One of the best parts about watching a K-Drama is cooing over the adorable children. Even better? Seeing these cutiepies grow up into talented actors, wowing us with their newfound charms, but also drawing out the "awwwws" with their child-like looks. Here are some of Korea's favorite child stars that are rising to the top!
Lee Hyun Woo
Currently 21, Lee Hyun Woo started catching people's attention in the drama world when he was only 11 in 'Spring Day' (2005). Despite his adorable, puppy looks, he is a talented actor who has taken up a variety of projects, such as 'Brain' (2011), 'Man from the Equator' (2012), and 'To the Beautiful You' (2012), showing off a wide-range of emotional acting.
In which puppy is super sad and so are we. Warning: Really sad, PG-13 stuff. PS: Don't say I didn't warn ya because I JUST DID.
Park Shin Hye
Park Shin Hye has been pwning the K-Drama scene, starting from her debut on 'Stairways to Heaven' (2003) all the way to 'Heirs' (2013). With her big eyes and fluffy cheeks, she pulls off a cute, innocent, and sometimes-shy look that is favored by handsome, rich hotties everywhere (see: 'You're Beautiful' (2009) and 'Flower Boys Next Door' (2013) for reference).
In which Park Shin Hye denies a kiss because she's too young for that.
Yeo Jin Goo
Playing the younger version of the lead, Yeo Jin Goo is probably most known for his work in 'The Moon that Embraces the Sun' (2012). For a child actor, he can pull off many attractive expressions from a cocky smug to a stunned, "Whoa-I-just-saw-my-future-waifu" jaw-drop. You can find him in notable dramas like 'Giant' (2010) and 'I Miss You' (2012).
Featuring Yeo Jin Goo and Kim Yoo Jung falling all over each other (literally) in both 'Iljimae' (2008) and 'The Moon that Embraces the Sun'.
Kim Yoo Jung
Kim Yoo Jung made her debut on the big screen via 'Sympathy for Lady Vengeance' (2005) when she was only 5 years old! (What were all of us children even DOING at that age?! Drooling?!) To this date, she continues to take on many successful projects, such as 'Queen Seon Deok' (2009), 'The Moon that Embraces the Sun' alongside Yeo Jin Goo, and 'Golden Rainbow' (2013).
Kim Yoo Jung and Yeo Jin Goo babies claiming their award for 'Iljimae'.
Lee Min Ho
Not to be confused with "THE" 'Boys Over Flowers' Lee Min Ho. This Lee Min Ho may not look like a kid now, but he debuted in the K-Drama world when he was only 5 in SBS's daily sitcom 'Soonpoong Clinic' (1998). Another 'The Moon that Embraces the Star' child actor, this cutie has an intelligent look to him that lands him witty and resourceful character roles (see: 'Rooftop Prince' [2012] and 'The Prime Minister and I' [2012]).
Starting at 2:38, Lee Min Ho shows proper boytoy etiquette by making his arm a makeshift umbrella. Dat proximity doe.
Kim So Hyun
Kim So Hyun starred in her first drama 'A Happy Woman' (2007) when she was 8 years old. She continues to star in child roles, but is noticeably picked for either villainous characters or bold and outspoken ones, as seen in 'Rooftop Prince' (2012), 'I Can Hear Your Voice' (2013), and 'Triangle' (2014). This girl has a feistiness to her that's refreshing to see when the K-Drama world seems to be littered with damsels in distress.
Park Ji Bin
You may know him from 'Queen Seondeok' (2009) and 'Boys Over Flowers' (2009), but Park Ji Bin's first notable drama is 'Golden Apple' (2005-6) in which he was 11 years old. Known to be good friends with fellow puppy, Lee Hyun Woo, he has a baby face that outshines his abs. (He does have abs though. In case you wanted to know. Important facts. See picture above for reference.)
In which mini Park Ji Bin wins all of our hearts with his kiddy charms.
Kim Sae Ron
K-Pop fans may know her from Block B's "Jackpot" MV, but Kim Sae Ron is a talented actress who has landed roles in many projects. She made her debut in 2009 at the age of 9 in 'A Brand New Life', entering the entertainment industry with the delicate look of a lost little lamb. Her notable works include 'Can You Hear My Heart?' (2011), 'Fashion King' (2012), and 'The Queen's Classroom' (2013).
In which our confused darling doesn't realize that she's hit "Jackpot" as she's surrounded by the talented 7 members of Block B.
In which baby Kim Sae Ron charms the pants off Won Bin in 'The Man from Nowhere' (2010) (not literally guys, that's inappropriate). The subtitles are Italian because I was thinking of our Italian readers, of course. #winks
Yoo Seung Ho
We all know who this kid is, right? Hardly a kid anymore, Yoo Seung Ho first started collecting his hoard of noona fans with his first noteworthy film 'The Way Home' (2002) at the age of 9. You may remember him from 'Queen Seondeok' (2009) with his long, flowing Orlando-Bloom hair. But put on that school uniform and dashing smile, and he's yet another puppy to swoon over on this list. For more of his work, check out 'Master of Study' (2010), 'Arang and the Magistrate' (2012), and 'I Miss You' (2012).
Baby Yoo Seung Ho in Behind the Scenes footage of 'The Way Home'.
The most dramatic, slow-mo kiss scene ever from his film '4th Period Mystery'.
Moon Geun Young
And last, but definitely not least, we have Moon Geun Young finishing off the list. It'd be nearly blasphemous not to have her here as this insanely talented kiddy-kitty still has fans awed over her performance in several different movies and dramas to this day. She's particularly well-known for her performance in the iconic 'Autumn in My Heart' (2000) in which she was 13 years old. Her other projects include 'Empress Myeong Seong' (2001), 'Painter of the Wind' (2008), and 'Cinderella's Sister' (2010).
Blast from the past starting at 3:20.
There you have it! These were 10 child actors who have now matured into the famous stars we know and love today. Who are your personal faves? Let us know in the comments below!
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