Not Only Handsome and Skilled in the Acting World, Here Are a Row of Korean Actors Who Used to Be Athletes

Kapanlagi.com - This article was written by: Alvionita Aqila

An athlete is a sportsman, especially one who participates in competitions or matches both nationally and internationally. Of course, being an athlete is a very proud profession.

However, who would have thought that a series of South Korean actors who are involved in the world of acting were once athletes. In fact, some of them have joined the South Korean National team and won gold medals.

Here is a list of handsome South Korean actors who started their careers as athletes before diving into the entertainment world.

1. Ahn Bo Hyun

Credit: instagram.com/bohyunahn

Popular through the drama Itaewon Class, actor Ahn Bo Hyun was once a boxer and even excelled while still in high school. The actor, born in 1988, also represented the city of Busan and won a gold medal in the national competition.

However, due to frequent injuries, the 33-year-old actor decided to retire and quit as an athlete. He then continued his career as a model and actor until now.

2. Song Joong Ki

Credit: instagram.com/hi_songjoongki

Former husband of Song Hye Kyo turns out to be a skater. Song Joong Ki pursued the sport from middle school to high school. He even became a representative of the city of Daejeon in the South Korean National Sports Week.

Unfortunately, Song Joong Ki's dream as an athlete was halted due to a knee injury. However, he is now successful as an actor and is the highest-paid actor in South Korea, earning 180 million won or equivalent to Rp 2.3 billion per episode.

3. Shin Seung Ho

Credit: instagram.com/seungho__shin

Becoming a public spotlight through the drama A-Teen which aired on Naver TV, successfully brought Shin Seung Ho's name into the lineup of rising stars in South Korea. Actor Shin Seung Ho used to be a soccer athlete for 11 years before he made his debut.

However, he felt no progress and reflected on his decision to retire as an athlete. Finally, the 26-year-old actor is determined to continue his career in the entertainment world as a model and actor.

4. So Ji Sub

Credit: instagram.com/51k_official

One of South Korea's famous actors used to be a swimmer. So Ji Sub even managed to join the national team and won a bronze medal in the Korean National Games.

He started swimming at the age of 10. As a teenager, he tried his luck in the entertainment world and made his first appearance through the sitcom titled Three Guys and Three Girls in 1996.

5. Bang Sung Hoon

Credit: instagram.com/sunghoon1983

Just like actor So Ji Sub, Bang Sung Hoon, also known as Sung Hoon, was a former swimmer since high school. Before making his debut, he was a record breaker in butterfly swimming during his college years.

However, he had to retire due to a spinal injury he suffered. Therefore, the actor had to let go of his 14-year career as an athlete and continue his career as an actor.

(kpl/mag)