INTRODUCTION
Korean actors who start their acting career without a solid fan base rely on media exposure to build a following. While acting, they participate in additional schedules that help boost their popularity (which overlap with that of K-pop idols) including but not limited to commercial films (i.e. CFs), modelling, and hosting at music shows.
| Music Shows |
In South Korea, each major broadcasting company has a music show(s) broadcast on a different day each week. Korean actors usually host music shows that are more popular to reach larger audiences. The music shows are as follows (by order of date of the original release):
Programme | Broadcasting Company | Day |
INKIGAYO (인기가요) | Seoul Broadcasting System (SBS) | Sunday |
MUSIC BANK (뮤직뱅크) | Korean Broadcasting System (KBS) | Friday |
M COUNTDOWN (엠카운트다운) | Music Network (Mnet) | Thursday |
SHOW! MUSIC CORE (쇼! 음악중심) | Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) | Saturday |
THE SHOW (더 쇼) | SBS Music Television (SBS MTV) | Tuesday |
SHOW CHAMPION (쇼 챔피언) | MBC Music | Wednesday |
| Hosts |
Korean actors that host are commonly paired with K-pop idols. To allow the audience to get to know them more, hosts may prepare special stages (singing, dancing or both) to showcase their other talents. They may also wear matching costumes and act out short skits with their co-host(s) when introducing upcoming performances to show their cute or funny side. In this article, I'll be covering some popular Korean actors that were once music show hosts. Which ones do you already know? Did any of them surprise you? Are there any of your favourite actors that were also music show hosts but didn't make it on this list? Let me know!
SBS INKIGAYO
~ SINCE DECEMBER 15, 1991 ~
Jun Ji Hyun (전지현)
Mar 1 - May 24, 1998┊ Co-host Kim Seung Hyun (television presenter)
Han Hyo Joo (한효주)
Nov 20, 2005 - Apr 16, 2006┊ Co-host Andy (idol)
Gu Hye Seon (구혜선)
Apr 23, 2006 - Feb 18, 2007┊Co-host Andy (idol) / Kim Hee Chul (idol)
Jang Geun Suk (장근석)
Feb 25 - Oct 7, 2007┊Co-host Kim Hee Chul (idol)
Song Ji Hyo (송지효)
Nov 11, 2007 - May 4, 2008┊Co-host Kim Hee Chul (idol)
Lee Jong Suk (이종석)
Jun 3 - Aug 19, 2012┊Co-hosts Goo Ha Ra (idol) & Nicole (idol)
Aug 26 - Dec 2, 2012┊Co-host IU (idol)
Hong Jong Hyun (홍종현)
Dec 28, 2014 – Apr 5, 2015┊Co-hosts Kwang Hee (idol) & Kim Yoo Jung (actress)
Apr 12 – Aug 30, 2015┊Co-hosts Kim Yoo Jung (female actor) & Jackson (idol)
Kim Yoo Jung (김유정)
Dec 28, 2014 – Apr 5, 2015┊Co-hosts Kwang Hee (idol) & Hong Jong Hyun (actor)
Apr 12 – Aug 30, 2015┊Co-hosts Hong Jong Hyun (actor) & Jackson (idol)
Sept 5, 2015┊Co-host Jackson (idol)
Sept 13, 2015 – Apr 3, 2016┊Co-host Jackson (idol) & Yook Sung Jae (idol)
KBS MUSIC BANK
~ SINCE JUNE 16, 1998 ~
Song Hye Kyo (송혜교)
May 23 - Oct 10, 2000┊Co-host Lee Hwi Jae (television presenter)
Ji Sung (지성)
Jun 18 – Nov 5, 2004┊Co-host Park Eun Hye (actress)
Nam Goong Min (남궁민)
Nov 12, 2004 – Apr 29, 2005┊Co-host So Yi Hyun (actress)
Song Joong Ki (송중기)
Aug 7, 2009 – Nov 19, 2010┊Co-host Seo Hyo Rim (actress)
Park Seo Joon (박서준)
Oct 25, 2013 – Apr 24, 2015┊Co-host Bora (idol)
Park Bo Gum (박보검)
May 1, 2015 – Jun 24, 2016┊Co-host Irene (idol)
*SPECIAL 20TH ANNIVERSARY MESSAGES*
For Music Bank's 20th anniversary some actors sent in some congratulatory messages. Check out Park Seo Joon and Song Joong Ki's video, and Park Bo Gum's video!
MNET M COUNTDOWN
~ SINCE JULY 29, 2004 ~
Kim Woo Bin (김우빈)
Aug 15, 2013 - Feb 13, 2014
Ahn Jae Hyun (안재현)
Feb 27 - Nov 20, 2014┊Co-host Jung Joon Young (idol)
MBC SHOW! MUSIC CORE
~ SINCE OCTOBER 9, 2005 ~
*SPECIAL MENTIONS*
Predecessors of Show! Music Core had actors as hosts, whereas most are K-pop idols now.
Cha Seung Won (차승원)
Music Camp (음악캠프)┊1998┊Co-host Kim Ji Soo (actress)
So Ji Sub (소지섭)
Live Music Camp (생방송 음악캠프)┊1999 - 2000┊Co-host Chae Rim (actress)
Gong Yoo (공유)
Live Music Camp (생방송 음악캠프)┊Jan 10 - Jul 3, 2004┊Co-host Han Ji Hye (actress)