Introducing Netflix Korea's Son & Daughter | Song Kang & Go Min-si
Why These Actors Adored By Fans All Over The World Are Netflixs Son & Daughter In Korea!
The era of Netflix has arrived.
Although the Covid-19 pandemic of last year has caused a lot of individuals to stay home which played a part in the rise of OTT service usage, the truth is that Netflix's original contents are so fun to watch!
Last year on December 18th the Netflix original series was officially released. After a week of its release, it reached number 3 on Netflix TV programs worldwide, and 3rd in the USA. It is also reported that in one month, a minimum of 2,200 people has watched the show.
Since then, the actors featured on Sweet Home Song Kang and Go Min Si have managed to earn the beloved title of Netflix's son and daughter.
Today, we will learn more about the rising star Song Kang and Go Min Si together!
All About Song Kang
#Profile
Name: Song Kang
Birthdate: April 23, 1994 (age 26)
Born: Gyeonggi, Suwon, South Korea
Education: KonKuk University
Agency: Namoo Actors
#Motivation for becoming an actor
Source: Namoo ActorsThe majority of Korean students choose their career path in high school then after graduation, enter straight into university.
So for students that dream of becoming actors or actresses, they prepare for their college entrance exam since high school. Then, they get admitted into the theatre department and work towards fulfilling their dreams.
However, Song Kang dreamt of becoming an actor only after he became an adult.
During high school, he was more interested in interior design, but he was faced with some harsh reality of this world and had to give up on his dreams, choosing not to attend college.
After a year of feeling lost and discouraged, he watched the movie Titanic and was inspired by Leonardo DiCaprio's performance which ultimately made him want to become an actor.
After that, within two years, he entered the department of theatre and film at KonKuk University thus beginning his journey of becoming an actor.
He stated that there were times when he felt anxious as he started a bit later than his peers.
But he continued to persevere and look at him now! He has managed to land a big role in a Netflix series within 3 years of his acting debut making him a huge star.
#Filmography
Drama
| Year | Network | Title | Role | Reference |
| 2017 | tvN | The Liar and His Lover | Baek Jinwoo | Supporting |
| 2017-2018 | MBC | Man in the Kitchen | Kim Woojoo | Supporting |
| 2019 | tvN | When the Devil Calls Your Name | Luca | Supporting |
| NETFLIX | Love Alarm | Hwang Sun-oh | Main | |
| 2020 | Sweet Home | Cha Hyun-soo | ||
| 2021 | Love Alarm 2 | Hwang Sun-oh | ||
| tvN | Navillera | Lee Chaerok | ||
| JTBC | I Already Know | Park Jae-eon |
Film
Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
2018 | Beautiful Vampire | Lee So-nyeon |
# Why Is He Netflix Korea's Son?
Source: Netflix Keyword InterviewWithin 3 years since his debut, Song Kang managed to land big roles in Netflix original series Sweet Home and Love Alarm.
Getting featured on a Netflix original 3 times in a row is very unusual.
His incredible acting skills, amazing good looks and various charm contributed to the love he gained from Netflix.
On top of that, Sweet Home has been getting so much attraction worldwide, so how can Netflix NOT love him?
# Love Alarm Sun-oh
Love Alarm is a romance drama that was adapted by a popular Korean webtoon series.
The story tells of a world where a 'love alarm' app is used to tell someone how they truly feel when the person you are attracted to is within 10m of your location. Doesn't the storyline just pull you in?
Song Kang plays the role of Hwang Sun-oh who is attracted to Kim Jojo (played by actress Kim So-hyeon) and has to get in competition with his best friend Lee Hye-yeong (played by actor Jung Gah-ram).
Song Kang reportedly wanted this role so bad that after the initial meeting, anxiously waited every day for a month and a half to hear back.
In the end, he managed to break through the 900:1 competition rate and landed the role Hwang Sun-oh.
Source: Netflix
Hwang Sun-oh appears as a very charming character that is honest and pure.
