Korean actor Song Il-kook (송일국) captured the hearts of viewers with his loving father image, caring for his triplets Daehan (대한), Minguk (민국), and Manse (만세) on the variety show “The Return of Superman.” Before gaining fame as the “triplets’ dad,” he was already a prominent actor in Korea, with his popularity skyrocketing after starring in the 2006 historical drama “Jumong,” solidifying his status as a top-tier male star.
After marrying his wife, judge Jung Seung-yeon (정승연), the couple had their triplets, and Jung shifted her focus to family and raising their children. As the triplets have grown, Song Il-kook has recently transitioned his acting career towards stage plays, continuously challenging himself with roles starkly different from his previous warm-dad persona.
Recently, Song Il-kook discussed his married life, offering a rare glimpse into his relationship with his wife. He revealed that their guiding principle in marriage has always been, “Letting my wife win is winning.” At home, he chooses to be more understanding and patient, but on stage, he can unleash all his suppressed emotions. He even stated directly, “In this play, I absolutely won’t hold back; I’ll smash everything!”
On October 7, Song Il-kook appeared on the YouTube channel “Lee Geum-hee My Geum-hee” with fellow actor Song Seon-mi (송선미) to promote their stage play “A Streetcar Named Desire.” Host Lee Geum-hee (이금희) mentioned that she had watched a full run-through rehearsal of the play and couldn’t help but ask Song Il-kook, “How’s your throat? There are almost no quiet parts; all your lines have to be shouted.”
Lee Geum-hee also suggested that such a performance must provide Song Il-kook with a powerful emotional release, even jokingly asking if he uses acting to vent all the emotions accumulated in his real life. Song Il-kook replied that he had received vocal training, so he wasn’t too concerned about his throat. He also noted that men inherently have desires and urges, but in real life, they must be constrained by reason, systems, and laws.
He admitted that he is grateful for the audience’s long-standing perception of him, but for an actor, breaking through an established image is also a challenge. “People might think this role is different from my image, but it’s actually just expressing a side of myself that’s been hidden inside,” he explained.
What sparked the most discussion was Song Il-kook’s attitude towards his marriage. He chuckled and said, “I believe that in a marital relationship, letting your wife win means you’ve won. That’s my most important principle.” The man who usually takes a step back at home transforms completely on stage. “I hold back at home, but in this production, I absolutely won’t hold back; I’ll smash everything.”
At this point, Song Il-kook couldn’t help but laugh and ask, “Is it okay to say this?” He confessed that being able to release his suppressed emotions through a character gives him an intense thrill. “It’s truly satisfying and very interesting,” he added.
Song Il-kook married his judge wife Jung Seung-yeon in 2008. The couple has three triplets: Daehan, Minguk, and Manse. During their childhood, the triplets appeared with their father on “The Return of Superman,” and their family’s daily life was widely loved by audiences, deeply embedding Song Il-kook’s “warm dad” image in the public consciousness.
Now, through his stage play, Song Il-kook is challenging roles that are completely different from his past image, allowing audiences to see a more explosive side of him beyond his warm father persona.
The stage play “A Streetcar Named Desire” is set in the port city of New Orleans in the southern United States. The story depicts the lives of husband and wife Stanley and Stella, and the series of conflicts that arise after Stella’s sister Blanche arrives. Song Il-kook plays the rough and realistic Stanley, while Song Seon-mi portrays Blanche, who harbors pain and secrets and yearns to restart her life. The performances are scheduled from October 8 to 11.
