It is pretty standard for the Korean entertainment industry for Korean stars to change their birth names the time they debuted as actors and actresses. Korean actors, actresses even Korean pop idols take a different stage names for various reasons. And celebrities using a stage name are nothing new. It can be because their real name is considered unappealing, dull, or too difficult to pronounce. Some of them use another name to give their families a little privacy. Some may not have another option because there might be another celebrity with the same name. Here are the top 10 terrific Korean actors that changed their names.
1. Jang Hyuk
South Korean actor and rapper Jang Hyuk was born on December 20, 1976, as Jeong Yong-jun. Yes, his real name is Jeong Yong-jun. Before making his acting debut in 1997, he changed his name to his stage name Jang Hyuk. He is known for his best leading roles in "Volcano High" and "Windstruck.”
2. Yoo Ah-In
If you follow him on Instagram, you probably know his real name is Hong-Sik, Uhm Hong-Sik. Everyone knows him by the name Yoo Ah-in. From 2003 making his debut on TV commercials onwards, he started using the name Yoo Ah-in because his first management wanted to create an attractive stage name for him. Because the name, Uhm Hong-Sik was considered obsolete.
3. Gong Yoo
The great famous Korean actor Gong Yoo is the next one. Gong Yoo was born on 10th July 1979 in Busan with Gong Ji-Cheol. But he is better known for his stage name Gong Yoo. His stage name is a combination of both hisparents’ family names. His father's family name is Gong,and his mother's family name is Yoo. He switched Ji-Cheol to Yoo.
4. Hyun Bin
Hyun Bin as a North Korean army captain in the romance drama "Crash Landing On You,” was a huge hit. And Hyun Bin got international appreciation of fans all over the world. But do you know that his birth name is quite a lot different from his current name? Hyun Bin's birth name is Kim Tae-Pyung. He changed that name because that name is too difficult to pronounce.
5. Seo Kang-Joon
The actor and singer Seo Kang-joon was born on October 12, 1993. His first name was Lee Seung-hwan. It's not even close to his current name. Fans have known him by his stage name since the day he debuted. But does his real name remind you of another celebrity? Lee Seung-hwan, singer and record producer.
6. Sung Hoon
South Korean actor and model Sung Hoon were born on 14th February 1983. The "My Secret Romance" fame star changed his name legally from Bang In-kyu to Bang Sung-hoon early. In a variety show, "I Live Alone," the actor revealed that he often gets sick and had so many surgeries that are the reason for his name change.
7. Joon Won
Actor Joo Won is best known for his roles in "Ojakgyo Family,” "Bridal Mask,” "Good Doctor,” "My Sassy Girl,” and "Alice.” Joo Won was born on 30th September 1987. And his birth name is Moon Jun-won. It was his father who came up with the stage name Joon Won. The Hangul pronunciation of Joon Won sounds similar to "God-willing.”
8. Kim Woo-Bin
Kim Woo-bin becomes more we'll know from 2013 after starring in the "School 2013" drama. He made his acting debut in 2011 with Kim Woo-bin when his birth name is Kim Hyun-Joong. If you are a Korean drama fan, you might know another celebrity with the same name, an idol, who turned into an actor called Kim Hyun-Joong. Mr. Kim doesn't like to be contacted by his real name.
9. Won Bin
Won Bin is recognized as one of the most selective actors in the Korean entertainment industry. He first gained popularity through his 2000 drama "Autumn In My Heart.” He is one of the most popular Korean actors of all time. But his birth name is Kim Do-jin. 2010's "The Man From Nowhere" is the last film we had a glimpse of him.
10. Cha Eun-Woo
Actor Cha Eun-woo is also a member of the South Korean boy band Astro. His leading roles in "My Id is Gangnam Beauty,” and "True Beauty" made him highly popular worldwide. In 2015, he acted in a web drama "To Be Continued," whose character role name was Cha Eun-woo. There is a theory that after the drama, he adopted that name as his real name is Lee Dong-min.