He gained a lot of love as he appeared as a lovesick student that only has eyes for his girlfriend Jojo just like a puppy.
In season 2, the three characters have grown into adults, and there is a nerve-wracking love triangle that unfolds.
We're looking forward to what side of Song Kang will be shown in season 2!
# Sweet Home Hyun-su
Sweet Home is a thriller action series involving monsters which were also adapted from a webtoon that gained a lot of popularity in Korea.
There has been a lot of buzz ever since the public found that Song Kang was cast in the series as Hyun-su.
A lot of netizens in Korea were concerned about how Song Kang was going to play Hyun-su's dynamic role as he previously only played soft characters that were centred around his good looks.
But Song Kang manages to successfully transform himself into the role in Sweet Home.
He effortlessly plays the role of a suicidal loner in high school who lost his whole family in a tragic accident and later turned into a hero that fights against monsters with the residents of Green Home.
I think Sweet Home gained huge success thanks to Song Kang's ability to play the role of Hyun-su so well.
# His Personality
Song Kang is usually known to be quite shy.
He is apparently introverted in new settings but outgoing when he is with his close friends!
In an interview, he opened up that his MBTI type is INTP.
INTP's are only represented in 3% of the world and they are known to be flexible thinkers that take an unconventional approach to life.
Individuals with INTP are very compatible with ENTJ or ENFJ, so if you are a fan of Song Kang, check yours out!
# Movie / Drama Recommendations
Song Kang watches a lot of movies and dramas in his free time.
We compiled some movies that were recommended by Song Kang in his interviews.
How about you relax this weekend by watching a movie specially picked by the star himself?
- Stranger things (Netflix series)
-Brooklyn 99 (Sitcom)
-Okja (Movie)
-Legend (Movie)
# Role Models
Song Kang picked Leonardo Dicaprio and Tom Hardy as his role models.
The actor stated that he was impressed by Tom Hardy's acting skills in Legends as he stole the scene with his ability to play two different roles in the movie. He said that he wants to become a legendary actor like him.
Also, he picked Leonardo Dicaprio as another role model of his as he was inspired by Leonardo's acting skills in Titanic.
We're looking forward to the day that he makes his grand Hollywood debut like Tom Hardy and Leonardo Dicaprio.
# Korean Travel Location Recommendations
Song Kang visited Jeju island while shooting for the series Love Alarm.
It was then that he fell in love with the breathtaking views and laid-back vibes of Jeju.
Even as a Korean editor myself, I visited Jeju island 3 times and it was amazing!
It has a lot to offer throughout all seasons of spring, summer, fall and winter, I definitely hope that you will get the chance to go one day.
# Hobby
Song Kang has a lot of hobbies such as playing the piano, games and riding bikes.
However, his favourite is going to the gym and working out. He says that he really enjoys lifting weights.
He hits the gym in the morning as soon as he wakes up to start his day. As someone that doesn't like working out, that is really impressive!
That explains why he is in such good shape!
Contrary to his fair face, he boasts his firm muscles and broad shoulders which adds to his charm!
# Daily Outfits
Song Kang usually dresses pretty casually, despite being able to pull off any look especially in Sweet Home when he was told, "Even in this state you're still handsome".
He enjoys simple looks such as t-shirts with one or two little designs as pointers or a sweater with a pair of jeans.
Due to this casual style, he also represents the iconic "boyfriend look"!
# Instagram
By now you're probably curious about Song Kang's Instagram!
Before shooting, he had around 30k followers. But now he proudly boasts a whopping 6.4 million - as he should!
He likes to upload photos whenever he takes good photos, or when he wants to communicate with his fans.
He didn't use to post very often and only post about once a month, but recently he always posts around once or twice per week.
If anyone is curious about his latest news, behind the scenes of his upcoming projects and his every-day life, make sure to follow him on Instagram!
