In recent years, Song Kang has secured his spot as the new leading man, especially in Netflix’s K-drama projects. While his career to date has largely focused on romantic roles, he’s also stepped into more varied parts – most famously, the monster-human hybrid of Sweet Home’s Cha Hyun-su, who Song will return as in the show’s third season later this month.
Before the star takes us back into an apocalyptic world, NME takes a look back at the actor’s best K-drama roles so far, from a 200-year-old demon who loses his power but finds love in My Demon to a young adult with a passion for ballet in Navillera, and everything else between.
Here are the 8 best K-dramas starring Song Kang to add to your watchlist
Forecasting Love And Weather (2022)
Like the weather, love can be fiercely unpredictable – something Forecasting Love And Weather drives home. Song Kang takes on the role of Lee Shi-woo, an employee at the National Weather Service, who falls for his senior colleague, Jin Ha-kyung (Park Min-young). Despite starring opposite a superstar like Park, Song Kang more than holds his own, filling his character with warmth and layers that make his performance a joy to watch.
Episodes: 16
How to watch: Netflix
Love Alarm (2019 to 2021)
Song’s first lead role immersed him in the complicated world of Netflix’s first original K-drama, Love Alarm, where dating is made more nail-biting thanks to an app that tells you if someone loves you. As Hwang Sun-oh, one of his school’s most handsome students, he nails the contradictory rush of feelings that come with young love, cementing himself at the time as a promising new star.
Episodes: 14 across two seasons
How to watch: Netflix
Man Who Sets The Table (2017)
In 2017, Song Kang made one of his first K-drama appearances in Man Who Sets The Table, playing the stepbrother of a nomad. His role is bitesize at best, but as introductions go, it gave us a small glimpse of a soon-to-be star.
Episodes: 50
How to watch: Kocowa, Viki
My Demon (2023 to 2024)
In My Demon, opposites are made to attract. Song Kang plays Jeong Gu-won, a 200-year-old demon with supernatural powers. Do Do-hee (Kim Yoo-jung) is a CEO and chaebol heiress. He’s mischievous and full of fun. She is more reserved and solemn.
But when Do’s adoptive mother dies and leaves her company to her on the condition she gets married within a year, the pair enter into a contract union and have to learn to live with each other. It’s far from the deepest drama you’ll ever watch, but Song and Kim’s chemistry is electric and he plays his character with compelling comedy and chaos.
Episodes: 16
How to watch: Netflix
Navillera (2021)
Navillera switches things up for Song. There’s no love interest here, no romantic plot line, just a ton of ballet. The actor learned the dance form to play Lee Chae-rok, a young dancer struggling to get by who forms a meaningful connection with Shim Deok-chul (Park In-hwan), a 70-year-old who finally finds the time to pursue his dream of becoming a ballet dancer. It’s a heartwarming and emotional piece that allows Song to show different facets of his abilities as an actor.
Episodes: 12
How to watch: Netflix
Nevertheless (2021)
Nevertheless boasts a heavyweight pairing in Song and Han So-hee, who explore a toxic relationship as closed-off Park Jae-eon and the burnt-by-love Yoo Na-bi, respectively. Neither are interested in getting into a relationship, but find themselves tangled up together (with some very steamy scenes) despite their individual commitment issues. At times awkward and uncomfortable, the show feels like a realistic depiction of modern dating.
Episodes: 10
How to watch: Netflix
Sweet Home (2020 to 2024)
Song Kang’s performance as Cha Hyun-su was one of the best things about Netflix’s apocalyptic monster horror series, Sweet Home. After losing his whole family, the high school student moves into a small apartment in a tower block. When people around the world start turning into monsters, he and his neighbours band together to try and ward off and escape this strange, scary phenomenon.
While others fall victim to it and morph into bloodthirsty beings, Cha has a special power – to control the monstrous side of him. After an incredible first season, Song was underused in the follow-up – perhaps a factor in why the second instalment was so disappointing.
Episodes: 18 across two seasons, with a third season premiering soon
How to watch: Netflix
When The Devil Calls Your Name (2019)
Before Song stepped up to commanding lead roles, he showed his chops in a supporting role in When The Devil Calls Your Name. The drama follows the journey of Ha Rip (Jung Kyung-ho), a composer who sold his soul to the devil in exchange for fame and fortune.
As their contract is about to expire, he tries to make a new deal, with Luka (Song Kang) by his side as his assistant. Song might not get the most screen time here, but he uses what he does get to showcase his ability to stir emotion on screen.
Episodes: 16
How to watch: iQIYI, Viki