K-drama and K-pop have been unstoppable, and rightly so. The extraordinary performance of actors in dramas and films have left their imprints on the minds and emotions of the audience. With the great success of the industry, ambitious artists from all over the world are trying their luck, and many of them are immensely successful in becoming our favorites. So, let me present you to some of the successful actors who hold citizenship of another country than South Korea.
1. Ahn Hyo Seop
This Business Proposal star, who is handsome, talented, and fluent in Korean, was born in Seoul, South Korea. Later, his family shifted to Toronto, Canada, and he obtained a Canadian passport. But he later moved back to South Korea when he was 17 years old while his family stayed back. Ahn has worked in many popular K-dramas like Dr. Romantic 2 (2020), Abyss (2019), Business Proposal (2022), and Dr. Romantic season 3 (2023).
2. Choi Woo Shik
Actor Choi Woo Shik works in South Korea but has Canadian citizenship. When Choi was 10 years old, his family moved to Canada from Seoul, South Korea, where he was born. He appeared in acclaimed films like Train to Busan (2016) and Parasite (2019). He has also done many successful K-dramas, such as Our Beloved Summer (2021).
3. Ma Dong Seok
Ma Dong Seok, also known as Don Lee, was born in South Korea, moved to the United States of America, and thus holds American citizenship. He graduated from Colombus State University majoring in Physical Education. He worked as a personal trainer for MMA fighters Mark Coleman and Kevin Randleman before his acting career. He then ventured into the South Korean entertainment industry and went on to become one of the most successful actors. He appeared in films like Train to Busan and Eternals (2021), which are part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).
4. Krystal Jung
Jung is an American singer and actor born as Chrystal Soo Jung in San Francisco, California, based in South Korea. She initially debuted with the South Korean girls group f(x). She is the younger sister of Jessica Jung, who debuted as part of the girls group Girls’ Generation. Krystal has acted in many K-dramas, such as The Bride of Habeak (2017), Prison Playbook (2017), Police University (2021), and Crazy Love (2022). She is currently pursuing theatre studies from Sungkyunkwan University.
5. Henry Lau
Henry Lau is a Canadian artist based in South Korea and China. He was a member of Super Junior-M. Henry was chosen at the 2006 SM Entertainment Global Audition in Toronto, when he was in his last year of high school. Henry is fluent in four languages. He is fluent in Mandarin, Korean, conversational Cantonese, and English. Henry made his Korean acting debut in Mnet's music drama Persevere. He has also played a supporting role in the drama Oh My Venus. He has also appeared in films such as A Dogs Journey (2019), and Double World (2020).
6. Lee Da Hae
She is an Australian actress active in the South Korean Entertainment industry. She was born in Seoul, South Korea. Lee with her family relocated to Australia, when she was in primary school. Lee Da-hae is fluent in Korean, Japanese, English, and Chinese. She has acted in Korean dramas such as Heaven's Fate (2004), My Girl (2005), The Slave Hunters (2010), and Hotel King (2014), as well as the Chinese dramas Love Actually (2012) and Best Couple (2016).
7. Jung Ryeo-Won
Jung Ryeo-won, the second of three children, was born in 1981 and relocated to Brisbane, Australia, with her family in 1992. She is an Australian actress who primarily works in the Korean industry. She debuted as a singer in the girl group Chakra. Chakra was dissolved in 2004, and Jung pursued her interest in acting. After getting rejected from 11 auditions, she finally gained recognition in the vampire sitcom Hello Franceska in 2005. She has worked in many projects later on such as Which Star Are You From? (2006), Medical Top Team (2013), Bubble Gum (2015), Witch at Court (2017).
8. Song Yuqi
Song Yuqi was born in Beijing, China. She is a member of the South Korean girl group (G)I-dle. She is a Chinese singer, songwriter and more active in South Korea and China. She has appeared in many Korean variety and reality shows such as King of Mask Singer.
9. David Lee McInnis
American actor David Lee McInnis has been active in South Korean industry. He is the only child of a Korean mother and American father with German and Irish ancestry. He has appeared in numerous films like Mr. Zoo: The Missing VIP (2020), Dmitry Samjin Company English Class (2020), and Seoul Searching (2015). He has also acted in K-dramas such as Mr. Sunshine (2018), Kill It (2019), and Descendent of The Sun (2016).
10. Daniel Henney
Daniel Phillip Henney is an American actor. He was a standout basketball player at Carson City-Crystal High School, where he led the Eagles to a second-place finish in the MHSAA Central Region (CSAA) during his senior year in 1998. His mother, Christine Henney, was a nurse and an American adoptive from Busan, South Korea. Philip Henney, an American of British and Irish ancestry, was his father. He has appeared in several intriguing K-dramas such as My Lovely Sam Soon (2005), Hello Franceska (2005), Criminal Minds (2015-2020), Dear My Friends (2016), and currently in The Wheel of Time. He has also acted in movies like Seducing Mr. Perfect (2006), and My Father (2007).
