Singing, dancing and appearing in well-liked Korean dramas—these multitalented idols are in all places, and lots of them have starred in your favorite latest hit exhibits
Ok-pop stars taking a segue into appearing is nothing new, and there’s been an extended line of music idols carving out profitable careers as actors and actresses, beginning with unique oppa Rain and his memorable flip in Full House and different dramas and movies.
While some dip their appearing fingers into only one or two exhibits earlier than returning to their thriving day jobs in music—resembling BTS’ V—others, like Miss A’s Bae Suzy, dove into red-hot appearing careers and by no means regarded again. Then, there are unicorns like IU, who can juggle being a tremendous actress and releasing new musical works concurrently.
There’s no denying the truth that these Ok-popsters deliver their fan following to whichever drama they’re starring in, giving these exhibits an enormous scores increase. Here are 20 Ok-pop idols who’ve headlined the K-dramas we love.
(Related: 11 Korean Dramas With the Highest Ratings in 2021: Which Haven’t You Watched?)
Better often called pop group 2PM’s rapper Taecyeon, Ok starred in well-liked 2011 idol drama Dream High, which launched the appearing careers of a bunch of different Ok-popsters. He’s since appeared in lots of different dramas—resembling Bring It On, Ghost—and is thrilling audiences in present scores hit Vincenzo.
(Related: Vincenzo: Design Details and Easter Eggs That You Might Have Missed)
The singer and dancer of pop group ZE:A has carved out an important profession as an enthralling main man, particularly in 2017’s Strong Girl Bong-soon. He was additionally a part of the ensemble forged in Hwarang: The Poet Warrior Youth and Suits, the Korean remake of the hit American TV sequence. He was discharged from army service earlier this 12 months and we are able to’t wait to see what he does subsequent.
Kim, one-seventh of the planet’s greatest pop group, starred in 2016’s Hwarang: The Poet Warrior Youth, his solely drama, earlier than returning to music and persevering with to bless the world together with his baritone vocals. Hwarang additionally gave us the Wooga Squad, an influence celeb clique that features Park Seo-joon, Park Hyung-sik and Parasite actor Choi Woo-shik.
(Related: BTS and McDonald’s to Launch Exclusive Meal in Singapore on May 27)
A uncommon solo energy participant in an business crammed with mega pop-star teams, IU has topped her spectacular singer-songwriter profession and many smash hit albums along with her stellar appearing chops, in dramas resembling Dream High, The Producers, Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo and Hotel Del Luna. She positive is one awe-inspiring 27-year-old.
After making a cameo within the 2019 Song Joong-ki automobile Arthdal Chronicles, Jisoo, one-quarter of massively well-liked woman group Blackpink, is able to strike out on her personal. She will star alongside well-liked Ok-drama actor Jung Hae-in within the upcoming Snowdrop, which is about in opposition to Korea’s 1987 Democracy Movement. It shall be launched in June this 12 months.
(Related: Rosé of Blackpink Shares Her Journey to K-pop Stardom in Her Debut Single, On The Ground)
While she shone as a member of now-defunct pop group Miss A, Bae discovered actual viewers love when she grew to become an actress. From Dream High to Uncontrollably Fond and While You Were Sleeping to Vagabond, and final 12 months’s Start Up, she has cemented her standing as a Ok-drama hitmaker whereas being wanted by manufacturers as an envoy. She continues to make music as a solo artiste, singing on the Start Up soundtrack.
Seo launched his singing profession after profitable within the expertise actuality present Superstar Ok in 2009, and starred in 2012 Ok-drama hit Reply 1997. Since then, he has starred in different exhibits together with 2018’s The Smile Has Left Your Eyes. He will subsequent seem within the extremely anticipated drama Doom at Your Service with Park Bo-young, which premieres subsequent month.
(Related: Kim Soo-hyun, Song Joong-ki and More: The Nominees For the 57th Baeksang Arts Awards)
The looker from Astro landed his first appearing lead position in 2018’s Gangnam Beauty and continued to soften hearts in 2019’s Rookie Historian Goo Hae-ryung, for which he received the Excellence Award for an Actor and Best Couple Award with Shin Se-Kyung on the 2019 MBC Drama Awards. His star is shining shiny this 12 months together with his profitable flip in True Beauty, the hit drama additionally starring Moon Ga-young and Hwang In-youp.
