Song Joong-ki files for divorce from Song Hye-kyo: Twenty months after their wedding, the ‘Descendents of the Sun’ stars call it quits

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Song Joong-ki files for divorce from Song Hye-kyo: Twenty months after their wedding, the ‘Descendents of the Sun’ stars call it quits

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Song Joong-ki and Song Hye-kyo at their wedding in October 2017, left. The couple met in 2015 while filming the KBS drama “Descendants of the Sun” (2016), top right, and were dubbed the “Song-Song couple” by the show’s fans. They were known for showing great chemistry both on and off screen. Song Joong-ki filed for divorce on Wednesday. [BLOSSOM ENTERTAINMENT, KBS2, SCREEN CAPTURE]

It was the wedding of the year in 2017, but now it’s going to be the divorce of the year in 2019. Celebrity couple Song Joong-ki, 34, and Song Hye-kyo, 37, will end their marriage after 20 months, Song Joong-ki’s attorney announced on Thursday morning.

According to Park Jae-hyun, Song Joong-ki’s lawyer, divorce papers were submitted to the Seoul Family Court on Wednesday on behalf of his client, signaling the beginning of an official breakup between the two.

“I am so sorry to deliver bad news to those who love and care for me,” said Song Joong-ki through an official press release. “We hope that we will be able to figure things out smoothly, rather than criticizing each other for our faults. Even though it is difficult to discuss the details of the divorce, I hope to return with good work after I overcome all the hurt in my heart.”

Although the news broke on Thursday, fans had already been suspicious that the two had not been on good terms. According to industry insiders, the couple had been living separately for months, and the older Song was even spotted without her wedding ring on a number of occasions.

Song Hye-kyo’s agency United Artists Agency Korea followed with a statement later on Thursday saying, “The two are going through their divorce steps after thinking deeply on the matter. The reason [of the divorce] is because of differences in personalities, and they came to this unfortunate conclusion when they could not overcome their differences.”

They added, “We ask that you refrain from jumping to conclusions or making ungrounded speculations.”

The two met while filming the KBS drama “Descendants of the Sun” (2016) in 2015, and tied the knot in October 2017. The two announced their wedding in July 2017, after denying dating rumors for months. In March 2016, the two were spotted in New York together, creating a frenzy. They had been dubbed the “Song-Song couple,” having shown chemistry not only on the drama but also off set.

Their wedding, held on Oct. 31, 2017, was considered by many to be the wedding of the year. Although it was supposed to be a “quiet” and private wedding with only family and close acquaintances, hundreds of fans and reporters flocked to The Shilla Seoul in central Seoul. A Chinese news agency even flew an unauthorized drone over the hotel’s garden to take photographs of the wedding.

Rumors flew all over the internet following Thursday’s news of the couple’s divorce. Search engine Naver’s most popular searches of the day were both Song’s names and related content, such as “Descendants of the Sun,” and also the name of actor Park Bo-gum. Park starred alongside Song Hye-kyo in a tvN drama series titled “Encounter,” which aired from Nov. 28. 2018 to Jan. 24, and many fans of the show noted the two actors’ on-screen chemistry. Social media was filled with suspicions that “Encounter” may have played a part in the couple’s breakup.

Park’s agency - also Blossom Entertainment - said that the rumor is outrageous and they will be taking legal measures against those spreading false lies.

“Park Bo-gum is being mentioned because they filmed their last project together, but it is downright false and outrageous. We will be taking legal action,” the agency said.

According to an insider from Lee & Ko, the law firm hired by Song Joong-ki, it was the actor who wished to go forward with the news of his divorce in the first place. He asked his lawyer to “spread the news to as many outlets as possible.” While it’s uncommon for a celebrity to publicly open up about their breakup first to the public, the younger Song was very firm about coming forward.

“Usually, the one who’s not at fault of the divorce files for a mediation, which in this case is Song Joong-ki,” the insider said. “We speculate that Song Hye-kyo is liable to the divorce.”

Couples can file a complaint to the family court and request a mediation to come to a decision on various terms of the divorce. If the mediation fails, then the couple must go to court.

BY YOON SO-YEON [yoon.soyeon@joongang.co.kr]
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