They may be known as Queens on the screen today, but did you know that these K-actresses actually ruled catwalks and magazine covers before even starting in Dramaland? Whether it’d be 20+ years ago or now, the following models-turned-actresses have made or still make Korea shine on the international stage in the fashion or entertainment fields.
So, let’s take a look at these 11 actresses who started out as model, and have now become well-known in the cinema/drama industry as well. Who’s your favorite? Any one else you’d like to add to the list?
Lee Sung Kyung
As a model: At only 18, Lee Sung Kyung was awarded first price at the Super Model Contest in 2008. This win launched her career as a model, and opened up the door of the entertainment industry for the young woman.
As an actress: In 2014, Lee Sung Kyung pursued an acting career making her first appearances in It’s Okay, That’s Love (2014), Cheese in the Trap (2016) and Doctors (2016). She made her breakthrough(s) in 2016 – with her role as Bok Joo in Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok Joo for which she won Excellent Actress (mini-series) at the 2016 MBC Drama Awards – and in 2020 – with her role in Dr Romantic 2. For that role too she won the Excellent Actress award at the 2020 SBS Drama Awards. You can also see her in About Time, Shooting Stars and Disney+ drama Call It Love.
Bae Doo Na
As a model: Bae Doo Na started as a model, while she was studying at Hanyang University back in 1998. Almost 20 years later, she appears on the cover of US Vogue alongside American superstar Scarlett Johansson and Indian actress Deepika Padukone.
As an actress: One year after debuting at an actress, Bae Doo Na starred in her first drama School 1 and her first movie entitled Ring Virus (the Korean remake of the horror movie The Ring). Later on, she successfully rose to stardom by playing in Bong Joon Ho’s Barking Dogs Never Bite (2000) and blockbuster The Host (2006); and Park Chan Wook’s hit Sympathy for Mister Vengeance (2002). In 2009, she is acclaimed for her role in Air Doll directed by famous Japanese director Hirokazu Kore-eda. It’s only in 2012 though, that Bae Doo Na becomes known internationally thanks to her performances in Cloud Atlas, Jupiter Ascending and Sense8 (series) all created by the Wachowskis (Matrix). In 2017, 2019 and 2021, Bae Doo Na successfully returned to Dramaland with main roles in Stranger, Netflix’ Kingdom and The Silent Sea.
Shin Min Ah
As a model: Shin Min Ah debuted as a model when she was 14 in 1998. She first appeared in the magazine KiKi. 10 years later (in 2009), she starred in a photoshoot alongside actor Jamie Dornan (Fifty Shades of Grey) for ELLE Korea, before being chosen as the first Asian model for Rag&Bone’s ‘DIY Project’. Apart from photoshoots, Shin Min Ah also featured in commercials such as Summer Days for LG Xnote in 2008 with Hyun Bin and Ryu Seung Bum. She is now one of the most sought after commercial endorsers in South Korea.
As an actress: The actress started out in 2001 in the K-Drama Beautiful Days, but really gained recognition in 2005 thanks to her performances in the movie A Bittersweet Life alongside Lee Byung Hun, and the drama A Love to Kill. She went on to play popular characters in hit dramas such as My Girlfriend is a Gumiho (2010), Arang and the Magistrate (2012) and Oh My Venus (2015) for which she won several awards. Ever since 2017, Shin Min Ah has been exploring more mature roles like in Chief of Staff, Hometown Cha Cha Cha and Our Blues.
Jung Ho Yeon
As a model: Jung Ho Yeon started her modeling career at age 15. She took classes, walked on stage of the Seoul Fashion Week for 2 years, participated in the TV show Korea’s Next Top Model (2013) in which she finished second. She made her international debut during the New York Fashion Week, where she walked the runway with long red hair.
As an actress: She debuted on screen in the Netflix international hit Squid Game as Kang Sae Byeok. For her performance, she won the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series in 2021.
Jun Ji Hyun
As a model: Encouraged by her family to pursue a modeling career thanks to her height and figure, Jun Ji Hyun made her first steps in the fashion industry in 1997. She first appeared in Ecole Magazine, then in numerous photoshoots and commercials among which that of Samsung My Jet Printer that made her popularity explode.
As an actress: Jun Ji Hyun is probably one of the most famous South Korean actresses of the industry. She played in a number of famous movies beginning of the 2000s such as Il Mare (2000), My Sassy Girl (2001), Windstruck (2005), and made her Hollywood debut in 2006 in the movie Lake House alongside Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock, followed by Blood: The Last Vampire (2009). Not only on the big screens, but also in Dramaland did Jun Ji Hyun encounter success. In 2013-2014, she made her long-awaited comeback in My Love from the Stars that was a huge hit. More recently, she was the lead of Kingdom: Ashin of the North and the drama Jirisan, both written by Kim Eun Hee.
