K-Drama Stars Whose College Degrees Could've Led Them To Completely Different Professions
They charmed you with their looks and talent in acting, but did you know they pursued other fields back in college?
These K-drama stars could have been a business magnate, fashion designer, newscaster, or mechanical engineer. But, they gladly chose to nurture their passion for the entertainment industry instead, and impressively moved on to become well-loved Hallyu celebrities.
Metro.Style compiled a list of academically accomplished Korean actors and actresses, who interestingly took up college courses that are not related to acting.
Check out the gallery below:
Photo Gallery
Photo Gallery
Ahn Hyo-Seop
Doubling as an actor and a singer, Ahn Hyo-seop gave us remarkable acting projects with "Still 17," "Abyss" and "Dr. Romantic 2." He’s fluent in English since he grew up in Toronto, Canada and even graduated from Kookmin University in the Department of International Business.
Photo Credit: @starhausm
Kim Tae-Hee
She’s more than just a legendary beauty, she’s also been a diligent and hardworking student once. Now wife to South Korean actor-singer Rain and a doting mom to two kids, the "Hi Bye, Mama!" actress can actually venture in a career outside of show business. She graduated from Seoul National University with a bachelor’s degree in Fashion Design. It was said that she helped her stylist design her lace, knee-length wedding dress. In a press conference, she also revealed that her degree really helped her portray her role as a fashion designer in the Joseon era in the K-drama "Jang Ok-jung, Living by Love."
Photo Credit: @storyjcompany
Namkoong Min
All this time that he’s been gracing the screen with excellent work on the likes of K-dramas "Remember," "Good Manager," "Doctor Prisoner" and "Hot Stove League" (for which he won the Daesang - Grand Prize at the 2020 SBS Drama Awards), Namkoong Min can also share his knowledge on the design, production and operation of machinery. The actor impressively holds a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from Chung-Ang University.
Photo Credit: @min_namkoong
Ju Ji-Hoon
If he wasn’t displaying his stellar acting onscreen in high-profile projects such as "Along With the Gods: The Two Worlds," "Kingdom," and "Hyena," Ju Ji-hoon could have spent an alternate life in e-Commerce. The topnotch actor majored in e-Business at Tongwon College. He also attended Kyonggi University in Suwon, South Korea.
Photo Credit: @h_and_ent
Ji Jin-Hee
He's one of the well-known Korean actors with hit dramas like "Dae Jang Geum," "Dong Yi," "I Have a Lover," and "Designated Survivor: 60 Days." But, did you know that he can also shine behind the scenes? Ji Jin-hee finished his studies at Myongji University with a degree in Visual Design. He even held a job as a photographer at an advertising agency where he was scouted prior to becoming an actor.
Photo Credit: @ikkle_entertainment
Lee Na-Young
The critically-acclaimed artist found success as an actress with her notable roles on projects like "Ruler of Your Own World," "Ireland," "Maundy Thursday" and "Romance is a Bonus Book." But if fate had different plans, she could have been a full-time entrepreneur too. The star completed her Business degree at Shingu College, so it’s not a far-fetched reality. (ICYDK, she's also the wife of actor Won Bin.)
Photo Credit: @topten_official
Lee Seung-Gi
He is an all-around entertainer excelling as a singer, actor and host. The "My Girlfriend is a Gumiho," "Vagabond" and "Mouse" star will, no doubt, do so well in areas outside of the entertainment biz. Lee Seung-gi actually graduated from Dongguk University with a degree in International Trade and Commerce and even received a special achievement award during the graduation ceremony. He did not stop there, as he went on to receive two master’s degrees in Marketing, Trade Theory and in Finance and Cultural Contents at Dongguk Graduate School. During his time as a host of "Little Forest," he also received a Child Psychiatry Counselling Certificate.
Photo Credit: Hook Entertainment
Kim Seo-Hyung
The actress’ incredible acting on "Temptation of Wife," "Sky Castle" and "Mine" can send shivers down one’s spine. Every move she makes, every line she speaks and every emotion you see in her eyes mark how amazing she is as an artist. No doubt, she has taken down the notes and cues on her time at Yeongdong Women’s College as a Liberal Arts graduate.
Photo Credit: @keyeastofficial
Kim Ji-Seok
"When the Camellia Blooms" and "Monthly Magazine Home" actor Kim Ji-seok is armed with awe-inspiring educational attainment that he could've actually been a teacher or a journalist too. Already fluent in English as he grew up in England, the actor majored in German at the Hankuk University of Foreign Studies. In 2006, he received secondary teaching certificate in German and English. He’s also a holder of master’s degree in Cultural Contents Planning from Kyung Hee University’s Graduate School of Journalism and Communication.
Photo Credit: @kimjiseok16
Jung Eun-Chae
Jung Eun-chae looked so fashionable in the K-drama "The King: Eternal Monarch." Interestingly, she's fashion-inclined in real life, too! She majored in Textile Design at Central Saint Martins in London where she grew up. In an interview with HanCinema, the actress generously shared about her experience as a student, saying, “Our job is to design the fabric that is used for clothes and couches. What we do is we move the paper with the designed pattern onto the fabric but the method differs depending on the quality of the material. We also did print work and wove fabric onto a loom. I probably would have taken it on as a job if I wasn’t acting.”
Photo Credit: @jungeunchae_
Song Ji-Hyo
She is everyone’s favorite female cast member in the beloved South Korean variety show "Running Man," and she also amazed us with her acting skills on her recent K-dramas "Was It Love" and "The Witch’s Diner." As she leads an exciting life in the entertainment sector, she could have well spent her life crunching numbers as she also holds a degree in Tax Accounting from Kyungmoon University (now known as Kookje College).
Photo Credit: @creativegrouping_ad
Ok Taecyeon
Taecyeon is a true Renaissance man. He's a rapper, singer, songwriter and actor who is fluent in English, Korean and Japanese. What’s even more attractive about him? The "Vincenzo" villain did not only finish his Business Administration studies in Dankook University but also managed to pass the prestigious Korea University’s exam for the Humanities and Social Science in International Business Administration and attended the university’s Graduate School of International Studies.
Photo Credit: @51k_official
Lee Sang-Yoon
He's the lead actor behind well-loved series "Angel Eyes," "VIP" and "About Time." In 2000, he was admitted to Seoul National University but his entertainment career and mandatory military service hampered his uni life. He finally graduated in 2013 at SNU with a degree in Physics. Lee Sang-yoon as a physicist? We can only watch in awe.
Photo Credit: @jwidecompany
Lee Bo-Young
Art truly flows in Lee Bo-young’s heart. Originally dreaming of becoming a news anchor, she ended up as an actress instead. She impressed with her stellar works on K-dramas "Save The Last Dance for Me," "I Can Hear Your Voice" and "Mine." But did you know she majored in Korean Literature at Seoul Women’s University?
Photo Credit: @jwidecompany
Lee Dong-Wook
As a Hallyu actor, we all fell for him on "My Girl" and then again on "Goblin" ("Guardian: The Lonely and Great God") but we have to admit, he also did such a great job as the host of "Strong Heart" and of the popular survival talent show "Produce X 101." He then went on to host his own talk show "Wook Talk" to commemorate his 20th debut anniversary and showcased his skills interviewing his co-star and friend Gong Yoo, "Sky Castle" star Kim Seo-hyung, singer BoA and more. You know why he’s so good at it? He actually majored in Media and Broadcasting Arts at Joongbu University. He’s one of those actors who can also be a great MC.
Photo Credit: @leedongwook_official
Lead photos from Hook Entertainment, Netflix, and 51K
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