Article: Top 10 K-Pop Idols Who Have Starred In Famous Musicals

Korean entertainment has grown not only through the music industry but also through the Korean theater. And our favorite Kpop idols have also joined the theater and shown us their acting skills. Few of them have even made a name on Korean Broadway!

1. Kim Junsu/XIA (JYJ)

Junsu, also known as XIA, is a soloist, a member of JYJ, and the original member of the Kpop group TVXQ or DBSK from SM Town. He played Wolfgang in his debut musical, 2010’s Mozart, and won several awards in the following years. Junsu had performed in five lead roles in twelve years. He is known to be able to sell out tickets for his shows. His memorable roles are Count Dracula in Dracula, Death in Elisabeth, L Lawliet in Death Note, King Arthur in Xcalibur with BTOB’s Changsub, and Seventeen’s DK.

2. Seohyun (Girl’s Generation)

Seohyun or Seo Ju-Hyun is a member of the best-selling girl group from SM Town. Seohyun debuted with the musical, Moon Embracing the Sun, which received positive reviews from critics. Seohyun participated in the musical Gone with the Wind as the lead character of Scarlett O’Hara in 2015. In 2016, she participated in her most popular musical, Mamma Mia, as Sophie, a bride-to-be at 20 years old who hopes that she may find out the identity of her biological father at her wedding.

3. Bada (S.E.S)

Bada or Choi Sung-hee was a member of the girl group S.E.S under SM Entertainment till 2002. Bada is a famous musical actress and has received many awards for her performances. Her most popular musicals are Gone in the Wind, Legally Blonde, The Peppermint, Mozart, and Notre Dame de Paris. She has participated in ten musicals as an actress up to date. Bada's performance in Gone with the Wind shows her natural acting and dialogue deliverance.

4. Sungkyu (INFINITE) 

Kim Sungkyu is the main vocalist and leader of the boy group INFINITE. He is a renowned musical actor. Sungkyu has performed in fourteen musicals and played seven lead characters in ten years. His notable performances are Jiyoung in Gwanghwamun Sonata, Count Dracula in Vampire, Elvis in All Shook Up, and King Arthur in Xcalibur.

5. Ken(VIXX)

Ken, also known as Lee Jae-hwan, debuted as the main vocalist of the group VIXX in 2012. Ken is known for his powerful but soulful vocals. He started his acting career in the musical ‘Chess,’ in which he played the lead role, Anatoly Sergievsky, a world champion in chess. He has played several significant roles in the past ten years. His notable performances Cinderella, Hamlet, Jack the Ripper, Dracula, Mefisto, Sherlock Holmes: The Lost Children, and others.

6. Kyuhyun (Super Junior)

Cho Kyuhyun is the maknae and the main vocalist of the iconic Kpop boy group Super Junior. He debuted as D’Artagnan in the famous musical, The Three Musketeers, and played the role for two years. Kyuhyun acted alongside his colleague, Seohyun, in Moon Embracing the Sun. His notable roles are Prince Phillip in Robin Hood, Frank Abagnale Jr. in Catch me if you can, D’Artagnan in The Three Musketeers, and Gywnplaine in The Man who laughs, among many others.

7. Yoseob (Beast/ Highlight) 

Yang Yoseob, the main vocalist of Highlight (previously known as Beast). Yoseob is a very versatile theater artist. He has acted in several popular musicals like Robin Hood, Cinderella, Zorro, Gwanghwamun Sonata, Full House, Something Rotten, and many more. He has been cast as the lead character several times. He was awarded the Musical Rising Star Award in 2012. Yoseob’s performances have been a delight for the audience.

8. Ock Joohyun (FIN.K.L.)  

Ock Joohyun, the lead singer of the former girl group, FIN.K.L., is the Queen of Musicals. She has starred in more than twenty shows in her musical career. Her significant shows are Chicago, Cats, The Count of Monte Cristo, 42nd Street, Wicked, Mata Hari, and many others. She has won a total of 6 National awards for her contribution to the Theatre industry. Her powerful vocals and diction help the audience to empathize or feel disgusted at the character she portrays.

9. Suho (EXO)

Kim Junmyeon, also known as Suho, is the leader of one of the most internationally recognized bands, Exo. The leader’s acting talent is seen during his musical break, The Man Who Laughs. His performance as Gywnplaine helped him win many National awards. He has acted in several dramas but has performed in only three plays: School Oz, The Last Kiss, and The Man Who Laughs. Hopefully, we might see him in many other musicals.

10. Sandeul (B1A4)

Lee Junghwan, also known by his stage name Sandeul, is another musical actor who has proven his acting prowess and dedication through the years. He debuted on the stage in 2012 with the play Brothers were brave. He went up to perform in many other plays significantly in The Three Musketeers as D’Artagnan alongside fellow member Cnu and the Kdrama star Park Hyung-Sik. He participated Cinderella as Prince Christopher.