Obviously the most famous actor to get a jump start in "Boys Over Flowers" was Lee Min Ho, who now stars in the hit series "The Heirs." His star definitely shines the brightest. But a few other actors also got a career boost from appearing the drama that has been described by many as the "gateway" kdrama.
Kim Hyun Joong was already a popular idol singer with the boy band SS501 when he took the role of Yoon Ji Hoo in "Boys Over Flowers." That popular first role led to another in "Playful Kiss" and this year he will star in the drama "Age of Feeling," a drama about 1930s Shanghai.
Kim Bum had a few small roles before "Boys Over Flowers" but his appearance in that drama led to increasingly bigger parts in "The Woman Who Still Wants To Marry," "Padam, Padam," "That Winter The Wind Blows" and "Goddess of Fire Jeonji." The future holds more leading man roles for him.
Han Chae Young had already made a name for herself in a few dramas, such as the popular "Delightful Girl Choon Hyang," before appearing as Yoon Ji Hoo's kind model girlfriend. But her "Boys Over Flowers" role introduced her to an even wider audience and led to more roles. She can be seen this year as Jang Geun Suk's love interest in "Pretty Man."
Lee Si Young, who so convincingly played Geum Jan Di's deceptive friend, Oh Min Ji, went on to star in "Playful Kiss" and "Wild Romance." This year she appears as Bae Kkob in the film "God's Trick." The film also stars Jung Woo Sung.
Park Ji Bin, who played Geum Jan Di's kid brother, is all grown up now. He's had several roles playing younger versions of actors in dramas such as "Incarnation of Money" and "May Queen." But this year he had his first role as a teen, playing the second teen lead Shin Woo Jae in "The Suspicious Housekeeper."
Kim So Eun had already snagged roles playing younger versions of actresses before "Boys Over Flowers," but the drama was her first adult role. Since then she has appeared several dramas, including"Horse Doctor" and "A Thousand Kisses." She was due to appear in "Age of Feeling" with Kim Hyun Joong but had to drop out due to scheduling conflicts. But fans can see her in the film "Vertigo" next year.
Gu Hye Sun enjoyed popularity before "Boys Over Flowers" and has appeared in a few dramas since then. But she has not focused on acting though, choosing instead to write and illustrate books, compose and sing songs and to direct films.
While for many fans, "Boys Over Flowers" was a gateway drama, it also led to bigger and brighter roles for the actors who appeared in it.
