# Song Il-kook

Song Il-kook (Korean: 송일국; Hanja: 宋一國; born 1 October 1971) is a South Korean actor. He is best known for his role in the 2006 hit drama series Jumong as the titular character.

## Early life and education

Song is the grandson of politician Kim Du-han, great grandson of Kim Jwa-jin, the famous anarchist and Korean independence movement general during the early 1900s. Song is the son of politician and former actress Kim Eul-dong.
He graduated from Cheongju University, majoring in Performing Arts, and later obtained a master's degree from Chung-Ang University.

## Career

Song is the vice-president of the Korean Triathlon Confederation and participated in the 2008 Seoul International Triathlon Competition. In April 2008, Song carried the Olympic torch through Seoul.
According to Reuters the most popular episodes of Jumong attracted over 90% of Iranian audience (compared to 40% in South Korea), propelling Song Il-gook to superstar status in Iran.
Song is also an amateur sketch artist. He has also modelled professionally, both on the runway and in print. In 2008, he was one of the subjects of the Kolon Christmas Photo Shoot.
In 2009, the state of Hawaii designated March 21 as Song Il-kook day. In April 2010, he was invited to the Blue House to dine with Heads of State, including the president of Kazakhstan, as Jumong garnered immense popularity in the central Asian country.
In October 2015, Song signed an exclusive contract with management agency C-JeS Entertainment.

## Personal life

On 15 March 2008, Song was wed to High Court Judge Jung Seung-yeon in a private, traditional Korean wedding at the Sheraton Walkerhill Hotel in Seoul.
Song and Jung became parents to fraternal triplet sons at a hospital in Seoul on 16 March 2012. Their sons are named Dae-han, Min-guk and Man-se which, when said together mean "Long live the Republic of Korea". Song and his sons starred in the variety show The Return of Superman from 6 July 2014 to 7 February 2016. The triplets also made a cameo appearance in Song's television series Jang Yeong-sil (2016).
Song adheres to a pescetarian diet for both health and ethical reasons.

## Filmography
### TV series

| Year | Title | Role |
| 1999 | Did We Really Love? | |
| 1999 | Goodbye My Love | |
| 1999 | Into the Sunlight | |
| 2000 | All About Eve | |
| 2002 | Hard Love | Na Young-jae |
| 2002 | Royal Story: Jang Hui-bin | Kim Chun-taek |
| 2002 | Album of Life | Shin Hyung-shik |
| 2003 | A Dream of a Thousand Years | Tae-sang |
| 2003 | Bodyguard | Han Sung-soo |
| 2003 | Desert Spring | Ki-hyun |
| 2004 | People of the Water Flower Village | Kang Sung-woo |
| 2004 | Terms of Endearment | Na Jang-soo |
| 2004 | Emperor of the Sea | Yeom Moon/Yeom Jang |
| 2006 | Jumong | Jumong, later King Dongmyeong |
| 2007 | Lobbyist | Harry/Kim Joo-ho |
| 2008 | The Kingdom of the Winds | Prince Muhyul, later King Daemusin |
| 2010 | A Man Called God | Michael King/Choi Kang-ta/ Peter Pan |
| 2011 | Crime Squad | Park Sae-hyuk |
| 2011 | Kimchi Family | Ki Ho-tae |
| 2016 | Jang Yeong-sil | Jang Yeong-sil |

### Film

| Year | Title | Title | Role |
| Year | English | Korean | Role |
| 2005 | The Art of Seduction | 작업의 정석 | Seo Min-jun |
| 2005 | Red Eye | 레드아이 | Chan-sik |
| 2014 | Entangled | | Hyun Ki-jeung |
| 2014 | Fly high | 플라이 하이 | Chang-beom |
| 2014 | Vertigo | 현기증 | Sang-ho |
| 2015 | Tattoo | 타투 | Han Ji-soon |

