The "Itaewon Class" Cast Members And Their New Projects That You Should Check Out
We're revisiting the cast of this hit K-drama, as it celebrates its first anniversary today. We're glad that many of them have new K-dramas and films this year
Hit K-drama Itaewon Class is celebrating its first anniversary today!
The Park Seo-joon starrer premiered in January 31, 2020 and aired until March 21, 2020. It was just about to end when the COVID-caused community quarantine was implemented in Luzon, so both longtime and new K-drama fans had a lot of time to catch up on it and binge-watch.
After Crash Landing on You, which wrapped up in February 16, 2020, Itaewon Class was the next K-drama that got Filipino viewers talking and fangirling. It wasn't hard to see why the series was loved and appreciated. The heartbreaking episode 1 quickly sparked interest, one that was sustained all the way to the heartwarming finale.
It's a K-drama that zooms in on the competition between the self-made CEO of top food company Jangga Group (Jang Dae-hee, played by Yoo Jae-myung) and the up-and-coming restaurateur and owner of Itaewon-based bar-restaurant DanBam (Park Sae-royi, plkayed by Park Seo-joon). But at the core of this intense business rivalry are stories about family relationship, friendship, teamwork, leadership, and self-worth.
It also features cast members Kim Da-mi, Kwon Nara, Ahn Bo-hyun, Kim Dong-hee, Lee Joo-young, Ryu Kyung-soo, Chris Lyon, and Kim Hye-eun.
Rediscover the cast members of Itaewon Class below and find out the new projects they worked on and are set to come out with:
The "Itaewon Class" Cast Members' New Projects
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Park Seo-Joon
After starring in "Itaewon Class," this 32-year-old heartthrob became a cast member in reality show "Youn's Stay" alongside Jung Yu-mi, Choi Woo-shik, Lee Seo-jin, and Youn Yuh-jung.
Photo Credit: BYS
Park Seo-Joon
Last year, he also had a K-drama cameo in the Park Bo-gum starrer "Record of Youth" and received his Gold Play Button from YouTube for surpassing one million subscribers on the video-sharing platform (he's the first-ever Korean actor with this achievement). He was also launched as the endorser of BYS Philippines and Smart Communications.
Photo Credit: BYS
Park Seo-Joon
But what PSJ fans are really waiting for this year is his upcoming film with Lee Ji-eun (IU) called "Dream." In the film, he's taking on the role of a football coach. It's something he not only prepared for mentally and emotionally, he also made sure to match his physique with his character by working out in the gym and bulking up.
Photo Credit: @bn_sj2013
Kim Da-Mi
"Itaewon Class" was a breakthrough project for this 25-year-old actress, as the series marked her first-ever K-drama. She made waves as an up-and-coming Hallyu star with it, and even received recognition at the 56th Baeksang Arts Awards last year as the Best New Actress (TV) for her portrayal in this series.
Photo Credit: @deeponde.official
Kim Da-Mi
Not only did she establish herself as a rising actress, she also became a favored fashion and beauty muse. She graced the covers and pages of magazines like High Cut, Cosmopolitan Korea, and W Korea, and collaborated with brands like Fendi, Benefit Cosmetics, and Deeponde.
Photo Credit: @deeponde.official
Kim Da-Mi
In July 30 last year, Kim Da-mi held her first-ever online fan meeting, "It's DAMI Time," via V Live. What's next for Kim Da-mi is the coming-of-age film "Hello, My Soulmate" that's set to be released this year. The film marks her third mainstream big-screen project, next to "Marionette" and "The Witch: Part 1. Subversion" which had her garnering more than 10 acting awards. There are also reports about Kim Da-mi starring in the sequel of "The Witch: Part 1. Subversion," which may happen sometime in 2022.
Photo Credit: @d_a___m_i
Yoo Jae-Myung
Yoo Jae-myung, 47, is one of the well respected veteran Korean actors (check out that listicle in the link below!) who can play both protagonist and antagonist roles. In "Itaewon Class," he impressed with his role as the CEO of food company Jangga Group who later finds himself competing with up-and-coming restaurateur Park Sae-royi (portrayed by Park Seo-joon). For this role, he received a Best Supporting Actor (TV) nomination at the 56th Baeksang Arts Awards. | Photo from JTBC
Photo Credit: In Photos: 20 Veteran Korean Actors And Actresses Who Are Staples In K-Dramas (Part 1)
Yoo Jae-Myung
It seems Yoo Jae-myung didn't get a break after "Itaewon Class" as his 2020 was busy even despite the pandemic. He worked on films "Voice of Silence," "Baseball Girl" with his "Itaewon Class" co-actor Lee Joo-young, and the yet-to-be-released "King Maker."
Photo Credit: JTBC
Yoo Jae-Myung
This year, Yoo Jae-myung joins the cast of the Song Joong-ki starrer black comedy series "Vincenzo," wherein his role is a lawyer.
