From Child Actress To Leading Lady — 7 Top Actresses Who Started Out As Child Actors

Many of our favorite actors and actresses have been in the industry for decades despite their young age because they started as child actors. So let’s look at 7 actresses who started their careers as a young child but have maintained their top actress status.

1. Kim Yoo Jung

Kim Yoo Jung as a child (left) vs. current (right) | theqoo, DongA

First up on our list, is the one and only Kim Yoo Jung. The actress is only 24-years-old, but she has already been in the industry for 21 years. The stunning actress debuted in 2003 when she was just 4-years-old, kickstarting her child actress career. With her adorable visuals and incredible acting abilities, Kim Yoo Jung didn’t take long to become one of South Korea’s top child actresses. She eventually would be nicknamed “Nation’s Little Sister” for her impressive career and top-class status.

2. Lee Se Young

Lee Se Young as a child (left) vs. current (right) | MBC, Dispatch

Next up, we have actress Lee Se Young. While she may be relishing in her fame following her appearances in The Red Sleeve and The Story of Park’s Marriage Contract, the actress also made her humble beginning when she was just a child. She made her debut when she was 5-years-old back in 1997, making her a veteran in the industry with her almost 30 years of experience. And while Lee Se Young has a true knack for acting, it was revealed that it was her mother who signed her up to become an actress. Her mother was terrified of her gorgeous daughter potentially getting kidnapped, so she wanted Lee Se Young’s face put on television as soon as possible—and the rest is history!

3. Kim So Hyun

Kim So Hyun as a child (left) vs. current (right) | KBS2, Star Today

Coming in at number 3 is another very well-known actress within the nation, Kim So Hyun. She made her impressive debut back in 2006 when she was just 7-years-old. Kim So Hyun gained positive public momentum, however, when she was 13-years-old for her role in Moon Embracing the Sun. Ever since, the actress has gone on to become one of the most highly coveted actresses in the nation, as she gets cast into production after production. Some of her career’s most notable works are Rooftop Prince, I Miss You, IRIS 2, Love Alarm, River Where The Moon Rises, and My Lovely Liar.

4. Park Eun Bin

Park Eun Bin as a child (left) vs. current (right) | theqoo, News1

Actress Park Eun Bin is another leading lady who got her start in the entertainment industry as a child actress. Making her debut as just 6-years-old, Park Eun Bin was cast in numerous series productions as a child. And while she continued to thrive as a child actress, it took Park Eun Bin a little longer to get her first ever lead role. It was back in 2012 when she was cast as the female lead in Operation Proposal, where she was 20-years-old at the time. While it may have taken a few years longer than the rest, Park Eun Bin has slowly gone on to become one of the nation’s biggest sweethearts, becoming a top-star thanks to roles in The King’s Affection, Extraordinary Attorney Woo, and Castaway Diva.

5. Kim Hyun Soo

A young Kim Hyun Soo.

Kim Hyun Soo started acting when she was 11 years old through the movie Silenced, where she was nominated for Best Supporting Actress at the 49th Grand Bell Awards. Since then, she has played the younger version of the female lead in numerous dramas, including My Love from the Star. Did you know she also starred in the music video for IU and Seo Taiji‘s collaboration song “Sogyeokdong?”

Present day Kim Hyun Soo.

As she became older, she began getting more lead roles, most notably as Bae Rona in the Penthouse series.

6. Moon Geun Young

Moon Geun Young debuted at the age of 12 in the K-Drama Burnt Rice Teacher and Seven Potatoes. She went on to then play the younger version of Song Hye Kyo’s character in Autumn in My Heart, sending her to stardom. You may have also recognized her for her chilling character in the movie A Tale of Two Sisters.

She has since starred in many hit shows and movies, including Cheongdam-dong Alice, Catch the Ghost, and The Throne.

7. Kim Hyang Gi

Kim Hyang Gi debuted at the age of six in the movie Heart Is… She then made her name known through the K-Drama The Queen’s Classroom.

What really shot her to fame was her lead role in the Along With the Gods movie series. She also played the lead role in the K-Drama Poong, the Joseon Psychiatrist.