Categories: K-dramas

K-netizens Assemble the Grown Up and Glowed Up Top Drama Child Stars of the Last Two Decades with Yoo Seung Ho, Yeo Jin Gu, Kim Yoo Jung, Kim So Hyun, and More

It’s one of the mysteries of K-drama land where a precocious and adorable child star will after the time jump turn into the male or female lead who looks nothing alike. I mean, pre-teen Yeo Jin Gu turned into 25-year old Kim Soo Hyun in The Moon Embraces the Sun and today Yeo Jin Gu is himself 25-years old in real life and he just looks like himself ahahaha. And Kim So Hyun grown up looks more like Han Ga In than Kim Yoo Jung so eh, I’ll still take those ridiculous change ups so that K-dramas can keep on discovering and developing new child talent. Currently it’s Kim Kang Hoon who is the new Yeo Jin Gu who was himself the new Yoo Seung Ho. But for the OG batch of child stars, they are all grown up and K-netizens nicely assembled the top 8 with split screen pictures so we can admire their cuteness (so cute!) and how handsome/pretty each looks today. For sure the potential was all reached. Also, Yoo Seung Ho is the oldest and this year is 28 (29 in Korean age).

ockoala

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  • Woah is that little So Ji Sub?! I haven't been following his career much. I think the last thing I saw him in was Queen Seon Deok but it looks like he's getting leading roles now so kudos to him!

  • They grew up well! I kinda miss Park Geon-Tae, he was really good too.

    I'm watching Racket Boys and these kids are soo good! Korea doesn't lack good young actors!

  • My god they were such cute kids and so talented as adults too. The Korean child cast have always delivered on performances.

  • They grew up well. I still feel bad about about what happened to Seo Shin Ae, it takes courage to call out that idol for bullying her in Middle School. But look like, that idol will still continue and not an ounce of apology from her.

  • KSH was always the much better match for HGI character visually and if she had been more popular would easily have been the younger version of her character but since she was even more exceptional as the villainous 2nd lead it ended up working in her favor. Her duality going from negative roles to positive roles has always been impressive and her range is phenomenal. She just needs to be in more movies because she has the movie star quality that directors are sleeping on. Especially in movies like Last Princess she will excel just like SYJ did because they both have that intensity and charisma and versatility.

    • She has the most stable acting career out of all the others to be honest. Not big peaks and big lows but steady growth and rise. Its a good thing because she's always been in this for the long haul without tiring herself out. Out of all the child actors mentioned KHG, KSH, YJG and YSH are the only ones with the clear actor vibes but both YJG and YSH have both complained of burnout and loosing their love for acting. In fact YSH doesn't even want to be an actor but he doesn't know what else to do. KHG is still struggling to transition but she is prone to the PBY problem of being typecast because of her height. KSH is luck to have looks, height and body she really is the full package and without any controversies. It was smart of her to join Culture Depot because like JJH she too is very low key especially about her private life and CD is excellent at protecting the private lives of their artists. Her lack of movies is strange but like I said she is in this for the long haul and already stands on par with veterans in terms of talent. Once she decides to take cinema seriously she'll dominate it just like she did with tv. She has both the massive hallyu and domestic popularity which literally none of the other former child stars have so its only a matter of time for her.

      • True her acting resume is very reliable and steadily growing with clear direction. RWTMR was a great turning point and acting breakthrough into mature scenes and NIW was the perfect partner for her. She also proved her action queen chops and was sooooo good in all her fight scenes. Even if the drama isn't properly appreciated now I can see it being a massive cult hit just like LFG which has become so beloved and is on every popular horror/fantasy list. Her choice of dramas is very good and each very distinct even when she was doing high school dramas every character was different and unique. Her ability to play multiple characters in the same drama are crazy impressive and I can see her taking on experimental roles that other actresses would shy away from. She isn't materialistic or frivolous and focuses all her energy on acting which is admirable. How she has managed her studies and work life balance is remarkable.

