While some sought-after stars were once Kpop idols, others began their career as child stars.
These celebrities portrayed younger versions of our favorite Hallyu actors and have grown up to become the lead stars of the various smash hit K-dramas.
From Kim Yoo Jung to Yeo Jin Goo and more, here are three of Korea's most recognizable stars who started out as child stars and thrived on earning the title of Hallyu's next big thing.
Kim Yoo Jung
One of the most well-known child stars of her generation is Kim Yoo Jung.
The then- five-year-old actress landed her first-ever K-drama in 2004's medical K-drama Freezing Point.
Since then, Kim Yoo Jung has graced countless notable series varying from historical to rom-com K-drama and received her first-ever acting award as Best Child Actress for her performance in the 2008 K-drama Iljimae.
Interestingly, the South Korean beauty landed her first adult leading role in Love In The Moonlight with Park Bo Gum.
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Yeo Jin Goo
The list wouldn't be complete without Yeo Jin Goo.
Once dubbed as the "Nation's Little Brother," he started his career when he appeared in the 2005 film Sad Movie, starring Jung Woo Sung and Im Soo Jung.
He then landed younger counterparts of male lead roles in the historical K-drama The Moon Embracing The Sun and I Miss You, which made him score Best Young Actor at the 2012 MBC Drama Awards.
His latest Kdrama was the 2021 thriller mystery series Beyond Evil and is set to return with a new movie, Link: Eat, Love, Die with fellow former child star Moon Ga Young.
Moon Ga Young
Another successful K-drama star who began her career as a young actress is Moon Ga Young.
She made her acting debut in the 2006 horror film To Sir, With Love and headlined her first-ever lead role as a teen after eight years of the romance-mystery Kdrama Changmin as Min Woo.
After her decade-long career in the industry, Moon Ga Young is best known for her role as Lim Joo Gyung in True Beauty and Mirror of the Witch as Sol Gae.
Kim So Hyun
The 11-year-old signed with an agency and made her big-screen debut in the same year.
However, prior to this, she first had her acting debut for a supporting role in Ten Minute Minor but had her claim to fame after landing the role of young Kim Min Seo in the 2012 drama The Moon Embracing the Sun.
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