KOREAN MODELS vs KPOP IDOLS TURN ACTOR part 1

For you all Korean drama lovers, you must notice that some of the actors or actresses are idols or model before. They might not focus on acting before and tried this new job as they got the opportunity from their fame, but do they have the acting skill needed? Well, frankly enough, I think most of the idols and especially models are done a great job on portraying their role/character. Based on short poll that I made via twitter, Many people vote "Models turn actor" as the one who deliver their character better and have great acting skill than idols. It's 65 % vs 35%  Do you also think the same? I also agree with this result as I might want to tell you retell you , some of actor/actress who is  an ex model. Let me tell you that they're actually the top actor/actress in Korean entertainment industry.

THE ACTRESS!

They debuted as fashion magazine cover girls in late 1990s and are currently some of the top model-turned-actors

1. Shin Min Ah

well, her acting is amazing and adorable. She has starred in so many high rating drama and pretty popular among Korean drama lovers. Some of her popular drama including, my girlfriend gumiho, Tomorrow With You, Oh My Venus and Arang and the Magistrate

2. Gong Hyo Jin

Kong Hyo-Jin. born April 4, 1980 in Seoul, South Korea, is a popular actress. She first became interested in fashion design while in her teens and flew to Australia with her mother and brother to pursue that goal. She then found Australia wasn't the proper place for her to nurture those dreams and returned to South Korea. While attending school in South Korea she then started modeling and quickly expanded into acting with her debut in the 1999 horror film “Memento Mori”.

She often paired with the hottest actor and get a high rating drama, including master sun, the producer, jealous incarnation, when the camellia bloom, it's okay it's lover, etc

3.  Im Soo Jung

Im Soo-jung is a South Korean actress. After modeling for teen magazines, Im made her acting breakthrough in Kim Jee-woon's horror film A Tale of Two Sisters, followed by the popular television drama I'm Sorry, I Love You. Modeling Debut: Received the grand prize in fashion magazine Ceci’s cover model contest in 1998. She appears in chicago type writer.

4. Kim Min Hee

Kim Min-hee is a South Korean actress and model. She have a bad scandal involving his romantic relationship with a movie producer who already has family. Her affairs are talked by many in Korea. She appears as leading role in Hand maiden.

5. Lee Sung Kyung

Lee Sung-kyung is a South Korean model, actress and singer. She acted in the television dramas Cheese in the Trap and Doctors before taking her first leading role as the titular character in Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-joo and Dr. Romantic 2 alongside Ahn Hyo-seop and Han Suk-kyu. She might start as the second lead, but her visual is no competition!

6. Kim Hyo Jin

Her boyfriend and actor Kim Woo Bin started as a model as well.

7. Bae Doona

Bae Doona is a South Korean actress and photographer. She became known outside Korea for her roles as a political activist in Park Chan-wook's Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance, archer Park Nam-joo in Bong Joon-ho's The Host, and as an inflatable sex doll-come-to-life in Hirokazu Koreeda's Air Doll

8. Lee Na Young

Actor Won Bin and actress Lee Na-Young married on May 30, 2015 at a field in Gangwon Province, South Korea. The area is part of Won Bin's hometown. She is best known for her leading roles in TV Series Ruler of Your Own World and Ireland and film Someone Special and Maundy Thursday

9. Kim Dami

Kim Da-mi is a South Korean actress. She is best known for playing the titular role in action-mystery film The Witch: Part 1. The Subversion. She is a promising new actress as her played as Yiseo in Popular drama Itaewon class also get a high rating.

10. Han Ye Seul

Han Ye-seul is an American-born South Korean actress. She made her acting debut in the sitcom Nonstop 4, and has since played leading roles in television dramas such as Couple or Trouble, Tazza, and Birth of a Beauty. She might have a scandal before, when she fight with a drama producer and her break up with her celebrities boyfriend. 

11. Lee som

Esom is a South Korean actress and model. She is known for her leading role in the 2014 film Scarlet Innocence, for which she was nominated for Best New Actress in five different award ceremonies.

Modeling Debut: Lee Som got her runway debut after winning first place in Check in Girl, Mnet’s modeling reality show, in 2009.

THE ACTORS!

From the runways to our TV screens, these heartthrobs went from fashion kings to drama sensations. They’re tall, young, chic, and widely famous – fashion models in Korea are a whole different league of their own

1. Ahn Jae Hyun

Modeling Debut: The “Blood” star started his entertainment career in 2009 as a fashion model appearing in runway shows, magazine editorials, and commercials. In 2013, Ahn was cast in the uber-popular “My Love From Another Star” as Cheon Yoon Jae, the younger brother of Cheon Song Yi. Ahn Jae Hyun is the ultimate ulzzang (“best face”) model to ever cross over into acting. He started as a fashion model in 2009, but he began to get noticed when he starred in music videos for K.Will and Sistar19. What probably made his career skyrocket was when he played the role of Jun Ji Hyun‘s brother in the hit drama “My Love From the Star.” With his fair skin, red lips, and cunning look, he then landed a lead role as a vampire doctor in “Blood,” where he met his ulzzang wife, Ku Hye Sun. 

2. Hong Jong Hyun

Hong began his entertainment career in 2007 as a professional model. He made his acting debut in 2008, and has appeared in the romantic drama.

3. Cha Seung Won

Cha Seung-won (born June 7, 1970) is a South Korean actor, who began his career as an in-demand fashion model in the 1990s. Cha achieved stardom through the hit comedy films Kick the Moon (2001), Jail Breakers (2002), My Teacher, Mr. Kim (2003), and Ghost House (2004).

