Have you ever watched a K-Drama that made you say, “I think I know that person!” but you can’t remember where you saw them? Then you google the drama, and it turns out that the actor and actress you’re watching is a K-Pop idol!
It’s not new that most of the K-Drama actors and actresses we are watching now were once K-POP idols. I think we all love K-Pop as much as we love K-Dramas, so it’s amazing that we can see some of our favorite idols in the acting industry! Let’s list down some of the K-Pop idol-turned K-Drama actors and actresses that we all love!
Suzy
Starting the list with one of the most popular idols turned actresses and is known as the Nation’s First Love, Bae Suzy. Suzy debuted in 2010 as part of the JYP girl group “Miss A.” Her popularity skyrocketed when she started her acting career in the hit music teen drama “Dream High.” At the “2011 KBS Drama Awards,” Suzy won the Best New Actress award as well as the Best Couple award with co-star Kim Soo Hyun.
Suzy also starred in numerous dramas such as “Big” alongside Gong Yoo, “Kangchi, the Beginning” alongside Lee Seung Gi, “Uncontrollably Fond” alongside Kim Woo Bin, “While You Were Sleeping” alongside Lee Jong Suk, “Vagabond” reuniting with her “Kangchi, the Beginning” co-star, Lee Seung Gi, Start-Up alongside Nam Joo Hyuk which led her to win numerous acting awards such as Actress of the Year, Most Popular Actress, Top Excellence Award, Actress in a Miniseries and a lot more! Suzy is really one of the standards of being an idol-turned actress!
Im Si Wan
Next on the list is the acting genius, Im Si Wan. He debuted as a member of the boy group ZE:A in 2010 and rose to stardom when he joined the hit period drama “The Moon Embracing the Sun” as the young version of Heo Yeom. Siwan also starred in “The Man from the Equator” as the young version of the male lead.
Im Si Wan captured the hearts of many when he starred in the cultural phenomenon drama “Misaeng: Incomplete Life.” The drama was a huge success that made Siwan a household name in the country and made him win numerous awards such as the Best New Actor and Excellence Award in acting. Im Si Wan also starred in the period drama “The King in Love,” the horror “Hell Is Other People,”and the contemporary romance “Run On.” He is currently starring in the justice drama “Tracer.” Im Si Wan is one of the idols that come to mind when you say best idol turned actor!
IU
One of the most successful singers turned actresses is Lee Ji Eun or more commonly known as IU. She debuted in 2008 as a singer and started her acting career in the hit music-themed drama “Dream High.” IU had her first leading role with the family drama “You Are The Best” alongside Cho Jung Seok. She also starred in “Bel Ami” alongside Jang Keun Suk that led her to win the Best New Actress award.
IU gained more recognition when she starred in the hit comedy-drama “THE Producers” alongside Kim Soo Hyun, Kong Hyo Jin, and Cha Tae Hyun. IU became more popular internationally when she acted alongside Lee Joon Gi in the historical drama “Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo.” IU proved that she’s one of the best actresses in her generation when she starred in “My Mister,” which is one of the highest-rated Korean dramas in cable television history.
IU is the definition of booked and busy because she is successful both in the music and acting industry!
Lee Jun Ho
One of the hottest actors today, Lee Jun Ho! Debuted as a member of the boy group 2PM in 2008, he started his acting career in the film “Cold Eyes” where he impressed the viewers with his acting. He gained recognition when he acted alongside Namkoong Min in the K-Drama “Good Manager,” which made him win the Excellence Award, Best Actor in a Mid-length Drama award, and Best Celebrity Actor.
Lee Jun Ho also starred in “Rain or Shine” alongside Won Jin Ah and “Wok of Love” alongside Jang Hyuk where he also won different acting awards. Lee Jun Ho is currently gaining a lot of attention after starring in the hit historical drama “The Red Sleeve” that made him win the Top Excellence Award in a Miniseries. Lee Jun Ho recently co-hosted the “2021 MBC Music Festival” with Lim Yoon A.
Lim Yoon A
Lim Yoon A debuted in the legendary girl group Girls’ Generation in 2007, made her acting debut in a minor role in “Two Outs in the Ninth Inning,” and landed her first leading role in “You Are My Destiny.” Her first leading role was a huge success that gave her wider recognition as an idol-turned actress. Lim Yoon A also starred in “Cinderellaman” alongside Kwon Sang Woo.
