There are plenty of Korean actors and actresses who are super famous in Dramaland, but there’s a world where these celebrities wouldn’t have had a career in South Korea if they had not come back to the country. So, here’s a list of K-Celebs who were either born and/or raised abroad and came back to their homeland to our greatest pleasure. Any other celebs you would had to the list?
Moon Ga Young
BORN IN: Germany
She was born in Karlsruhe in Germany. Her family went back to South Korea when she was 10. She can speak German.
Notable Dramas: Tempted, Laughter in Waikiki 2, Find Me in Your Memory, True Beauty, Link: Eat, Love, Kill, The Interest of Love, My Dearest Nemesis, Law and the City
Yoo Teo
BORN IN: Germany
He was born in Cologne in Germany where he stayed until high school. He then enrolled to acting schools in New York and London. He’s fluent in German, English and Korean.
Notable Dramas: Love to Hate You, Dr. Brain, The School Nurse Files, Chocolate, Money Game
Kim So Hyun
BORN IN: Australia
She was born in Australia and returned to South Korea in 2003, when she was 4 years old.
Notable Dramas: Reset, Who Are You: School 2015, Bring it On Ghost, Ruler: Master of the Mask, Radio Romance, Love Alarm, The Tale of Nokdu, River Where the Moon Rises, My Lovely Liar, Good Boy
Go Sung Hee
BORN IN: The USA
She was born in Missouri in the USA, then left for South Korea to attend Sunkyungkwan University and study acting.
Notable Dramas: Miss Korea, Diary of a Watchman, While You Were Sleeping, Mother, Suits, My Holo Love, Kingmaker: The Change of Destiny, Gaus Electronics
Lomon
BORN IN: Uzbekistan
He was born in Uzbekistan of Koryeo-Saram parents. He first moved to Russia and then to South Korea where he finished school.
Notable Dramas: Sweet Revenge, All of Us Are Dead, Revenge of Others, Branding in Seongsu, Family Matters
Han Ye Seul
BORN IN: The USA
Born Leslie Kim, Han Ye Seul was born in Los Angeles. She attended high school and graduated from college in the US, before starting her modeling career in South Korea in 2001.
Notable Dramas: Tazza, Will It Snow for Christmas, Birth of a Beauty, Madame Antoine, Big Issue, 20th Century Boy and Girl
Krystal & Jessica Jung
BORN IN: The USA
Their family settled down in San Francisco where both sisters were born. In the early 2000s, Krystal aged 5 and her sister were spotted by SM Entertainment. This was the start of their career in South Korea.
Notable Dramas (Krystal Jung): The Heirs, My Lovely Girl, Bride of Habaek, Prison Playbook, The Player, Search, Police University, Crazy Love
Jung Ryeo Won
RAISED IN: Australia
She was born in South Korea but her family emigrated to Brisbane when she was 10. She stayed there until she graduated university. During an exchange in South Korea, she was spotted by SM Lee Sang Min in the streets and changed career paths.
Notable Dramas: My Name is Kim Sam Soon, Medical Top Team, Bubble Gum, Witch’s Court, Wok of Love, War of Prosecutors, May It Please the Court, Midnight Romance in Hagwon
Ahn Hyo Seop
RAISED IN: Canada
He was born in Seoul but moved to Toronto in Canada at age 6 where he grew up. He moved back to South Korea at 17.
Notable Dramas: Queen of Ring, My Father is Strange, Still 17, Abyss, Doctor Romantic 2 & 3, Lovers of the Red Sky, Business Proposal, A Time Called You, Kpop: Demon Hunters
Han Chae Young
RAISED IN: The USA
Born in Daegu, Han Chae Young spent her childhood years in Chicago. During one of her visits to South Korea, she was persuaded to put her college plans on hold and pursue an acting career.
Notable Dramas: Sassy Girl Chun Hyang, A Man Called God, Ad Genius Lee Tae Baek, Bel Ami, A Pledge to God, Sponsor, Snow White’s Revenge
Kim Go Eun
RAISED IN: China
She and her family moved to Beijing when she was 3. She stayed there for 10 years and thus speaks Mandarin fluently. She returned to South Korea for high school and college.
Notable Dramas: Cheese in the Trap, Goblin, The King: Eternal Monarch, Yumi’s Cells, Little Women
Choi Woo Sik
RAISED IN: Canada
He was born in Seoul but emigrated to Vancouver at 10 where he stayed for 10 years. In 2010, he attended an audition in South Korea and made his acting debut.
Notable Dramas: Rooftop Prince, Hogu’s Love, The Package, Our Beloved Summer, A Killer Paradox, Melo Movie
Lee Da Hae
RAISED IN: Australia
She and her family left for Sydney when she was in 5th grade. While in high school, she moved back to South Korea with her mother to pursue an acting career.
Notable Dramas: My Girl, Hello My Lady, East of Eden, Miss Repley, The Slave Hunters, Hotel King, The Good Witch
Once Upon a Drama 