It is said that actors who are trained in stage plays develop a different kind of acting confidence.
Since theater performances happen in real time and there are no retakes and cuts, these stage actors get to perfect every move, facial expression, body language, and emotion.
They are also known to be creative thinkers and clear speakers. Other theater advantages include accuracy, timing, and flexibility.
Here are 14 famous Korean actors with an outstanding background and record in theater:
1. Cho Seung-woo | 21 Years (2000-2021)
Cho Seung-woo is a veteran actor who is known for his work in television series such as Stranger (2017-2020) and Sisyphus: The Myth (2021). While he has appeared in 6 TV dramas and 18 films, he is much more active in musical theater. For 21 years, he has participated in 30 theater projects and has been awarded several times as “Best Actor” in musical plays.
2. Lee Kyu-hyung | 15 Years (2007-2022)
Lee Kyu-hung who graduated in college with a major in Theater Studies, is known for his characters in the TV series Prison Playbook (2017-2018) and Hi, Bye Mama (2020). Aside from TV and film projects, he has also participated in 33 theater plays within 15 years. He is one of the casts in the 2022 zombie-thriller All Of Us Are Dead.
3. Jo Jung-suk | 14 Years (2004-2018)
Jo Jung-suk, the well-loved doctor in Hospital Playlist, began his acting career in theater. He has appeared in more than 20 musical plays since 2004 and has received several awards for his acting performance in TV dramas.
4. Jeon Mido | 14 Years (2006-2020)
This newbie in TV dramas is no ordinary actress at all. Jeon Mido has a long career in theater acting. She has participated in 13 stage plays and 25 musical projects in 14 years. Her performance as Dr. Chae Song-hwa in Hospital Playlist has also been awarded as “Best Actress” several times.
5. Kang Ha-neul | 14 Years (2006-2020)
Kang Ha-neul began his career in musical theater. He has appeared in 13 theater projects, 15 films, and 15 TV dramas. He won the Best Actor for his performance in When The Camellia Blooms (2019-2020) at the 2020 Baeksang Arts Awards and 2021 APAN Star Awards. He is one of the casts in the 2022 film, The Pirates.
6. Yoo Yeon-seok | 14 Years (2008-2022)
Known for his performance in Mr. Sunshine (2018) and Hospital Playlist (2020-2021), Yoo Yeon-seok finished a degree in Film Arts. He has appeared in 19 films, 15 TV dramas, and 7 theater projects.
7. Kim Seonho | 12 Years (2009-2021)
Kim Seonho began his acting career in theater and has participated in 17 stage plays within 12 years. It was only in 2017 when he started to appear in TV dramas and rose to global fame with his secondary role as Han Jipyeong in Start-Up (2020). He was nominated for “Best Supporting Actor” at the 2021 Baeksang Arts Awards and won the “Character of the Year” at the 2021 Seoul International Drama Awards. He was also named by Gallup Korea as the “TV Actor of the Year” for his performance in Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha (2021). In 2022, he will play a dark character in the film, Sad Tropics.
8. Ji Chang-wook | 11 Years (2007-2018)
Ji Chang-wook began his career in theater. He has appeared in 7 musical plays, 11 films, and 17 TV dramas. He is confirmed to appear in the upcoming Netflix series, The Sound of Magic.
9. Park Hee-soon | more than 10 years (since 1990)
Park Hee-soon is a veteran actor who graduated with a degree in Theater Studies. He has appeared in 21 stage plays, 39 films, and 7 TV dramas, including The Witch: Part 1 The Subversion (2018) and My Name (2021).
10. Shin Ha-kyun | 9 Years (1993-2002)
Shin Ha-kyun is famously known for his performance in Beyond Evil which made him win the “Best Actor” at the 2021 Baeksang Arts Awards. He began his acting career in theater and has appeared in 7 stage plays, 36 films, and 9 TV dramas. In 2011, he won the “Daesang Grand Prize” at the KBS Drama Awards for his role in Brain (2011-2012).
11. Park Hae-soo | 8 Years (2007-2015)
Park Hae-soo has been in musical theater since 2007 and has appeared in 16 plays. He is known for his TV performances in Prison Playbook (2017-2018) and Squid Game (2021). He is one of the casts in the Korean remake of Money Heist (2022).
12. Park Hyung-sik | 8 Years (2011-2019)
The Happiness star, Park Hyung-sik, has appeared in 5 musical plays, 5 films, and 17 TV dramas.
13. Park Jeong-min | 6 Years (2011-2017)
Park Jeong-min is an award-winning actor known for his performance in Deliver Us From Evil (2021). He won the “Best Supporting Actor” in the said film at the 2021 Baeksang Arts Awards, Blue Dragon Film Awards, and Chunsa Film Art Awards. He also appeared in Hellbound (2021) and has participated in 3 stage plays.
14. Oh Jung-se | 4 Years (2002-2006)
This award-winning actor, Oh Jung-se, has appeared in the stage plays Barber Park Bong-gu (2002-2004) and One Shot Liar (2005-2006). He is famously known in the hit TV series Stove League (2019), When The Camellia Blooms (2019), and It’s Okay To Not Be Okay (2020).
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