K-pop idols' journey toward debuting in the music scene differs in how it began. Most artists were ordinary students at the time they were scouted by entertainment companies. But there were also some idols who were already popular even before debuting as singers. For instance, the female artists listed below initially made themselves known to the public through acting.
5 Female K-pop Idols Who First Debuted as Actresses: LAPILLUS Chanty, More
LAPILLUS Chanty
The first one on our list is one of the newest female K-pop idols, LAPILLUS Chanty. Filipino K-pop fans are already familiar with her as Chanty began her career in the Philippines as an actress and model. She was managed by one of the largest agencies in the country, called Star Magic.
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She was introduced as a Star Magic talent in March 2018 and starred in several local dramas until 2020, including "Spirits Reawaken." She then left the Philippines in 2021 and signed with MLD Entertainment as a trainee. She made her debut as a LAPILLUS member on Sept. 22, 2022 and now her fan base consists of not only Filipino fans.
Kep1er Yeseo
Kep1er Yeseo is also a female K-pop idol who first debuted as an actress. Some of you may not be aware, but she started appearing in dramas in mid-2010 until 2013. Her most popular role is probably Choi Ji Young, the rich young daughter of the chief police commissioner in the iconic 2013 Korean movie "Miracle in Cell No. 7." She was that young girl who was given the last Sailor Moon bag on display at a store.
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In late 2010, Yeseo debuted as a member of the kids girl group CutieL under Big Star Entertainment. She later joined Busters in 2019 as the lead vocalist and is now the maknae of the project girl group Kep1er, which debuted on Jan. 3, 2022.
STAYC Sieun
STAYC Sieun originally made her debut as a child actress in 2014 through the children TV show titled "Pluto Secret Society." She has since appeared in more dramas and even movies, such as "Pride and Prejudice," "The Good Wife," "Still 17," "Six Flying Dragons," "Love Forecast," "Golden Slumber," among others.
Because of her excellent acting, Sieun earned herself an award for Best Young Actress at the 2018 SBS Drama Awards. She joined JYP Entertainment in 2017 but she moved to High Up Entertainment two years later.
EVERGLOW Aisha
Many fans probably don't know that EVERGLOW Aisha is also a female K-pop idol who initially debuted as an actress. The "LA DI DA" singer revealed in "Foreverglow Documentary #2" that she was a child actress. She started acting when she was only five years old, and after three years she began training to become an idol.
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Former WSG Wannabe Park Jin Joo
Finally, Park Jin Joo debuted as a member of WSG Wannabe's subunit called OASISO on July 9, 2022. Before that, she first made herself known as an actress by playing teen Hwan Jin He in the 2011 hit Korean film "Sunny." She went on to take minor roles in hit K-dramas like "Hotel Del Luna," "It's Okay to Not Be Okay," "Our Beloved Summer," "While You Were Sleeping," "Jealousy Incarnate," and more.
Do you know other female K-pop idols who first debuted as actresses? Name them in the comment box below!
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Written by Maria Scott
