K-dramasand K-pop have quickly gained international prominence and garnered strong fan bases across the globe. Luckily for fans of both, the K-drama acting industry and K-pop have had significant overlaps, asmany K-pop idols decided to give acting a try and have starred in multiple K-dramas. Many of theK-pop idols who turned to actinghave proven themselves to be skilled actors and cemented their status as talented musicians and actors.
With streaming platforms likeNetflix having an abundance of K-dramas and movies, and making them easily accessible to international audiences, their popularity has only grown through the years. K-pop idols making a transition from music to acting is not a recent occurrence and there is a large number of actors who are also in the music industry. Must-watch K-dramas starring K-pop legends not only feature believable acting but also have compelling plots.
10Full House (2004)
Rain/Jung Ji-hoon
FullHouseis anessential classic K-dramastarring the singer and actor Jung Ji-hoon, best known as Rain. The romantic comedy K-drama follows the unlikely and tumultuous romance between aspiring writer Han Ji-eun (Song Hye-kyo) and Lee Young-jae (Rain).
He made his K-drama and acting debut in 2003 with the showSang Doo! Let’s Go To Schooland his role inFull Housein 2004 propelled him to further fame.
Ji-eun’s house, known as the titular Full House is sold by her friends without her knowledge and bought by Young-jae, a famous and rich actor who ran into Ji-eun during her vacation.Ji-eun and Young-jae are forced to cohabitate, which is a difficult task as their opposing personalities cause clashes. However, the two began to fall for each other.
Full House
Cast
Full House follows the life of Han Ji-eun, a naïve writer, who enters a contract marriage with actor Lee Young-jae after losing her home in a scam. Set against their evolving personal dynamic, the series explores themes of resilience, love, and the complexities of modern relationships.
Full Housemarks Rain’s second K-dramaas the artist got his start as a musician. Rain was a member of the boy band Fanclub before he made his solo debut and rose to prominence. He made his K-drama and acting debut in 2003 with the showSang Doo! Let’s Go To Schooland his role inFull Housein 2004 propelled him to further fame. Since starring inFull House, Rain has continued to release music and star in K-dramas and movies.
9Save The Last Dance For Me (2004)
Eugene/Kim Yoo-jin
Save the Last Dance for Meisa uniquely charming romance K-dramathat stars Kim Yoo-jin, also known as Eugene, best known as a former member of the popular girl group S.E.S. The K-drama follows the bond between Hyun-woo (Ji Sung), the rich heir to his father’s company who loses his memories in a car crash and Eun-soo (Eugene), the woman who nurses him back to health and guides him through his recovery.
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Despite thecommon K-drama tropeslike amnesia and love triangles causing conflict in their lives, they find ways to persevere.Eugene made a mark on the K-pop industry as a member of S.E.S.and as a solo artist. After S.E.S. disbanded in 2002 Eugene released two solo albums and found success as a solo artist.
Save The Last Dance for Me
Save the Last Dance for Me is a romantic drama released in 2004, centered on Eun Soo, who manages a resort inn with her father. Her life is transformed when she encounters an amnesiac man she names Baek Chang Ho. Their blossoming romance faces challenges as hidden identities and conspiracies unfold.
The singer-turned-actor didn’t release new music after her stint as a solo artist, but did reunite with S.E.S. for their 20-year anniversary to release a remake of their popular single “Love” and the albumRemember. Eugene starred in K-dramas, making her television acting debut withLoving You.She last starred in the popular revenge thriller K-dramaThe Penthouse: War in Life.
8Princess Hours (2006)
Yoon Eun-hye
The popular romantic comedy K-drama seriesPrincess Hoursquickly became a hit, its success spawning a spin-off seriesPrince Hoursthat premiered a year later. Themodern royalty K-dramais set in an alternate world where the monarchy still exists and stars Yoon Eun-hye as Shin Chae-kyeon, a high school student whose life is turned upside down after her betrothal to Crown Prince Lee Shin (Ju Ji-hoon). Against the backdrop of a battle over succession, Chae-kyeon and Shin begin to bond and fall for each other.
Princess Hours
Princess Hours is a South Korean television series that follows the story of Crown Prince Lee Shin, who, while in love with a ballerina, is compelled to marry a commoner named Shin Chae Gyeong as the country’s emperor falls ill, sparking political and romantic turmoil.
Yoon Eun-hye made her debut as a singer as a member of the girl group Baby Vox and was a member from 1999 to 2005. The next year, she made her acting debut with the lead role inPrincess Hoursand later starred in the lead role inCoffee Prince.Yoon’s roles in the two popular K-dramas and critically acclaimed acting resulted inher winning the Best Actress award at the Baeksang Arts Awards in 2007, making her the youngest actress to win the award.