Lim Yoon A starred in “Love Rain” and “Prime Minister and I,” which made her receive more acting recognition. Lim Yoon A became more popular internationally when she starred in the Chinese drama “God of War, Zhao Yun,” and was praised for her performances in the action thriller drama “The K2” and historical drama “The King In Love.” Lim Yoon A has been hosting the “MBC Music Festival” since 2015! She is a beauty who proved that she’s the best at everything!
Park Hyung Sik
Next on the list is everyone’s man of their dreams, Park Hyung Sik, who debuted as a member of the boy group ZE:A in 2010! Yes, he is Im Si Wan’s bandmate! Park Hyung Sik started his acting career with minor roles and became known internationally when he acted in the hit drama “The Heirs.” Park Hyung Sik gained more recognition when he joined the main cast of the family drama “What’s With This Family,” where he won the “Best New Actor” award.
Park Hyung Sik increased his popularity when he starred as a chaebol in the romance drama “High Society,” where he won the Excellence Award in a Miniseries for his performance. Park Hyung Sik continued his rising popularity when he starred in the historical drama “Hwarang: The Poet Warrior Youth” alongside Park Seo Jun and Go A Ra and in the fantasy romantic drama “Strong Girl Bong Soon” alongside Park Bo Young. Park Hyung Sik recently wrapped up his apocalyptic thriller drama “Happiness” and is currently filming his next dramas “Soundtrack Number 21” with Han So Hee and “Youth, Climbing The Barrier” with Jeon So Nee.
Do Kyung Soo
One of the most popular idol actors now, Do Kyung Soo, debuted as a member of EXO in 2012 and has continuously proved that he’s one of the best actors of his generation. He started his acting career in a supporting role in the slice of life romance drama “It’s Okay, That’s Love” and gained positive reviews for his performance in the drama.
Do Kyung Soo also acted in “Hello Monster,” where he played a psychopath. Do Kyung Soo played different roles in films that made him win numerous awards such as Best New Actor and Best Acting Idol. He gained more recognition when he played a supporting role in the blockbuster film “Along With the Gods: The Two Worlds.” He had his first leading role playing a crown prince in the historical romance drama “100 Days My Prince.” The drama was a commercial success, which became the fifth highest-rated Korean drama in cable television history.
Do Kyung Soo released his solo album last year and is currently filming his upcoming films and drama slated to air this year! Soloist Kyungsoo, EXO D.O, and Actor Kyungsoo are really the best!
Nana
Last but not the least, the Face Genius who’s more than a pretty face, Im Jin Ah or more commonly known as Nana, is an Idol that debuted as a member of After School in 2009 and its subgroup Orange Caramel in 2010. Nana started her acting career in the Chinese drama “Love Weaves Through a Millennium” and gained domestic recognition as an actress when she played a supporting role in “The Good Wife,” where she won a Rookie Actress award.
Nana had her first lead role when she starred in the thriller K-Drama “Kill It” and won an excellence award for her performance when she acted as a prosecutor in “Justice.” Nana became even more well-loved when she acted as Goo Se Ra in the romantic comedy-drama “Into The Ring,” which is based on the screenplay of the grand prize winner at the Broadcasting Content Promotion Foundation (BCPF)’s 10th Find the Desert’s Shooting Star Screenplay Competition. Nana won the Excellence Award in a Miniseries, as well as the Best Couple Award with her “Into The Ring” co-star, Park Sung Hoon.
Nana is well-loved due to her amazing talent, personality, and visuals which is why everyone is looking forward to her next projects!
These are just some of our favorite K-Pop idols turned K-Drama actors and actresses because we know that there are a lot more! You can watch many of these dramas on KOCOWA, just download the KOCOWA app, and get to streaming!
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im yoon-ah or lim yoon-ah is better known as YOONA, her artistic name, YOONA is the nation’s center, nation’s goddess, nation’s visual, nation pride, and even became the face of South Korea internationally, she is also nation’s girl group’s face, center and visual. YoonA was the 1st snsd member who became the most popular and most powerful member internationally thanks to her successful drama ‘you are my destiny’ that aired between 2008 to 2009, her rating exceeded 41%, becoming a big hit, most of her dramas are best sellers. She is the only idol-actor who was praised and chosen as the Best actress by more than 200 experts (national & international). She is the only Korean idol-actress with a drama with over 10 BILLION views internationally. She is the only Korean actress who to take 1st place and beat powerful Asian male actors in the list of most powerful asian actors in real time. YOONA is a GREAT LEGEND..
Goddess Queen YOONA made history and paved the way
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