These K-Pop Idols are Living a Double Life!
If you’re not over It’s Okay to Not Be Okay, you can watch a different side of Kim Soo Hyun in Dream High and let him woo you with his sensational singing voice. Singing? Yes, singing! Kim Soo Hyun isn’t the only Korean actor who’s multi-talented. In fact, we did some digging and found a wealth of Korean drama stars who actually started their career as K-pop idols! Check them out:
K-Pop Idols Turned Actors
- IU (Lee Ji-Eun)
- Cha Eun-Woo
- Jisoo
- Bae Suzy
- Park Hyung-Sik
- Sandara Park
- Kwon Nara
- Rowoon
- Yook Sung-Jae
- Krystal Jung
- Choi Siwon
- Im Yoon-ah
- Park Jin Young
- Ok Taecyeon
- Kim Myungsoo
- Joy
- D.O.
1. IU (Lee Ji-Eun)
Photo Credits (L-R): Wikimedia Commons and Hancinema.net
Lee Ji-eun “IU” is a one-woman singing sensation in a sea of K-pop girl groups and boy bands. This 27-year old singer-songwriter’s recent album “Love Poem” was a huge success with two of its songs reaching #1 in music charts. Likewise, her radiance undeniably shines in the dramas she starred in like The Producers and Hotel Del Luna.
2. Cha Eun-Woo
Photo Credit (L-R): Wikimedia Commons and Hancinema.net
Cha Eun-Woo first debuted as an actor in 2015 then as a member of male idol group ASTRO in 2016. He’s best known for his charming roles in My ID is Gangnam Beauty, and Rookie Historian Goo Hae-ryung. Fun fact: He went to the Philippines when he was in elementary school so some fans are gushing that they’re destined to meet him!
3. BLACKPINK’s Jisoo
BLACKPINK is the first K-pop girl group to perform at Coachella and now they have an upcoming collaboration with Selena Gomez. With the group’s career soaring, their lead vocalist, 25-year old Jisoo, is now confirmed to lead (for the first time!) in an upcoming drama titled Snowdrop, which will be produced by the brilliant minds behind SKY Castle.
4. Bae Suzy
Photo Credits (L-R): Wikimedia Commons and Hancinema.net
Dubbed as the “Nation’s First Love” in South Korea, Bae Suzy is one of the most sought-after Hallyu stars. This 25-year old superstar is best known for her roles in Uncontrollably Fond and While You Were Sleeping. Her next K-drama “Startup” is slated to air in October 2020. Prior to acting, she was the lead vocalist and face of the girl group, Miss A.
5. Park Hyung-Sik
Photo Credits (L-R): Wikimedia Commons and Hancinema.net
If your ideal type is someone who can make you laugh, then Park Hyung-Sik is your perfect match. Not only is he handsome and talented, but his roles in Strong Woman Do Bong-soon, and Suits show how witty and funny he can be. This 28-year old multi-awarded actor is also the vocalist and visual of boy group ZE:A.
6. Sandara Park
Photo Credit (L-R): Wikimedia Commons and Hancinema.net
After winning in ABS-CBN’s Star Circle Quest, Sandara or now more widely known as “Dara” is a successful singer, actor, and host in South Korea. She debuted as the vocalist of the K-pop girl group 2NE1 and since then has played leads in Korean web dramas, and cameos in mainstream TV series such as My Love From the Star and The Producers, and Happy Ending Once Again.
7. Kwon Nara
Photo Credit (L-R): Wikimedia Commons and Hancinema.net
Face of an angel but feisty on the inside, not only did she steal the hearts of many viewers in one glance, she also killed it when it came to her acting scenes in Suspicious Partner, Doctor Prisoner and My Mister. In her earlier years, she sported blonde and colored hair when she was still the vocalist of K-pop girl group Hello Venus!
8. Rowoon
Photo Credit (L-R): Wikimedia Commons and Hancinema.net
If you typed “Haru actor name” while watching the hit coming-of-age drama Extraordinary You, you are not alone. Kim Seok-Woo, aka “Rowoon”, recently escalated to stardom and now fans are anticipating his next K-drama, “Sunbae Don't Put On That Lipstick”. Initially, he started out as the lead vocalist and visual of K-pop boy group SF9.
While we wait for his new drama, this might be a good time to re-watch his other dramas like About Time and School 2017!
