Working out is part of looking your best as an actor or performer. But some k-drama stars were already in top shape before they debuted because they originally wanted to be athletes.

Here are five stars that started out focused on sports.

1. Song Joong Ki was a short track speed skater before he decided to act. He represented his hometown, Daejeon, three times in the National Games and won awards at large meets. During high school an injury forced him to quit skating although he did get a chance to play a national speed skater in the drama "Triple." He might never have become an actor if his parents had not sent him to acting classes to improve his skills. Song can soon be seen in the drama "Descendants of the Sun."

2. Song Joong Ki has something in common with his "Descendants of the Sun" co-star Song Hye Kyo. She did not originally plan to act. In junior high school she thought she might become a figure skater. The actress was a big fan of skater Kim Yuna and wanted to become just like her. Her former homeroom teacher was once quoted as saying that Song Hye Kyo had a lot of talent and could have gone far as a skater.

3. So Ji Sub wanted to become a professional swimmer. His parents encouraged him to take up swimming at the age of 10 because he was such a frail child and he went on to compete for about a decade. He even won a bronze medal for third place in national games. The star of the upcoming drama "Oh My God" still loves to engage in water sports such as swimming and water polo.

4. Uee recently got a chance to show off her swimming skills when she played a professional swimmer in the drama "Ho Gu's Love." Before Uee debuted as a singer with After School, she was such a good swimmer that she participated in the Korean National Sports Festival. She swam throughout high school but ultimately decided to become an entertainer.

5. Shin Sung Rok, who recently appeared in "The Liar Game," "Trot Lovers" and "You Who Came From The Stars," originally wanted to play basketball for a living. An injury led him to quit the sport and major in theater and film instead. His brother did become a professional basketball player but eventually quit to become a chef.