Kakao Entertainment's Rising Stars Shine Bright in Upcoming Dramas and Films

Talented actors Choo Young Woo, Shin Seung Ho, Joo Jong Hyuk, Jung Chae Yeon, and Bae Hyun Sung are set to captivate audiences with their impressive performances in the latter half of the year.

Known for their unique charm and stable acting skills, these 'rookie sensations' from Kakao Entertainment are gearing up for a vibrant second half of the year with a variety of dramas and films.

Following the global success of well-made productions like 'Poksak Sokassuda' and 'Bad Relationship' in the first half of the year, Kakao Entertainment continues to strengthen its media business competitiveness as its management label actors showcase diverse charms across multiple projects.

Choo Young Woo, hailed as one of the top rookies after sweeping major awards this year, is having an exceptionally busy year. With standout performances in JTBC's 'The Tale of Lady Ok', Netflix series 'Trauma Center' and 'Square', and the recently concluded tvN's 'Gyeonwoo and Seonnyeo', he has captivated audiences with his versatility. From playing a devoted romantic to a playful coming-of-age character, and even a charismatic villain, he has flawlessly embodied each role with his unique style.

In 'Gyeonwoo and Seonnyeo', Choo portrayed Bae Gyeonwoo, a cynical high school student burdened with all the world's misfortunes, skillfully navigating between the character's cynicism and warmth, as well as the intense jealousy and sadness of a possessed spirit. His nuanced emotional performance has been praised as another 'life character' achievement.

After showcasing his charm through four roles this year, Choo Young Woo will meet his global fans with his first Asia fan meeting tour in September. The 'CHOO YOUNG WOO ASIA FANMEETING TOUR 'Who (is) Choo?'' will kick off in Seoul on September 6, followed by stops in Bangkok, Taipei, Osaka, and Tokyo, offering fans a glimpse of his real-life charisma through various segments.

Shin Seung Ho, represented by King Kong by Starship, is making waves with his charismatic military role in the recently released film 'Omniscient Reader's Viewpoint'. He also announced the upcoming August release of his new film 'Only God Knows Everything', heightening anticipation. 'Omniscient Reader's Viewpoint' (directed by Kim Byung Woo, distributed by Lotte Entertainment, produced by Realize Pictures) is a fantasy action film where the world of a long-running novel becomes reality on the day it concludes, and the only reader, Kim Dokja, must survive in the apocalyptic world alongside the novel's protagonist, Yoo Joong Hyuk, and others. Shin plays Lee Hyun Sung, a character known for his strength and resilience.

The film has garnered popularity, amassing 620,000 viewers in just five days and topping the weekend box office in its opening week. In the upcoming 'Only God Knows Everything', Shin Seung Ho transforms into 'Doun', a newly ordained priest caught in a mystery thriller as he investigates the death of his missing mother, torn between revenge and faith. His deep and complex portrayal of Doun's emotional journey has already earned him Best Actor awards at various international film festivals, including the 2025 Kyoto Independent Film Festival, 2025 Montreal Independent Film Festival, 2024 Cinematography and Photography Awards, and the 2024 Hollywood International Diversity Film Festival, raising expectations for his passionate performance on screen.

Joo Jong Hyuk, from BH Entertainment, who showcased his unique character adaptability in Channel A's 'Witch', Disney+'s original series 'Trigger', and Japan's TBS 'Slow Train' this year, returns in September with two new dramas, 'Confidence Man KR' and 'Polaris'. The Amazon Prime Video x TV Chosun x Coupang Play drama 'Confidence Man KR' is a caper comedy about three versatile con artists seeking revenge against the villains of this era. Joo plays the quirky and lovable character Myung Goo Ho.

The drama premieres on September 6 at 9:10 PM on TV Chosun and Coupang Play, and will be available in 240 countries and regions outside Korea through Amazon Prime Video. Joo Jong Hyuk also stars in Disney+'s original series 'Polaris', debuting on September 10. The story follows Moon Joo, a UN ambassador, as she investigates the assassination attempt on a presidential candidate, uncovering a massive truth threatening the Korean Peninsula, alongside an enigmatic special agent, Sanho. The chemistry between Joo Jong Hyuk and veteran actors like Jun Ji Hyun and Kang Dong Won is highly anticipated.

Jung Chae Yeon, from BH Entertainment, who portrayed a fresh and bright youth in JTBC's 'Assembled Family' at the end of last year, will undergo an image transformation as a confident rookie lawyer in the upcoming August drama 'Esquire'.

Premiering on August 2, JTBC's new weekend drama 'Esquire: Lawyers Dreaming to Be Lawyers' (written by Park Mi Hyun, directed by Kim Jae Hong, produced by B.A. Entertainment, SLL, Studio S, co-produced by Story Orem) is an office growth story about rookie lawyer Kang Hyo Min, who is righteous and bold yet socially awkward, as she grows into a complete lawyer with the help of her cold yet highly skilled partner lawyer Yoon Seok Hoon. Jung Chae Yeon plays Kang Hyo Min, a character with passionate determination to solve cases and exceptional intuition but an unpredictable clumsy charm, teaming up with Lee Jin Wook's Yoon Seok Hoon to portray a bold 'growth character'.

Bae Hyun Sung, from Awesome ENT, who made a special appearance in tvN's 'Someday Smart Intern Life', will return in the second half of the year with the tvN drama 'Mr. Shin Project'. 'Mr. Shin Project' is a refreshing negotiation drama about a 'god' of negotiation who returns as a 'god' of chicken to save citizens in crisis in an era of communication breakdown. Bae Hyun Sung plays Jo Philip, a rookie judge who is as reliable as fried chicken, working alongside Han Suk Kyu's Mr. Shin.

Photo = Kakao Entertainment

This article was originally published in Korean on Xportsnews and was translated into English using AI.

by Lee Yejin