Watching our favorite idols perform on stage is a euphoric feeling among the fans. But did you know that many of your favorite idols have opted to diversify their career in acting? And some are even awarded Best Actors for their exceptional work. Many k-pop idols have taken up acting in dramas and movies as a profession. They have made a name for themselves in the industry of their home nation as well as across the world. Let’s get to know about them below.
1. Seo Ju-Hyun
Professionally known as Seohyun, this idol debuted in Korea’s most popular girl group, Girl’s Generation, in 2007. For her role as a police-woman-turned investigator in the drama ‘Bad Thief, Good Thief she received the MBC Drama Award for Best New Actress in 2017. Her other dramas include Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo, Time, Private Lives, and Jinxed at First. Her latest film work is a Netflix original, Love and Leashes.
2. Bae Su-Ji
Known as the nation’s first love, Suzy made her debut as an actress in the musical teen drama Dream High(2011) while being a member of the girl group Miss A and won the KBS Drama Award for Best New Actress. Ex-member Suzy has also appeared in series such as Gu Family Book, Uncontrollably Fond,Vagabond, Start-Up, and Anna and has won the Top Excellence Actress Award for the first four. She made her film debut in Architecture 101 (2012), for which she received the Best New Actress award at the 48 th Baeksang Arts Awards.
3. Kim Se-Jeong
Sejeong was a member of two girl groups, I.O.I and Gugudan, and currently is a leading solo artist and actress. She is best known for her lead role in the TV series School 2017, which led to her winning the KBS Drama Award for Best New Actress in 2017. Her other works are I Wanna Hear Your Song, The Uncanny Counter, Business Proposal, and Today’s Webtoon.
4. Lee Jun-Ho
Born on January 25 th , 1990, Lee Junho of boy band group 2PM won the Excellence award for acting in KBS Drama Awards for playing a villainous role in a Korean office drama, Good Manager, released in 2017. He also won the Best Actor award in the 58 th Baeksang Arts Awards for the lead role he played in a historical romance drama, The Red Sleeve, which aired in 2022. Junho's other notable works are Rain or Shine, Work of Love, and Memory.
5. Yook Sung-Jae
Mononymously known as Sungjae, he is a member of the boy group, BtoB. He has acted in television dramas like Plus Nine Boys (2014), Who Are You: School 2015 (2015), The Village: Achiara's Secret, Mystic Pop-up Bar and, Guardian: The Lonely and Great God, for which he won Best New Actor at the Korean Drama Awards 2017.
6. Kim Da-Som
This 1993-born singer and actor, Dasom, is a former member of the girl group Sistar. In July 2012, she made her acting debut as a high school punk in KBS daily sitcom, Family. She has acted in other films, and television dramas, including Melody of Love, The Virtual Bride, Sister is Alive, and He Is Psychometric. For playing the role of an ambitious antagonist in the drama Band of Sisters, she was awarded the Best New Actress award at the SBS Drama Award 17.
7. Park Yoo-Chun
Formerly known as Mickey Yoochun, Yoochun is a former member of two boy bands JYJ, and TVXQ. He has starred in several dramas and has won many accolades. For Haemoo (2014), he won 6 Best New Actor Awards, 3 for Sungkyunkwan Scandal (2010), and one for Miss Ripley (2011). His other works are Rooftop Prince, Missing You, Three Days, and The Girl Who Sees Smells.
8. Jeong Eun-Ji
Born Jeong Hye-rim, Eunji is best known as a member of the girl group Apink. She made her acting debut in a coming-of-age television series, Reply 1997, in 2012. She was praised for her emotional portrayal of the character, which led to her winning the 49 th Baeksang Arts Award for Best New Actress. Since then, she has had roles in dramas like, That Winter the Wind Blows, for which she won the award of Best New Actress in SBS Drama Awards 13, Trot Lovers, Cheer Up!, and Untouchable.
9. Kim Myung-Soo
Popularly known as L, Myung-soo is the first member and vocalist of the boy band Infinite. He is best known for his roles in Ms. Hammurabi (2018) as the elite judge and in The Emperor: Owner of the Mask (2017) for playing the role of a commoner later appointed as a fake King. He also starred in a fantasy romance drama, Angel’s Last Mission: Love (2019), for which he was awarded the KBS Drama Award for Best New Actor.
10. Choi Si-Won
Siwon is known for his stint as a member of the boy group Super Junior. He has starred in lead roles in the Korean drama Oh! My Lady, Revolutionary Love, Poseidon, and My Fellow Citizens! for which he received Excellence Award- Actor at KBS Drama Awards 2019. He has also had supporting roles in Athena: Goddess of War, The King of Dramas, and She Was Pretty.
