From being a runway model to one of the most versatile actors of his generation, Queen Woo actor Song Jae-rim was one of the most prominent names in the Korean industry. The actor, who was found dead in his Seoul apartment on 12 November 2024 at the age of 39, has left an indelible mark in the entertainment world. Here’s looking back at the top movies and dramas that showcase the legacy of Song Jae-rim.
Song Jae-rim made his acting debut in 2009 with the South Korean drama film Actresses. However, it was only after his performance in the 2012 period K-drama Moon Embracing the Sun, that Song became a household name. The series, which focuses on the love story between Joseon prince Lee Hwon (played by Kim Soo-hyun) and shaman Yeon-woo (played by Han Ga-in), recorded a finale viewership rating of 42.2 per cent according to Nielsen Korea. One of the most popular Song Jae-rim dramas, it also won the Best Drama award in the television category at the 48th Baeksang Arts Awards and the Drama of the Year title at the 2012 MBC Drama Awards.
Over the years, Song Jae-rim has been a part of some of the multiple other highest-rated movies and Korean dramas. These include titles like Goodbye, Mr. Black (2016), I Wanna Hear Your Song (2019), How to Be Thirty (2021) and Queen Woo (2024).
Song Jae-rim is also popular for making legendary cameos in many Korean movies and dramas, the most recent one being the 2023 tvN K-drama All That We Loved, starring EXO member Sehun.
Talking about his character Dr. Go, Song said in an interview with K-media Herald POP, “Dr. Go holds the key to the secrets of the events that took place in the past. He’s smart, but also very athletic. He’s the type of man who’s got it all. [The character] is like the past flowing into the present.”
Noteworthy movies and dramas of Song Jae-rim that you must watch
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Queen Woo (2024)
Directed by: Jung Se-kyo
Other stars: Jeon Jong-seo, Ji Chang-wook, Lee Soo-hyuk
Episodes: 8
Approx. duration of show: 50 min.
Synopsis: Following the death of King Gogukcheon, his wife Woo Hui (Jeon) becomes the new queen of Goguryeo. The news leads to chaos and soon Queen Woo becomes the target of five powerful tribes. Enraged, she vows to appoint a new king within 24 hours. As she plans to marry one of her late husband’s brothers to set them on the throne, rebel princes Go Pae-ui (Song) and Go Bal-gi (Lee) cause trouble.
Bait (2023)
Directed by: Yoon Kwon-soo
Other stars: Baek Jin-hee, Bae Yoo-ram, Kim Jung-nan
Approx. duration of movie: 1 hr. 46 min.
Synopsis: A former Short-track nation team member, Joo-young (Baek) is now leading an ordinary life with partner Moo Hyuk (Song). Soon, circumstances force her to cross paths with Hyeok-su (Bae), her ex-coach who had sexually abused her as a teenager. Will Joo-young be able to face the demons of her past this time or will she choose to run away once again?
About the movie: It is based on the true story of the 2019 sexual harassment case of national Short-track athletes.
(Image credit: Google Play)
How to Be Thirty (2021)
Directed by: Oh Ki-hwan
Other stars: Jung In-sun, Kang Min-hyuk, Ahn Hee-yeon, Cha Min-ji
Episodes: 15
Approx. duration of show: 20 min.
Synopsis: Seo Ji-won (Jung), a 30-year-old webtoon artist, is unaware that her childhood best friend Cha Do-hoon (Song) is in love with her. One day she learns that her new manager has the same name as her first love Lee Seung-yoo (Kang). What happens when her new manager turns out to be her first love Seung-yoo, whom she hadn’t seen in 15 years?
About the show: It is a Korean drama adaptation of the webtoon Born in 85 by Hye Won.
The Snob (2019)
Directed by: Shin Ah-ga
Other stars: Yoo Da-in, Shim Hee-sub, Ok Ja-yeon
Approx. duration of movie: 1 hr. 47 min.
Synopsis: Painter Sun Woo-jung (Yoo) is leading a happy life with her boyfriend Kim Hyung-joong (Sim). One day, curator Seo Jin-ho (Song) offers her to participate in a special exhibition and the duo end up sleeping together after the event. Will this affair ruin her bond with Hyung-joong?
I Wanna Hear Your Song (2019)
Directed by: Lee Jung-mi
Other stars: Yeon Woo-jin, Kim Se-jeong, Park Ji-yeon
Episodes: 32
Approx. duration of show: 35 min.
Synopsis: Hong Yi-young (Kim) is a timpanist who suffers from insomnia. One day she witnesses a murder but is unable to recall any details about it. Soon, orchestra conductor Nam Joo-wan (Song) and pianist Jang Yoon (Yeon) help her recover her memories of the horrifying incident.
Also read: Top 6 murder mystery K-dramas that will have you putting on your detective cap
Goodbye, Mr. Black (2016)
Directed by: Han Hee and Kim Seong-wook
Other stars: Lee Jin-wook, Moon Chae-won, Kim Kang-woo
Episodes: 20
Approx. duration of show: 1 hr. 5 min
Synopsis: Navy officer Cha Ji-won (Lee) is betrayed by his best friend and detained for being a traitor. To take revenge, he devises a plan with Seo Woo-jin (Song). Ji-won then disguises his identity and enters a fake marriage with a young woman, Kim Swan (Moon). What happens when Ji-won unexpectedly falls for her and gets distracted from his mission?
About the show: It is based on the 1983 romance manhwa of the same title by Hwang Mi-na.
Two Weeks (2013)
Directed by: Son Hyung-seok and Choi Jung-kyu
Other stars: Lee Joon-gi, Kim So-yeon, Ryu Soo-young, Park Ha-sun
Episodes: 16
Approx. duration of show: 1 hr. 8 min.
Synopsis: Gangster-tuned-pawnshop owner Jang Tae-sang (Lee) finds new resolve to live when he is wrongfully accused of murder and has only two weeks to save his sick daughter. With assassin Mr Kim (Song) on his way to kill Tae-san, will he be able to prove his innocence and put the real culprit behind bars?
Moon Embracing the Sun (2012)
Directed by: Kim Do-hoon and Lee Seong-jun
Other stars: Han Ga-in, Kim Soo-hyun, Kim Min-seo, Jung Il-woo
Episodes: 20
Approx. duration of show: 1 hr. 5 min.
Synopsis: Years after being assumed dead by the palace, Joseon dynasty noblewoman and shaman Heo Yeon-woo (Han) returns to reclaim her rightful position as queen. Helping her in her mission is the crown prince of Joseon Lee Hwon (Kim) and his royal guard Kim Jae-woon (Song).
About the show: It is based on a Korean novel of the same name by Jung Eun-gwol.
(Hero and featured image credit: Song Jae-rim/Instagram)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Some of the highest-rated Korean dramas starring Song Jae-rim are "How to Be Thirty", "I Wanna Hear Your Song", "Two Weeks" and "Moon Embracing the Sun".
Song Jae-rim has appeared in multiple movies over the years. These include "Bait", "The Snob", "On Your Wedding Day", "Tunnel 3D", "The Suspect" and "Give Me Back My Cat".
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Written by
Sushmita Mahanta
Digital Writer (Growth) - Entertainment
Sushmita is a writer with a passion for crafting engaging and informative stories. An avid fan of K-pop and K-dramas, Sushmita mostly writes about Korean culture and entertainment. When not writing, you can find Sushmita dancing, reading, collecting books, learning about fashion, art, motion pictures, and appreciating BTS.
