Lance Joseph Martinez

7 K-Stars who Portray Celebrity Characters in a Drama

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<p>The K-drama world has once again proven why it continues to be a leading force in the entertainment industry. With the highly anticipated K-drama series  <strong><em>Can This Love Be Translated?</em></strong> released on January 16, 2026, this drama wasted no time snagging its way to the top three television series on <strong>Netflix</strong>.</p><p>For viewers curious about this viral sensation, <em>Can This Love Be Translated?</em> follows polyglot translator <strong>Joo Ho-jin</strong> (<strong>Kim Seon-ho</strong>), who despite being fluent in multiple languages, finds himself struggling to translate his growing feelings for viral phenomenon and actress <strong>Cha Mu-Hee </strong>(<strong>Go Youn-jung</strong>).</p><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:700px;display:block" width="700"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1768962872885viber_image_2026-01-21_09-44-40-803.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="700"/><span class="fr-inner">Photo from @netflix</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p>Ho-jin and Mu-Hee previously meet in Japan prior to her rise to fame. However, Mu-Hee later on becomes a huge success as a result of her hit horror film <em>The Quiet Woman</em>, playing the killer zombie <strong>Do Ra-mi. </strong></p><p>Following her rising stardom, Ho-Jin is hired as Mu-Hee’s translator for a reality dating show with actor <strong>Hiro Kurosawa (</strong><a href="https://metro.style/people/2026/1/21/10-fun-facts-about-sota-fukushi-the-star-stealing-hearts-in-can-this-love-be-translated-1600" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>Sota Fukushi</strong></a><strong>)</strong>. Whilst both travel internationally to explore a potential on-screen romantic connection, an unspoken connection quietly develops between Ho-jin and Mu-hee, one that proves far more difficult to translate.</p><p>Whilst the television series has not officially been renewed for a second season, it hasn’t stopped fans from dissecting and theorizing about its ambiguous ending. One obvious theme being the show’s commentary on the life of being a celebrity.</p><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:700px;display:block" width="700"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1768962909025viber_image_2026-01-21_09-45-14-073.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="700"/><span class="fr-inner">Photo from @netflix</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p>Through Mu-hee’s struggle with Do-Rami, Go Youn-jung portrays her character’s fractured identity to highlight the cost of celebrity in which fame erodes the boundary between who an actress is and who the world expects her to be. In doing so, the show joins a growing list of K-dramas where Korean stars step into the shoes of fictional celebrities.</p><p>Because <em>Can This Love Be Translated? </em>proves that sometimes the most compelling celebrity performances come from stars playing the very world they already know, we’ve curated a list of Korean stars who played characters in the world of showbiz.</p><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><strong>Kim Yoo-jung in <em>Dear X</em> (2025)</strong></div><div style="text-align:center"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1768962443365viber_image_2026-01-21_09-48-18-121.jpg" style="width:700px;display:block;height:auto" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="700"/></div><div><br/></div><p>Inspired by a webtoon with the same name, Kim Yoo-jung plays a rising actress, <strong>Baek Ah-jin</strong>, whose abusive childhood, born to an alcoholic mother and gambling-addict father, molds her into a ruthless sociopath willing to manipulate and use anyone to climb the ladder of status. Yet beneath the ambition and moral dilemma, Yoo-jung’s phenomenal acting uncovers how the relentless pursuit of fame can blur empathy and turn personal survival into high-stakes performance.</p><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><strong>Kim Jae-young in <em>I Dol I</em> (2025)</strong></div><div style="text-align:center"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:700px;display:block" width="700"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1768962507545viber_image_2026-01-21_09-49-04-697.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="700"/><span class="fr-inner">Photo from Genie TV/ENA</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p>Kim Jae-young plays <strong>Do Ra-ik,</strong> a K-pop star known for being the main visual and vocalist of boy group<strong> Gold Boys.</strong> With the main character accused of murder, this mysterious courtroom romance drama between Ra-ik and his lawyer <strong>Maeng Se-na (Choi Soo-young) </strong>explores the dark side of fame. From crazed fangirls, known in Korea as <em>sasaengs</em>, to constant scrutiny, Ra-ik’s life talks about how stardom turns privacy into a luxury and fame into a never-ending performance.