There are some drama actors and actresses that we could say were born for the craft and the industry, starting and debuting in the industry at a young age. Here are some of the many child actors and actresses who shone while portraying the younger role of the lead until they reached the point of being able to lead themselves! 

1. Kim Yoo Jung

Early Dramas: Iljimae, Dong Yi, Flames of Desire, Painter of the Wind, Moon Embracing the Sun

Lead Dramas: Love in the Moonlight, Because I Love You, Clean with Passion Now, Backstreet Rookie, Lovers of the Red Sky 

2. Yeo Jin Goo

Early Dramas: Iljimae, Tazza, Warrior Baek Dong Soo, Deep Rooted Tree, Moon Embracing the Sun

Lead Dramas: Hwayi: A Monster Boy, Orange Marmalade, The Long Way Home, Warriors of the Dawn, Reunited Worlds, The Crowned Clown, Hotel del Luna, Beyond Evil 

3. Kim So Hyun

Early Dramas: A Happy Woman, Que Sera Sera, Becoming a Billionaire, King of Baking, Kim Takgu, The Thorn Birds, The Duo, Moon Embracing the Sun, I Am the King, Rooftop Prince, Ma Boy, Missing You

Lead Dramas: Who Are You: School 2015, Hey Ghost, Let's Fight, The Emperor: Owner of the Mask, Radio Romance, The Tale of Nokdu, Love Alarm, River Where the Moon Rises

4. Yoo Seung Ho

Early Dramas: The Way Home, Hearty Paws, Immortal Admiral Yi Sun-sin, The King and I, The Legend, Master of Study, Flames of Desire, Warrior Baek Dong-soo

Lead Dramas: Arang and the Magistrate, Missing You, Remember, The Emperor: Owner of the Mask, I am not a Robot, My Strange Hero, Memorist, Moonshine

5. Park Shin Hye

Early Dramas: Stairway to Heaven, Tree of Heaven, Prince Hours, Kimcheed Radish Cubes

Lead Dramas: Cyrano Agency, Heartstrings, Miracle in Cell No. 7, The Heirs, Pinocchio, Doctors, Memories of the Alhambra, #Alive, Sisyphus: The Myth

6. Lee Hyun Woo

Early Dramas: The Legend, King Sejong the Great, The Return of Iljimae, Queen Seondeok, Master of Study, Brain

Lead Dramas: To the Beautiful You, Secretly, Greatly, Moorim School: Saga of the Brave, The Liar and His Love

7. Kim Sae Ron

Early Dramas: A Brand New Life, The Man From Nowhere, Listen to My Heart, The Queen's Classroom, Hi! School: Love On 

Lead Dramas: Snowy Road, Glamorous Temptation,  Secret Healer,  Leverage, The Great Shaman Ga Doo-shim

8. Yoon Chan Young

Early Dramas: When a Man Falls in Love, Dr. Romantic, The King in Love, Mama, Six Flying Dragons, The Bride of Habaek

Lead Dramas: Everything and Nothing, Doctor John, Nobody Knows, Mothers, All of Us are Dead

9. Lee Se Young

Early Dramas: When I Turned Nine, Lovely Rivals, The Wonder Years, Adolescence Medley, Missing You, Goddess of Marriage, Dae Jang Geum

Lead Dramas: The Vampire Detective, The Gentlemen of Wolgyesu Tailor Shop, A Korean Odyssey, The Crowned Clown, Doctor John, Memorist, Kairos, The Red Sleeve

10. Nam Da Reum

Early Dramas: Boys over Flowers, A Man Called God, Dong Yi, Home Sweet Home, Gyebaek, Pinocchio, Six Flying Dragons, 

Lead Dramas: Goodbye My Life Insurance, Beautiful World, Start-Up, Doom at Your Service, The Great Shaman Ga Doo-shim

11. Moon Geun Young

Early Dramas: Autumn in my Heart, Empress Myeongseong, Lovers' Concerto, A Tale of Two Sisters, My Little Bride, Innocent Steps

Lead Dramas: Painter of the Wind, Cinderella's Sister, Cheongdam-dong Alice, Goddess of Fire, Glass Garden, The Village: Achiara's Secret, Catch the Ghost

12. Nam Ji Hyun

Early Dramas: East of Eden, Queen Seondeok, Will It Snow for Christmas?, Angel Eyes, What Happens to My Family?, Hwayi: A Monster Boy, Warrior Baek Dong-soo

Lead Dramas: Shopping King Louie, Suspicious Partner, 100 Days My Prince, 365: Repeat the Year,  The Witch's Diner

13. Kang Chan Hee / SF9's Chani

Early Dramas: Queen Seondeok, Three Brothers, To the Beautiful You, The Innocent Man, The Queen's Classroom, Signal

Lead Dramas: Sky Castle, Imitation, Love In Your Taste, Jinx

14. Kim Hyun Soo

Early Dramas: Deep Rooted Tree, Bridal Mask, Dream of the Emperor, Good Doctor, My Love from the Star

Lead Dramas: Solomon's Perjury, The Swordsman, The Penthouse: War in Life

15. Kim Hyang Gi

Early Dramas: Heart Is, Cherry Tomato, Wedding Dress, Hero, Cruel Love, The Queen's Classroom, A Werewolf Boy

Lead Dramas: At Eighteen, Fly High Butterfly, Joseon Psychiatrist Yoo Se-poong, Sweet Revenge, Along With the Gods, Innocent Witness

16. Lee Tae Ri

Early Dramas: Soonpoong Clinic, Empress Myeongseong, Magic Warriors, Gangnam Mom, Grudge: The Revolt of Gumiho, The Thorn Birds, Moon Embracing the Sun

Lead Dramas: School of Youths, Extraordinary You, Tale of the Nine-Tailed, Young Lady and Gentleman, The Beauty Inside, Hospital Ship

17. Roh Jeong Eui

Early Dramas: Bachelor's Vegetable Store, Dream High, The King's Doctor, Cheer Up, Mr. Kim!, Angel Eyes, Pinocchio, The Flower in Prison

Lead Dramas: 18 Again, Our Beloved Summer, The Day I Died: Unclosed Case

18. Moon Ga Young

Early Dramas: Prince Hours, Witch Yoo Hee, Merry Mary, Bitter Sweet Life, Ja Myung Go, The Reputable Family, Heartstrings

Lead Dramas: Mimi, Tempted, Welcome to Waikiki 2, Find Me in Your Memory, True Beauty, Link: Eat, Love, Kill

19. Go Ah Sung

Early Dramas: Beating Heart, Oolla Boolla Blue-jjang, Sad Love Story, The Host, The Happy Life, Radio Dayz, A Brand New Life, Master of Study

Lead Dramas: Snowpiercer, Thread of Lies, Office, Heard It Through the Grapevine, Radiant Office, Life on Mars, Tracer, Samjin Company English Class

20. Jin Ji Hee

Early Dramas: Yellow Handkerchief, Alone in Love, Hansel and Gretel, High Kick Through the Roof, Schoolgirl Detectives, Moon Embracing the Sun,  Insu, the Queen Mother, East of Eden, Great Inheritance, Ja Myung Go, Birdie Buddy

Lead Dramas: Becky's Back, Band of Sisters, The Penthouse: War in Life

Here is a shortlist of child actors and actresses who have been in the industry ever since they were younger and found continuous success in their long careers. Which among the listed is your favorite, and whose childhood dramas would you recommend?