Photo Credit: JTBC
Kwon Nara
K-pop idol-turned-actress Kwon Nara was nominated as Best Supporting Actress (TV) at the 56th Baeksang Arts Awards last year with her impressive performance as the second female lead (the first love of Park Sae-royi who becomes the head of the strategic planning team of Jangga Group) in "Itaewon Class."
Photo Credit: @hv_nara
Kwon Nara
29-year-old Kwon Nara, who now lends her face as the muse of beauty brand Sienu, has taken on other memorable supporting characters in the past via K-dramas "Suspicious Partner," "My Mister," and "Doctor Prisoner" (the K-drama that earned her her two acting awards).
Photo Credit: @amanproject2018
Kwon Nara
From "Itaewon Class," Kwon Nara finally got her first-ever lead role in the series "Royal Secret Agent" that premiered in December 21 last year and is currently on its 12th episode. The historical comedy drama features Kwon Nara as a beautiful female inspector who disguises as a courtesan.
Photo Credit: @amanproject2018
Ahn Bo-Hyun
From playing the role of an antagonist in "Itaewon Class," Ahn Bo-hyun crossed over to time-crossing fantasy thriller series "Kairos" as the male lead character's right hand man. Just as he won a Rising Star Actor of the Year recognition from the Brand of the Year Awards 2020 for "Itaewon Class," "Kairos" also earned him the Best New Actor award at the 39th MBC Drama Awards.
Photo Credit: @bohyunahn
Ahn Bo-Hyun
Aside from appearing in variety shows, what also kept 32-year-old Ahn Bo-hyun busy last year was his YouTube channel, "Bravo Hyun." In May 2020, he uploaded a vlog wherein he unboxed the Silver Play Button he received from YouTube for surpassing 100,000 subscribers. As of this writing, he now has almost 280,000 subscribers.
Photo Credit: JTBC
Ahn Bo-Hyun
Proof that he is indeed among the most promising rising actors in the Hallyu scene today is the Netflix series that marks his first-ever lead role, "Undercover." In the action noir series, he's paired with actress Han So-hee from "The World of the Married." His role is a police detective from the Drug Investigation Unit.
Photo Credit: @bohyunahn
Kim Dong-Hee
Kim Dong-hee is one of the Korean actors in their 20s who are fast-rising in the industry today (check out that listicle in the link below!). The top-rated K-drama "Sky Castle" marked the acting debut of this 21-year-old, followed strongly by his supporting role in "Itaewon Class." | Photo from @kim_d.he
Photo Credit: We Got Our Eyes On These Handsome, Rising Korean Actors Ages 26 And Below!
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Kim Dong-Hee
Barely two years have passed since he debuted, and he already got his first lead role in a K-drama via the critically-acclaimed 2020 Netflix series "Extracurricular" that had him taking on the role of a student who runs an illegal business.
Photo Credit: JTBC
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Kim Dong-Hee
As we wait for him to star in a K-drama again, his fans are excited about his two confirmed films: the action espionage movie "Ghost" and the movie based on the true story of the late singer-songwriter Yoo Jaeha, "Season of You and Me;" Kim Dong-hee replaced Song Joong-ki in the latter. Both are set to be released this year.
Photo Credit: JTBC
Lee Joo-Young
2020 was doubly amazing for 28-year-old Lee Joo-young. Not only did she have a memorable supporting character in "Itaewon Class," she also starred in the movie "Baseball Girl" that earned her acting nominations from the 29th Buil Film Awards and the 41st Blue Dragon Film Awards.
Photo Credit: @i_icaruswalks
Lee Joo-Young
Lee Joo-young's beauty is noticeable too. Following the success of "Itaewon Class," she became the girl crush of many when she headlined the campaign of popular Seoul-based beauty brand HERA. She graced the pages of fashion magazines, too, like Elle Korea, Harper's Bazaar Korea, and Marie Claire Korea.
Photo Credit: JTBC
Lee Joo-Young
This year will be extra special for her, as she gets to star in a K-drama for the very first time. In the upcoming crime and sci/fi series "Times," Lee Joo-young takes on the role of a reporter who discovers she can communicate with another reporter from five years ago.
Photo Credit: @i_icaruswalks
Ryu Kyung-Soo
"Itaewon Class" saw him reuniting with his "The Divine Fury" co-actor Park Seo-joon. In the 2020 K-drama, he was featured as Park Sae-royi's cellmate in prison who later becomes a staffer at DanBam restaurant.
Photo Credit: @ryurudtn
Ryu Kyung-Soo
Last year, he also appeared in movies "Daemuga: Sorrow and Joy" as a fake shaman and "Call" as a policeman.
Photo Credit: @ryurudtn
Ryu Kyung-Soo
If he looks familiar to you, it's maybe because you're currently hooked on the web series "Lovestruck in the City," starring Ji Chang-wook and Kim Ji-won. In the ongoing series, he's featured as a novelist. This year, he's also joining the cast of the Netflix series "Hellbound" as a cult priest.
Photo Credit: @ryurudtn
Lead photos from JTBC