### Variety show

| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 2012 | Qualifications of Men | Triathlon Coach | Ep 173–174, 178–180 |
| 2014–2016 | The Return of Superman | Cast member | Ep 34–116, 156 |

## Stage
### Musical

Musical play performances :
| Year | Title | Title | Role | Theater | Date | Ref. |
| Year | English | Korean | Role | Theater | Date | Ref. |
| 2016 | Broadway 42nd Street | 브로드웨이 42번가 | Julian Marsh | CJ Towol Theater, Seoul Arts Center | June 23, 2016 – August 28, 2016 | |
| 2016 | Broadway 42nd Street | 브로드웨이 42번가 | Julian Marsh | Daegu Keimyung Arts Center | September 3, 2016 – September 4, 2016 | |
| 2016 | Broadway 42nd Street | 브로드웨이 42번가 | Julian Marsh | Busan Citizens' Hall Grand Theater | October 7, 2016 – October 9, 2016 | |
| 2016 | Broadway 42nd Street | 브로드웨이 42번가 | Julian Marsh | Gunsan Culture & Arts Center Grand Theater | October 14, 2016 – October 15, 2016 | |
| 2016 | Broadway 42nd Street | 브로드웨이 42번가 | Julian Marsh | Icheon Art Hall Grand Theater | October 28, 2016 – October 29, 2016 | |
| 2020 | Broadway 42nd Street | 브로드웨이 42번가 | Julian Marsh | Charlotte Theater | June 20, 2020 – August 23, 2020 | |
| 2022-2023 | Broadway 42nd Street | 브로드웨이 42번가 | Julian Marsh | CJ Towol Theater, Seoul Arts Center | November 5, 2022 – January 15, 2023 | |
| 2023 | Broadway 42nd Street | 브로드웨이 42번가 | Julian Marsh | Busan Cultural Center Grand Theater | February 3, 2023 – February 5, 2023 | |
| 2023 | Broadway 42nd Street | 브로드웨이 42번가 | Julian Marsh | Changwon Sungsan Art Hall Grand Theater | February 17, 2023 – February 19, 2023 | |
| 2023 | Broadway 42nd Street | 브로드웨이 42번가 | Julian Marsh | Daegu Keimyung Arts Center | February 24, 2023 – February 26, 2023 | |
| 2023 | Broadway 42nd Street | 브로드웨이 42번가 | Julian Marsh | Goyang Aram Nuri Aram Theater | February 10, 2023 – February 12, 2023 | |
| 2023 | Broadway 42nd Street | 브로드웨이 42번가 | Julian Marsh | Cheonan Arts Center Grand Theater | March 3, 2023 – March 5, 2023 | |
| 2023 | Broadway 42nd Street | 브로드웨이 42번가 | Julian Marsh | Gyeongnam Culture & Arts Center Grand Theater | March 10, 2023 – March 12, 2023 | |
| 2023 | Broadway 42nd Street | 브로드웨이 42번가 | Julian Marsh | Gyeonggi Arts Center Grand Theater | March 17, 2023 – March 19, 2023 | |
| 2023 | Broadway 42nd Street | 브로드웨이 42번가 | Julian Marsh | Hanok Culture Center Grand Hall | March 24, 2023 – March 26, 2023 | |
| 2023 | Mamma Mia! | 맘마미아 | Bill | Chungmu Art Center Grand Theater | March 24, 2023 – June 25, 2023 | |
| 2023 | Broadway 42nd Street | 브로드웨이 42번가 | Julian Marsh | Seongnam Arts Center Opera House | March 31, 2023 – April 2, 2023 | |
