With K-dramas and K-films more popular than ever, there’s definitely a few familiar faces we’d recognize anywhere! But did you know that some of these actors actually began as K-pop idols, before drastically changing careers? Let’s take a look at a few of these multi-talented stars below!
D.O
Name: Do Kyung-soo, 28 years old
Trivia:
- Auditioned for SM Entertainment in 2010 and became one of the main vocalists of K-pop group, EXO
- Besides singing and acting, he’s also a good cook, illustrator and theatre actor
- An award-winning actor after bagging the Blue Dragon Film Award for Best New Actor for his role in hit film “My Annoying Brother” in 2016
- Excels in different roles and movie/drama genres such as “It’s Ok, This is Love”, “Room No.7”, “Be Positive” and “Cart”
Taecyeon
Name: Ok Taec-yeon, 33 years old
Trivia:
- Taecyeon lived in the US with his family for seven years and is multilingual; he speaks English, Korean, Japanese and Spanish
- Currently in a relationship with non-celebrity girlfriend since 2017
- Auditioned for JYP Entertainment in New York when he was 17 and became a member of K-pop group 2PM
- Made his acting debut in 2010 in a supporting role in the drama “Cinderella’s Sister”
- Amongst his must-watch dramas are “Dream High”, “Who Are You?”, “Bring It On, Ghost”, “The Game: Towards Zero” and “Vincenzo”
Lee Seung Gi
Name: Lee Seung-gi, 34 years old
Trivia:
- Seung Gi was born as a singer as he loves singing since he was a kid and made his debut in 2004 with the song “Because You’re My Girl”
- One of Korea’s Hallyu star that made his acting debut in 2005 in a guest role in the drama “Nonstop 5” and has been starring in romantic and action dramas ever since
- Dubbed as Nation’s Son in Law and Nations “Uhm-Chin-Ah”, which means your mother’s friend’s brilliant son, whom you get compared to
- An award-winning actor who starred in highly rated dramas; “My Girlfriend is A Gumiho”, “Gu Family Book”, “The King 2 Hearts” and “Hwayugi: A Korean Odyssey”
Park Hyung Sik
Name: Park Hyung-sik, 30 years old
Trivia:
- A member of the Kpop group ZE:A, which is now known as the K-pop group with the longest hiatus in the music industry
- After starring in “Hwarang: The Poet Warrior Youth”, he became close to BTS’s V and actor Park Seo-joon
- Known for his roles in “The Heirs”, “High Society”, “Strong Girl Bong-soon”, “Suits”, as well as films “Two Lights: Relumino” and “Juror 8”
- Besides TV dramas, Hyung Sik was also a cast member of a number of popular variety shows, including “Real Men” and “Law of the Jungle”
Jinyoung
Name: Park Jin-young, 27 years old
Trivia:
- Jinyoung has officially signed with BH Entertainment, after GOT7 ended their contract with JYP Entertainment on January 2021
- One of his dreams is to become a pre-school teacher as he likes reading books to kids
- Jinyoung is fluent in Japanese and English, which made him more connected to his international fans
- Starred in various dramas like “Dream High 2”, “When a Man Falls in Love”, “Legend of the Blue Sea”, “He is Psychometric” and “When My Love Blooms”
Siwon
Name: Choi Si-won, 35 years old
Trivia:
- Siwon, who is a member of Super Junior, bloomed to fame during the second gen of K-pop
- Siwon has joined many UNICEF campaigns since 2010, and has been unveiled as UNICEF East Asia and Pacific’s new Regional Ambassador
- Played lead roles in the dramas “Oh! My Lady”, “Poseidon”, “Revolutionary Love” and “My Fellow Citizens!”
- Before he became an actor in Korea, Siwon made his acting debut in Hong Kong film “A Battle of Wits” and received praise from co-star Andy Lau
