Song Kang is undoubtedly one of the most famous South Korean actors, and it’s all thanks to this 2019 K-drama,Love Alarm, which changed his career. The actor and model made his small-screen debut in 2017 withThe Liar and His Loverand has since gone on to leave his mark on Korean cinema. Withgreat Netflix original K-dramaslikeSweet Homeamong his best work, Song has proved time and time again that he is capable of bringing emotional gravitas to every role he is cast in.
It’s been a year since Song’s last K-drama debuted,as he has been away from the small screen due to his military service. As such, fans of his can’t wait to see what his next TV show will be. Given that he has so far starred in a variety of genres, it’s difficult to predict which direction he will go next. So, before Song Kang returns tothe world of K-dramas, it’s worth checking out the TV show that catapulted the South Korean actor into stardom.
Love Alarm Was Song Kang’s Breakout Role & Netflix’s First Original K-Drama
Love Alarm Is One Of Song Kang’s Best K-Dramas
K-dramas had been increasingly gaining popularity internationally since the early 2000s, and it was only a matter of time before Netflix capitalized on audience interest in the subgenre. So in 2019, the first Korean TV show,Love Alarm,starring Song Kang as Hwang Sun-ho, debuted on the streaming platform.Love Alarmwas not only the K-drama that launched Netflix into Korean cinema, but it was also Song Kang’s breakout role.
Love Alarmis acoming-of-age K-dramabased on the webtoon of the same name by Chon Kye-young. The TV show focuses on an app that alerts people when someone within a 10-meter radius is attracted to them. The series is a fun take on the romantic genre and is made better by its subplots, which include a love triangle between Kim Jo-jo (Kim So-hyun), Lee Hye-yeong (Jung Ga-ram), and Hwan Sun-oh.WhileLove Alarmhas its faults, the TV show’s incredible cast delivered memorable performances that make it stand outnearly six years after its release.
How Love Alarm Made Song Kang Into The Next Big Romantic Lead
Before starring inLove Alarm, Song Kang wasn’t an established actor, since he had only appeared in a few K-dramas in the capacity of a supporting character. Given thatLove Alarmwas the first Netflix original K-drama, there was a vested interest in the show, which helped shine a light on Song. As one of the lead actors in the series,Song showed his acting range and established himself as one of the most charming lead actors in a romantic K-drama.
Kingdomwas the first K-drama to be commissioned by Netflix, butLove Alarmdebuted first.
Because of the popularity ofLove Alarm, fans of the actor immediately wanted to see him in other K-dramas where he played a romantic lead.Song went on to star inNevertheless,Forecasting Love and Weather, andMy Demonafter appearing inLove Alarm. Each romantic series showcased a new side of his talent, and the demand to see more of his work has only grown, more so because of his"Son of Netflix"title.
Why Every Song Kang Fan Should Check Out Love Alarm
Love Alarm Is A Fun Coming-Of-Age K-Drama
Song’s acting career doesn’t only include romantic K-dramas, as he has also appeared inSweet HomeandNavillera. However,Love Alarmis still worth watchingas it’s the TV show that started it all for him. Song is incredible in the seriesand gives his character emotional depth.Love Alarmalso provides fans of Song a chance to see how much his acting skills have evolvedsince he starred in the series.
While Song is doubtlessly one of the highlights ofLove Alarm, the K-drama is a stellar watch for several other reasons. For instance, the series has a much deeper meaning as it sheds light on how the dependence of an app like Love Alarm can shape society, and not necessarily for the better. With its dystopian undertones and engaging premise,Love Alarmshould be on your watchlist if you enjoy Song Kang’s K-dramas.
Love Alarm
Cast
Love Alarm is a South Korean television series based on the popular webtoon by Chon Kye-young. Set in a world where a mobile app alerts users when someone within a 10-meter radius has romantic feelings for them, the show follows Kim Jo-jo, a high school girl who becomes embroiled in a complicated web of relationships and social hierarchies as she navigates the consequences of the Love Alarm app.