All About Go Min-si
#Profile
Name: Go Min-Si
Birthdate: February 15, 1995 (age 26)
Born: Daejeon, South Korea
Education: Yael Beauty High School (graduated)
Agency: Mystic Story
#Filmography
Film
Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Parallel Novel | Woman |
| 2018 | Cheese in the Trap | Female junior |
| The Witch: Part 1. The Subversion | Do Myung-hee | |
| 2019 | The Battle: Roar to Victory | Hwa-ja |
| 2020 | Set Play | Yoo-sun |
Television series
Year | Title | Role | Network |
|---|---|---|---|
2017 | My Sassy Girl | Seon-kyeong | SBS |
| Hello, My Twenties! 2 | Oh Ha-na | JTBC | |
| Meloholic | Joo Yeo-jin | OCN | |
2018 | Welcome to Wakiki | Lee Min-ah | JTBC |
| Live | Oh Song-i | tvN | |
| Drama Special Episode "Forgotten Season" | Choi Ji-yeong | KBS2 | |
| The Smile Has Left Your Eyes | Im Yoo-ri | tvN | |
2019-2021 | Love Alarm | Park Gul-mi | Netflix |
2019 | Secret Boutique | Lee Hyeon-ji | SBS |
2020 | Drama Special Episode "The Reason Why I Can't Tell You" | Seo Yoon-chan | KBS2 |
| Sweet Home | Lee Eun-yoo | Netflix | |
2021 | Youth of May | Kim Myung-hee | KBS2 |
| Cliffhanger | Lee Da-won | tvN |
#Motivation for Becoming an Actress
When Go Min-si was young before she even entered elementary school, she recalls watching an awards show and thinking to herself that she could get there too one day.
Since then, the dream of becoming an actress has been planted in her heart.
But she was faced with a few obstacles and had to give up her dreams to get a job and pursue a stable life.
After graduating high school, she worked as a wedding planner. Isn't that quite a unique experience?
But she felt that she was not happy and felt that she would later regret her life if she continued to work in the field so she picked up her dreams of becoming an actress again.
She went to Seoul to pursue her dream and went to many auditions but she was all rejected.
Go Min-si never gave up and decided to produce her own independent film.
She produced the film Parallel Novel in which she wrote her own script, learned how to produce and starred in herself. She later won the Grand Price for Three Minute Film Festival.
Since this, she starred in many different projects and entered the agency, Mystic Story.
Her hard work to make her dreams come true is really admirable, isn't it?
# Why Netflix's Daughter?
Source: Netflix Keyword Interview
Just like Song Kang, Go Min-si also starred in 3 Netflix original series consecutively thus branding her as "Netflix's Daughter".
What's surprising is that the 3 Netflix series that Go Min Si starred in is also identical to Song Kang's! As Netflix's son and daughter the two have some deep connections.
Go Min-Si played the role of Park Gul-mi in Love Alarm, and played the role of Eun-Yoo in Sweet Home showcasing her ability to pull off various roles.
Shall we learn more about why Go MIn-si is so adored by Netflix?
# Love Alarm Gul-mi
Source: Netflix / Mystic Story
Go Min-si appears in Love Alarm as a 'villain' that has a crush on Sun-Oh, played by Song Kang.
Just when we thought the main characters Jojo and Sun-oh will work out their struggles make it, Gul-mi appears to torment Jojo just like a 'villain' would.
Go Min-si plays this evil character Gul-mi so well.
Since Gul-mi got on the nerves of so many people, the watchers of Love Alarm grew mad everyday.
This explains that Go Min-si's acting skills were that good right?
# Sweet Home Eun-yoo
In Sweet Home, Go MIn-si plays a rebellious teenager who quits ballet due to her injured foot.
In her previous film, The Witches, she gained weight and weighed up to 58kg (128 pounds) for her cute image. In Sweet Home, she lost 13kg (28 pounds) to play the role of Eun-yoo.
Since she was playing a character that played ballet, had a sensitive demeanour, and the placement was set in a calamity environment, it made sense for her to lose weight to fit the role.
