Song Kang is preparing to return to the screen in a music-centered youth drama that places piano performance at the heart of its story. The project marks a significant step as he takes on a demanding role requiring both technical skill and emotional intensity. He has spoken about the personal draw of working with an instrument he already enjoys in daily life.
Four Hands, Two Sonatas centers on young talents who cross paths at an arts high school, exploring the bonds of friendship, romantic connections, competitive tensions, and personal development that shape them. The narrative follows these individuals as they mature from their teenage years into established professional pianists. Song Kang portrays Kang Bi-o, a talented pianist for whom the instrument serves as both a means of expression and a source of intense personal challenge.
Song Kang recalled the reason he chose the project, saying, “After I first read the script, the script for ‘Four Hands, Two Sonatas’ kept lingering in my mind even while I was reading other projects.” The story stayed with him after the initial reading and stood out among other materials he considered. This lasting impression helped solidify his decision to join the cast.
The title draws from a piano technique known as four hands, in which a pair of performers share one instrument during a piece. This concept of collaborative playing informs the drama’s emphasis on intertwined lives and the partnerships formed through music. The storyline looks at the ways rivalry and teamwork influence the characters across their development.
Regarding his character Kang Bi-o, Song Kang said, “For Kang Bi Oh, the piano is both a language through which he communicates with the world and a heavy presence through which he must prove himself. At the same time, I think it is everything that drives Kang Bi Oh and causes the greatest upheaval in his life.” The role centers on a young man whose identity and conflicts are tightly bound to the instrument. Music becomes the force that both propels him forward and creates major turning points.
Taking on the role of a pianist aligned closely with Song Kang’s own habits. He said, “I’ve always liked the piano as an instrument, to the point that I listen to piano pieces and jazz piano in my everyday life. So I think I was even more drawn to this project because it centers on music.” His regular listening to classical and jazz pieces deepened his interest in a story built around the instrument. The musical focus of the script made the project especially appealing.
The series also features Choi Jeong-yo (Lee Jun-young) and Hong Jae-in (Jang Gyu-ri) as central figures whose paths cross with Kang Bi-o at the arts high school. Their interactions unfold through shared classes, performances, and the pressures of a competitive environment. These relationships evolve alongside the characters’ artistic development and personal growth.
Preparation for the pianist role required attention to both the physical demands of playing and the emotional weight the character carries. Song Kang approached the part by examining how the instrument functions as communication and as proof of worth. This dual perspective supports the drama’s exploration of youth, talent, and the costs of high achievement.
Four Hands, Two Sonatas will premiere on August 29 at 9:10 p.m. KST with episodes airing on Saturdays and Sundays. Viewers can watch the series on tvN in South Korea and stream it globally on Netflix.
Sources: Naver, tvN
