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What Do These 2021 K-Drama Leading Ladies Have In Common?

They’re four of the Korean actresses who truly made an impact last year

Article (news)

Metro.Style Team

<p>There was a steady stream of K-dramas last year, with one memorable series after another. It was also a year that saw several historical/period dramas (or <em>sageuks</em>) that captured viewers’ hearts in different ways. </p><div><br/></div><p>Interestingly, four <em>sageuks</em> that stood out in 2021 featured Korean actresses who have something in common: they’re all child stars-turned-leading ladies!</p><div><br/></div><p><strong>Kim So-hyun</strong> of <em>River Where the Moon Rises</em>, <strong>Kim Yoo-jung</strong> of <em>Lovers of the Red Sky</em>, <strong>Park Eun-bin</strong> of <em>The King’s Affection</em>, and <strong>Lee Se-young</strong> of <em>The Red Sleeve</em>. Trivia: Kim So-hyun and Kim Yoo-jung were together in the historical K-drama <em>Moon Embracing the Sun</em>; Kim Yoo-jung and Park Eun-bin both appeared in period dramas <em>Queen Seondeok</em> and <em>Secret Door</em>; and Lee Se-young was in the iconic K-series <em>Jewel in the Palace</em> that was also popular in the Philippines.    </p><div><br/></div><div><strong>Check out the gallery below to see these Korean child stars-turned-leading ladies in the historical dramas they’ve appeared or starred in:</strong></div><div><br/></div><div class="article-content" itemProp="articleBody"><div class="media-content"><div class="slider-for"><div><img loading="lazy" src="https://assets-metrostyle.abs-cbn.com/prod/metrostyle/attachments/5202983a-5cc7-47c9-b003-5c4d6a20fe28_korean child actresses turned leading ladies 2021 sageuk queens landscape.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii"/></div><div><img loading="lazy" src="https://assets-metrostyle.abs-cbn.com/prod/metrostyle/attachments/d1d36dcf-95fc-4075-bec9-21966e255a93_kim so hyun profile.jpg" alt="korean child stars turned leading ladies in 2021 sageuk historical kdrama" class="fr-fic fr-dii"/></div><div><img loading="lazy" src="https://assets-metrostyle.abs-cbn.com/prod/metrostyle/attachments/497eab23-0818-4326-abee-3623da1c0a1e_kim so hyun moon embracing the sun.jpg" alt="korean child stars turned leading ladies in 2021 sageuk historical kdrama" class="fr-fic fr-dii"/></div><div><img loading="lazy" src="https://assets-metrostyle.abs-cbn.com/prod/metrostyle/attachments/4299c694-1f95-427f-b13b-5da201207235_kim so hyun rooftop prince.png" alt="korean child stars turned leading ladies in 2021 sageuk historical kdrama" class="fr-fic fr-dii"/></div><div><img loading="lazy" src="https://assets-metrostyle.abs-cbn.com/prod/metrostyle/attachments/bb52faf6-d3a3-47de-b42b-313bba389e80_kim so hyun emperor the owner of the mask.jpg" alt="korean child stars turned leading ladies in 2021 sageuk historical kdrama" class="fr-fic fr-dii"/></div><div><img loading="lazy" src="https://assets-metrostyle.abs-cbn.com/prod/metrostyle/attachments/75a149a3-b5da-4fe0-804d-3883cc257ca7_kim so hyun the tale of nokdu.jpg" alt="korean child stars turned leading ladies in 2021 sageuk historical kdrama" class="fr-fic fr-dii"/></div><div><img loading="lazy" src="https://assets-metrostyle.abs-cbn.com/prod/metrostyle/attachments/d739c2b7-cedd-45e4-a6d0-d78b8feea600_kim so hyun river where the moon rises e.jpeg" alt="korean child stars turned leading ladies in 2021 sageuk historical kdrama" class="fr-fic fr-dii"/></div><div><img loading="lazy" src="https://assets-metrostyle.abs-cbn.com/prod/metrostyle/attachments/21dd002a-0781-4119-bd04-e7f985b1ac56_kim yoo jung profile.jpg" alt="korean child stars turned leading ladies in 2021 sageuk historical kdrama" class="fr-fic fr-dii"/></div><div><img loading="lazy" src="https://assets-metrostyle.abs-cbn.com/prod/metrostyle/attachments/9b63b1c0-de63-44b2-9ef3-350cad1ad6b3_kim yoo jung - child actress in iljimae.jpg" alt="korean child stars turned leading ladies in 2021 sageuk historical kdrama" class="fr-fic fr-dii"/></div><div><img loading="lazy" src="https://assets-metrostyle.abs-cbn.com/prod/metrostyle/attachments/f9de0422-0ccb-41ec-b6d2-4150c9211127_kim yoo jung dong yi.jpg" alt="korean child stars turned leading ladies in 2021 sageuk historical kdrama" class="fr-fic fr-dii"/></div><div><img loading="lazy" src="https://assets-metrostyle.abs-cbn.com/prod/metrostyle/attachments/ddeda039-04b7-4a2d-bdd8-78b623a9a42e_kim yoo jung moon embracing the sun.jpg" alt="korean child stars turned leading ladies in 2021 