By now, Korean entertainment has become a huge phenomenon that not only has attracted streaming services and other media outlets, but it has garnered a large fan base that people cannot stop talking about it. All this is happening due to the simple reasons that Korean celebrities are super talented and their work is just marvelous. So, it should not come as a shocker when we say that there is a long list of Korean actors who are also famous K-pop stars. That is why, sometimes you might end up watchingK-dramasand find familiar faces. They definitely have conquered both worlds.
So, to help you figure out which of these stars stands out the most, we have compiled this list. These stars know how to navigate through the music industry, and the TV show/film industry and that is why, they are capable of camouflaging their identities behind the characters they undertake.
20Jung Jin-young (B1A4)
The former member and leader of the boy band B1A4,Jin-youngrose to fame following his debut with the band in 2011. However, the singer pursued acting alongside his music career. That is, until 2018, when he decided to leave the band. In addition to being a band member, Jin-young has also pursued music as a solo artist. As for his acting career, he has performed in both films and TV series. His most prominent film role is inThe Dude in Me, a fantasy comedy, where he plays the character of Kim Dong-hyun, a schoolboy who was bullied until he switched bodies with the gangster, Jang Pan-soo (Park Sung-woong).
So, yes, this role might have been challenging since Jin-young had to navigate two identities at once. His recent role inPolice Universityas Kang Seon-ho is yet another successful performance that allowed the show to get a higher viewership.
Related:The 20 Best Korean Dramas for Newcomers to the Genre
19Seohyun / Seo Ju-hyun (Girls’ Generation)
Seohyunmight have taken a hiatus from the band Girls' Generation, but they also made a comeback in 2022. In fact, in 2007, Girls' Generation was regarded as the most successful and popular South Korean girls group and was also quite popular in Japan. However, Seohyun was able to gain much fame and success through her acting. This is evident by the many leading roles she has undertaken.
Out of all, her most famous, and probably the best ones, are seen in the rom-comLove and Leashes, where she plays Ji-hoo, a seemingly perfect woman with a secret BDSM fascination, the crime dramaPrivate Lives, where she portrays Cha Joo-eun a smart and manipulative swindler, and most recently, the 2022 rom-comJinxed at First, where she plays Lee Seul-bi, a girl who is capable of seeing the future. So, the variety in the genre itself proves how good of an actress she is.
18L / Kim Myun-soo (Infinite)
Here’s an interesting Korean singer/actor who made his acting debut in a Japanese drama namedJiu Keishicho Tokushuhan Sousagakari. However, prior to this, he was introduced to the entertainment world as the first member of the boy band, Infinite. Perhaps, the actor’s best role is in thelegal dramaMs. Hammurabi, where he plays Lim Ba-reun, a judge who is known to be a stickler for rules.
He was commended for this particular performance. Additionally, the actor has taken several other significant roles in some popular TV shows, with the most recent one being the protagonist of the 2023 drama,Numbers, which is also hisfirst project following the completion of his militaryenlistment. His other leading roles are seen inRoyal Secret Agent,Welcome, andAngel’s Last Mission: Love.
17Suho / Kim Jun-myeon (Exo)
Suhomight be well known as one of the members of the South Korean-Chinese boy band, Exo, but he has also taken up several acting roles. However, Suho’s roles are more or less romantic ones. The well-known characters that Suho has played are Lee Yoo-chan inRich Manand Woo-joo inThe Universe’s Star.
The singer/actor has also taken up the leading role inOne Way Tripwhere he plays, Jeong Sang-woo, one of the four friends who end up being suspected of murder while taking a trip before their military enlistment. He will also be playing one of the main characters in the upcoming supernatural drama,Behind Your Touch.
16D.O. / Do Kyung-soo (Exo)
Yet another member of the boy band, Exo, D.O. is known for some significant and unique portrayals. Out of all his characters, it is Jin Jung, the lead inBad Prosecutor, that stands out. As the title suggests, this legal drama focuses on an unusual lawyer who is all about bringing justice, even if it means breaking the law. However, it is the show100 Days My Prince, where he plays the leading character of Lee Yul, the prince, that has become the most popular TV series in his portfolio.
In fact, the drama is regarded as the “fourth highest watched tvN drama ever”, in turn, proving how talented D.O. is. The actor/singer has also partaken in several films and will also be appearing in the upcoming space-survival movie,The Moon.
15Rowoon / Kim Seok-woo (SF9)
Rowoondebuted with SF9 in 2016 following which he began his acting career. In 2017 Rowoon played a minor role inSchool 2017, andhe also took up a supporting role as the protagonist’s brother in the show,About Time. However, it wasWhere Stars Landthat shed light on his acting career. He might’ve played yet another supporting role in the show, but he was nominated for the Best New Actor award in SBS Drama Awards.
As of recently, Rowoon has taken many prominent roles in shows likeThe King’s Affection,She Would Never Know, andTomorrow. He will also be playing the lead inDestined With You, which is scheduled to be released in August 2023. It is an upcomingNetflix original romantic drama.
14Yook Sung-jae (BToB)
Many might know him for his roles inGuardian: The Lonely and Great Godas well asThe Golden SpoonandMystic Pop-up Bar, which areSung-jae’s most recent performances, but he is also a successful singer. Not only is he a part of the group, BToB, but he has also released some solo tracks and a solo album. Sung-jae has thrived in his acting career since he has taken several lead roles since 2014.
13Park Hyung-sik (ZE:A)
Known for his performances inStrong Girl Bong-soon, where he plays the romantic interest of the titular character, andSuits, theKorean version of the Americanlegal drama and where he plays Go Yeon-woo, the equivalent of Michael Ross (Patrick J. Adams), Hyung-sik is also a K-pop star. He is a member of the band, ZE:A, who have been on a hiatus since 2017. Clearly, this has allowed Hyung-sik to expand his acting portfolio, since he has been quite active in the TV show industry.
In addition to the above-mentioned successful shows, the actor has taken several other leading roles. This has proved Hyung-sik the chance to show off his ability to dive into different genres. His most recent work includesOur Blooming Youthand the upcoming show,Doctor Slump.
12Bae Suzy (Miss A)
Bae is a former member of the girl group, Miss A, which was disbanded in 2017. However, that way definitely not the end of her singing career, as Bae went on to release singles. From 2019 to 2022, she focuses mostly on acting, and thus, took a break from her music career. She made her comeback in 2022 and fans have been quite excited about her music since then.
Obviously, she has much more success and popularity in her acting work. Her performances inStart-Up,While You Were Sleeping,Vagabond,Uncontrollably FondandGu Family Bookare quite famous among K-drama fans. She will also be acting alongside Choi Woo-sik in theupcoming film,Wonderland.
11Choi Min-ho (Shinee)
Before BTS opened up new portals to K-pop, there was the boy group SHINee. In fact, this group is still known as the “Princes of K-pop”. So, obviously, it wouldn’t come as a shocker that one of the members, Min-ho, has also become one popular actor. Min-ho is known for his performances in both films and TV shows. The two films,Derailed, a 2016 action crime film, andThe Battle of Jangsari, a 2019 action war film in which Min-ho played the main roles, allowed him to share his name on the big screen.
There are also the TV shows likeTo the Beautiful You,My First Time,and most recently,The Fabulouswhere Min-ho portrayed lead characters. The fact that he was able to adapt to different genres while making it to the big screen and also, while being one of the members of Korea’s biggest boy bands shows how multi-talented this actor/singer is.
