Celebrating a nearly three-fold ratings leap from 3.4% to 9.4%, Song Kang reflects on playing genius pianist Kang Bi-oh as he gears up for 'White Scandal.'
A Ratings Miracle: Tripling Viewership Across Its Broadcast Run
Actor Song Kang has officially brought the curtain down on one of the most creatively demanding and commercially triumphant chapters of his acting career. Following the broadcast of the final episode on October 4, 2026, tvN’s weekend drama ‘Four Hands’ (포핸즈) concluded with a monumental ratings record, proving that word-of-mouth acclaim can transform an understated, artistic story into a nationwide sensation.
When Four Hands first premiered on August 29, it logged a modest nationwide rating of 3.4%. However, as the intense narrative friction and delicate classical piano duets resonated with viewers, the drama experienced an unrelenting upward climb. By its 12th and final chapter, the series culminated in an astounding 9.4% nationwide rating (peaking at 10.6%), nearly tripling its inaugural figures and sweeping the No. 1 spot across all channels in its competitive timeslot.
Song Kang & ‘Four Hands’: Final Milestones
- Ratings Trajectory: Opened at 3.4% on August 29 and concluded at an all-time series high of 9.4% (peak 10.6%) on October 4.
- Character Arc: Genius pianist Kang Bi-oh, capturing a decade-long transition from an insecure 17-year-old student to a healed 27-year-old maestro.
- Key Creative Collaborators: Written by Shin Yi-won, directed by Park Hyun-seok (Stranger 2).
- Personal Reflections: Song Kang revealed that channeling Bi-oh’s grief and artistic passion provided him with profound personal healing.
- Next Move: Currently shooting MBC’s upcoming Friday-Saturday drama tentpole ‘White Scandal’ (하얀 스캔들).
Embodying Kang Bi-oh: Ten Years of Solitude and Growth
In ‘Four Hands,’ Song Kang took on the role of Kang Bi-oh, a musical prodigy caught in the suffocating vortex of familial expectation, guilt, and relentless artistic ambition. The role demanded extreme versatility: capturing the fiery technical precision of a concert pianist on stage while portraying a deeply wounded, fragile soul in the quiet margins of everyday life.
Song seamlessly tracked Bi-oh’s evolution across a complete ten-year timeline. From the raw vulnerability and defensive aloofness of a seventeen-year-old boy to the matured, sorrowful poise of a twenty-seven-year-old adult, the actor calibrated his vocal cadence, posture, and facial expressions with surgical care.
A Heartfelt Farewell to the Piano Keys and Viewers
Through his agency, Namoo Actors, Song Kang shared an emotional reflection on saying goodbye to the project:
“The time has finally come to bid farewell to both ‘Four Hands’ and my friend Bi-oh. Every single moment spent walking beside him was deeply meaningful and truly unforgettable,” Song expressed. He took special care to thank his creative collaborators: “I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to the director, writer, crew, and fellow cast members who worked tirelessly alongside me, and above all, to the viewers who warmly watched over Bi-oh’s long, turbulent journey.”
In the final episode, Bi-oh broke free from the rigid confines of elite concert halls, choosing instead to bring music directly to those in need of comfort across the world—culminating in a tearful, harmonious overseas reunion with his rival and soulmate Choi Jeong-yo (played by Lee Jun-young).
No Rest at the Summit: Diving Straight into ‘White Scandal’
Rather than taking an extended hiatus after the grueling physical demands of learning complex classical piano repertoire, Song Kang has already charged into his next project.
The actor is currently immersed in principal photography for MBC’s eagerly anticipated upcoming Friday-Saturday drama, ‘White Scandal’ (하얀 스캔들). Transitioning from the poetic, introspective world of classical melodrama into a fast-paced, high-stakes narrative landscape, Song Kang continues to demonstrate relentless artistic hunger—cementing his status as one of South Korea's most versatile and trusted leading men.