Park Bo-gum and 4 other K-drama actors who first trained as K-pop idols
Fresh-faced would-be stars entering the South Korean entertainment industry generally get cast or audition for a certain role – either as a future K-pop idol or actor – and then receive specific training to hopefully go on and find fame. But while most trainees don’t get the chance to stray from their chosen field, others get another bite of the cherry – as these five actors who almost debuted as K-pop idols prove.
Park Bo-gum
As he’s always told fans, Park Bo-gum dreamed of becoming a singer and went through a couple of auditions. He sent a video of himself singing and playing the piano to numerous talent management agencies which led to several offers, but he later refocused on acting instead.
Ahn Hyo-seop
Ahn Hyo-seop returned to Seoul at 17 years old, after spending his childhood in Canada. He graduated from Kookmin University’s Department of International Business, and was scouted by JYP Entertainment.
Gong Seung-yeon
Gong Seung-yeon is not only an effective actress, she is also one of the older sisters of Twice’s lead vocalist Jeongyeon. Given that, it isn’t surprising that she also trained to become an idol in the past.
Kim Min-jae
The actor who played the world-renowned pianist in Do You Like Brahms? originally trained as an idol. Kim was one of the most popular trainees under CJ E&M, and trained for four years. He was a first generation trainee of the company who specialised in rap, and featured as a rapper in CJ E&M’s music stages until 2014. He also joined hip-hop competition Show Me the Money 4 back in 2015.
He was cast in South Korean-Vietnamese drama Forever Young, and although he was still preparing to debut as an idol, he was cast in Mnet’s drama Persevere, Goo Hae-ra after going through several auditions. His acting career has soared ever since, with roles in Flower Crew: Joseon Marriage Agency and Dr. Romantic season 2.
Yoo Ah-in
Dynamic actor Yoo Ah-in was street-cast in front of his school in Daegu, and travelled to Seoul to become a K-pop idol, specialising in vocals. His first agency made him come up with a stage name, as his real name, Uhm Hong-sik, seemed too heavy and old-fashioned.
He was soon cast in the drama series Sharp, which set him on his path as an actor now celebrated for his amazing portrayal of characters. He previously starred with Park Shin-hye in zombie thriller film #Alive.
Want more stories like this? Sign up here. Follow STYLE on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and Twitter .
Ahn Hyo-seop, Yoo Ah-in, Kim Min-jae and Gong Seung-yeon also started out as singers before switching to appear in shows like Dr. Romantic, Are You Human? and Love in the Moonlight