| 2023 | Broadway 42nd Street | 브로드웨이 42번가 | Julian Marsh | GS Caltex Yeoulmaru Grand Theater, Yeosu | April 7, 2023 – April 9, 2023 | |
| 2023 | Broadway 42nd Street | 브로드웨이 42번가 | Julian Marsh | Daejeon Arts Center Art Hall | April 14, 2023 – April 16, 2023 | |
| 2023 | Mamma Mia! | 맘마미아 - 진주 | Bill | Daejeon Arts Center Art Hall | June 30, 2023 – July 2, 2023 | |
| 2023 | Mamma Mia! | 맘마미아 - 진주 | Bill | Incheon Culture & Arts Center Grand Theater | July 7, 2023 – July 9, 2023 | |
| 2023 | Mamma Mia! | 맘마미아 - 진주 | Bill | Yongin Poongun Art Hall | July 28, 2023 – July 30, 2023 | |
| 2023 | Mamma Mia! | 맘마미아 - 진주 | Bill | Iksan Arts Center Grand Theater | August 4, 2023 – August 6, 2023 | |
| 2023 | Mamma Mia! | 맘마미아 - 진주 | Bill | Cheongju Arts Center Grand Theater | August 11, 2023 – August 13, 2023 | |
| 2023 | Mamma Mia! | 맘마미아 - 진주 | Bill | Changwon Sungsan Art Hall Grand Theater | August 18, 2023 – August 20, 2023 | |
| 2023 | Mamma Mia! | 맘마미아 - 진주 | Bill | Gyeongnam Culture & Arts Center Grand Theater, Jinju | August 26, 2023 – August 27, 2023 | |
| 2023 | Mamma Mia! | 맘마미아 - 진주 | Bill | Sejong Cultural Center | September 1, 2023 – September 3, 2023 | |
| 2023 | Mamma Mia! | 맘마미아 - 진주 | Bill | Dangjin Culture & Arts Center Grand Theater | September 8, 2023 – September 10, 2023 | |
| 2023 | Mamma Mia! | 맘마미아 - 진주 | Bill | Ansan Culture & Arts Center Sunrise Theater | September 15, 2023 – September 17, 2023 | |
| 2023 | Mamma Mia! | 맘마미아 - 진주 | Bill | Gumi Cultural & Arts Center Grand Theater | September 23, 2023 – September 24, 2023 | |
| 2023 | Mamma Mia! | 맘마미아 - 진주 | Bill | Gwangju Cultural Center Grand Theater | October 6, 2023 – October 8, 2023 | |
| 2023 | Mamma Mia! | 맘마미아 - 진주 | Bill | Gyeonggi Arts Center Grand Theater | October 13, 2023 – October 15, 2023 | |
| 2023 | Mamma Mia! | 맘마미아 - 진주 | Bill | Gimhae Cultural Center Maru Hall | October 20, 2023 – October 22, 2023 | |
| 2023 | Mamma Mia! | 맘마미아 - 진주 | Bill | Seongnam Arts Center Opera House | November 3, 2023 – November 5, 2023 | |
| 2023 | Mamma Mia! | 맘마미아 - 진주 | Bill | Cheonan Arts Center Grand Theater | November 10, 2023 – November 12, 2023 | |
| 2023 | Mamma Mia! | 맘마미아 - 진주 | Bill | Mokpo Civic Culture & Sports Center Grand Theater | November 18, 2023 – November 19, 2023 | |
| 2023 | Mamma Mia! | 맘마미아 - 진주 | Bill | Busan Dream Theater | December 1, 2023 – December 10, 2023 | |
| 2023 | Mamma Mia! | 맘마미아 - 진주 | Bill | Andong Culture & Arts Center Woongbu Hall | December 30, 2023 – December 31, 2023 | |

