For the past few years, Korea has seen an exponential rise in the popularity of Boys Love (BL) in which many have seen as a beautiful development for the country’s still relatively conservative show business.
As the genre gains fans and recognition, it is not surprising that aside from rookie actors, K-Pop idols, current and former alike, get themselves involved in queer media, taking on roles for several BL shows.
Let’s take a look at some of these K-Pop idols who have dived (or are diving) into BL acting!
Lee Sae On
Light on Me
Lee Sae On played the role of Woo Taekyung in ‘Light on Me’, arguably one of the most popular Korean BL dramas of 2021. Although he did not debut in a K-Pop group per se, Lee joined both Produce 101 Season 2 and Mix Nine under the stage name Yoo Yongbin.
Hur Hyunjung (former The Boyz)
Color Rush
Hur Hyunjung used to be a member of the K-Pop group The Boyz under the stage name Hwall. He played the role of Go Yoohan, one of the main characters of the 2021 BL series ‘Color Rush’.
Gongchan (B1A4)
Unintentional Love Story
Gongchan is the youngest member of the K-Pop group B1A4. He stars in the upcoming 2023 series ‘Unintentional Love Story’ as Ji Wonyoung, an employee who needs to win the heart of his chairman’s favorite artist so he could get his job back. Although this isn’t Gongchan’s first acting role, this will be his first BL stint.
Kim Jiwong (INX) and Yoon Seobin
The stars of the 2022 web drama ‘Roommates of Poongduck 304’ also have K-Pop idol backgrounds! Kim Jiwong, who played the role of Jo Jihoon, was a former member of INX, a group that debuted in 2016 but disbanded in 2017. Meanwhile, Yoon Seobin, who played the role of Seo Jaeyoon, did not debut, but he joined Produce X 101 in 2019.
Watch ‘Roommates of Poongduck 304 on GagaOOLala
J-Min (BAE173)
Love Class (Season 2)
J-Min is a member of the K-Pop group BAE173. He will have his acting debut in the upcoming second season of ‘Love Class’ where he will play the lead role of Lee Hyun.
