Korean Actor from Wealth Family (Source: Various)

"We are the pioneers, not the heirs" – this phrase has recently gone viral because it reflects the sentiments of many people from humble family backgrounds who work hard to achieve their dreams.

In The Korean entertainment industry, many actors come from humble backgrounds or even poor families who struggle with debts. Through their extraordinary hard work, they have successfully made names for themselves among the top stars.

However, not all K-drama actors come from humble beginnings. Some well-known actors in the K-drama industry actually come from wealthy and influential families.

Initially, these actors hid their family backgrounds to avoid negative perceptions about their career paths. However, as they became successful starring in popular dramas, their backgrounds gradually became known to the public. Here are 3 K-drama actors who succeeded despite coming from wealthy families:

1. Lee Yi Kyung

Lee Yi Kyung (Source: HaiBunda.com)

Lee Yi Kyung's rise to fame from the legendary "Gwenchana, gwenchana" scene in the 2018 K-drama Welcome to Waikiki, which turned into a famous meme even today. In 2024, he played an antagonist role in Marry My Husband and created another viral moment when he enjoyed Indonesian candy, Kopiko, in one of his scenes.

According to IDNTimes.com, his latest drama Marry My Husband (2024) helped him win the Excellence in Acting Award (Male) and Villain Award at the 2024 Korea Drama Awards.

Behind his comedic image, Lee Yi Kyung's background is quite remarkable. Born on January 8, 1989, he is the son of a former CEO of a leading electronics company, LG Innotek. Despite being born into a wealthy family, Lee Yi Kyung went through a phase of frugal living. As reported by Beautynesia.com, he once battled depression, dropped out of school, and lived in a small apartment, supporting himself by working part-time at a DVD store.

1. Park Hyung Sik

Park Hyung Sik (Source: Tempo.co)

Park Hyung Sik began his career in the Korean entertainment industry as a member of the K-pop boy group ZE:A, which debuted in 2010. His acting career soared after starring in the 2017 drama Strong Girl Bong-Soon. In 2023, he won the Best Actor award at the Asia Top Awards through his drama Our Blooming Youth.

In 2024, Park Hyung Sik starred in the romantic drama Doctor Slump, where he also featured a scene with built-in/product placement of Kopiko.

According to Popmama.com, after rumors surfaced about his wealthy background, the actor born on November 16, 1991, clarified that his father was not the CEO of a major company as speculated, but a member of the board of BMW Korea.

1. Jung Hae In

Jung Hae In (Source: Antaranews.com)

Jung Hae In debuted at a relatively mature age of 26. His rise to fame after starring in the 2017 drama While You Were Sleeping. He began his acting career after completing his mandatory military service. Thus, he was considered suitable to have a role at military-themed drama D.P. (2021-2023), which earned him numerous awards, including the Popular Star Award at the prestigious Blue Dragon Series Award.

In 2024, the actor, who graduated from Pyeongtaek University, starred in the romantic drama Love Next Door, where Kopiko again appeared as a built-in/product placement.

As reported by Beautynesia.id, Jung Hae In was born into a wealthy family with parents who are doctors. Furthermore, he is a direct descendant of the famous philosopher from the Joseon Dynasty, Jeong Yak Yong, who wrote many books on philosophy, science, and poetry.

Conclusion:

We cannot choose who we are born to, but we can choose our goals and the dreams we want to pursue. If you aim to stay up-to-date with the latest advertising trends to increase product awareness and sales, built-in/product placement (PPL) in dramas or films is one of the popular advertising trends in this digital era. 

LinkMedia, an advertising agency with over 10 years of experience, has delivered high-quality advertising services, such as TV commercials, below-the-line ads, and built-in/product placements (PPL) in over 20 famous Korean dramas like Vincenzo, Marry My Husband, and Hometown Cha Cha Cha.

If you want to optimize advertising for your brand to remain relevant and innovative while delivering satisfying results, contact our team today at https://link-media.co.id for the best advertising experience!

Source:

1. Muktisari, S.A. (2024). Tak Banyak yang Tahu, Ternyata 4 Aktor Korea Ini Berasal dari Keluarga Kaya Raya!. Beautynesia.id. Accessed at 27 January 2025 from https://www.beautynesia.id/life/tak-banyak-yang-tahu-ternyata-4-aktor-korea-ini-berasal-dari-keluarga-kaya-raya/b-288902
2. PopMama Team. (2023). 10 Artis Korea Chaebol yang Konon Lahir dari Keluarga Kaya, Sultan!. PopMama.com. . Accessed at 27 January 2025 from https://www.popmama.com/life/health/putri-syifa-nurfadilah/artis-korea-chaebol-konon-lahir-dari-keluarga-kaya?page=all