### Theater

Stage play performances :
| Year | Title | Title | Role | Theater | Date | Ref. |
| Year | English | Korea | Role | Theater | Date | Ref. |
| 2010 | I Am You | 나는 너다 | Ahn Jung-geun | National Theater Sky Theater | July 21, 2010 – August 22, 2010 | |
| 2010 | I Am You | 나는 너다 | Ahn Jung-geun | Jeju Arts Center | June 24, 2011 – June 25, 2011 | |
| 2010 | I Am You | 나는 너다 | Ahn Jung-geun | CJ Towol Theater, Seoul Arts Center | May 17, 2011 – June 6, 2011 | |
| 2010 | I Am You | 나는 너다 | Ahn Jung-geun | Gwanglim Arts Center BBCH Hall | November 27, 2014 – January 31, 2015 | |
| 2017 | The God of Carnage | 대학살의 신 | Michelle | Free Theater, Seoul Arts Center | June 24, 2017 – July 23, 2017 | |
| 2019 | The God of Carnage | 대학살의 신 | Michelle | Free Theater, Seoul Arts Center | February 16, 2019 – March 24, 2019 | |
| 2024 | Macbeth | 맥베스 | Banquo | National Theater's Haeoreum Theater | July 13 – August 18, 2024 | |

## Awards

| Year | Award | Category | Nominated Work | Result |
| 2002 | KBS Drama Awards | Best New Actor | Album of Life | Won |
| 2003 | KBS Drama Awards | Excellence Award, Actor | Bodyguard | Nominated |
| 2004 | KBS Drama Awards | Excellence Award, Actor | Terms of Endearment | Nominated |
| 2004 | KBS Drama Awards | Best Couple Award with Han Ga-in | Terms of Endearment | Won |
| 2005 | KBS Drama Awards | Excellence Award, Actor | Emperor of the Sea | Won |
| 2005 | KBS Drama Awards | Popularity Award, Actor | Emperor of the Sea | Won |
| 2005 | KBS Drama Awards | Best Couple Award with Soo Ae | Emperor of the Sea | Won |
| 2006 | MBC Drama Awards | Grand Prize (Daesang) | Jumong | Won |
| 2006 | MBC Drama Awards | Top Excellence Award, Actor | Jumong | Won |
| 2006 | Grimae Awards | Best Actor | Jumong | Won |
| 2006 | 14th Korean Culture and Entertainment Awards | Best Actor | Jumong | Won |
| 2007 | 19th Korea Producer's Awards | Best Actor | Jumong | Won |
| 2007 | 43rd Baeksang Arts Awards | Best Actor (TV) | Jumong | Nominated |
| 2007 | 41st Taxpayer's Day | Commendation from the Prime Minister | — | Won |
| 2007 | SBS Drama Awards | Top Excellence Award, Actor | Lobbyist | Nominated |
| 2008 | KBS Drama Awards | Top Excellence Award, Actor | The Kingdom of the Winds | Won |
| 2008 | KBS Drama Awards | Best Couple Award with Choi Jung-won | The Kingdom of the Winds | Won |
| 2009 | 45th Baeksang Arts Awards | Best Actor (TV) | The Kingdom of the Winds | Nominated |
| 2009 | Asia Model Awards | Asia Star Awards | — | Won |
| 2011 | KBS Drama Awards | Excellence Award, Actor in a Miniseries | Crime Squad | Nominated |
| 2012 | Goodwill Cooperation Service (GCS) | Award for Service Towards World Peace, Celebrities Who Serve Category | — | Won |
| 2013 | 2nd Historical Drama Festival | Historical Drama Star Who's Brightened Korea | — | Won |
| 2014 | KBS Entertainment Awards | Producers' Special Award | The Return of Superman | Won |
| 2015 | KBS Entertainment Awards | Excellence Award, Male in Variety Show Category | The Return of Superman | Won |
| 2016 | KBS Drama Awards | Top Excellence Award, Actor | Jang Yeong-sil | Nominated |
| 2016 | KBS Drama Awards | Excellence Award, Actor in a Mid-length Drama | Jang Yeong-sil | Won |

### State honors

Name of country, year given, and name of honor :
| Country | Ceremony | Year | Honor | Ref. |
| South Korea | 41st Taxpayers' Day | 2007 | Presidential Commendation as Exemplary Taxpayer | |
| South Korea | Korean Popular Culture and Arts Awards | 2011 | Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Commendation | |