7It’s Okay, That’s Love (2014)
D.O./Doh Kyung-soo
The romance K-dramaIt’s Okay, That’s Lovefeatures Doh Kyung-soo, best known by his stage name D.O., ina supporting role. The series revolves around the love story between psychiatrist Ji Hae-soo (Gong Hyo-jin) and the author with a troubled past Jang Jae-yeol (Zo In-sung). Theromantic K-drama couplehas to learn to see past their different personalities and learn to heal and grow together.
It’s Okay, That’s Love
It’s Okay, That’s Love is a South Korean television series starring Jo In-sung and Gong Hyo-jin. Set in the world of psychiatry and mental health, the series follows the intertwined lives of a mystery writer and a psychiatrist, delving into their personal struggles and relationships. The show was written by Noh Hee-kyung and directed by Kim Kyu-tae.
D.O. plays the role of Han Kang-woo, a high school student who is a massive fan of Jae-yeoland aims to become a successful author. D.O. is a K-pop idol and a member of the boy band Exo. The singer and actor got his start by joining Exo in 2012 and began branching out and starring in several TV shows and movies. D.O.’s first leading role was in the K-drama100 Days My Prince, which was a commercial success.
6Doctor Cha (2023)
Uhm Jung-Hwa
Themedical K-dramaseriesDoctor Chastars Uhm Jung-hwa in the titular role ofa housewife who returns to her career and becomes a medical residentafter 20 years. Uhm plays the role of Cha Jeong-suk, the housewife who decides to turn her life around and return to her medical career after facing a near-death experience.
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Doctor Cha’sblend of comedy with the compelling story of the sympathetic lead character’s plight as a woman returning to work and dealing with her bad marriage with her cheating husband Seo In-jo (Kim Byung-chul) made the K-drama a commercial hit.The lead actor Uhm Jung-hwa has cemented her status as a skilled singer and actor and found success in the music, film, and television industry.
Doctor Cha
Doctor Cha is a South Korean television series that follows the story of a doctor who runs a clinic in a small town, where he becomes entangled in the mysterious events and secrets of the town’s residents.
Uhm began her career in 1993 as a singerand has since then has been dubbed as the “Korean Madonna”. Her performances in films won her awards, including the prestigious Baeksang Arts Award. Uhm has managed to continue her musical endeavors and release albums while also making her mark as one of South Korea’s most popular actresses.
5Descendants Of The Sun (2016)
Onew/Lee Jin-ki
The award-winningaction romance K-dramaseriesDescendants of the Suntellsthe love story of a Special Forces officer and cardiothoracic surgeonamidst the backdrop of a war.Descendants of the Sunrevolves around the budding romance between Captain Yoo Si-jin (Song Joong-ki) and Doctor Kang Mo-yeon (Song Hye-kyo). The series follows their relationship, the issues they face, and how they learn about each other after they’re reunited in a war zone.
Descendants of the Sun
This drama series follows the romance between a dedicated soldier and a talented surgeon, whose differing worldviews test their relationship. Amidst challenging circumstances and life-threatening situations, they navigate the complexities of love, duty, and the unpredictable nature of fate.
Lee Jin-ki appears in the K-drama as Lee Chi-hoon, a member of the Haesung Hospital Medical Services Team as a first-year medical resident. Lee Jin-ki, better known by his stage nameOnew, is a vocalist in the award-winning band Shineeand actor. The singer has also appeared in musicals and in K-dramas in cameos and minor roles. Lee’s role inDescendants of the Sunmarks his biggest role in K-dramas yet, and the actor returned to acting with the horror series4 Minutes 44 Seconds.
4Hotel Del Luna (2019)
IU/Lee Ji-eu
Thefantasy romance K-dramaseriesHotel del Lunastars Lee Ji-eun, also known by her stage name IU, and Yeo Jin-goo asthe owner and manager of a supernatural hotelthat only employs and serves ghosts.Hotel del Lunafollows Jang Man-wol (Lee), the moody and unpredictable hotel owner who is bound to the hotel as punishment for the grave sin she committed more than a thousand years before the events of the series, and Koo Chan-sung (Yeo), the general manager of the titular hotel who begins the unravel the secrets of the hotel and its owner Man-wol.
