10 K-Pop Stars Who Successfully Transitioned to Acting in K-Dramas

In recent years, Korean K-drama series have gained huge popularity worldwide, especially through streaming services like Netflix. Where there are plenty of great K-dramas to watch with actors who started out in the industry, it's not the only way to break into the business. South Korean entertainment has expanded into many avenues, so it's not surprising to see pop stars trying their hand at acting.

The path from K-pop idol to K-drama actor is quite common, with many talented artists transitioning into TV and film effortlessly. With K-pop artists and groups having massive fanbases, it's no wonder that these individuals have found success in portraying various characters. While many K-pop artists eventually become performers, only a few Korean singers are considered truly great K-drama actors.

Lee Min-ho

MY.st

K-pop artist Lee Min-ho as Gu Jun-pyo in the K-drama Boys Over Flowers - MY.st

South Korean actor Lee Min-ho gained fame for his role as Gu Jun-pyo in Boys Over Flowers and City Hunter. He was also the first Korean celebrity to have a wax figure at Madam Tussauds. Apart from acting, he was part of the K-pop group MY.st and showcased his rapping skills until the group disbanded in 2021.

Lee Ji-eun / IU

Solo Artist

K-pop idol IU as Kim Pil-sook in the K-drama Dream High - Solo Artist - Lee Ji-eun / IU

IU, also known as Lee Ji-eun, began her singing career at the age of 15. Since 2009, she has released several albums and EPs. Besides being a successful recording artist, she has also ventured into acting. Her acting debut was on the variety show Heroes, and she later starred in the teen drama Dream High. More recently, she has appeared in popular dramas like Love Poem and Hotel del Luna, where she showcased her singing talent on the soundtrack.

Im Yoon-ah / Yoona

Girls' Generation

Yoona as Kim Yoon-hee looking out of a bus window in Love Rain - Girls' Generation - Im Yoon-ah / Yoona

Im Yoon-ah, also known as Yoona, trained for five years before debuting with Girls' Generation, one of South Korea's biggest girl groups, in 2007. She later became part of Girls' Generation-Oh!GG, a subgroup formed in 2018. Besides her successful music career, Yoon-ah has made a mark in the acting industry, starring in popular K-dramas like Love Rain and Prime Minister & I. She has also gained recognition in the film industry, playing the role of Park Min-young in the Confidential Assignment series.

Seohyun

Girls' Generation

Seohyu as Han Yoo-rim and Lee Won-keun as Moo-yeol in the k-drama Passionate Love - Girls' Generation - Seohyun

South Korean singer Seohyun, a former member of Girls' Generation, ventured into acting as well. She appeared in popular Korean stage productions like Gone with the Wind and Mamma Mia, and also starred in K-dramas such as Passionate Love and Jinxed at First. Her lead role in the Netflix film Love and Leashes even landed her a nomination for Best New Actress at the Baeksang Arts Awards in 2022.

D.O.

Exo

D.O. from Exo as Jin Jung hiding behind a plant on the phone in Bad Prosecutor

D.O. was recognized by the Korean Film Council in 2021 as one of the actors representing the future of the country's film industry. He first gained fame as a member of Exo in 2012 and then ventured into acting with his debut in the film Cart. Recently, he has impressed audiences with his roles in K-drama series like Bad Prosecutor and 100 Days My Prince, along with a memorable cameo in Dear My Room.

Bae Suzy

Miss A

Bae Suzy as Go Hye-mi in Dream High - Miss A

Bae Suzy, a South Korean icon, began her career in 2010 as a member of the group Miss A. She then ventured into acting in 2011 with her debut in Dream High. Despite the show's short run of two months, Suzy's performance left a lasting impact. She even won the Best Couple award at the KBS Drama Awards for her role as Go Hye-mi alongside Kim Soo-hyun as Song Sam-dong in Dream High. One of Suzy's most memorable roles is as Seo Dal-mi in the TV series Start-Up, for which she received the Actress of the Year award at the 2010 Korea First Brand Awards.

Kim Tae-hyung / V

BTS

Kim Tae-hyung/V from BTS as Seok Han-sung in Hwarang: The Poet Warrior Youth - Kim Tae-hyung / V

Kim Tae-hyung, also known as V, is a member of the popular K-pop group BTS. Apart from his music career, he has also tried his hand at acting, appearing in the series Hwarang: The Poet Warrior Youth in 2016. He even lent his vocals to the show's soundtrack with the song "It's Definitely You." In 2023, V ventured into the world of solo artistry with his album "Layover," which featured three singles - "Love Me Again," "Rainy Days," and "Slow Dancing." Currently, as of February 2024, Kim Tae-hyung is fulfilling his mandatory military service in the South Korean army.

Park Soo-young / Joy

Red Velvet

Joy as Ahn and Choo Young Woo as Han smiling in Once Upon a Small Town - Red Velvet - Park Soo-young / Joy

Park Soo-young, also known as Joy, started her career as a member of the group Red Velvet in 2014. She quickly became popular for her singing and influence in the world of celebrities. Joy's first acting role was in The Liar and His Lover, a show based on the manga series Kanojo wa Uso o Aishisugiteru by Kotomi Aoki. In this musical, she not only acted but also showcased her singing talent by lending her voice to multiple songs on the K-drama's soundtrack.

Kim Ji-soo / Jisoo

After taking a break from acting to focus on her music career, Joy returned to the screen in 2021 as social media influencer Seong Mi-do in The One and Only. She previously starred as Ahn, the female lead in K-drama Once Upon a Small Town, earning nominations for Best Actress, Best New Actress, and Popular Star Award at the Blue Dragon Series Awards in 2023. Joy also continues to release music, with her latest single "Blue Night Song" featuring Ha Dong-kyun from Wanted and 7Dayz.

Blackpink

Jung Hae-in as Lim Soo-ho and Jisoo as Eun Yeong-ro in Snowdrop - Blackpink - Kim Ji-soo / Jisoo

Rowoon, a member of the popular K-pop boy group SF9, has been making waves in the entertainment industry. His acting skills have been recognized through his role in the drama series "Extraordinary You." Rowoon's talent was further showcased in the drama "She Would Never Know." In addition to his acting career, Rowoon is also known for his charming personality and visual appeal, making him a rising star in both the music and acting scenes.

SF9

Rowoon as Kang Hyun-il / Issue in School 2017 - SF9

Former SF9 member Rowoon is now primarily known as an actor. His acting journey began in 2017 with a small role in School 2017, paving the way for more significant opportunities. In 2018, Rowoon landed roles in two K-dramas, About Time and Where Stars Land.

Rowoon's breakout role came as Haru in Extraordinary You, adapted from the web series July Found by Chance. This role marked a turning point in his acting career. In September 2023, Rowoon announced his departure from SF9 to focus on acting, a decision influenced by his busy schedule in recent years. Since 2020, he has been involved in various projects, showcasing his talents both on-screen and through voice-overs. This includes his participation in the Korean dubbing of Trolls World Tour and his role in the historical K-drama The King's Affection.

Editor's P/S:

The article provides an intriguing glimpse into the intersection of K-pop and K-drama, highlighting the successful transition of talented artists from the music industry to the world of acting. It showcases the versatility and adaptability of these individuals, who have seamlessly leveraged their musical abilities and fanbases to establish themselves as respected actors.

The article serves as a testament to the expanding entertainment landscape in South Korea, where artists are no longer confined to a single discipline. It demonstrates the symbiotic relationship between music and acting, as many K-pop artists have found success on both fronts. Their ability to connect with audiences through both their singing and acting skills is a testament to their exceptional talent and dedication.