      • This finally someone said it! Her career is rock solid and she built it up painstakingly while also paying off her family debt and supporting their financial needs. It has never been stated explicitly but I would not be surprised if she chose to become an actress for purely financial reasons because it was a dark time for her family at that time. Its a miracle she didn't experience the same feelings as the boys even after her struggles in 2017. Her love for acting is pure and eternal that much is for sure and her growth is clearly visible because she hones her craft properly.

      • @Monay In 2019 interview she said she had found a clear direction for her future so its true she is moving towards a clear goal. Poor girl suffered a lot in 2017-18 but it only made her stronger and more capable. She is the epitome of strength and resiliance.

    • Yes why does she not have movies? Lydia can someone answer this? It is a complete mystery to me too what keeps her away from doing films? Even rookie actors and idols with little to no acting abilities often appear in movies whether as supporting or main but Kim So Hyun hasn't had a single movie casting since 2015. This is too bizzare to even process or understand.

      • She had a movie casting which is Miss Granny. It was around 2017 or 2018 but she turned it down because of her busy schedule. The movie also didn't proceed when she turned it down. After that I didn't see her in a casting news for a movie.

      • Miss Granny was the drama adaptation of the hit movie where Shim Eun Kyung was the lead. Unfortunately she hasn't been cast in any movies since The Last Princess where she was a the younger version of Son Ye Jin.

      • maybe she's too big and profitable that it doesnt make sense for her to give up drama offers in order to take on indie/smaller movies but also too commercial and conventionally attractive for bigger chungmuro type directors who seem to always prefers more unconventionally attractive actresses with theater/indie background.

    • Completely agree about her movie star quality. She really is the only 20s actress with the potential to be the next Queen of Cannes or even the Oscars with movies opening up to more diversity. Which is why her lack of movie roles has been very disappointing but it is a point to be noted that she is only 22. The only roles she could have had would have been small or supporting roles which is something I don't see her doing. I'm sure she would love to do indie films like House of Hummingbird but her pay scale would never allow it and her agent would not allow her to work for minimum pay which is why most of these opportunities go to fresh faced actresses. She's always been picky with her projects but with movies she seems to be extra picky but when she finally picks one I'm sure it'll be well worth the wait.

      • If HoH could have afforded her she would have singed on in a heartbeat. She's a huge fan of the movie and director and hopes to be able to work with her someday. KSH has always been focused on socially relevant topics and dramas that incorporate LGBT and strong female characters in a non caricature manner. She's aware of of the glass ceiling women face and often takes on strong female characters but also shows 'weak' characters have their own inner strength that doesn't make them any less than strong characters. Her thought process is very mature and you can tell how much her cast mates respect her even the older actors are amazed by her maturity, kindness and perseverance.

    • She takes her acting career very seriously which is why she doesn't do many CF activities or take on endorsements. She wants to be known for her acting and not her pretty face or ability to sell things. Acting is her religion and she treats it with respect. Thirteen years but her love affair with acting is still going strong.

      • @lily

        Dont take offence but u mean to say those who do many CFs are not serious abt their acting.

        Would definately like to know on what basis have u come to this conclusion (just curious)

        Isnt CF also considered acting where u persuade people to buy with ur acting abilities by showing how good the product is

      • ROFL someone saying cf is considered acting has the same energy as kpop enthusiasts saying music videos is considered acting. All kpop idols are certified actors by that standard. I have nothing to say about the op comment but cf is considered acting claim just made me burst out laughing. Most ridiculous statement to justify anything. People who do cfs are called models not actors.

      • @polish
        Happy to entertain you
        Maybe its countrywise difference but i always assumed cfs also to b part of acting but no dialogues

        Anyways thanks for clearing my doubts

      • @polish I'm with you imagine using that logic of CF to justify "acting"!! Jennie and Suzy must be veteran actors then!! Craziest nonsense!!

      • @polish @lovlei

        online community will be much peaceful if people know how to be courteous. @ana was plain asking.

      • @BetterWorld both @polish and @lovelei made courteous and very truthful remarks. Stop sounding pressed and throwing tantrums.

      • @polish Commercial acting is a discipline within the field of acting which is focused on acting for commercials. Commercials typically air for less than a minute, which requires unique acting skills to ensure that the message of the commercial is conveyed adequately and appropriately to the audience.