Hotel Del Luna
Hotel Del Luna is a fantasy romance television series set in a mystical hotel where the employees and guests are ghosts. The story revolves around Jang Man-wol, the owner of Hotel Del Luna, and Goo Chan-sung, a young and ambitious hotelier, as they navigate love, redemption, and the consequences of their past actions.
Lee Ji-eun is a popular singer and actor who has established herself as a talented musician and formidable actor.Lee made her debut as a musician under the stage name IU in 2008and released her first studio album the next year. She made her acting debut withDream Highin 2011 and her acting in her first leading role in the K-dramaYou Are the Best!garnered a positive reception. Lee’s albums and performances have solidified her status as a successful and talented artist.
3King The Land (2023)
Im Yoon-ah and Lee Jun-ho
The romantic comedyKing the Landstars two K-pop idols in the lead roles.The K-drama follows the heir to a luxury hotel conglomerate, Gu Won, played by Lee Jun-ho, and an employee Cheon Sa-rang, played by Im Yoon-ah.King the Landis filled withsweet romantic momentsas it follows the boss and employee as they find common ground amidst a stressful battle for the inheritance of the conglomerate The King Group.
King the Land
King the Land: Amid a tense inheritance battle, a charming heir faces off against his hardworking employee, known for her irresistible smile, which he finds unbearable. This series navigates the complexities of personal dynamics and family loyalty in the high-stakes world of corporate succession.
Im Yoon-ah, also known Yoona, is a member of the group Girls' Generation and its sub-unit Girls' Generation-Oh!GG. Her first lead role in the K-drama You Are My Destiny was her breakout role, and since then she has starred in K-dramas likeThe K2, Love Rain, The King in Love,and Big Mouth. Her co-star inKing the Land,Lee Jung-hois a member of the band 2PM. Lee made his acting debut in the 2013 movieCold Eyesand has appeared in K-drams likeRain or Shine, The Red Sleeve, andGood Manager.
2Squid Game (2021-Present)
T.O.P/Choi Seung-hyun
The survival thriller seriesSquid Gametook the world by storm, gained international attention, and became Netflix’s most-watched series. The Emmy Award and Golden Globe-winning K-drama features an ensemble cast led by the protagonist Seong Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae).
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T.O.P.’s villainous Squid Game character brought something especially great to the Netflix show’s second season with many memorable moments.
Squid Gameseason 2 is set three years after the events of the first season and follows Gi-hun’s mission to end the deadly games as a new group of people fight to win the prize. Choi Seung-hyun, known professionally asT.O.P, plays the role of Thanos,one of the competitors in the Squid Game competition.
Squid Game
Squid Game is a South Korean series released in 2021 that follows numerous financially struggling participants who are invited to partake in children’s games with deadly outcomes. As they compete, they vie for a substantial cash prize, all while navigating lethal challenges orchestrated by mysterious figures.
T.O.P was an underground rapper beforehe joined BigBang in 2006 as the lead rapper of the group. He made his acting debut the next year with the K-dramaI Am Sam. Choi was convicted of marijuana use in 2017, sparking controversy in South Korea. The rapper subsequently left the K-pop industry and made his return to acting withSquid Gameseason 2.
1Dream High (2011) And Dream High 2 (2012)
Bae Suzy/Bae Su-ji, Taecyeon/Ok Taec-yeon, IU/Lee Ji-eun, Etc.
The K-dramaDream Highand its sequelDream High 2followa group of six students in high school as they aspire to become K-pop idols. Both of theK-drama series about K-pop idolsalso feature multiple K-pop artists in acting roles as students. The main cast ofDream Highfeatures K-pop legends Bae Su-ji, Ok Taec-yeon, Hahm Eun-jung, Jang Woo-young, and Lee Ji-eun.
Out of the six main cast members ofDreamHigh,only one of the actors, Kim Soo-hyun, is not a K-pop idol.
Out of the six main cast members ofDreamHigh,only one of the actors, Kim Soo-hyun, is not a K-pop idol. The singer and songwriter Park Jin-young, also known by his stage name J. Y. Park, the founder of the entertainment and record label agency JYP Entertainment also appears in the K-drama as one of the teachers in Kirin High School.
Dream High
Dream High follows six dedicated students at Kirin Art High School as they strive to achieve their aspirations of becoming stars in the Korean music industry. Released in 2011, the film explores their personal and professional challenges as they navigate the competitive world of entertainment.
Dream High 2’smain cast also stars four K-pop idolsin leading roles, Jeong Jin-woon, Jay B, Park Ji-yeon, and Kim Hyo-jung. Park Ji-young, professionally known as Kahi, is a member of the supporting cast and plays the role of the dance teacher in the school.
