A List of Korean Movie-Stars-Turned-Directors
The Korean film industry can boast many talented progeny.
NA Wun-kyu was originally an actor before he later came to be known as the father of Korean cinema. 90 years later, movie stars continue to become directors, remaining active in the industry.
CHOI Eun-hee, Director
SHIN Sang-ok’s wife and muse, was as a popular actress in the 1950s and 1960s, but it is not well known that she also directed three films.
HAH Myung-joong, younger brother of Director
HA Gil-jong, starred in his brother’s film
The Pollen Of Flowers (1972) as a handsome young man, but transformed himself into a producer and director after HA’s death, also garnering attention at many international film festivals.
The wall between acting and directing has continued to collapse.
PANG Eun-jin led the trend early at the turn of the 21st century and now she looks more like a director than an actress.
KU Hye-sun and
HA Jung-woo are actively working as actors and directors while
JUNG Woo-sung has directed several short films including
The Killer Behind, the
Old Man (2014). Finally, accomplished actress
CHOO Sang-mee, who has already made several shorts, will make her feature directorial debut soon.