sageuk historical kdrama" class="fr-fic fr-dii"/></div><div><img loading="lazy" src="https://assets-metrostyle.abs-cbn.com/prod/metrostyle/attachments/fd5ac91a-0787-478b-a20e-515f12cc3621_kim yoo jung love in the moonlight.png" alt="korean child stars turned leading ladies in 2021 sageuk historical kdrama" class="fr-fic fr-dii"/></div><div><img loading="lazy" src="https://assets-metrostyle.abs-cbn.com/prod/metrostyle/attachments/5f9c780b-58c6-48fa-a34a-7276912c1800_kim yoo jung lovers of the red sky c.jpg" alt="korean child stars turned leading ladies in 2021 sageuk historical kdrama" class="fr-fic fr-dii"/></div><div><img loading="lazy" src="https://assets-metrostyle.abs-cbn.com/prod/metrostyle/attachments/4404ad4f-7080-479f-a2c3-5e7a864ecb48_park eun bin profile.jpg" alt="korean child stars turned leading ladies in 2021 sageuk historical kdrama" class="fr-fic fr-dii"/></div><div><img loading="lazy" src="https://assets-metrostyle.abs-cbn.com/prod/metrostyle/attachments/29d0658a-ec54-4b72-97f7-1c82d20bd000_park eun bin the iron empress.jpg" alt="korean child stars turned leading ladies in 2021 sageuk historical kdrama" class="fr-fic fr-dii"/></div><div><img loading="lazy" src="https://assets-metrostyle.abs-cbn.com/prod/metrostyle/attachments/4307aa8c-435e-4581-a439-133bc90b84af_park eun bin queen seondeok.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii"/></div><div><img loading="lazy" src="https://assets-metrostyle.abs-cbn.com/prod/metrostyle/attachments/ae0744e6-b817-4d0e-8efe-142599fca05a_park eun bin secret door.jpg" alt="korean child stars turned leading ladies in 2021 sageuk historical kdrama" class="fr-fic fr-dii"/></div><div><img loading="lazy" src="https://assets-metrostyle.abs-cbn.com/prod/metrostyle/attachments/d4f02734-793c-41eb-b73a-494a00e27fb6_park eun bin the kings affection 2.png" alt="korean child stars turned leading ladies in 2021 sageuk historical kdrama" class="fr-fic fr-dii"/></div><div><img loading="lazy" src="https://assets-metrostyle.abs-cbn.com/prod/metrostyle/attachments/046ff444-9413-4aa1-88f3-1d7cfe857caa_lee se young profile.jpg" alt="korean child stars turned leading ladies in 2021 sageuk historical kdrama" class="fr-fic fr-dii"/></div><div><img loading="lazy" src="https://assets-metrostyle.abs-cbn.com/prod/metrostyle/attachments/a789367d-7db6-406b-b1e7-9f939a9f4a85_lee se young jewel in the palace.jpg" alt="korean child stars turned leading ladies in 2021 sageuk historical kdrama" class="fr-fic fr-dii"/></div><div><img loading="lazy" src="https://assets-metrostyle.abs-cbn.com/prod/metrostyle/attachments/8529a281-fea7-4b01-ba88-5c626b927d4f_lee se young dream of the emperor.jpg" alt="korean child stars turned leading ladies in 2021 sageuk historical kdrama" class="fr-fic fr-dii"/></div><div><img loading="lazy" src="https://assets-metrostyle.abs-cbn.com/prod/metrostyle/attachments/d7a769a3-4b3c-4b5d-99ce-28ff3f50155f_lee se young the crowned clown.png" alt="korean child stars turned leading ladies in 2021 sageuk historical kdrama" class="fr-fic fr-dii"/></div><div><img loading="lazy" src="https://assets-metrostyle.abs-cbn.com/prod/metrostyle/attachments/0dab768b-267a-46d6-9d69-351b56d28447_lee se young the red sleeve.jpg" alt="korean child stars turned leading ladies in 2021 sageuk historical kdrama" class="fr-fic fr-dii"/></div></div><div class="media-content slider-desc"><div class="item-desc"><div></div></div><div class="item-desc"><p>Kim So-hyun - Kim So-hyun debuted as an actress in 2006, when she was just about seven. With her early achievements, she was fondly called “Nation’s Little Sister” (an informal title given to young female artists who are cute and innocent-looking) and “Sageuk Goddess” (considering the number of historical dramas she worked on). Her breakthrough project is the historical series “Moon Embracing the Sun” where she played the young version of actress Kim Min-seo’s character. She moved on to star in K-dramas like “Who Are You: School 2015,” “Bring It On, Ghost,” “The Emperor: Owner of the Mask,” “Radio Romance,” “Love Alarm” (seasons 1 and 2), “The Tale of Nokdu,” and most recently, “River Where the Moon Rises.”