For some k-drama actors, deciding to embark on an acting career comes as a surprise. It's not something that they or their families ever imagined. For others, it's not surprise as acting runs in the family.
Quite a few k-drama actors have siblings who are also in show business, but only a handful can say that they inherited their talent from their parents.
Among those actors is Yun Jung Hoon, who appeared as Min Tae Yeon in "Vampire Prosecutor," as Park Hyun Soo in "I Summon You Gold" and will soon be seen in "A Time of Love." Yun Jung Hoon has both a famous father and a famous wife.
He is married to actress Han Ga In, who was last seen in the drama "The Moon Embracing the Sun" and the film '"101." His father is actor Yeon Kyu Jin, who has appeared in more than a dozen dramas, the last being "Hometown Over the Hill" in 2012.
Nam Sung Jin, the actor who played Lee Gyu Shik in "Can We Love" and Go Chang in "King Gwanggaeto the Great" is not only married to an actress but both of his parents are in the business. His wife, Kim Ji Young, was last seen in the drama "May Queen." His father is actor Nam Il Woo, who was seen in "Empire of Gold," and his mother is Kim Wong Rim, who appears in "The Woman Who Married Three Times."
And to make family get-togethers even more interesting, his wife's brother is musical actor Kim Tae Han.
Chae Tae Hyun may be best known for playing opposite Jun Ji Hyun in "My Sassy Girl" and being a regular cast member on the variety show "1 Night, 2 Days," but in show business circles he is also known as being the son of Chae Jae Wan, an assistant director for special effects at KBS. His mother, who is now retired was a voiceover actress. His wife is a pop lyricist Choi Suk Eun.
Ryeo Duk Hwan played King Gongnim in "Faith: The Great Doctor" and is now directing short films. But his other claim to fame is his mother. His mom Jung Ok Young is a musical producer.
Does having a famous mom or dad help you get ahead in the business? Not necessarily. Plenty of stars' children chose not to get into the business or didn't have the kind of talent to make them a star.
But for these actors, learning lines is a family tradition.