair, fondly known as the Song-Song couple by fans, famously fell in love on the set of monster K-drama hit Descendants of the Sun in 2015.
They married in a lavish wedding on October 31, 2017 in Seoul.
The divorce bombshell pretty much broke the internet in South Korea today.
International news agency AFP reported that it dominated the country’s Naver portal, with six of its top 10 search terms linked to it, and Twitter, where the top four trending words were related.
Many South Korea news outlets carried the 33-year-old actor’s statement in full, which reads as follows, in a translation provided by Korea Times newspaper:
Hello. This is Song Joong-ki.
First, I’d like to apologise 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, and I will recover from my current wounds and do my utmost as an actor to repay you through great productions in the future.
It is understood that a law firm representing Joong-ki filed for court mediation for his divorce from Hye-kyo with the Seoul Family Court yesterday.
Meanwhile, Hye-kyo’s agency UAA released a statement on behalf of the actress — also shared with Korea Times — stating that the couple’s incompatible personalities had led to their split.
Hi, this is UAA representing Song Hye-kyo.
First, we apologise for delivering an unfortunate news.
Hye-kyo is currently going through divorce proceedings with her husband, following a careful consideration.
The reason for divorce is a difference in personality. The decision came because the pair could not overcome the difference.
We cannot check out the further details due to the privacy concerns. We ask for your understanding about this.
In addition, please refrain from making sensational reports and leaving speculative comments, for the sake of the actors.
We apologise for fuelling worries. We will strive for the better in the future.
In recent months, the 37-year-old actress — who starred in TVN’s romantic drama Encounter with Park Bo-gum last year — has been seen in public without her wedding ring, prompting speculation that her marriage had hit a speed bump.
Reports soon surfaced that the couple had vacated their marital home in hip Seoul neighbourhood Itaewon months ago.
However, last month, Joong-ki — with wedding ring clearly visible — thanked his wife for being very supportive during a press conference for his historical fantasy series Arthdal Chronicles, now streaming on Netflix.
He also added that married life had made him “more emotionally stable” and that “nothing had changed drastically”.
