Lee Jun-young is currently starring in the JTBC drama Reborn Rookie, where he plays Hwang Jun-hyeon, a character who swaps souls with Kang Yong-ho, portrayed by Son Hyun-joo. As the drama approaches its finale, it has continued to set new personal bests in viewership ratings while generating significant buzz. Lee Jun-young, in particular, has been praised for convincingly portraying a character who must mirror Son Hyun-joo’s mannerisms, showcasing both his acting skills and box-office appeal.
Although Lee Jun-young is now widely recognized for his acting, he admitted that overcoming the “idol-turned-actor” label was not easy. In the preview for the 350th episode of tvN’s You Quiz on the Block, released on July 1, he revealed that the most hurtful comment he had ever received was, “Don’t cause trouble for the real actors.” The remark resonated with many viewers. During a May appearance on Ha Ji-young’s YouTube channel, he also expressed his hope that more idols would successfully transition into acting. Reflecting on his early career, he said that there were very few idol actors when he first started acting, adding that he had tremendous respect for senior artists such as Yim Si-wan and Doh Kyung-soo for paving the way.
Lee Jun-young debuted as a member of U-KISS in 2014 before making his acting debut in 2017 with Avengers Social Club. Since then, he has steadily built an impressive résumé through dramas including D.P., Let Me Be Your Knight, Melo Movie, When Life Gives You Tangerines, and Weak Hero Class 2.
Doh Kyung-soo is another standout example of an idol who successfully established himself as an actor. After debuting with EXO in 2012, he expanded into acting with the 2014 film Cart. Co-star Yum Jung-ah later praised him, saying he completely shattered her prejudice against idol actors. She recalled being impressed by his humble attitude and dedication as a newcomer.
Doh Kyung-soo went on to earn widespread acclaim in the SBS drama It’s Okay, That’s Love, where he portrayed Han Kang-woo, an imaginary figure seen by the lead character. His natural expressions and emotional performance received glowing reviews from both audiences and industry professionals.
The actor continued his success with the web drama Be Positive, which surpassed 30 million views in record time, while the 2018 tvN historical drama 100 Days My Prince achieved a peak rating of 14.4%. He also earned the title of a “10-million actor” after starring in the blockbuster films Along with the Gods: The Two Worlds and Along with the Gods: The Last 49 Days, both of which attracted over 10 million moviegoers. Last year, he further expanded his range by taking on his first villain role in the Disney+ series The Manipulated.
Another notable success story is Park Ji-hoon, who recently scored a major box-office hit with the film The King’s Warden. Although he actually began acting as a child in the 2006 drama Jumong, the public primarily came to know him after his debut as a member of Wanna One. During Produce 101 Season 2 in 2017, his catchphrase “Save you in my heart” became a nationwide sensation, earning him the nickname “Wink Boy.”
Following his idol success, Park Ji-hoon steadily established himself as an actor through dramas including Flower Crew: Joseon Marriage Agency, Love Revolution, At a Distance, Spring Is Green, and Weak Hero Class 1.
In The King’s Warden, released in February, Park Ji-hoon portrayed the young King Yi Hong-wi with remarkable emotional depth, earning praise for his striking resemblance to the character. The film attracted more than 16.9 million viewers, securing his place among Korea’s coveted “10-million actors.” He followed that success with another acclaimed performance in the tvN drama The Legend of Kitchen Soldier, which concluded last month and has been hailed as another defining work in his career.
As more idol-turned-actors continue to prove themselves with outstanding performances, industry perceptions are steadily changing. With stars like Lee Jun-young, Doh Kyung-soo, and Park Ji-hoon leading the way, expectations are growing for what they will accomplish next.
Sources: Daum
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