Song Joong Ki returns with a smile after ‘Bogotá’ box office struggles.

Song Joong Ki is making headlines with his latest update, marking his first public appearance in nearly two months. After shedding tears over the disappointing box office performance of ‘Bogotá: City of the Lost’, he has finally reappeared with a smile, drawing attention.

Previously, Song Joong Ki shared behind-the-scenes details about ‘Bogotá: City of the Lost’. The film follows Gukhee (played by Song Joong Ki), who moves to Bogotá, Colombia, after the IMF crisis, seeking a fresh start. There, he becomes entangled with Suyoung (Lee Hee Joon) and Sergeant Park (Kwon Hae Hyo), key figures in Bogotá’s Korean community.

To prepare for his role, Song Joong Ki revealed, “Since Gukhee engages in smuggling and has to drive a large truck, I obtained a heavy vehicle license before filming in Colombia.” He also explained his physical transformation for the role, saying, “I cut my hair to reflect a 15-year time lapse. When I arrived in Colombia, I noticed that many locals had freckles due to the strong sun, so I incorporated that idea into my appearance.”

Despite his dedication, the film’s box office results were disheartening. Song Joong Ki actively promoted ‘Bogotá’, appearing on major TV shows and YouTube channels in an unprecedented effort. However, according to the Korean Film Council on January 15th, the movie ranked sixth at the box office, with a cumulative audience of only 400,000.

The unexpected failure took an emotional toll on the actor. During a GV event at Megabox Seongsu in January, fellow actor Lee Sung Min expressed his disappointment, saying, “These days, when I arrive at a parking lot, it’s empty, and it pains me. Theaters feel deserted. There are many reasons, but when a film releases in such times, it’s incredibly difficult for actors. It makes me feel like I want to die.”

Echoing these sentiments, Song Joong Ki said, “With today’s GV, my schedule for ‘Bogotá’ officially ends. As my senior mentioned, the Korean film industry is going through tough times. Just having a movie hit theaters feels like a privilege now.” He continued, “That’s why I worked harder than ever to promote the film. I wanted people to know about it and see it in a good light. Even if I lacked something or faced criticism, I tried my best. I sincerely thank everyone who watched the movie.”

He grew emotional as he added, “Actors exist to create good content and provide comfort to audiences who are struggling. We will continue working diligently to create diverse and entertaining projects that uplift people. I keep getting choked up as I speak.” With a trembling voice, he concluded, “Truly, thank you.”

While some sympathized with his tears, others reacted with skepticism. Since January, Song Joong Ki had remained out of the spotlight—until March 2nd, when he surprised fans by announcing his new role as a global ambassador for a major brand. Sharing a smiling photo on social media, he wrote, “I’m very happy. Please look forward to my various appearances.”

Meanwhile, Song Joong Ki’s personal life has also been in the public eye. In December 2022, he was rumored to be dating former British actress Katy Louise Saunders, three years after his divorce. The couple reportedly met in 2021 through a mutual acquaintance and later confirmed their relationship. On January 30th, 2023, Song Joong Ki personally announced their marriage and Katy’s pregnancy.

In June 2023, the couple welcomed their first son, receiving widespread congratulations. Just a year later, in July 2024, reports surfaced that they were expecting their second child, and in November 2024, they welcomed their daughter, making Song Joong Ki a proud father of two.

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