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        6 K-Drama Actors Whose Lives Changed After One Role

        These actors hit their big breaks with these roles.

        Ishani Sarkar, Kpopmap Editor
        3 min to read  ·  Published : Jun 29, 2021
        6 K-Drama Actors Whose Lives Changed After One Role

        Marie Claire / Esquire Korea

        The Korean drama industry is built on the backs of hard-working individuals who pave their own path instead of taking advantage of privilege, if any. Some the most popular K-Drama actors today, have spent years working on smaller roles with sincerity, which caught the eye of the right people who decided to give them more opportunities to grow. From guest roles to supporting roles and finally, lead roles, these actors built their own destiny.

        For some actors like Hwang InYeop, their hard work bore fruit early in their careers with breakthrough roles. Hwang InYeop's character Han SeoJun in "True Beauty" was deeply loved and appreciated by fans and now, he gearing up to appear alongside Ji ChangWook in a lead role in the upcoming drama "The Sound Of Magic."

        With that said, here are 6 K-Drama actors whose lives changed after one role and the character that shot them to fame and recognition.

         

        1. Lee DoHyun in "Hotel Del Luna"

        Lee DoHyun has been acting for a very long time now and if you go back to re-watch some of your favourite K-Dramas, you're likely to spot him playing a supporting role there. What has changed now is that now you're able to recognize him and even be awed by the fact that he played those roles, hinting at how hard he had to work in order to get where he is today. His character in "Hotel Del Luna", that of Go ChungMyung, was the final moment of struggle for Lee DoHyun because since then, he has only walked on a road of flowers, with leading roles in dramas such as "18 Again", "Sweet Home", "Youth of May" and more.

         

        2. Song Kang in "Love Alarm"

        Song Kang has been quite open about his struggle in the entertainment industry but he has been equally vocal about how much he loved the process and how much he learned from every experience. In an interview, he mentioned that he auditioned for "Love Alarm" and got the role whereas the other lead actors were directly cast. He expressed no shame in the fact that he had to audition for the role but rather, he seemed proud of his successful attempt. "Love Alarm" paid off big time because today, Song Kang is the most booked and busy actor in the industry. He's currently appearing in "Nevertheless".

         

        3. Kim YoungDae in "Extraordinary You"

        "Extraordinary You" launched the acting careers of almost everyone that participated in the drama. However, one actor who truly saw success and fame overnight was Kim YoungDae. He became an actor who was in demand and acted in a few more projects before hitting the jackpot with "Penthouse: War In Life". Needless to say, his life pretty much transformed after "Extraordinary You".

         

        4. Ahn BoHyun in "Itaewon Class"

        Ahn BoHyun is one of the most humble, sincere, and hard-working actors in the industry. On several occasions, he has shared how he used to work in construction even after acting in "Descendants of the Sun" and while his friends boasted about him, he struggled to make ends meet. However, Ahn BoHyun's big break was his role of Jang GeunWon in "Itaewon Class". He completely immersed himself in his role and delivered a hair-raising performance that will truly remain unforgettable. Ahn BoHyun is now gearing up to appear in the upcoming drama "Yumi's Cells" alongside Kim GoEun.

         

        5. Lee JaeWook in "Extraordinary You"

        Much like Kim YoungDae, Lee JaeWook also found the biggest opportunity in his life in "Extraordinary You". It shot him to fame and fans couldn't get enough of him. He received his first lead role a year later in the KBS drama "Do Do Sol Sol La La Sol" alongside top actress Go Ara. He will be taking on the lead role once again in the upcoming drama "Return".

         

        6. Han SoHee in "The World of The Married"

        Perhaps the biggest success story on this list, Han SoHee's life completely changed, quite literally, after she took on "The World of the Married", a drama that ended up being one of the most highly rated dramas in Korean television history. Her talent was highly appreciated, both in South Korea and worldwide. It was there that a star was born. Han SoHee is currently playing Yoo NaBi in "Nevertheless" alongside Song Kang.

         

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