In the last little while, something rather interesting happened.

Basically, in all the various ways that you guys could get in touch with me, y’all were reaching out, and asking for the Exact Same Thing.

Over Facebook, Instagram, and even over email, I received a number of hopeful, enthusiastic, rather ardent requests for Song Joong Ki to get some lovin’ on this site. Talk about being adorably united, you guys. 😉

Being the compassionate and helpful fangirl that I am (heh), I promptly dived into some appropriately.. intent (and rather glorious) research. My own growing fascination with Song Joong Ki didn’t hurt, of course.

And now, by popular request, I hereby present to you the loving Pure Pretty spotlight on Song Joong Ki. I hope you guys find it worth the wait. 🙂

THE UNEXPECTED CATALYST: DESCENDANTS OF THE SUN

To be honest, this Pure Pretty turn of events took me by surprise.

I mean, I’ve had a strong affection for Song Joong Ki for a long time, but my most vivid memories of him are of his cute and playful side, which he showed off so delightfully in Sungkyunkwan Scandal (review here).

It’s true that he also showed us excellent shades of intensity in Nice Guy (Flash Review here):

…And in his extended cameo in Tree With Deep Roots (so good!):

…But it really hasn’t been till Descendants of the Sun, that I – along with almost every other drama fan (or so it seems) – am sitting up and paying serious attention to the Song Joong Ki sexy. Ahem.

I mean, seriously. What can you do but spazz, when Show blithely serves up this (very shirtless, glistening) shade of Song Joong Ki?

Gulp. So gloriously, deliciously sculpted.

Not gonna lie; I definitely wished a little harder for touch technology to be a Thing, while drinking in these scenes, heh.

But! That’s not all! Show also gives us this:

Song Joong Ki, looking absolutely badass in his army fatigues, beret, and Ray-Bans? Add on the confident, sexy swagger (which he delivered, so well), and my eyes couldn’t help but glaze over with, uh, Very Deep appreciation. Flail.

And then, there’s the intensity!

I love that we get intensity in spades. Whether it’s of the romantic kind:

…Or the Staring-Possible-Death-In-The-Face kind, Song Joong Ki brings it, and brings it magnificently.

Spazz. Spazzspazzspazzspazzspazz. 

It’s no wonder we all need a shot of Song Joong Ki Pure Pretty.. I mean, all the better to appreciate him with, yes?

THE GALLERY OF SONG JOONG KI PRETTY

I’ll admit that I embarked on my research with a little bit of apprehension. I mean, what if I couldn’t find photos that accurately reflected Post-MS Joong Ki 2.0?

After all, he’d spent a good chunk of his career playing up his sunny boy-next-door side. Would I be able to find enough intensity on the interwebs to match the sexy on our screens?

I needn’t have worried. I’m happy to report that there’s a lovely range of Intent Joong Ki photos to balance out the Cute Joong Ki offerings, and I’ll be sharing a fairly balanced mix of the two. As usual, I included wallpaper-worthy sizes wherever possible.

Are you ready? Gaze with me, y’all. <3

Clean-cut boy next door

I figured it’d make sense to start with Joong Ki, clean-cut boy next door, since that’s the version of him that we’d gotten to know first.

I do enjoy my clean-cut boys next door, and Joong Ki looks wholesome and very approachable in these pix. In fact, in some of ’em, I can totally imagine him actually living next door.

My favorite photos in this set are the first and last ones. He looks wonderfully fresh-faced, and yet, there’s a touch of gravitas and purpose in his gaze; a combination that I like very much indeed.

A touch of ‘tude

I couldn’t resist making this section even though it’s a small one, because even though he’s technically still styled as the clean-cut boy next door, there’s a distinct touch of attitude in these shots.

My favorite in this section is this first shot coz he looks simply adorable in those dark glasses.

Intent Smolder

Now, switching over to a completely different shade of Joong Ki, let’s bask in the intent smolder, shall we?

I love these shots because they are full of intensity. He levels his gaze right at the camera, and it often feels like he’s looking right at you; right into your soul, sometimes.

I love the customellow shots where he’s got part of his face obscured by the collar of his coat; even though you can’t see his full face, his piercing gaze more than makes up for it. So strong, so unrelenting, and so intense.

I also love the last pic in this set. His eyes are arrestingly beautiful in that shot. Love.

Smirky

Smirky’s a look that Joong Ki doesn’t seem to wear all too often in the photoshoots – so far. Given his very competently sexy smirk in Descendants, I wouldn’t be surprised if we soon see a lot more smirky Song Joong Ki in photo spreads.

I’ve gathered just a few smirky shots from the interwebs, and thought it wouldn’t hurt to supplement this section with a couple of screenshots from Descendants.

It’s.. really hard to pick a favorite, coz I realize I am rather fond of Smirky Joong Ki.. but I think I might like the second pic just a smidge more than the rest. He looks so casually fresh, and the smirk is so gentle, along with his gaze.

