These Two Idol-Turned-Actresses Are Currently Reigning Over The K-Drama World
Lead role after lead role!
In the bustling world of K-Drama, a particular realm often flies under the radar for international fans: the daily series. Airing during golden hours, these shows captivate a dedicated audience of homemakers and the older generation, often achieving staggering viewership ratings. While they can be makjang—filled with over-the-top, soapy plots—they are also a powerful springboard for actors. Right now, two former K-Pop idols are absolutely dominating this scene, transforming themselves into the undisputed leading ladies of daily dramas.
From Idol to Award-Winning Actress: T-ARA's Ham Eunjung
Ham Eunjung is no stranger to the screen, having debuted as a child actress. However, her path to award-winning acclaim was paved by daily K-Dramas. After a successful stint in various series, her breakthrough in daily dramas began with Love On A Rooftop in 2015. Her talent was officially recognized when she won her first "Supporting Actress" award at the KBS Drama Awards for Be My Dream Family. Fast forward to 2024, and she's now taking home top prizes, having won the "Excellence Award" for her leading role in Suji & Uri. With her next series, First Man, set to air on MBC, her reign is far from over.
The Villainess We Love to Hate: RAINBOW's Oh Seunga
Oh Seunga has seamlessly carved out her space as a familiar and beloved face in daily dramas. Since her lead role in A Sea of Her Own in 2017, she has consistently captivated audiences, often playing the compelling villainess you can't help but watch. Her prowess has not gone unnoticed; for her role in the highly-viewed The Third Marriage, she was honored with the "Top Excellence Award" at the 2024 MBC Drama Awards, cementing her status as a powerhouse performer.
But don't just take our word for it. Audiences and their families are singing their praises online:
"My dad was SO into Ham Eunjung’s show that I ended up watching with him too."
"My mom really likes Oh Seunga. She called her a 'little minx' and said 'She’s the bad one!'"
"I first found out about Oh Seunga through The Second Husband and thought she was an actress from the start. Her experience really shows, her acting chops are insane."
"Ham Eunjung was surprisingly perfect for those roles. She suits the bright, sweet heroine type so well. I never realized that when she was an idol. She’s so full of charm!"
"I’ve seen several series with the two of them, they’re super fun. And both act really well."
"Being a daily K-Drama lead like those two is seriously tough work. It seems like the staff who worked with them thought highly of them."
From idol stages to the top of the ratings, Ham Eunjung and Oh Seunga have successfully conquered the challenging world of daily K-Dramas, proving their mettle as versatile and beloved actresses. With a string of hit series and prestigious awards to their names, they are, without a doubt, the current queens of the daily drama scene.
