A growing number of former influencers and reality TV personalities are successfully reinventing themselves as actors, earning praise for their performances and enjoying a new chapter in their careers.
One of the latest examples is Seo Ji-hye, who recently made an indelible mark with a special appearance as So Ji-sub’s wife in the SBS drama. Agent Kim reactivated. After her memorable performance, many viewers were surprised to learn that she had previously appeared on the Channel A dating reality show Heart signalreigniting interest in actors who first rose to fame as influencers.
Previews June 26 Agent Kim reactivated is an action drama centered around an ordinary father, Manager Kim, played by So Ji-sub, who transforms into the most dangerous man in the world in a desperate attempt to save his only daughter. The series quickly became a ratings success, surpassing 15% viewership early in its run. Although Seo Ji-hye only appeared briefly, she gave a powerful performance as Lim Yu-jin, manager Kim’s wife, who tragically dies after giving birth alone while her husband is away. His emotional portrayal and expressive performance left a strong impression on viewers.
Born in 1996, Seo Ji-hye gained public recognition for the first time Heart signal in 2017 while studying computer engineering at Ewha Womans University. Her elegant visuals made her the most popular contestant during the show’s first impression voting. She later transitioned into acting, steadily building her resume with dramas included Gangnam beauty, Crime puzzle, I love all games, My perfect stranger, Family by choiceAND The Scarecrow.
Another successful transition is that of Shin Seul-ki, who first became known through Netflix Single’s Hell, season 2. She firmly established herself as an actress in 2024 with the drama TVING Pyramid gamewhere she plays Seo Do-ah, the school’s top student and the mastermind behind the pyramid game. Shin received praise not only for his stable performance, but also for his dramatic image transformation, cutting his hair and wearing glasses to better embody the role.
The following year marked another milestone in Shin Seul-ki’s acting career. She won the Best New Actress award for the KBS2 drama For the Aquila brothers and the Best Supporting Actress award for the SBS drama Would you marry me?cementing his reputation as one of the industry’s rising stars.
Born in 1998, Shin Seul-ki has gained wide attention Single’s Hell, season 2 in 2022. Her honest personality and natural charm have made her one of the show’s successful contestants, while her romantic storyline with Dex has become a hot topic among viewers. In the finale, however, she chose Choi Jong-woo, and the two ultimately did not continue their relationship after the show.
Dex, who was also part of that memorable love line, has become one of the most successful influencers to transition into acting. After his appearance on Single’s Hell, season 2the former UDT (Underwater Demolition Team) soldier has built a strong career in entertainment by appearing on programs such as Bloody game, ZombieverseAND Fresh from the sea.
Dex made his acting debut in the film Tarot (note: written as Tarot in the next case), an omnibus thriller about people whose lives are destroyed after becoming trapped by the curse of mysterious tarot cards. He played Dong-in, a delivery man whose simple act of accepting a glass of water from a customer lands him in a terrifying supernatural nightmare. His intense performance received favorable reviews and, following its release on Netflix last year, Tarot ranked first on the platform’s “10 Best Movies in South Korea Today” for three consecutive days.
Last month, Dex revealed through his personal YouTube channel that he would be taking a break from creating content. “I will be putting my channel on hold for a while. After considering various circumstances, I decided this was the best option to show everyone a better version of myself.” he said, suggesting that he plans to focus primarily on acting for now.
With more and more influencers successfully establishing themselves as respected actors, anticipation continues to grow as to what these rising stars will bring to the screen in the years to come.
Sources: Daum
