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Tatler Asia
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Tatler Asia
From trainees to screen queens: K-drama actresses who trained as K-pop idols
2. Gong Seung-yeon Gong Seung-yeon was an SM Entertainment trainee for seven years and came close to debuting in f(x). Ultimately, she pursued acting—a decision that's paid off, with roles in The First Responders and Bulgasal . Her extensive years under SM's system gave her a polish and professionalism often evident in her nuanced portrayals. 3. Lee Sun-bin Now known for roles in Work Later, Drink Now and Team Bulldog , Lee Sun-bin got her start in the girl group JQT. While the group eventually disbanded, her transition to acting was swift. Her time as an idol helped her build camera awareness and resilience in the public eye, both of which serve her well in leading roles. 4. Jung Eun-ji Unlike some on this list, Jung Eun-ji debuted with Apink in 2011 and moved into acting the following year. Her breakout in Reply 1997 cemented her reputation as one of the few K-drama actresses who can switch between singing and acting without losing credibility in either. She is also one of the rare idol-actresses praised equally for her emotional range and live vocal ability. 5. Kim Se-jeong Another successful crossover, Kim Se-jeong debuted in I.O.I and gugudan before becoming a familiar face in dramas like Business Proposal . Her background as one of the more vocally talented K-pop idols gave her a head start in an industry where stage presence and timing are everything. She's also proven adept at variety shows and live hosting, underscoring her versatility as a performer. 6. Kwon Na-ra Kwon Na-ra debuted with Hello Venus in 2012. As the group's visual, she was no stranger to the camera, and that ease helped her land acting roles post-idol life. She studied acting while promoting as an idol, which likely contributed to her steady ascent in dramatic roles such as Itaewon Class . 7. Bae Suzy Bae Suzy is perhaps the most well-known example. She debuted with miss A in 2010 and became one of the earliest idol-actress crossovers to be taken seriously in both fields. Despite early critiques of her acting, she has consistently improved with each role and is now considered a dependable lead for high-budget dramas. 8. Yoona Girls' Generation's Yoona started acting not long after her debut in 2007. While her early roles were met with scepticism, her persistence paid off. She has since taken on darker, more layered characters, showing how an idol-trained performer can evolve into a credible screen talent. 9. IU IU may be best known for her solo music career, but her work in My Mister and Hotel Del Luna showed depth beyond the stage. Though she never debuted in a girl group, her early years training to be part of one provided a foundation for performing under pressure. Her ability to handle complex roles while maintaining a music career is rare even among top-tier K-drama actresses. 10. Krystal Jung Krystal debuted with f(x) and began acting in 2010. Unlike many of her peers, she built both careers simultaneously, often balancing idol duties with drama shoots. Her reserved style and understated delivery have become her signature in more mature, stylised productions. 11. Park Ji-yeon One of the youngest members of T-ara, Park Ji-yeon also pursued acting early. Though her drama credits are more sporadic, her dual career path mirrors that of many K-pop idols who explore acting as a long-term option. She often gravitates toward action or fantasy roles, which suit her idol-era persona. 12. Park Shin-hye Long before her rise as one of the most bankable K-drama actresses, Park Shin-hye trained in singing and dancing alongside acting. Her early management considered debuting her as a K-pop idol, and she recorded multiple OSTs throughout her career. Although she never joined a girl group, her background in music and performance gave her an edge in idol-themed dramas like Heartstrings and You're Beautiful , where she convincingly played one. 13. Jisoo Before rising to global fame with BLACKPINK, Jisoo trained under YG Entertainment for five years—an intensive period that included acting, vocal and performance training. Her debut lead role in Snowdrop showcased a polished screen presence that, while met with mixed reviews, proved she could hold her own as one of the newer K-drama actresses emerging from the idol world. In 2025, she returned to the small screen with Newtopia , a zombie romantic comedy where she played Kang Young-joo, a young woman navigating love and survival amid a Seoul overrun by the undead.
Korea Herald
07-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
Gong Seung-yeon thought her male disguise 'quite handsome'
Gong makes stage debut as the town's beauty in 'Secret of Flowers' Actress Gong Seung-yeon shared her thoughts on making her stage debut in the play "The Secret of Flowers" during a recent interview with reporters. "It feels surreal to finally be on a stage I've long dreamed of performing on," she said. "I've always admired the theater because it's a genre I never imagined myself doing. Actors on stage always seemed to shine." Gong, 32, who began her acting career in 2012, has starred in series such as "The Master of Revenge," "Flower Crew: Joseon Marriage Agency" and "The First Responders," as well as the film "Handsome Guys." She admitted to feeling anxious before the show opened, having nightmares about forgetting her lines. 'But now, I step on stage every day with excitement and fully enjoy each and every performance,' she said. "The Secret of Flowers" is a comedy written and directed by filmmaker Jang Jin. Set in a small rural town in Italy, it follows four housewives who, after their soccer-obsessed and neglectful husbands suddenly disappear in an accident, devise a bizarre and hilarious scheme to claim their husbands' life insurance. Gong plays Monica, the town's beauty, in a triple cast alongside Lee Yeon-hee and Ahn So-hee. To deceive the townspeople, they disguise themselves as men and Monica's performance includes several comedic moments. "It's my first time playing a character in disguise as a man, and I think I look quite handsome," Gong said with a laugh. "At first, I felt awkward with the wig and everything, and I wondered if it would work. But once I got on stage, it felt just fine.' Gong said she found the script so entertaining that she laughed out loud while reading it at home. She also thanked her younger sister, Jeongyeon of Twice, for helping her practice lines. "Rather than focusing on trying to be funny, I trust that if I deliver the lines faithfully, the humor will come naturally because the situation itself is already very funny,' she said. 'It's fascinating to see the audience react in real-time, and I feel happiest when they laugh." "The Secret of Flowers" runs until May 11. Gong also stars in the crime thriller "Karma," co-starring Park Hae-soo and Shin Min-a, which is set to premiere on Netflix, April 4.
