8 Famous Korean Actors Who Once Trained to be Professional Athletes

We all know that Korean stars came from various backgrounds and have lots of talents. Like, singing, dancing, acting, and even doing sport, Not many know that some famous Korean actors once trained to be professional athletes, while some of them have earned outstanding achievements. Who are they? Let’s check it out!

Table of Contents

Having a Healthy & Fit Body, These 8 Famous Korean Actors Once Trained to be Professional Athletes

1. Song Joong Ki

Actor Song Joong Ki was a former national athlete for a short track speed skating athlete for 12 years. He also represented his hometown, Daejeon, to the national level.

Unfortunately, he had an injury on his ankle and decided not to continue his career in skating. However, you can watch Song Joong Ki in the skating arena with his skills in his dramas; Triple and Vincenzo.

2. Ahn Bo Hyun

Ahn Bo Hyun is a Korean actor who began boxing in high school and became a professional and national athlete. He even won a gold medal at a national boxing competition. However, after having several frequent injuries, he decided to quit.

3. Bang Sung Hoon

Korean actor Bang Sung Hoon, known as Sung Hoon, was a former swimmer competitive champion since high school. He held new records in many swimming competitions, including butterfly stroke. Moreover, he joined the Olympic team to become a professional swimmer.

Unfortunately, he had injuries and had to undergo several surgeries, making him give up his dreams of becoming an athlete. He then successfully debuted as an actor and gained his first leading role in a drama entitled “New Tales of Gisaeng” in 2011.

4. Lee Shi Young

Korean actress Lee Si Young took on a new profession during her career in acting. She decided to be a boxer athlete after getting professional training for her latest project, which was later canceled.

After winnings in several competitions, Lee Shi Young became the first Korean female celebrity to receive the title of “Korean Amateur Representative Boxer” at the 2013 National Athlete Contest. Unfortunately, she then retired from boxing due to chronic shoulder dislocation.

5. Song Hye Kyo

Actress Song Hye Kyo trained to become an athlete in figure skating athlete for several years during her childhood. However, she decided not to continue the training and joined the entertainment industry after entering a school uniform modeling contest.

6. Yoon Hyun Min

Korean actor Yoon Hyun Min was a former professional baseball athlete for 11 years. He was a player in Hanhwa Eagles for four years, but then he transferred to Doosan Bears. After that, Yoon Hyun Min retired as a baseball player after reconsidering his future career. In the end, he chose to start his acting career in musical play that interests him.

7. Seo Ji Sub

Since ten years old, Korean actor Seo Ji Sub was trained to be a swimmer athlete. He was taught in a professional class for 11 years and joined the national team.

Seo Ji Sub even won a bronze medal at the Korean National championship in 1997. Although he’s not an athlete now, he keeps his body and focuses on his career in modeling, acting, and music.

8. Seo Ji Seok

Korean actor Seo Ji Seok was a former athlete specializing in 100m-200m short-distant running when he was in middle school. With his high achievement in winning four gold medals for different sports, he prepared for joining the national team.

However, after a traffic accident that he had, Seo Ji Seok decided to take an offer in acting field from a talent agent that he met on the street.