</p><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><strong>Byeon Woo-seok in <em>Lovely Runner</em> (2024)</strong></div><div style="text-align:center"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:700px;display:block"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1768962612704viber_image_2026-01-21_09-50-52-580.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner">Photo from TVN</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p>Byeon Woo-seok portrays K-pop idol <strong>Ryu Sun-jae </strong>who meets an untimely death. Upon hearing this news, superfan<strong> Im Sol (Kim Hye-yoon)</strong> is given the opportunity to travel back in time to save her favorite singer. This series exhibits the immense pressure that fame provides. Despite Sun-jae’s charming looks and talent, these qualities come with the cost of needing to be perfect all the time.  </p><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><strong>Bae Suzy in <em>Doona!</em> (2023)</strong></div><div style="text-align:center"><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1768962656486viber_image_2026-01-21_09-51-32-360.jpg" style="width:700px;display:block;height:auto" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><div><br/></div><p>Bae Suzy stars as <strong>Lee Doona</strong>, a former K-pop idol of the girl group <strong>Dream Sweet</strong> who retires and moves into a university sharehouse, where she meets college student <strong>Lee Won-jun (Yang Se-jong). </strong>Despite her guarded nature, the two slowly fall in love which unveils how fame can leave lasting scars and make opening up a risk in both her life and love.</p><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><strong>Kim Min-kyu in <em>The Heavenly Idol</em><em></em> (2023)</strong></div><div style="text-align:center"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:700px;display:block" width="700"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1768962682483viber_image_2026-01-21_09-52-21-646.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="700"/><span class="fr-inner">Photo from TVN</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p>This fantasy romantic comedy follows Kim Min-kyu as <strong>Rembrary</strong>, a High Priest from a magical parallel world, who is transported into the body of <strong>Woo Yeon-woo, </strong>a self-centered idol from an unpopular boy group called <strong>Wild Animal.</strong> To return home and defeat the <strong>Evil One, </strong>Rembrary must navigate the chaotic and high-pressure world of the K-pop industry and learn firsthand the challenges of fame while staying true to his oath to the deity <strong>Redrin</strong>.</p><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><strong>Kim Young-dae in <em>Shooting Stars</em> (2022)</strong></div><div style="text-align:center"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:700px;display:block"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1768962697121viber_image_2026-01-21_09-52-52-004.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner">Photo from TVN</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p>In <em>Shooting Stars,</em> Kim Young-dae plays the top actor <strong>Gong Tae-sung</strong> who is widely praised for his clean public image of humility, modesty and warmth. But in contrast to his public image, he is burdened by a volatile temper and unhealed emotional scars. His bickering to romance with PR team leader<strong> Oh Han-byul (Lee Sung-kyung)</strong> peels back the polished façade of fame, suggesting how celebrity life complicates love when emotions are constantly filtered through reputation and public opinion.</p><div><br/></div><p>Lead photos from <strong>Netflix</strong> and <strong>TVN</strong></p>

<p>Because "<i>Can This Love Be Translated?"</i> proves that sometimes the most compelling celebrity performances come from stars playing the very world they already know, we’ve curated a list of Korean stars who played characters in the world of showbiz.</p>

Because " Can This Love Be Translated?" proves that sometimes the most compelling celebrity performances come from stars playing the very world they already know, we’ve curated a list of Korean stars who played characters in the world of showbiz.

7 K-Stars Who Portrayed Celebrity Characters in Recent Dramas

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7 K-Stars Who Portrayed Celebrity Characters in Recent Dramas

Francesca Adrianna Moya Bernardo

Published Jan 21, 2026 07:05 PM PHT

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Updated Jan 21, 2026 07:06 PM PHT

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Go Youn-jung

Kim Seon-ho

Byeon Woo-seok

Kim Yoo-jung

Kim Jae-young

Kim Young-dae

Bae Suzy

Celebrity

Kpop Idol

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