Kdrama Actors Who Were Not An Overnight Success

It may surprise you to learn that some of your favorite kdrama actors and actresses were not immediately recognized for their talent. They worked hard at their craft for years before having that one big breakthrough role.

Recently Choi Jin Hyuk spoke up about how difficult it can be to see other actors become successful when your own career has not quite taken off.

The actor experienced a breakthrough when he played the mountain spirit turned demon Wol Ryung in "Gu Family Book" and he will soon appear in "The Heirs with Lee Min Ho and Park Shin Hye.

During his seven-year acting career he watched other actors rack up more impressive acting credits. It can be hard to deal with.

"Some juniors who were younger than me but more successful than me tended to disrespect me on set and it was really upsetting," he said.

Being cast in "Gu Family Book" turned his career around.

"I think it was divine intervention that got me cast on this drama," said Choi. "I don't know what I would have done if it wasn't for this drama."

But even during the tough times, he would not let himself be discouraged. He studied acting and worked harder and now realizes those tough times also helped him become a better actor.

"Now that I think about it, those were all times that helped me become who I am today," he said.

Two other actors who you might not suspect of being late bloomers are actors Lee Byung Hun and Jang Dong Gun.

Lee Byung Hun started acting in 1991 but did not have his breakout role until he played a part in the film Joint Security Area in 2000. The film became the highest grossing Korean film, catapulting Lee Byung Hun into stardom. His career took a while to accelerate but now he's an international superstar.

Jang Dong Gun also began acting early in the 1990s but his real breakout came in 2001 when he appeared in the box office hit "Friend, which also broke records. After that he appeared in a dozen films and one notable recent drama, "A Gentleman's Dignity."

And it doesn't just happen to actors. Some actresses get work, even supporting second lead roles but fail to have their star potential recognized. One role can make a difference. That's what happened to Lee Da Hee, who appeared as the prosecutor Seo Do Yeon in the hit drama "I Hear Your Voice." That role fully conveyed her ability and now she is set to shine in the upcoming drama "Secrets" with Ji Sung, Bae Soo Bin and Hwang Jung Eum.

The lesson anyone can learn from these actors? Don't give up. As so many kdrama characters say, "Fighting!"