<cite>@yyoungbae via @wow_kimsohyun</cite></p></div><div class="item-desc"><p>Kim So-hyun in “Moon Embracing the Sun” (2012)<cite>MBC</cite></p></div><div class="item-desc"><p>Kim So-hyun in “Rooftop Prince” (2012)<cite>VIU</cite></p></div><div class="item-desc"><p>Kim So-hyun in “The Emperor: Owner of the Mask” (2017)<cite>Sidus HQ</cite></p></div><div class="item-desc"><p>Kim So-hyun in “The Tale of Nokdu” (2019)<cite>E&amp;T Story Entertainment</cite></p></div><div class="item-desc"><p>Kim So-hyun in “River Where the Moon Rises” (2021)<cite>KBS</cite></p></div><div class="item-desc"><p>Kim Yoo-jung - Kim Yoo-jung, 22, also grew up in the public eye, and was likewise dubbed as “Nation’s Little Sister” and “Sageuk Fairy.” She’s been acting since she was four. And she was only about nine when she received her first acting award, the Best Child Actress recognition for period action series “Iljimae,” where she portrayed the young version of actress Han Hyo-joo’s character. Kim Yoo-jung moved on to work on a number of historical dramas until she landed a role in the 2012 sageuk “Moon Embracing the Sun” as the young version of actress Han Ga-in’s character, which boosted her popularity and earned her Best Young Actress and Best New Actress awards and nominations. From being a child actress and teen up-and-comer, she established herself as a leading lady with K-dramas like “Love in the Moonlight,” “Clean With Passion for Now,” “Backstreet Rookie,” and “Lovers of the Red Sky.”<cite>@you_r_love</cite></p></div><div class="item-desc"><p>Kim Yoo-jung in “Iljimae” (2008)<cite>SBS</cite></p></div><div class="item-desc"><p>Kim Yoo-jung in “Dong Yi” (2010)<cite>MBC</cite></p></div><div class="item-desc"><p>Kim Yoo-jung in “Moon Embracing the Sun” (2012)<cite>MBC</cite></p></div><div class="item-desc"><p>Kim Yoo-jung in “Love in the Moonlight” (2016)<cite>KBS</cite></p></div><div class="item-desc"><p>Kim Yoo-jung in “Lovers of the Red Sky” (2021)<cite>SBS</cite></p></div><div class="item-desc"><p>Park Eun-bin - Park Eun-bin has been acting since she was five, taking on roles as young versions of actresses like Kim Ha-neul, Han Ji-min, Song Ji-hyo, and many others in various TV series. Her first lead role was via the time-traveling romance series “Operation Proposal” in 2012 that paired her with actor Yoo Seung-ho who was also a child star like her. Now 29 years old, Park Eun-bin has successfully transitioned to being a leading lady with buzzworthy dramas like “Hot Stove League,” “Do You Like Brahms?,” and “The King’s Affection” which all earned her Best Actress awards. <cite>@eunbining0904</cite></p></div><div class="item-desc"><p>Park Eun-bin in “The Iron Empress” (2009) <cite>KBS</cite></p></div><div class="item-desc"><p>Park Eun-bin in “Queen Seondeok” (2009)<cite>MBC</cite></p></div><div class="item-desc"><p>Park Eun-bin in “Secret Door” (2014)<cite>SBS</cite></p></div><div class="item-desc"><p>Park Eun-bin in “The King’s Affection” (2021)     <cite>KBS</cite></p></div><div class="item-desc"><p>Lee Se-young - 29-year-old actress Lee Se-young is one of the most buzzworthy Korean actresses today, thanks to her latest series, “The Red Sleeve.” But she has actually been a part of the entertainment industry since 1997 (that’s more than two decades now!). In the early years of her career, she played the young versions of Korean actresses like Lee Na-young and Jang Na-ra. After several supporting roles, she starred in 2013’s “Adolescence Medley” and continuously established herself as a leading lady with small screen projects like “Trot Lovers,” “The Vampire Detective,” “Hit the Top,” “The Crowned Clown,” “Doctor John,” “Memorist,” “Kairos,” and “The Red Sleeve.”<cite>@seyoung_10</cite></p></div><div class="item-desc"><p>Lee Se-young in “Jewel in the Palace” (2003)<cite>MBC</cite></p></div><div class="item-desc"><p>Lee Se-young in “Dream of the Emperor” (2012)<cite>KBS</cite></p></div><div class="item-desc"><p>Lee Se-young in “The Crowned Clown” (2019)<cite>tvN</cite></p></div><div class="item-desc"><p>Lee Se-young in “The Red Sleeve” (2021)<cite>MBC</cite></p></div></div></div></div><div><br/></div><p>Lead photos from <strong>KBS</strong>, <strong>SBS</strong>, and <strong>MBC</strong> </p><div><br/></div><div><strong>Related Story: </strong><a href="/people/celebrities/2021-k-drama-awards-name-best-onscreen-couples/32171" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">These K-Drama Awards Name 2021&#x27;s Best Onscreen Couples</a></div><div><strong>Related Story: </strong><a href="/people/celebrities/k-drama-stars-born-in-the-month-of-january/32165" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">K-Drama Stars Born In The Month Of January</a></div><div><strong>Related Story: </strong><a href="/people/celebrities/how-k-drama-hallyu-stars-spent-christmas-2021/32118" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Season’s Greetings From Our Favorite Hallyu Stars</a></div>