Here Are 8 Korean Actors Who Almost Debuted As K-Pop Idols

With the visual explosions that seem to hit our eyes when we watch actors onscreen, many of us can’t help but praise their skills and looks. But did you know? A lot of them previously trained to be idols too! Here are 9 Korean actors who, although debuted as actors, pursued a career in music as well!

1. Gong Seung Yeon

Talented actress Gong Seungyeon almost became an idol! She became a trainee at SM Entertainment in 2005, and trained alongside f(x) and Red Velvet. She left the agency in 2012 after losing interest in singing, and soon found her calling as an actress! Beginning her acting career in 2012, she has gained notable attention for her skills, determination and good looks!

Her filmography includes Six Flying Dragons (2015), Introvert Boss (2017) and Flower Crew: Joseon Marriage Agency (2019).

2. Ahn Hyo Seop

Ahn Hyo Seop, who’s gaining lots of attention due to his immense talent, is also a former idol trainee! Originally studying abroad in Canada, he was scouted by JYP Entertainment, and began training alongside GOT7 (he was even Jackson‘s roommate!), but failed to debut with them, citing his lack of skills and towering height. He soon found his passion for acting, and threw himself into a prolific acting career!

His filmography includes Still 17 (2018), Abyss (2019) and Dr. Romantic 2 (2020).

3. Seol In Ah

Seol In Ah is another actress who trained as an idol! She used to train alongside former KARA member Heo Youngji, but then soon found acting to be her passion instead. She debuted as an actress in 2015 with a minor role in The Producers. Her filmography includes Strong Woman Do Bong-Soon (2017), School 2017 (2017) and Sunny Again Tomorrow (2018).

4. Kim Min Jae

Kim Min Jae is a very well-known idol trainee in his company! He trained at CJ E&M for four years as one of their first geenration trainees, specializing in rapping. He even performed as part of the music stages of the artists under the company, and also entered the hip hop survival show Show Me The Money 4, in 2015. He was soon casted in the drama Perseverance, Goo Hae Ra in the same year, and his acting career has been on a roll(e) since!

His filmography includes My Little Baby(2016), The Great Seducer (2018) as well as Dr Romantic (2016) and Dr Romantic 2 (2020)!

5. Yoo Ah In

Famous actor Yoo Ah In also trained to be an idol once! Born in Daegu, he was street-casted in front of his school, and traveled to Seoul to become a K-Pop idol, specializing in vocals. He was soon cast in the drama series Sharp, which catapulted him into his long legacy as an actor!

His filmography includes Punch (2011), Veteran (2015) and Burning (2018).

6. Park Bo Gum

Actor Park Bo Gum, known for his good looks, sweet personalty and talent onscreen, once harbored aspirations to debut as an idol! Playing the piano from a young age, he sent videos of him singing and playing the piano to many talent agencies, and became a trainee in his second year of high school. His agency soon suggested he shift his focus from singing to acting, and Park Bo Gum decided to debut as an actor instead.

His filmography includes Hello Monster (2015), Reply 1988 (2015) and Encounter (2018).

7. Min Hyo Rin

Min Hyo Rin is a well-known former idol trainee! She signed under JYP Entertainment in 2004, but soon gave up her idol aspirations for an acting career instead. When she was cast in the show Unnies! Slam Dunk, she revealed that it was a path that she still had lots of regrets about, and it formed a central part of the show, where all the cast members got together to debut as an idol group called Unnies, in order to fulfill her previous dreams of being a singer.

Her filmography includes Sunny (2011), The Grand Heist (2012), and Twenty (2015).

8. Lee Sun Bin

Actress Lee Sun Bin also trained as an idol trainee! She actually also made her debut in the group JQT under GP Entertainment, and promoted with the group until their disbandment in 2012. After leaving GP Entertainment, she joined Wellmade Yedang as an acting trainee, and made her debut as an actress with a supporting role in the drama Madame Antoine: The Love Therapist (2016).

Her filmography includes Squad 38 (2016), Criminal Minds (Korean remake, 2017) and The Great Show (2019).