9. Yook Sung-Jae
Photo Credit (L-R): Wikimedia Commons and Hancinema.net
You’ll remember Yook Sungjae from his role as a spoiled rich heir in the widely popular K-drama series Goblin: The Lonely and Great God. Aside from this he actually starred in Who Are You: School 2015 and Reply 1994. This 25-year old multi-talented star is also the leader of the boy group BtoB (acronym for Born to Beat) where he flexes his amazing vocal skills.
10. Krystal Jung
Photo Credit (L-R): Wikimedia Commons and Hancinema.net
Originally from San Francisco, her stunning looks appeal to an international audience. Her role as the “goddess of beauty” in the series Bride of the Water God elevated her image as one of Korea’s beautiful faces and then later in My Lovely Girl, The Player and Prison Playbook. Her new drama “The Search” will air in October 2020. She’s also the lead vocalist and face of K-pop girl group f(x).
11. Choi Siwon
Photo Credit (L-R): Wikimedia Commons and Hancinema.net
Choi Siwon is the vocalist and visual of global sensation Super Junior. You might remember how this 39-year old singer-actor (PSA: he’s still single) made you laugh and cry in the romantic comedy She Was Pretty. After this successful drama, he then starred as the lead in other shows like Revolutionary Love and My Fellow Citizens. He is also set to appear in the tvN sci-fi thriller, SF8.
12. Im Yoon-ah
Photo Credit (L-R): Wikimedia Commons and Hancinema.net
Gifted with an innocent yet alluring face, Im Yoon-ah started out filming commercials, music videos, and movies at a young age. Aside from being Girls’ Generation’s lead dancer and rapper, this 30-year old model-actress-singer also starred in several Chinese and Korean dramas such as The K2, alongside Ji Chang Wook.
13. Park Jin-Young
Photo Credit (L-R): Wikimedia Commons and Hancinema.net
You’d likely lose in a staring contest with Jinyoung. Not only can his delightful smile melt hearts but he can also steal any scene he’s in with his acting skills. He’s best known for starring in the drama series He is Psychometric and When My Love Blooms. He’s also the lead vocalist of the boy group GOT7.
14. Ok Taecyeon
Photo Credit (L-R): Wikimedia Commons and Hancinema.net
Ok Taeceyon was originally part of the boy group 2PM and even released a solo Japanese album entitled Taecyeon Special: Winter Hitori. Aside from flawless vocals, he’s also a diverse actor which we saw first-hand in series like Bring It On, Ghost and Save Me. His latest drama “The Game: Towards Zero”, aired earlier this year.
15. Kim Myungsoo
Photo Credit (L-R): Wikimedia Commons and Hancinema.net
Kim Myungsoo can steal any scene he’s in with his adorable smile and moving acting skills. He’s best known for starring in hit drama series like Angel’s Last Mission: Love and Miss Hammurabi. This 28-year old actor-singer first debuted as the vocalist of boy band INFINITE and known as his stage name L.
16. Joy
Photo Credit (L-R): Wikimedia Commons and Hancinema.net
Park Soo Young or “Joy” starred in the teen drama Tempted (The Great Seducer) but she’s more widely known as the lead vocalist and rapper of in-demand girl group Red Velvet.
17. D.O. (Do Kyung-soo)
Photo Credit (L-R): Wikimedia Commons and Hancinema.net
Do Kyung Soo or “D.O.” is the main vocalist of popular boy groupEXO. He landed his first lead role on the small screen in the tvN drama 100 Days My Prince. While he’s still serving in the military today, we’re already counting the days until he comes back in January 2021.
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This isn’t even the whole list! There are a lot more multi-hyphenated Korean stars out there, and some are just waiting to be discovered.
If you want to live out your A-list singer-actor fantasies, you actually can! Don’t miss out on the best K-pop inspired experiences: K-Pop Recording Experience at Seoul King Studio, Seoul Music Drama: Only You Ticket with Kpop Dance Experience, KPop Dance Class, K-pop Photoshoot with K-Beauty Makeup and Hair Styling Half Day Experience, We Dance Studio K-pop Dance Class
But if you’re the type to geek it out and release the #1 fan in you, you can hop on the Seoul Hallyu Kpop Tour. Some experiences are on sale for a limited time only so start planning your next Korea trip as early as now.
