Popular actors who got their start as K-pop idols

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Writer: Nisa Irina

With K-dramas and K-films more popular than ever, there's definitely a few familiar faces we'd recognise anywhere! But did you know that some of these actors actually began as K-pop idols, before drastically changing careers? Let's take a look at a few of these multi-talented stars below!

D.O

Name: Do Kyung-soo, 28 years old

Trivia:

Auditioned for SM Entertainment in 2010 and became one of the main vocalists of K-pop group, EXO
Besides singing and acting, he's also a good cook, illustrator and theatre actor
An award-winning actor after bagging the Blue Dragon Film Award for Best New Actor for his role in hit film "My Annoying Brother" in 2016
Excels in different roles and movie/drama genres such as "It's Ok, This is Love", "Room No.7", "Be Positive" and "Cart"

He portrayed crown prince Lee Yool, who lost his memory and wanders for 100 days under a new name and personality, in "100 Days My Prince"

EXO's latest album "Don't Fight the Feeling" features members Kai, Chanyeol, Lay, D.O, Baekhyun, Sehun, and Xiumin

D.O dropped his first solo mini-album "Empathy" in July and fans (EXO-L) loved the vintage, spring concept

Taecyeon

Name: Ok Taec-yeon, 33 years old

Trivia:

Taecyeon lived in the US with his family for seven years and is multilingual; he speaks English, Korean, Japanese and Spanish
Currently in a relationship with non-celebrity girlfriend since 2017
Auditioned for JYP Entertainment in New York when he was 17 and became a member of K-pop group 2PM
Made his acting debut in 2010 in a supporting role in the drama "Cinderella's Sister"
Amongst his must-watch dramas are "Dream High", "Who Are You?", "Bring It On, Ghost", "The Game: Towards Zero" and "Vincenzo"

In "Vincenzo", Taecyeon plays the role of happy-go-lucky intern Jang Jun-woo and Babel Chairman Jang Han-seok

Taecyeon paired up with his 'ghost girlfriend' Kim So-hyun in "Bring It On, Ghost"

2PM recently made their huge comeback after a 5-year hiatus with new album "Must"

Lee Seung Gi

Name: Lee Seung-gi, 34 years old

Trivia:

Seung Gi was born as a singer as he loves singing since he was a kid and made his debut in 2004 with the song "Because You're My Girl"
One of Korea's Hallyu star that made his acting debut in 2005 in a guest role in the drama "Nonstop 5" and has been starring in romantic and action dramas ever since
Dubbed as Nation's Son in Law and Nations "Uhm-Chin-Ah", which means your mother's friend's brilliant son, whom you get compared to
An award-winning actor who starred in highly rated dramas; "My Girlfriend is A Gumiho", "Gu Family Book", "The King 2 Hearts" and "Hwayugi: A Korean Odyssey"

Seung Gi reunited with Bae Suzy in action thriller "Vagabond" and fans can't wait for season 2!

Seung Gi gifts his fans an unforgettable experience during his Asia fan meeting tour, "Vagabond Voyage"

His psycho and dark side in "Mouse" will surely give you goosebumps!

Park Hyung Sik

Name: Park Hyung-sik, 30 years old

Trivia:

A member of the Kpop group ZE:A, which is now known as the K-pop group with the longest hiatus in the music industry
After starring in "Hwarang: The Poet Warrior Youth", he became close to BTS's V and actor Park Seo-joon
Known for his roles in "The Heirs", "High Society", "Strong Girl Bong-soon", "Suits", as well as films "Two Lights: Relumino" and "Juror 8"
Besides TV dramas, Hyung Sik was also a cast member of a number of popular variety shows, including "Real Men" and "Law of the Jungle"

The "Hwarang" boys are more than eye candy!

Oh, did we mention Hyung Sik is also a member of WOOGA Squad? Catch their cameos in Peakboy's "Gyopo Hairstyle" music video

Hyung Sik and Park Bo Young's chemistry in "Strong Girl Bong Soon" is one of the reasons why this drama is binge-worthy

Jinyoung

Name: Park Jin-young, 27 years old

Trivia:

Jinyoung has officially signed with BH Entertainment, after GOT7 ended their contract with JYP Entertainment on January 2021
One of his dreams is to become a pre-school teacher as he likes reading books to kids
Jinyoung is fluent in Japanese and English, which made him more connected to his international fans
Starred in various dramas like "Dream High 2", "When a Man Falls in Love", "Legend of the Blue Sea", "He is Psychometric" and "When My Love Blooms"

We can't get enough of Jinyoung doing his favorite habit of running his hand through his hair

#GOT7Forever! The members still intend on releasing music together in the future

K-drama fans can't stop talking about Jinyoung and Ji Sung acting in "Devil Judge"

Siwon

Name: Choi Si-won, 35 years old

Trivia:

Siwon, who is a member of Super Junior, bloomed to fame during the second gen of K-pop
Siwon has joined many UNICEF campaigns since 2010, and has been unveiled as UNICEF East Asia and Pacific's new Regional Ambassador
Played lead roles in the dramas "Oh! My Lady", "Poseidon", "Revolutionary Love" and "My Fellow Citizens!"
Before he became an actor in Korea, Siwon made his acting debut in Hong Kong film "A Battle of Wits" and received praise from co-star Andy Lau