        A huge range of acting styles can be required. A good commercial actor can exhibit an array of looks and acting skills.

      • Commercial acting is not even remotely acting these people are desperate to prove their controversial bias has any relevance as an actor.

    • I’m not sure how one is able to say one actress is more
      Visually suited for a role unless there are photos of the character, is there photos of the character in the novel?

      • Oh never mind, you’re referring to the older version visually in comparison. In that case I agree haha

  • All are pretty but Yooj had her huge glow up in terms of visual. Her physique match JJH and her face is a combination of Han Hyo Joo and Jun Ji Hyun. Although I agree that pre-teen Kim So Hyun is beautiful and does match Han Ga In more as both have prominent cheekbone and big eyes. KSR on the other hand, she’s really stylish maybe since she is surrounded with lots of k-pop friends. For Kim So Hyun, she seem to not matter much about how she looks and style herself. In my observation, she’s more on simplicity and she is not much particular with her fashion or style.

    Ps. I am just stating my observation just in case someone come on me again LOL

  • Kim yoo jung was a cutie as a child actor but now one of the most beautiful girl in the industry.

    Her visuals are just OMG
    Minimum makeup but still the prettiest
    Beauty with brains
    Kind and generous
    Her smile is to die for
    Expressive eyes
    Awesome actress
    Multi talented
    Perfect human being

    Saw some pics of her press conference for 8th night movie
    Just couldnt take my eyes of her

    May god bless her with happiness and success

    • Perfect human being with a scandal at 16 years old and a drama labeled to be the worst of 2020 lol. She's so perfect yikes!

      • @Kes

        Do you owe yoojungie something? Why so much hate. Seriously have some life
        Different username but still obsessed abt her nose

        Her drama worst or good doesnt define her plus the scandal is the result of hate by ppl like you

        Even if she had a scandal she is much loved in korea and pds wait for her to sign her

        But you,no one knows you apart from ur different username even a scandal wont make you famous hahaha so keep on ranting and hating

    • @kes
      Have you attended college

      YES-ohhh but u still seem brainless to me

      NO- dont attend college becoz u wil still b brainless

    • @KES @kyjhadanosejob Is it fun being the only 2 toxic commenters here? Literally stop trolling and get a life. If you haven't noticed, this comment section is all positive, don't ruin it with your toxicity

    • It's obvious these are the same person. KES is known to be obsessed of YooJung's nose. Please go back above and compare her baby pics to her pictures now. Anyone without an eye problem will know quickly she is natural. Did YooJung kick your dog or something? Your pathetic really.

  • Sohyun is queen of child actors for a reason! Look at that elegance and grace its just a profile picture! Youngest Baeksang best actress nominee only!

    • Her beauty is on another level without bangs. Although her bangs will always be iconic, I hope she won't hide her glorious forehead again.

      • She overcame her complex and has embraced her non-bang look permanently. We love to see queen shine her glorious forehead. River was peak beauty with high ponytail and full forehead on display.

  • Imo in terms of historical drama, ksh looked the best in RWTMR drama, whoever styled her did a great job.She looked ethereal with that ponytail.? But I hope her next will be modern drama.@vitamim Even I am surprised as to why she does not appear in more films.? Her last movies was in 2016. May be that's her personal choice

    • In terms of historical drama ksh always has the best beauty. Even in 2016 for her 30sec cameo in goblin she voted 2nd only to lya. Koreans love her beauty in historical dramas and she has one of the best diction they can't stop praising her clear voice and pronunciation.

    • Yes, definitely her best look is on RWTMR. I've said it before, but she just looked divinely pretty in that drama, especially in the latter half where her hair was all tied up. Unbelievable doll-like visuals. She's always been super pretty, but that was the first time I really went “Wow” with her beauty. That, and also her acting skills. That drama literally made me become her fan

      • RWTMR was the perfect drama to make anyone fall for her! Her beauty and acting skills were on another level!

      • Her so called the worst drama and acting to date but made her a Baeksang nominee what an irony.

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