4. Kang Dong Won

5. So Ji Sub.

So Ji-sub is a South Korean actor. After making his entertainment debut as a jeans model, he became known for his leading roles in the television series What Happened in Bali, I'm Sorry, I Love You, Cain and Abel, Phantom, Master's Sun and Oh My Venus as well as the film Rough Cut.6. Lee Jong Suk

6. Lee Jongsuk

He is not only has talent for playing complicated and diverse roles, he also has an eye for picking dramas which become national crazes: “Secret Garden,” “I Hear Your Voice,” “Pinocchio,” and “W.”  He is able to star alongside top Korean actresses like Han Hyo Joo, Park Shin Hye, and Lee Bo Young with ease. He first got famous in “School 2013,” garnering fans for his bromance with co-actor Kim Woo Bin.

But did you know that he started at the age of 16 as the youngest model for the Seoul Collection runway and that he originally trained to be an idol? His career turned for the better; aside from dramas, he also graces the silver screens in hit box office films.

7. Nam Joo Hyuk

Standing 6 feet and 2 inches tall, Nam Joo Hyuk has the height, physique, and mischievous face fit for a model. He’s a favorite of Korean street designer brands Push Button, SONGZIO, and Beyond Closet, which often get him to walk as the opening model for their shows. He won best new actor for his role in “Who Are You: School 2015,” and “Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok Joo.“ His co-star Lee Sung Kyung also hails from the modeling world, and he is close friends with budding actor Ji Soo, who he starred with in “Scarlet Heart: Goryeo.”

8. Kim Ji Soo

Speaking of Ji Soo, the rising actor rose to fame at a really fast pace this year, and it’s not hard to see why. Having started with JYP Entertainment under the actors department, Ji Soo never really got tremendous attention until he moved to another agency, Prain TPC. He did some modeling in the Philippines, and after a few years, he came back to Manila as the lead in a low-budget indie film called “Seoul Mates.”He also played in drama “Angry Mom,” “Sassy Go Go,” “Scarlet Heart: Goryeo,”

9. Lee Tae Hwan

Modeling Debut: As a model-turned-bodyguard of “W,” he won Rookie Award at 2011 Asia Model Festival Awards and made his acting debut in “After School: Lucky or Not.”

10. Kim Woo Bin

This man needs no introduction — one mention of his name and everybody knows who he is. Even Lee Dong Wook‘s Grim Reaper character in “Goblin” used “Kim Woo Bin” as his fake name. Kim Woo Bin was the breakout star of “Heirs,” and was always known to play supporting characters alongside big name actors (with Jang Dong Gun in “A Gentleman’s Dignity” and Joo Jin Mo in “Friend: The Great Legacy”). Even before that, he was a prominent model in Seoul Fashion Week runways. Modeling Debut: He debuted as a runway model in 2009 at the age of 20 and had an extremely successful modeling career. He began taking acting classes as a way to improve his modeling abilities and quickly fell in love with it.

11. Lee Soo Hyuk

Lee Soo Hyuk is a favorite model of high fashion designers because he has that strange yet beguiling look that makes anything he wears look good and interesting. He has been modeling since 2006, even walking on London and Paris runways. His strong features made him perfect to play the lead in “Vampire Idol,” because, let’s admit it, he does look like a sexy vampire. He played in romantic dramas such as “King of High School,” “Lucky Romance,” and “The Man Living in Our House.”

12. Kim Young Kwang

He has a long list of works in his acting portfolio as second lead, often playing nice guys and the ones that don’t get the girl. He even said in one interview that he often gets the roles of “first love” or “the one that got away.” With his broad shoulders, muscular form, and distinct features, Kim Young Kwang made it big not only in Korea, but also around the world. He walked for Alexander McQueen, Vivienne Westwood, Etro, and was the first Asian to walk for Dior Homme.

13. Do Sang Woo

 He first gained the attention of fans when he starred as her ex-boyfriend in the mega hit “It’s Okay, That’s Love.” He also starred in “My Daughter, Geum Sa Wol.” Pretty sure we will be seeing him as the leading man soon! Do Sang Woo is the kind of guy you want to hang out with at the party; he would instantly win over your friends. He is a staple at Seoul Fashion Week, and he actually owns a ping pong and beer bar in Itaewon where his model friends often hang out after shows.

14. Sung Joon
There’s something about bad boys that attract women, even if they know they’re about to cause trouble. Sung Joon has that kind of vibe: bad boy with a heart of gold. Before he stepped into acting, he graced magazine editorials and did fashion campaigns. He looks too cool to play second lead, so he got main roles in “Shut up! Flower Boy Band,” “Can We Get Married?” “High Society,” and “Madame Antoine.”

15. Lee Chul Woo

It also seems like he may be Girls’ Generation’s favorite guy, as he worked with Tiffany on a TV show and is slowly making his way to acting, having starred in a web drama with Seohyun called “Ruby Ruby Love.” Lee Chul Woo is still relatively unknown in dramaland, but his modeling portfolio is filled with prestigious gigs. He won second place in “Korea’s Next Top Model: Guys and Girls,” and he has been walking the runways of Steve J and Yoni P, Lie Sang Bong, and many others.

16. Shon Min Ho
Shon Min Ho may be quite unheard of as an actor, but he is a CF, music video, and fashion king. He modeled for Ralph Lauren, General Idea By Bumsuk, Adidas, Uniqlo, Cass, and others. He starred as Tiffany’s rugged boyfriend in “Heartbreak Hotel” (yes, he’s that handsome badass), Lee Sung Kyung’s sweet boyfriend in Urban Zakapa’s music video, and he is in several indie rock bands’ videos too.

17. Ahn Bo hyun

Ahn Bo-hyun is a South Korean actor. He debuted as a model. He is a good actor and played in hit drama like itaewon class, descendant of the sun and more

Check out for korean idols turn actor in part 2!

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