While some K-drama stars used to be Kpop Idols, others started as theater actors and honed their skills by acting on stage.
These stars proved that they have a certain level of confidence and talent, given there are no retakes and edits in the theater.
Wondering if your favorite Korean stars have appeared in musicals or plays? Here's a rundown of 8 K-drama actors who are also well-known theater stars.
Cho Seung Woo
Best known for his role as the cold and emotionless prosecutor in "Stranger" with the equally talented Bae Doona, Cho Seung Woo is one of the legendary theater actors.
He has been acting in front of the crowd for over two decades and has a long list of award-winning plays and musicals under his belt. His latest is the "Man of La Mancha" and "Hedwig and the Angry Inch."
Lee Kyu Hyung
Another veteran in theater is Lee Kyu Hyung, who graduated from college with a degree in theater.
His theater degree is also the reason why he manages to play various characters, may it be a villain or a protagonist. His versatility on doing rom-com, action, or fantasy can be attributed to this too.
As OG k-drama fans would know, Lee Kyung Hyung has several guest appearances in tons of series, but he is well known as the Looney in "The Prison Playbook." He is the police officer turned babysitter in Netflix's "All of Us Are Dead."
Per one outlet, Lee Kyu Hyung has appeared in 33 theater plays in the last 15 years.
Kang Ha Neul
Before scoring his first ever Baeksang Arts Awards in 2020 as Best Actor for his role in "When the Camellia Blooms," he started as a theater actor.
Kang ha Neul made his debut in "The Celestial Watch," followed by "Carpe Diem," "La Vida," and so on.
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It was only in 2007 when he started his career in K-drama, landing a supporting role in KBS2's "My Mom, Supermom."
Kim Seon Ho
Prior to his status as K-drama's good boy and his breakthrough performance in "Start-Up," Kim Seon Ho began his acting career as an established actor.
He had his first-ever play in 2009 for "The New Boeing Boeing" and the rest is history for Kim Seon Ho.
Interestingly, at the height of his skyrocketing career in 2021 because of the tvN series, Kim Seon Ho returned on stage for the play "Ice."
Uhm Ki Joon
Another hotshot in the theater is "The Penthouse" star Uhm Ki Joon.
He is known as one of the best musical theater actors for his performance in "Singin in the Rain," "Grease," and more.
Jo Jung Suk
The "Hospital Playlist" star also began his career in theater. Starting in 2004 for "The Nutcracker," Jo Jung Suk has appeared in 20 musical plays since his debut.
He is also with Cho Seung Woo in "Hedwig and the Angry Inch" and Uhm Ki Joon in "Grease."
