A growing number of former influencers and reality TV personalities are successfully reinventing themselves as actors, earning praise for their performances and enjoying a new chapter in their careers.

One of the latest examples is Seo Ji-hye, who recently left a lasting impression with a special appearance as So Ji-sub’s wife in the SBS drama Agent Kim Reactivated. Following her memorable performance, many viewers were surprised to learn that she had previously appeared on Channel A’s dating reality show Heart Signal, reigniting interest in actors who first rose to fame as influencers.

Premiering on June 26, Agent Kim Reactivated is an action drama centered on an ordinary father, Manager Kim, played by So Ji-sub, who transforms into the world’s most dangerous man in a desperate quest to rescue his only daughter. The series quickly became a ratings hit, surpassing 15% viewership early in its run. Although Seo Ji-hye appeared only briefly, she delivered a powerful performance as Lim Yu-jin, Manager Kim’s wife, who tragically dies after giving birth alone while her husband is away. Her emotional portrayal and expressive performance left a strong impression on viewers.

Born in 1996, Seo Ji-hye first gained public recognition through Heart Signal in 2017 while studying computer engineering at Ewha Womans University. Her elegant visuals made her the most popular contestant during the show’s first-impression vote. She later transitioned into acting, steadily building her résumé with dramas including Gangnam Beauty, Crime Puzzle, Love All Play, My Perfect Stranger, Family by Choice, and The Scarecrow.

Another successful transition is Shin Seul-ki, who first became known through Netflix’s Single’s Inferno Season 2. She firmly established herself as an actress in 2024 with the TVING drama Pyramid Game, where she played Seo Do-ah, the school’s top-ranked student and the mastermind behind the pyramid game. Shin drew praise not only for her stable performance but also for her dramatic image transformation, cutting her hair and wearing glasses to better embody the role.

The following year marked another milestone in Shin Seul-ki’s acting career. She won the Best New Actress award for the KBS2 drama For Eagle Brothers and the Best Supporting Actress award for the SBS drama Would You Marry Me?, cementing her reputation as one of the industry’s rising stars.

Born in 1998, Shin Seul-ki gained widespread attention through Single’s Inferno Season 2 in 2022. Her honest personality and natural charm made her one of the show’s breakout contestants, while her romantic storyline with Dex became a hot topic among viewers. In the finale, however, she chose Choi Jong-woo, and the two ultimately did not continue their relationship after the show.

Dex, who was also part of that memorable love line, has become one of the most successful influencers to transition into acting. Following his appearance on Single’s Inferno Season 2, the former UDT (Underwater Demolition Team) soldier built a strong entertainment career by appearing in programs such as Bloody Game, Zombieverse, and Fresh off the Sea.

Dex made his acting debut in the film Tarrot (note: spelled as Tarot in the next instance), an omnibus thriller about people whose lives are destroyed after becoming trapped by the curse of mysterious tarot cards. He played Dong-in, a delivery rider whose simple act of accepting a glass of water from a customer leads him into a horrifying supernatural nightmare. His intense performance received favorable reviews, and after its Netflix release last year, Tarot ranked No. 1 on the platform’s “Top 10 Movies in South Korea Today” chart for three consecutive days.

Last month, Dex revealed through his personal YouTube channel that he would be taking a break from content creation. “I’m going to pause running my channel for a while. After considering various circumstances, I decided this was the best choice to show everyone a better version of myself,” he said, hinting that he plans to focus primarily on acting for the time being.

With more influencers successfully establishing themselves as respected actors, anticipation continues to grow over what these rising stars will bring to the screen in the years ahead.

Sources: Daum