If you're new to Korean dramas and variety shows you may know Song Il Gook primarily as the father of adorable triplets on 'The Return of Superman." But Song has also been described as the King of Historical Dramas. He currently appears in the KBS drama Jang Yeong Sil, playing the title character, but it's far from his first sageuk.
Triplets Song Dae Han, Song Min Guk and Song Man Se may one day be proud to learn how well their dad's historical dramas have done. Their dad debuted in 1999 with the drama "Can We Really Love" and his first historical drama was "Jang Hui Bin" in 2002.
Song Il Gook's first big hit of a historical drama was "Emperor of the Sea" in 2005. In that drama he played a man who was raised by pirates and became a martial arts expert in the ancient Korean kingdom of Silla. Song won several awards for his role at the KBS Drama Awards, including Excellence Award, Actor.
Up next was the MBC drama "Jumong," in which Song played Prince Jumong, the man who established the Goguryeo Empire. The drama was wildly popular with the viewer ratings reaching 51.9 percent nationwide and averaging 40.98 percent. Song won Grimae and MBC Drama Awards for his role and it earned him international popularity.
After that he played another prince in the KBS drama "Kingdom of the Winds." This time he played the prince who would become the third king of Goguryeo. In the drama the prince's father hears that his son has been born with a curse to kill his family and destroy his country. But he cannot bring himself to kill his son. Rather than kill him, the king exiles his son from the palace so he can grow up as a commoner, never knowing his royal heritage. Song won more awards for that role.
His newest role in the weekend drama "Jang Young Sil" is that of a man who starts out as a servant who goes on to become one of the greatest scientists of the Joseon empire. The real-life Jang Yeong Sil lived during the 15th century and eventually became a trusted adviser to King Seongjo.
So far, the 24-episode drama has achieved double digit ratings.
