Alongside their careers as K-Pop singers, a lot of idols venture into other areas of Korean entertainment to showcase more of their talents and skills as entertainers across different fields. Outside of K-Pop, many of these idols find fame as actors, gaining extra popularity and recognition in various popular K-Dramas or working as presenters and variety show members, showcasing their comedic talents and humour. With this, some people who are new to watching K-Dramas might not know that their favorite actor is actually a K-Pop idol in a popular, and sometimes legendary, K-Pop group. So, for this week’s Throwback Thursday, let’s take a look at three K-Pop groups that are jam-packed with members known for their successful K-Drama and variety show appearances alongside their careers as our favorite K-Pop stars.  

2PM 

Fans of K-Dramas will most definitely recognise Ok Taecyeon from his villainous role in tvN’s 2021 drama Vincenzo, Hwang Chansung from his supporting role in tvN’s What’s Wrong With Secretary Kim, and Lee Junho from his lead role in SBS’s 2018 drama Wok of Love. But what some fans might not know is that these three K-Drama stars are all members of one of K-Pop’s greatest second-generation groups, 2PM. Ever since their debut in 2008, 2PM have released hit after hit, with songs like “I’ll Be Back,” “Heartbeat,” and “GO CRAZY! (미친거 아니야?),” as well as their latest comeback single “Make It.” Not only Taecyeon, Chansung, and Junho, but fellow members Nichkhun, Wooyoung, and Jun.K have also made appearances in dramas, variety shows, and stage production musicals, showing just how talented this group is as both musicians and TV stars. Here’s a throwback to their incredibly catchy and energetic 2011 single “HANDS UP.” 

ZE:A

Every K-Drama fan will have seen the likes of Park Hyungsik, Im Siwan, and Kim Dongjun in an acting role such as Strong Girl Bong-soon, Strangers from Hell, and Black, or perhaps watched Hwang Kwanghee in variety shows and presenting roles such as Infinite Challenge and Weekly Idol. However, outside of these K-Dramas and variety shows, these idols are also known for being members of ZE:A, a nine-member K-Pop group who debuted under Star Empire Entertainment in 2010. Although they have been inactive as a group since 2015, ZE:A have never disbanded and are, instead, said to be on the longest hiatus known in K-Pop history with them one day returning as a group when it’s the right time for them. Here’s a throwback to “Maseltov,” ZE:A’s iconic yet super cheesy debut single, showing some of your favorite K-Drama and variety show stars in their K-Pop prime.

SF9

Although the newest K-Pop group in this list, with them having only debuted in 2016, SF9 is another group whose members have ventured into acting alongside their careers as K-Pop idols. Main dancer and maknae Chani has starred in many K-Dramas such as Signal and Sky High, as well as the recent 2021 drama Imitation, which also featured SF9’s sub-rapper Hwiyoung. Like Chani, lead vocalist Rowoon has also starred in several K-Dramas such as Click Your Heart and Extraordinary You, while sub-vocalist Dawon played a supporting role in the 2021 drama Doom At Your Service as Park Boyoung’s younger brother. When not acting, these members can be found in music videos and on stage performances, showcasing their incredible vocal, rap, dance, and visual talents as seen here in this throwback to their debut single “Fanfare”.