PICK: Actors Who Rock Both Acting and Singing

Edited by Seo Hayne
Translated by Kim Hoyeun

While analyzing scripts is already a demanding job, some actors manage to excel at both acting and singing. It takes double the effort to master these skills, but when successful, it showcases their immense talent as true entertainers. Today, we spotlight actors who have been recognized for their exceptional vocal abilities.

Byeon Woo Seok – “Sudden Shower”

Lovely Runner, one of 2024’s most buzzworthy tvN dramas, follows Lim Sol (Kim Hye Yoon), who travels back in time to save her idol, the superstar Ryu Sun Jae (Byeon Woo Seok), who dies young. Even after the drama wrapped, one song continued to dominate streaming charts: “Sudden Shower,” performed by Ryu Sun Jae, the lead vocalist of the fictional band Eclipse. In the show, the song is a heartfelt piece Sun Jae wrote for Lim Sol, his first love, comparing their fleeting yet unforgettable memories to a sudden shower. Byeon Woo Seok’s soothing vocals not only topped domestic charts but also made it onto Billboard’s Global 200. He even performed “Sudden Shower” during his eight-city Asia fan meeting tour, where the song captivated audiences live.

Jo Jung Suk – “Champagne”

Having performed hits like “Aloha” on Hospital Playlist and taken the stage in various musicals, Jo Jung Suk’s connection to music comes as no surprise. Yet, in Netflix’s A-list to Playlist, released this past August, he brings an unexpected freshness, documenting his journey to becoming a bona fide singer. Rather than a simple digital single or mini-album, Jo set an ambitious goal: an eight-track full album. The title song, “Champagne,” is a blues-rock anthem celebrating freedom and happiness, with lyrics inspired by his wife, singer Gummy. The music video features his close friends, actors Kim Dae Myung and Gong Hyo Jin, adding even more charm to his musical debut.

Kim Min Ha – “Letter”

Kim Min Ha, who gained international acclaim for her role in Apple TV’s Pachinko, which portrays the lives and dreams of a Korean family in a foreign land, has been expanding her artistic reach. Recently, she reinterpreted Milena’s “Letter” for the MOLD project, which revives hidden gems with new voices. While her acting in Pachinko showcased deep, dark emotions and a solemn expression, her vocal performance in “Letter” is soft and understated, creating an intimate atmosphere. In an interview, she shared, “My dad, who calls himself tone-deaf, loves hearing me sing. Even now, whenever I take on a music project, I approach it with him in mind.”

Park Eun Bin – “Fly Away”

In tvN’s Castaway Diva, Park Eun Bin plays Seo Mok Ha, an aspiring singer rescued from a deserted island after 15 years. As Mok Ha chases her dreams once again, she performs various songs throughout the series. Her stable high notes in “Someday” and her duet “Here I Am” with her idol Yoon Ran Ju (Kim Hyo Jin) received much love, but it was “Fly Away” in the final episode that truly struck an emotional chord. The song, written from words in a love letter Mok Ha penned to her first love, conveys a hopeful message of overcoming hardships together. After the show ended, Park Eun Bin released an album featuring songs she had saved for post-airing, including “Do Re Mi Fa,” “Into The Light,” and “NOW.”

>> Netflix Announces New Superpower Comedy ‘The WONDERfools’ Starring Park Eun Bin and Cha Eun Woo

Lee Sung Kyung – “Eat Sleep Live Repeat”

Lee Sung Kyung has been steadily collaborating with artists, performing duets with Loco and Lim Seul Ong, and even featuring on Psy’s tracks. Her clear, unembellished voice is her signature. This year, she released “Eat Sleep Live Repeat,” an acoustic ballad she sang with AKMU’s Lee Chan Hyuk. The song blends Chan Hyuk’s rhythmic rap with Lee Sung Kyung’s soothing vocals, expressing the complicated emotions that arise from accepting a breakup. The two previously appeared on The Seasons: Long Day, Long Night with AKMU, delivering a unique rendition of “Love is an Open Door” from Frozen. Long aspiring to be a musical actress, Lee will debut as Jasmine in the Aladdin musical this November, showing yet another side of her talent.

>> Stream popular Korean dramas and movies, including titles featuring your favorite actors, all for free on Amasian TV!

Editor Seo Hayne: I like actors as they faithfully lead through their long running-time. I also like idols who accomplish everything on stage within 3 minutes.