Song Il-guk, Song Joong-ki: Top Actors Who Complained About Losing Jobs Due To Having Kids

Actor Song Il-guk reportedly appeared in the latest episode of tvN’s “You Quiz on the Block” with his triplets, Daehan, Minguk, and Manse. Although he gained huge popularity thanks to his kids on KBS2’s “Superman Is Back,” which aired in 2014, this popularity seems to have become a disadvantage.

Asked why he had a long hiatus of about eight years since the drama “Jang Yeong-sil,” which aired in 2016, Song said, “I couldn’t film dramas anymore. I couldn’t because I gained too much weight. For some projects, it was because I wasn’t ready, but the biggest reason was because I didn’t received any invitations,” adding, “It’s probably because the image of the kids is too strong. There was really no offers, even event offers,” he said, adding that he suffered from a career break.

Song Il-guk explained, “I was completely obsessed with parenting. I didn’t have much time to invest in myself, and I think it’s natural that I won’t be casted because I’m not competitive as an actor.“

Since the drama “Jang Yeong-sil,” Song has turned to musicals and plays. “I auditioned for nearly 10 musicals in advance and applied for them myself. I got to do ‘Mamma Mia!’ last year because I passed the audition. I was not asked to do it, but applied for it on my own” Song said. “People are surprised, but I don’t feel ashamed. I always tell them that I am middle-aged rookie.” Regarding his career break, Song Il-guk shared, “I would be lying if I said there were no negative sides, but I don’t regret it.“

Raising the triplets and working at the same time will never be easy. However, Song Joong-ki was criticized for a similar remark on his career break last year. In particular, Song Joong-ki said in an interview with an overseas media outlet, “Being a husband and a father in the entertainment industry often means losing your job. Of course, it depends on the case, but when you marry a woman or have a child, you seem to lose more and more jobs.”

In response to Song Joong-ki‘s remarks, many Internet users pointed out that in Korean society, many women usually suffer career breaks due to pregnancy, childbirth and childcare, and that it is extremely rare for male actors such as Song Joong-ki to have career breaks. Of course, celebrities who have married and given birth regardless of gender may lose their popularity, but it is difficult to lead to career breaks. Many male actors and actresses who got married and had children are still showing their faces on TV and continuing their activities without a break in their careers. Even Song Joong-ki, who made the remarks, is preparing to return with his next film.