Song Joong Ki Reveals ‘Biggest Challenge in Life’ Other than Being Actor

Tags: Arena Homme Plus Korea; Song Joong Ki; Song Joong Ki Arena; Song Joong Ki interview; My Name Is Loh Kiwan; Descendants of the Sun; Queen of Tears; Vincenzo

BY Geca Flores Apr 15, 2024 03:53 AM EDT

Song Joong Ki reflected on his life and shared the biggest challenge that he encountered.

Gracing Arena Homme Plus Korea's May 2024 cover, the top star got candid about his life choices, including switching sports to acting as his career.

Song Joong Ki Reflects on His 'Biggest Life Challenge'

Fashion magazine Arena Homme Plus dropped latest cover, featuring Song Joong Ki. The South Korean heartthrob slayed in sleek ensembles, rocking Louis Vuitton's Fall-Winter 2024 formalwear collection.

Other than slaying the pictorial, Song Joong Ki also discussed his insights as an actor and thoughts about his career.

Since his acting debut in 2007, Song Joong Ki has made a name for himself as one of the most sought-after stars.

Landing hit K-dramas one after another, there's no doubt why his presence is significant in Korean entertainment.

Before landing lead roles in "Reborn Rich" and "Space Sweepers," he mesmerized the viewers with his iconic role in "Descendants of the Sun," where he starred alongside ex-wife Song Hye Kyo.

During his interview with Arena Korea, he mentioned the 2016 series and his shift to making big-screen projects.

"Apart from 'Descendants of the Sun,' none of the works had a mainstream narrative. They all harbor a minor sentiment. In that regard, I think I've had a consistent standard."

After "Vincenzo" and "Reborn Rich," Song Joong Ki has been focusing on headlining films. He returned to the big screen in 2023 for "Hopeless," followed by "My Name Is Loh Kiwan," released on Netflix.

'My Name Is Loh Kiwan’ Poster — Song Joong Ki & Choi Sung Eun
(Photo : Netflix Korea Official)

Other than this, viewers will get to see Song Joong Ki in another highly-anticipated movie.

The top star is set to play the lead role in "Bogota: City of the Lost," which he filmed in the middle of the pandemic.

Song Joong Ki Talks About Career Shift from Sports to Acting

While some celebrities started as models, Song Joong Ki is among those who began a career in sports. He used to be a short-track speed skater and had been training since the first grade.

Song Joong Ki was so dedicated and great in that sport that he even took part in the National Sports Festival three times, representing the regional team of his hometown, Daejeon.

According to him, one of his hardest decisions in life was when he had to give up speed skating.

"This was a bigger challenge than becoming an actor. I was a short-track skater for a long time. My lifelong dream was to be a national athlete. The biggest challenge in my life was when I had to give up the sport I truly loved."

Despite this, he was able to bounce back and discovered a new world through acting.

Song Joong Ki to Headline 'My Youth'

From noir movies, Song Joong Ki might return to the small screen with an upcoming romance drama, "My Youth."

Other than being the lead star, he will also be involved as the show's producer.

Interestingly, this will be Song Joong Ki's first K-drama since he became a father.

Meanwhile, Song Joong Ki made a special appearance in "Queen of Tears" Episode, where he played his titular role Vincenzo, and as the divorce attorney of Hong Hae In (Kim Ji Won).