High school can be hard but it may be more of a challenge for those who set their sights on a performing arts career. While many performers successfully manage both, several kdrama stars found that pursuing a performing arts career, and in some cases, living the dream, interfered with what high school required.
Seo In Guk, who appeared in "The Master's Sun" and the film "No Breathing," recently confessed that by middle school he was already serious about pursuing his dream to become a singer. He did not devote enough attention to making friends.
"I was unpopular during my school days," said the popular actor.
Several k-celebrities never managed to make it through high school although most later took the equivalency test and went on to higher education.
For example, Infinite's Hoya, who played Joon Hee in "Reply 1997," left high school to pursue his dream of becoming a singer. Kim Hyun Joong, who will appear in the drama "Inspiring Generation" and is also known for his roles in "Boys Over Flowers" and "Playful Kiss," worked at his family restaurant during his junior year in high school. His grades suffered so much that he decided to leave school and focus on singing. Since then he has taken the equivalency exam and is enrolled in university.
Actor Yoo Ah In, who starred in the drama "Jang Ok Jung," left school during his first year, eventually taking the equivalency exam and enrolling in the arts department at Konkuk University. In interviews he has said that he wished society would allow students alternate ways to learn so they have a chance to discover what they really want to do.
Another mega-stars that never made it through high school was Lee Byung Hun, who this year appeared in "Red 2" and "G.I. Joe: Retaliation," and was one of the first Korean actors to imprint his hands in the cement before Hollywood's Grauman's Chinese Theater.
Jung Woo Sung, star of the film "Cold Eyes" and the drama "Padam Padam," also did not make it through the first year of high school.
And even if you manage to combine a successful career as a child actor with attending school, it can be difficult to balance both.
Park Shin Hye, star of "The Heirs" said that her debut in "Stairway to Heaven" earned her great popularity but it was a mixed blessing.
"At that time I could not appreciate my fame," she said. "It seemed burdensome to me. I had the feeling I was a burden to my friends and I was hurt by rumors."
The attention would sometimes make her withdraw much like her character in "Flower Boys Next Door."
However, she also said that she made the best friends while she was in school, people who treated her as a normal girl and not an actor.
"Fortunately, I still have my friends to keep me from getting lonely and pull me back into reality," she said.
The actress cautions fans to appreciate the good parts of high school and enjoy them for what they are. It's hard to predict how your life will turn out.
