Top 10 Coolest Things About Song Kang-ho

As a film critic, I’ve been watching Song Kang-ho dominate the Korean screen for over twenty-five years, and he’s consistently delivered in everything from groundbreaking thrillers to internationally acclaimed hits. I’ve put together a list of ten films that really showcase his incredible career – each one is important for a specific reason, whether it was a huge box office success, won big at a major film festival, or simply broke new ground in Korean cinema.

‘Parasite’ (2019) – the first Korean film to win both the Palme d’Or and Best Picture

Bong Joon-ho’s film made history as the first Korean movie to win the Palme d’Or at Cannes and later became the first non-English-language film to win Best Picture at the Academy Awards. The film stars Song Kang-ho as Kim Ki-taek, the father of a family who cleverly inserts themselves into the home of a wealthy family. It also won the Screen Actors Guild Award for best ensemble cast—another first for a non-English-language film. The movie was a huge commercial success, earning over $250 million globally, and significantly boosted worldwide interest in Korean films.

‘Memories of Murder’ (2003) – a landmark crime drama tied to a real case later solved

This film brings together actor Song Kang-ho and director Bong Joon-ho to tell the story of the Hwaseong serial murders. Song plays Detective Park Doo-man in this detailed and realistic crime drama, which is set in the countryside. Released in the 2000s, it helped change the landscape of Korean crime films. The movie kept public attention on the real-life case, which was finally solved in 2019 with the help of DNA evidence. It continues to find new fans through updated releases.

‘The Host’ (2006) – Korea’s admissions record-holder of its era

Bong Joon-ho’s thrilling monster movie stars Song Kang-ho as Park Gang-du, a father whose daughter is taken by a creature from the Han River. The film was a huge success in Korea, attracting around 13 million viewers and becoming the country’s highest-grossing film at the time. It uniquely blended family drama, social commentary, and classic monster-movie elements, while also raising the standard for visual effects in Korean cinema. Positive reception at film festivals and premieres helped the movie gain international recognition.

‘Joint Security Area’ (2000) – a breakout hit that broadened Korean cinema’s audience

Park Chan-wook’s mystery thriller, set in the DMZ, featured Song as Sergeant Oh Kyeong-pil. The film became Korea’s highest-earning movie in 2000, attracting millions of viewers and proving that Korean films could achieve significant commercial success. This breakthrough boosted Park Chan-wook’s career and established Song as a reliable lead actor for challenging, dramatic roles. The film’s unique story, which crossed borders, also brought international recognition to Korean cinema.

‘Snowpiercer’ (2013) – a major step in Song’s global reach

Bong Joon-ho’s internationally produced film starred Song as a security expert, alongside actors from many different countries. The movie was a huge commercial success worldwide, becoming one of the most profitable films ever directed by a Korean filmmaker. The film’s detailed world also inspired a TV series, expanding its popularity even further. Song’s performance showcased his ability to act convincingly in both English and in stories that cross cultural boundaries.

‘A Taxi Driver’ (2017) – a historical drama that resonated with mass audiences

The film Song tells the story of a Seoul taxi driver who assists a foreign journalist in reporting on the 1980 Gwangju Uprising. It became one of the highest-grossing Korean films of the year, attracting over 12 million viewers. South Korea also submitted it for consideration for the Academy Award for Best International Feature Film. Song reignited public interest in the Gwangju Uprising, particularly among younger audiences.

‘Thirst’ (2009) – Cannes-laureled genre cinema with a bold lead turn

Song Kang-ho returns to work with director Park Chan-wook in a film where he plays a priest who unexpectedly becomes a vampire due to a scientific experiment. The movie received the Jury Prize at the Cannes Film Festival, highlighting the growing international recognition of Korean films. It’s a unique mix of horror, comedy, and romance that doesn’t fit neatly into any single genre. This physically challenging role is considered a key collaboration between Song and Park.

‘Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance’ (2002) – a cornerstone of the Vengeance Trilogy

Park Chan-wook’s film stars Song as Dong-jin, a factory manager who finds himself caught up in a relentless quest for revenge. While not a huge commercial success at the time, the film became incredibly influential in the early 2000s Korean neo-noir scene. Its distinctive visual style, complex characters, and tightly-woven plot paved the way for many subsequent Korean thrillers, and the film further cemented Song’s reputation as an actor who excels at portraying psychologically complex characters.

‘The Attorney’ (2013) – a courtroom phenomenon inspired by real events

Song Joong-ki plays Song Woo-seok, a tax lawyer who dedicates himself to human rights, in a film based on the early life of former president Roh Moo-hyun. The movie was a major success, attracting over 11 million viewers and becoming one of the highest-grossing Korean films of the year. It received numerous awards within Korea, including a best actor award for Song Joong-ki, and sparked important conversations about civil rights and Korean legal history.

‘Uncle Samsik’ (2024) – Song’s first leading role in a scripted TV series

This historical drama, set in the 1960s, is Song Kang-ho’s first leading role in a TV series after a long and successful career in film. Released in 2024 on streaming services, it brought his acting to a wider, international audience. The series shows him adapting to longer-form storytelling, while still exploring the political and social themes familiar from his films. It also allowed many viewers, who usually watch Korean shows online, to discover his work.

Share your favorite Song Kang-ho performance—and the moment that blew you away—in the comments!

2025-11-16 20:15