She’s a member of one of many greatest woman teams in Korea, and now additionally has a massively profitable appearing profession, with hits resembling The K2 in 2016 and You Are My Destiny in 2008, for which she received the Best New Actress award on the Baeksang Arts Awards. Other notable works embrace 2020 Ok-drama Hush and 2017 movie Confidential Assignment. Next up: Confidential Assignment 2: International, with Hyun Bin and Daniel Henney.
Another Girls’ Generation member who’s parlayed her fame right into a profitable appearing profession, though it hasn’t been with out hiccups. She’s at present embroiled within the bullying scandal involving Seo Ye-ji and Kim Jung-hyun, as she was Kim’s feminine co-star in 2018’s Time, the present wherein he displayed unprofessional behaviour because of his then-relationship with Seo. She additionally headlined final 12 months’s Private Lives, and will reportedly put her music on maintain to give attention to appearing.
(Related: Seo Ye-ji and Kim Jung-Hyun: What You Need to Know About the K-Drama Scandal of the Week)
Another member from a massively well-liked woman group who ventured into appearing, with 2017’s The Liar and His Lover and 2018’s Tempted. It looks like we’ll have to attend some time for her subsequent appearing venture, as she stays busy with Red Velvet.
We’re most enthusiastic about D.O. taking up Taiwanese famous person Jay Chou’s position within the Korean remake of Chou’s 2007 hit movie Secret, his first venture after being discharged from army service. Besides being one of many foremost vocalists of Exo, D.O. has additionally starred in such hit dramas as 100 Days My Prince.
(Related: The Penthouse Season 2: All the Shocking Moments From This Korean Drama)
Eunji made her appearing debut because the lead of 2012 hit drama Reply 1997, which was one of many highest-rated Korean dramas in cable TV historical past and received her a number of awards, together with a Baeksang Arts Award for Best New TV Actress. She was additionally in 2013’s That Winter, the Wind Blows and 2017’s Untouchable, and continues to make music.
Another alumni of the beloved Reply sequence, Hye-ri starred in probably the most cherished one in all all, 2015’s Reply 1988, and continues to be a fan favorite for her down-to-earth appeal and power, and her presence on social media. She will subsequent star in Ok-drama My Roommate Is a Gumiho (sure, one other drama a few nine-tailed fox, after The Tale of the Nine-Tailed), which can premiere subsequent month.
(Related: From Goblins to Fox Spirits and Mermaids: 8 Fantasy K-Drama Characters We Love)
She burst onto the scene as a part of now-defunct woman group Hello Venus, however has grow to be well-liked for her roles in Suspicious Partner, Doctor Prisoner, Itaewon Class and the just lately concluded historic comedy Royal Secret Agent.
Before he charmed audiences in Goblin (Guardian: The Lonely and Great God), he was a member of pop group BtoB. While persevering with to make music, he starred in Who Are You: School 2015 and Mystic Pop-Up Bar. We await his subsequent transfer after he completes his army service later this 12 months.
He had a massively profitable profession with pop group Shinee, and seems to be cementing his recognition as an actor, with roles in Hwarang: The Poet Warrior Youth, The Most Beautiful Goodbye and a memorable cameo in latest hit Lovestruck within the City.
From the lead vocalist of well-liked woman group f(x), which is at present on hiatus, to starring in hit Ok-dramas, resembling The Heirs (2013), My Lovely Girl (2014), Prison Playbook (2017), The Bride of Habaek (2017), Player (2018) and Search (2020), Jung is one versatile star. She’s subsequent up in Police Academy, premiering this July.
(Related: Banana Milk, Tteokbokki, Iced Americano and More: 10 Popular Snacks Seen in Korean Dramas)
One of the unique super-group pop idols, Choi has prolonged his beauty, appeal and expertise onto the large and small display, with roles in worldwide movies resembling Hong Kong epic A Battle of Wits with Andy Lau, Dragon Blade with Jackie Chan, and To the Fore with Eddie Peng and Shawn Dou. After a preferred comedic flip in Ok-drama She Was Pretty, he went on to star in Revolutionary Love. Last 12 months, he appeared in Chinese drama Billion Dollar Heir.
Last however not least, right here’s one other SHINee member who’s been engaged on an appearing profession. Onew, one of many lead vocalists of the boy group, had a memorable position in Descendants of the Sun. He’s set to star in a brand new musical, and continues to make music.
(Related: From Shinee’s Onew to Got7’s Young Jae: Catch K-Pop’s Favourite Idols in Midnight Sun: The Musical)
