He's in two films this year and in the last year had roles in two successful dramas. But early in his career model-turned-actor Ahn Jae Hyun almost gave up on acting.

The 27-year-old debuted as a fashion model in 2009. His long, lanky frame and unique good looks made him a favorite on runway shows and in magazine editorials as well as in commercials.

He had his first small acting role in 2011 when he played a delivery boy in a cable variety show. He also attracted notice in music videos for Baek A Yeon, K.Will and Sistar 19.

But he was still not sure that acting was for him. When he got the role of Jun Ji Hyun's younger brother in the alien-human romance "You Who Came From The Stars," he was sure it would be his first and last drama.

"It was really hard,' he recently told OSEN.

He never planned on a career as an actor but love notes from the drama's director Jang Tae Yoo and writer Park Ji Eun convinced him. Jang also helped him learn more about what goes on while filming a drama.

"The director told me everything from camera moves to the broadcasting system," said Ahn.

But he was still not convinced.

"It was difficult to the point that I thought the production would be my first and last," he said.

He thought acting was too stressful.

"I didn't like being in a nervous state for such a long time," he said. "The happy life I was thinking of involved having some leisure time and not risking my health, so 'You Who Came From The Stars' was very difficult."

But eventually he did decide to continue acting. At the end of "You're All Surrounded," in which he played detective Park Tae Il, something changed.

"While watching the last episode during the farewell party, everyone applauded, so it was touching. I was washing my hands in the bathroom when I said to myself in the mirror, 'So that's why they do this.' Even during the preview for 'Fashion King,' I realized this was why people filmed movies and invited others to watch them. I was still nervous but I also enjoyed it."

"Fashion King," which co-stars Joo Won, Choi Sulli and Park Se Young, opens on Nov. 6.

This year the actor also appears in a Chinese film titled "Wedding Bible." His co-stars in the film are Yoo In Na, Godfrey Gao and Deng Jiajia.