It sometimes seems that some Korean actors have as good personalities as runway models. They're charming, hot, tall, stylish, chic, and handsome. It's impossible to resist their jaw-dropping looks that have captured our hearts. However, did you know that some of them were models before they got into acting? And they have proven their acting abilities onscreen as well.
Here are the Top 10 Korean actors who were models.
1. Nam Joo Hyuk
Nam Joo Hyuk began modeling in 2013 for the SONGZIO Homme 2014 S/S collection and then appeared in Akdong Musician music videos. Push Button, Beyond Closet, and SONGZIO often choose him to open their shows as the model for their street designers. It was in 2014 that he made his debut as an actor, and since then, he has appeared in many television dramas such as Who Are You: School 2015, Cheese in the Trap (2016), Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo (2016), The Bride of Habaek (2017), The Light in Your Eyes (2019), and Start-Up (2020). However, he ultimately won over hearts with his drama, Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok Joo (2016).
2. Kim Woo Bin
There is no doubt that Kim Woo Bin is a household name in KDramaland. The debut of Kim Woo-bin as a model was in 2008. He walked the runways at Seoul Fashion Week. In 2011, Woo Bin made his acting debut in White Christmas. He later appeared in the drama School 2013 (2012) as the main lead. He is widely known for his roles in The Heirs (2013) and Uncontrollably Fond (2016). But he had to pause acting because of his health issues. It would be great to see Woo Bin on screen soon.
3. Lee Jong Suk
Lee Jong-Suk was the youngest model on the Seoul Collection runway at 16 years old in 2005. Later in 2010, he made his acting debut. He has since played leading roles in dozens of hit drama series, including School (2012), I Hear Your Voice (2013), Doctor Stranger (2014), Pinocchio (2014), W (2016), While You Were Sleeping (2017), and Romance Is a Bonus Book (2019). His acting abilities extend beyond playing complex and diverse roles, and his ability to pick dramas that become national crazes is no less impressive. Lee Jong Suk has also graced the silver screen in hit movies.
4. Kim Young-Kwang
With a height of 6 feet and 2 inches, Kim Young-Kwang has a physique, size, and mischievous looks ideal for a model. In 2008, he became the first Asian to walk the runways of Dior Homme after making his debut as a model in 2006. Among the designers he has walked for Vivienne Westwood, Alexander McQueen, Etro. Kim Young-Kwang began acting in dramas in 2008. On Your Wedding Day (2018) and Mission: Possible (2021) are his most famous movies. There are many television dramas in which he has appeared, including Pinocchio (2014), D-Day (2015), The Guardians (2017), The Secret Life of My Secretary (2019), and Hello, Me!! (2021).
5. Byeon Woo Seok
Byeon Woo-Seok began his modeling career in 2015. In only his first year of working in the fashion industry, he has already walked at Seoul Fashion Week. Later in 2016, he debuted as an actor in Dear My Friends. Then he was cast as a minor character in various dramas, including Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo (2016), Live Up to Your Name (2017), Welcome to Waikiki 2 (2019), and Search: WWW (2019). Following this, he had a lead role in Flower Crew: Joseon Marriage Agency (2019) and Record of Youth (2020).
6. Lee Min-Ki
In 2003, Lee Min-ki began modeling for SK Telecom through an advertisement. In 2005, Min Ki made his acting debut with the TV series Taereung National Village. Lee is not only a model, but he is also a singer, and he has contributed some songs to film soundtracks in the past. After being successful with dramas including I Really Really Like You (2006) and Dal Ja's Spring (2007), Lee Min-ki appeared in more films, and many received good reviews. His other dramas include Because This Is My First Life (2017) as Nam Se Hee, The Beauty Inside (2018) as Seo Do Jae, and The Lies Within (2019) as Jo Tae Shik.
7. Ahn Jae Hyun
Ahn Jae Hyun will go down as the most incredible face model to cross over into acting. His career as a fashion model began in 2009. He has walked for Leigh, Munsoo Kwon, Steve J & Yoni P, etc. Besides his good looks and sense of style, his acting abilities also impressed us. In 2013, he rose to fame when he played Jun Ji Hyun's younger brother in the super hit drama My Love From the star. Jae Hyun has appeared in many television dramas, including Blood (2015), Cinderella and the Four Knights (2016), The Beauty Inside (2018), and Love with Flaws (2019).
8. Sung Joon
Women are attracted to bad boys, even if they already know they can cause trouble. That is how you describe Sung Joon: a bad boy with a golden heart. Aside from being an actor, he has graced magazine editorials and done fashion campaigns. In 2011, Joon made his acting debut in the drama White Christmas. And in 2012, he got the role of the main lead in the drama Flower Band. Sung Joon has appeared in numerous TV dramas, such as Shut Up Flower Boy Band (2012), Can We Get Married (2012), I Need Romance 3 (2014), and Ms. Perfect (2017).
9. Lee Kwang Soo
Initially making his modeling debut in 2007, Lee Kwang-soo made his mark due to his height. As an actor, Kwang-soo debuted in the television series The Scale of Providence in 2008. A variety show named Running Man significantly increased his popularity. Shows that stand out among his works include City Hunter (2011), The Innocent Man (2012), It's Okay, That's Love (2014), The Sound of Your Heart (2016), Live (2018), and Inseparable Bros (2019).
10. Yoon Kyun-Sang
The actor Yoon Kyun-sang is among the tallest of actors. He was a model for a short time, but he has featured on covers of Singles, Elle, and various other magazines. In 2012, Yoon made his acting debut in Faith, but he first gained recognition through his supporting role in the drama Pinnochio. His other well-known dramas include Six Flying Dragons (2015), While You Were Sleeping (2017), Class of Lies (2019).
