K-Drama Stars Who Have Pursued Music Careers

Actor So Ji Sub recently released his newest hip hop album, "18 Years." "18 Years is a hip hop album, which reflects the trials and tribulations of a career in acting.

The last role portrayed by So Ji Sub was Joo Joong Won, a chaebol executive who fell in love with the poltergiest plagued Tae Gong Shil (Gong Hyo Jin) in "Master's Sun."

The concept of a suit-clad So Ji Sub is contradictory to his hip hop persona, which has become firmly established since his first single "Pick Up Line." So Ji Sub has since released three albums, with "18 Years" reflecting his experiences as a model and actor in the Korean entertainment industry.

On June 27, So Ji Sub released the video for "18 Years," which visually displays his struggle in the acting world.

While So Ji Sub has a hip hop alter ego, most actors and actresses in Korean entertainment choose more subdued pursuits for their music career.

Park Shin Hye has recently extended her music releases past participating in K-Drama original soundtracks.

Although, she had released two songs prior to "You're Beautiful," her dual roles as K-Pop idol Go Mi Nam and his nun-in-training sister Go Mi Nyeo helped to solidify her future pursuit of music.

Park Shin Hye released two singles in 2014 and kicked off her world tour with a performance on May 1 at the 2013 Dramafever Awards. Her recent release "My Dear" reflects her growth as a vocalist, with BEAST rapper Yong Jun Hyung providing soulful flavor to the song.

Park Shin Hye benefited from the songwriting abilities of her brother, Park Shin Won for the track, making it a unique release.

Some actors like Park Shin Hye have placed an emphasis on developing their musicality.

Jang Geun Suk has created a rousing stage presence, which has enabled the actor to transition to a full-fledged music career with his primary market in Japan.

Jang Geun Suk released his first single to the Japanese market in April 2011. The single was entitled "Let Me Cry," but the sales figures did not likely inspire tears from the actor. After "Let Me Cry" sold 119,149 copies in its first week, Jang Geun Suk was able to establish his legitimacy as a viable Korean music artist in Japan.

He followed the success of this release with a Japanese fan meeting for the drama "Mary Stays Out All Night." The fan meeting drew a record -breaking 60,000 audience members, making it the largest fan meeting to date.

Actor Lee Min Ho improved upon his vocal skills for the primary purpose of audience demand at fan meetings.

He capitalized on the success of "My Everything" from the 2009 Hallyu hit "Boys Over Flowers" to craft the 2013 release "My Everything." While his original soundtrack contributions have been limited to the songs "My Everything" and "Painful Love' from "The Heirs," Lee Min Ho was able to draw large audiences who were eager to see him sing.

While it is common to find K-Pop idols who become actors, it is rare to find K-Pop idols who have previously maintained an established acting career. FTISLAND's Lee Hong Ki debuted as a child actor in the 2002 children's program "Magic Kid Masuri."

Although, he was active with FTISLAND prior to the debut of "You're Beautiful," the drama helped to catapult Lee Hong Ki and his fellow cast members into Hallyu star status.

It is not without coincidence that Lee Hong Ki, Jang Geun Suk, and Park Shin Hye have made successsful in-roads into K-Pop after acting in "You're Beautiful."