The strong gaze

I consider the strong gaze a close cousin to the intent smolder; just, a little less sexy, and a little more fierce. I do love the strong gaze on Joong Ki.. it gives his vibe a bit of an edge, and also reminds me of his character in Descendants.

I love the fourth shot in this section; there’s strength not only in his gaze, but in his jaw as well. He looks tough and unwavering, and I dig that a lot.

I also love the last shot in the set; he looks so rugged, and the side angle lends an offhanded coolness to the overall vibe of the shot. Likey.

Rugged handsome

Also very much in line with his character in Descendants, is this section, where Joong Ki gets to show off his ruggedly handsome side. And I do very much love his ruggedly handsome side. 😉

These photos showcase a casual sort of toughness that I find very appealing; it’s a strong, manly, effortless sort of energy that I feel very drawn to.

I really like the shots of him in the khaki jacket and the gray beanie.. The strong Autumn colors give the entire atmosphere a warmth that melds really nicely with the rugged vibe that Joong Ki brings.

I also love the last shot. The composition of the shot feels as strong as Joong Ki’s gaze, and it just fits together really well, I feel.

Pensive thoughtful

I’ve always had the impression that Joong Ki’s a really smart guy, so when I look at these photos where he’s varying degrees of pensive &/or thoughtful, I can’t help thinking that he’s probably thinking about Pretty Important Things.

I generally love the shots in this set which show him wearing an overcoat. He exudes a lovely gravitas in them that I really like. But it’s probably not just coz of the coats; it’s probably at least partly because those shots look to be taken more recently.

I really like this first shot; that backlit effect makes him look so dreamy and ethereal that he looks almost magical. I also love the last shot. He looks so distinguished and sexy.

And, special shout-out to the photo that showcases him brooding in a wet t-shirt, with glistening bare arms, and guyliner. Yum. You’ll know the one when you see it. 😉

Playful cute &/or quirky

On a completely different note, here’s playful Joong Ki, sometimes with a touch of quirky. He looks adorable and all kinds of delightful in almost all of the shots that I find it hard to pick a favorite.

I do love this first one coz he looks like he’s having such a good time. And I love the third pic of him with the straw in his mouth – it’s just the right amount of cheeky and mischievous to make him endearing.

Sharp suit

I love a man in a sharp suit and Joong Ki’s no exception; the sharp lines become him nicely.

My favorite shot in this section is this first pic. Just look at how he’s literally glowing with health! He looks so handsome and strong. Melt.

Shirtless

So here’s the thing. There are pre-Descendants shirtless pix of Song Joong Ki on the interwebs, yes. But, none of them are quite as.. satisfying (ahem), as the onscreen hotness in Descendants.

Which is why I thought the best thing to do, would be to share all the shirtless screenshots I’ve managed to gather so far, while watching Descendants.

All of these are my favorites. Were you expecting anything less? 😉

Snuggly cozy

Another favorite section of mine is this one, where Joong Ki’s all snuggly cozy. He literally looks like he’s ready for some cuddles, which, yum. 😉

I love this first pic coz he looks all ruffled and a touch undone; such an alluring mix between smoldery and cuddly. Sexy.

And of course, I love all of the shots where he’s lounging around shirtless in bed. He literally looks like he’s just woken up and is now just having fun with the camera.. and you. Ahem.

Sunny adorable

I feel like this section needs no introduction, because Song Joong Ki’s sunny and adorable so much of the time. I actually feel like this is likely a big part of his real personality.

I love how his face lights up when he smiles wide, and he looks like he might literally explode from smiling so much. I love the mussed-up hair in this first pic, and that I-could-burst look on his face in the second pic. Cute!

MS

Since Song Joong Ki was away in MS until only fairly recently, and since we pretty much have MS to thank for the newly-sculpted hotness we’re seeing on our screens, I thought a (very) quick section acknowledging his MS stint would be nice.

Doesn’t he look handsome in that uniform?

Casual candids

As many of you know by now, no gallery of Pretty on this site is complete without at least a few casual &/or candid shots. I really like these shots coz I feel like Song Joong Ki’s a genuinely nice guy (pun not intended!), and we’re getting to see that shine through.

I love that he looks so handsome in a suit, even in these candid shots. And I love that last shot of him; his smile is so real and he looks like he’s genuinely amused.

Plus, love the pic of him with a baby, coz Song Joong Ki + baby = cuteness overload! <3

And last but not lease, I love that pic of him with Kwang Soo, coz, bromance!

THE LAST WORD

You’re sure turning out to be even more awesome than I thought, Joong Ki-sshi. All I can say is, thank you for coming back to us after MS.. It felt like a really long time, but it definitely feels like it’s been worth the wait.

I am happily and completely blown away with your newly upgraded gravitas, and I can’t wait to see what else you’ve got up your very talented sleeves. So keep on bringing it on, Joong Ki-sshi. Coz we’re so ready. <3