Nam Joo-hyuk to Lee Jong-suk – 5 Korean actors who started off as fashion models before hitting the K-drama big time

Nov 9 , 2020

Lee Jong-suk, Lee Soo-hyuk, Nam Joo-hyuk, Kim Woo-bin and Kim Young-kwang – five South Korean actors who started out as professional models. Photo: @jongsuk_woobin @StyleShare_twt @bignam_china @kwb_useless/Twitter, @kyk_gloryid18/Instagram

Lee Soo-hyuk, Kim Woo-bin and Kim Young-kwang also made our list of dreamy South Korean stars who began strutting on the catwalk before going on to star in hit series including Secret Garden, The Heirs, Uncontrollably Fond and I Can Hear Your Voice

If the latest K-drama hunk struts like a seasoned supermodel, your intuition might not be too far from the truth. Many popular Korean actors start out as runway models before making the shift into acting. Don’t believe us? Here are five established actors that once prowled the catwalk.

Kim Woo-bin

Although he has been on a long hiatus since 2017 due to a battle with cancer, Kim Woo-bin is remembered for his hit roles in The Heirs and Uncontrollably Fond. Previous to that, he first came to public attention as a model in 2009 at Seoul Fashion Week, before making his small screen debut in 2011’s White Christmas. AM Entertainment has announced that Kim will be returning to the big screen in the upcoming sci-fi film, Alien.

Nam Joo-hyuk

Originally a basketball player, Nam shelved his dreams of playing for the national team when he tore his ligament in middle school. After moving to Seoul, he scored an official contract with an agency after winning a modelling contest. He debuted with Songzio’s spring/summer collection in 2013 at the age of 19 – but is now best known as the star of seasonal K-drama smash Start-Up , opposite the inimitable Bae Suzy.

Lee Jong-suk