Because of her effort, she gained a lot of popularity in Sweet Home as Eun-yoo.
Eun-yoo makes her first appearance playing ballet on the rooftop. To shoot this scene, Go Min-si practiced for 7 months.
The atmosphere of the post-apocalypse world fits perfectly as the background for Eun-yoo's beautiful body movements.
Despite the mysterious ambience, Eun-yoo often has a bad mouth and temper as a rebellious teenager.
Actor Ahn Jae-wook, who acted alongside Go Min-si took her acting personally and got offended. He even asked the actress if she hated him.
Especially in episode 4, she silently uses her fingers to signal "F*** b******* like you"
This gained a lot of attraction from fans abroad sharing clips online and later was labelled as "the Korean gesture".
# Her Personality
Since appearing as an 'evil' high school teenager with a bad mouth on Love Alarm, Sweet Home and even The Witches, there are a lot of people who mistake her personality in real life to be the same.
But, the real Go Min-si's personality is not like that at all!
Even though she is honest and chill, she doesn't swear very often and had to practice a lot for her roles.
Especially for the previous gif "the Korean gesture", in order to perfect it naturally, she had to practice over 1,000 times.
# Movies/Drama Recommendations
Go Min-si watches a wide range of movies in various genres. We'll show you a couple that Go Min-si picked as her top favourites!
-Comrades - Almost a Love Story (Movie)
-Kramer vs Kramer (Movie)
-Pulp Fiction (Movie)
# Role Models
Her top role models are Korean actresses Jeon Do-Yeon and Lee Bo-young.
Also, she looks up to Meryl Streep, Jennifer Lawrence and Maggie Cheung's acting skills and she watched a lot of films they were featured on.
Go Min-si expressed her desire to appear in many different genres of films, and wants to act in projects that are not limited to gender stereotypes.
We're all excited to see what sides of her we will see in the future!
# Hobby
Go Min-si appeared on the variety show and expressed that she enjoys yoga and pilates.
She gets up early in the morning to do yoga or pilates to focus her energy on it to calm her mind!
Source: Go Min-Si InstagramShe continues to practice ballet that she learned to shoot for Sweet Home.
#Korea Travel Location Recommendations
Go Min-Si hasn't recommended any specific cities or spots, but she has recommended a hiking route!
Despite taking part in yoga, pilates and ballet as previously mentioned, Go MIn-si is known to be obsessed with hiking.
Previously, hiking had an image of "a hobby for the middle-aged".
But recently among Koreans in their 20's hiking is conceived as a very 'hipster' hobby!
Go Min-si recommends hiking the Namsan for beginners to practice, then she recommends taking it step by step from Achasan, Cheonggye Mountain, then Bukhansan.
Next time you're in Korea how about wearing a cute hiking outfit and heading to the mountains picked by Go MIn-si?
# Daily Outfits
Since she became popular by acting as a high school student, you may be used to seeing her in Korean school uniforms.
But her daily outfits are so stylish that a lot of Korean women in their 20's look up to her for fashion inspiration!
In an interview, Go Min-si stated that she really enjoys shoes.
So if you look at her looks, her outfits are overall very simple but she makes a statement with her shoes!
She looks amazing in both casual and sporty, to more formal looks.
# Instagram
Are you curious about Go Min-si's Instagram account?
You can find her advertisements, photoshoots, behind the scenes of upcoming projects and a glimpse of her everyday life on her feed!
She uploads quite often so if you are interested in Go Min-si, you should definitely click the follow button!
We've learned a lot in detail about Netflix's son and daughter Song Kang and Go MIn-Si today.
If you watched Sweet Home or Love Alarm, I'm sure you were excited to learn more about them!
Source: Song Kang / Go Min-Si Instagram
Oh, what's that? You still haven't watched the two series? That's okay! You can head to Netflix right now and binge-watch!
Let's watch Song Kang and Go Min-si's Netflix series together and look forward to what they appear in next!