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
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
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?
You should include Park Eun Bin considering her 27yrs in industry and now one of the best.