In 2019, Song Joong Ki shocked fans when he announced his divorce from the beloved actress Song Hye Kyo, bringing an abrupt end to a marriage that was often compared to a real-life fairytale. The couple had only been married for one year and eight months, and their separation left many in disbelief. Rumors and speculations about the cause of their breakup flooded the media. Some speculated that Song Hye Kyo had crossed a line that Song Joong Ki could no longer accept, especially after they dismantled their luxury marital home valued at 228.6 billion won. Others blamed Song Joong Ki, accusing him of causing pain for Song Hye Kyo while he “played the victim.” Despite the media frenzy, neither party spoke publicly about the reasons for their divorce for years.

For the first time, Song Hye Kyo has openly addressed the cause of her divorce from her ex-husband. At an event, she shared insights into her marriage, explaining that the couple had significant differences, particularly when it came to having children and their vision for the future. According to her, while Song Joong Ki was raised in a traditional family that placed a great importance on having children, she had a very different perspective on the matter. Song Joong Ki, having grown up in a family that highly valued the concept of a complete family with both children and parents, was eager to start a family after marriage. He believed that having children was essential for happiness and the fulfillment of family life.

In contrast, Song Hye Kyo had a different approach to family life. She revealed that her parents divorced when she was just eight years old, which had a profound impact on her views on marriage. This experience led her to feel a lack of security in marriage and made her hesitant to rush into having children. For Song Hye Kyo, the foundation of a strong and stable relationship was the priority, and she felt that a solid emotional bond with her partner needed to be established before having children.

Moreover, Song Hye Kyo’s career was on an upward trajectory, particularly after the success of the hit drama Descendants of the Sun. She was deeply focused on her career and did not want to interrupt her professional growth to have children. She made it clear that she did not believe a woman’s worth should be defined by her ability to bear children. As a result, the couple was unable to reconcile their differing views, which eventually led to their divorce. The news of their split came as a surprise to many, especially considering the public’s admiration for their seemingly perfect relationship.

Since the divorce, Song Hye Kyo has rarely spoken about her ex-husband. It took her five years to heal from the emotional wounds of the separation. During this time, she focused on self-healing, finding solace in writing daily gratitude journals, which helped her recover and move on. Her career also saw a resurgence with her remarkable performance in The Glory, where she took on a more complex role, transforming from the “queen of romantic dramas” to an actress portraying deep and multifaceted characters. This new chapter in her career earned her critical acclaim, further solidifying her place in the entertainment industry.

On the other hand, Song Joong Ki quickly moved on after the divorce. In January 2023, he remarried actress Katy Louise Saunders and they welcomed two children together. Although his career has faced some setbacks, and his popularity has waned in recent years, Song Joong Ki seems content with his new life and the family he has built. Despite the challenges he has faced, he appears to have made peace with his choices, indicating that he is satisfied with the direction his life has taken.

Song Hye Kyo’s candid admission about her marriage and divorce sheds light on the deeply personal reasons behind her decision, offering a glimpse into the complexities of her relationship with Song Joong Ki. Her story is one of resilience, as she navigated the pain of a public breakup and emerged stronger, both personally and professionally. Through her journey, she has shown that her value as a woman is not defined by societal expectations but by her own beliefs and choices, particularly in relation to love, family, and career.