Graduating from theater school does not guarantee that acting students will land a role right away. For many kdrama stars, modeling helped pay the bills while they went on auditions.

Here are a few stars whose model good looks propelled their careers.

Kim Tae Hee, currently starring in "Jang Ok Jung," began her career as a model, mostly appearing in television commercials. A designer discovered her on the subway while she was still in college. At the time she majored in fashion design and thought it would be a good part-time job. One thing led to another. Since then she has pitched electronics, cars, coffee, clothes and makeup. She is a much sought-after product spokesperson.

A fashion editor discovered Jun Ji Hyun on the street when she was only 16. She began her career modeling for Ecole magazine and set aside her dream of becoming a flight attendant. She made her film debut in "White Valentine" before doing her first commercial for Samsung My Jet Printer. Her dance in the ad made her famous. Since then the actress, best known for her role in "My Sassy Girl," has done dozens of commercials for everything from soymilk to TVs.

Song Hye Kyo was in her third year of high school when she won first place in the SunKyung Smart school uniform model contest. The star of "That Winter The Wind Blows" and "Full House" has done many print ads and commercials since then, selling jeans, ice cream and lipstick.

Han Ga In, who starred in "The Moon Embracing The Sun," debuted in an American Airlines commercial in 2002 before being cast in the drama "Sunshine Hunting."

But it's not only female kdrama stars that began their acting career as models.

Jang Keun Suk began modeling at age five. A talent agent who was considering buying Jang Geun Suk's family home spotted him when viewing the house. He suggested to his parents that they take him to a modeling agency. Since then the star of "You're Beautiful," "Mary Stayed Out All Night" and "Love Rain" has sold dozens of products, including coffee, cell phones and cosmetics for men.

Song Seung Heon, who recently starred in "When A Man Loves," began his career in 1995 as a model for Storm jeans. He got his first acting job the next year in the popular sitcom "Three Guys, Three Girls."

Lee Min Ho, star of "Faith," "Personal Taste" and "City Hunter," may not have started out as a model but since becoming a celebrity, he has been one of the most successful endorsers, selling everything from milk to Cass beer. Last year he was chosen as the most attractive male celebrity to hawk cosmetics on TV by the site, DC Inside. When he represented Inisfree Cosmetics in China, he shot a short film around the concept that "Anyone can be Lee Min Ho's first love." The hosting server crashed several times due to the sheer volume of people who visited the site.