Lee Da Hee
As a model: Lee Da Hee started her career as a model at the age of 17 when she participated in the 2002 SBS Super Elite Model Contest. Though she didn’t win, she was part of the finalists.
As an actress: Lee Da Hee rose to popularity in 2013 – only years after debuting as a model and actress (in 2003) – thanks to her role in the hit drama I Can Hear Your Voice. Later on, she gained recognition with her performances in Mrs. Cop (2015), The Beauty Inside (2018), Search WWW (2019), and her latest drama Island (2022-2023). More recently, the model-turned-actress became a host for various reality shows like Queendom and Single’s Inferno.
Han Ye Seul
As a model: American-born South Korean model Han Ye Seul debuted in 2001 by winning the SBS Supermodel Contest. She then went on appearing on a series of magazine covers and commercials.
As an actress: Han Ye Seul started her acting career in 2004 in the sitcom Nonstop 4, and is best known for her roles in the movies Couple or Trouble (2006), Miss Gold Digger (2007); the dramas Tazza (2008) and Will It Snow for Christmas? (2009). She went through some bumps in her career in 2011 while filming the movie Spy Myung Wol which led to her taking a 3-year hiatus. She made her comeback in 2014 and has since starred in Birth of a Beauty (2014), Madame Antoine (2016), 20th Century Girl (2017), and Big Issue (2019).
Gong Hyo Jin
As a model: In 1997, Gong Hyo Jin first appeared in advertisements and commercials such as ‘Happy to Live’ for telecom.
As an actress: As an actress, Gong Hyo Jin first played in Memento Mori in 1999. The film’s success encouraged her to continue on this path. So, she followed with movies like Family Ties (2001), Happiness (2007), Crush and Blush (2008) and Hit-and-Run Squad (2019). Even on the small screen, Gong Hyo Jin became more and more popular over the years leading to her nomination to several awards for her roles in Thank You (2007), Pasta (2010), The Greatest Love (2011), The Master’s Sun (2013), It’s Okay That’s Love (2014), Jealousy Incarnate (2016) and When the Camellia Blooms (2019).
Go Won Hee
As a model: Go Won Hee debuted as a commercial model back in 2011, and gained recognition by becoming the youngest model for Asian Airlines in 2012 at age 18.
As an actress: The model-turned-actress first appeared as second leads in dramas like Blooded Palace: The War of Flowers (2013) and Strongest Deliveryman (2017). She then gained popularity thanks to her role as Kang Seo Jin in comedy drama Laughter in Waikiki (2018), before taking on lead roles in Perfume (2019), Eccentric Chef Moon! (2020) and Revolutionary Sisters (2021).
Kim Hyo Jin
As a model: At only age 15, Kim Hyo Jin began her modeling career. She started out in teen magazines, before moving on to other modeling jobs like for clothing brands, during one of which she met her husband Yu Ji Tae.
As an actress: In 2004, she became more known to the public thanks to her role in the movie Everybody Has Secrets in which she played the youngest of three sisters. Kim Hyo Jin tried on less represented characters in Korean entertainment such as a bisexual woman in Five Senses of Eros (2009) and a lesbian in 2010 Life is Peachy. In Dramaland, Kim Hyo Jin is best known for her roles in Marry Stayed Out all Night (2010) and Private Lives (2020).
Song Hye Kyo
As a model: Song Hye Kyo, who is now well known in the South Korean entertainment industry, started as a model at age 15 by winning first place in the SunKyung Smart Model Contest in 1996. Thanks to that, she became a model for a school uniform company. More than 20 years later, Song Hye Kyo remains active as a model whether it’d be in photoshoots or as a brand ambassador. A few years ago, she became the face of the luxurious jewelry brand Chaumet.
As an actress: Song Hye Kyo’s breakthrough occurred in 2000 with the melodrama Autumn in My Heart catapulting her to the rank of Hallyu Star. Then she appeared alongside Lee Byung Hun in All In, and Rain in Full House which established her popularity throughout Asia. She followed with two dramas from the same screenwriter and director, first in 2008 with Worlds Within, and then in 2013 with That Winter the Wind Blows. Three years later, Song Hye Kyo re-established her status of unavoidable Hallyu Star in Asia with the mega-hit Descendants of the Sun. Recently, she rose to popularity again with her role of Moon Dong Eun in Netflix’ The Glory, in which she reunited with writer Kim Eun Sook (from Descendants of the Sun).
Once Upon a Drama 