[Ishani's Picks] Top 10 K-Dramas Where Child Actors Stole The Show

When it comes to the K-Drama industry, there's no such thing as "too young" to be a celebrity. Some of the most prominent Hallyu stars today started out as child actors, honing their skills to perfection with hard work and experience. It is not surprising therefore that child actors are also iconic scene-stealers. Here are 10 K-Dramas where child actors shone with their outstanding performance!

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"When the Camellia Blooms"

Part of the sheer charm of "When the Camellia Blooms" comes from the character of Pil-goo, played by Kim Kang-hoon. Pil-goo is Dong-baek's only son and the apple of her eye. Being a single working mother, Dong-baek (played by Kong Hyo-jin) goes above and beyond to compensate for the absence of Pil-goo's father, and Pil-goo in return, is fiercely protective of his mother. The way Kim Kang-hoon portrays the fine balance between Pil-goo's childishness and maturity truly deserves high praise and speaks volumes of his incredible talent.

"The King's Affection"

Child actress Choi Myung-bin deserves all the accolades for her extraordinary performance as Dami/Lee Hwi in "The King's Affection". If not for her, the story would never have been able to set off on the right foot. It was Choi Myung-bin's conviction in the dual role of the Crown Princess disguised as the Crown Prince that laid the foundation for the rest of the plot. "The King's Affection" truly owes a huge part of its success to this young genius.

"Uncle"

In a drama about an uncle and his nephew against the world, it isn't surprising that Lee Kyung-hoon-I, who plays little Min Ji-hoo, stole the show. The abuse Ji-hu has to face at a young age takes away his childhood and replaces it with trauma. It is only when his uncle Wang Joon-hyeok (played by Oh Jung-se) comes into his life that he is able to truly heal. The complexity of his character and the studied nuance with which it was portrayed signal a bright future ahead for the actor.

"Racket Boys"

The second Kim Kang-hoon drama on this list, "Racket Boys" stars the actor in the more playful and free-spirited role of Lee Yong-tae, a badminton player with a penchant for making friends. Throughout the drama, Yong-tae is the undisputed mood-maker of his squad, holding everyone together like glue. There's much to learn from this character too, especially with how sensitive, affectionate, and supportive he is. Once again, Kim Kang-hoon hits it out of the park with his acting, leaving us wanting more of Lee Yong-tae's shenanigans. We cannot wait to see what he has in store for us next.

"Hi Bye, Mama!"

Child actor Seo Woo-jin-I is well known for being a certified scene-stealer but his performance on "Hi Bye, Mama!" is simply a cut above the rest. Not only did he play a baby girl on the show but he did it with such adorable effortlessness that viewers cherished every moment of his screentime. Besides, the depth of emotion he can express through just his eyes proves that Seo Woo-jin-I is the very definition of a born actor.

"The Last Empress"

When it comes to memorable characters played by child actors, one simply cannot forget the sassy little Princess Ah-ri played by Oh Ah-rin in "The Last Empress". Despite being a youngin, Oh Ah-rin's screen presence is truly spectacular. She has an incomparable way of endearing herself to the audience even as she throws temper tantrums to no end. With talent this impressive, Oh Ah-rin certainly has a promising acting career ahead of her, and I could not be more excited to see her grow as an artist.

"Start Up"

Fulfilling an expository function as the younger version of Seo Dal-mi, Heo Jung-eun draws us in with her nuanced performance and makes us root for Dal-mi in the direst of situations. This initial connection that Heo Jung-eun forges with the audience allows Suzy to seamlessly take over as the adult Seo Dal-mi while keeping our emotional attachment to the character unchanged. When you see Suzy's Dal-mi succeed, you cannot help but be proud of how far she has come, especially since we saw her grow. To have such a lasting impression on viewers is a feat in and of itself and Heo Jung-eun adequately proves her mettle with "Start Up".

"It's Okay to Not Be Okay"

"It's Okay to Not Be Okay" tells a deeply poignant tale of how broken adults heal their wounded inner children to pursue happiness anew. Kim Soo-in plays young Go Moon-yeong, a young girl with internalized traumaa and Moon Woo-jin plays Moon Kang-tae, a child overburdered with responsibility, forced to grow up a little too fast. Despite the dark undertones of their roles, these two young artists shone in all their glory, transforming the viewing experience into a journey. The otherworldly immersion of "It's Okay to Not Be Okay" would never have been possible without these little prodigies.

"Hospital Playlist"

A fan favorite in the truest sense of the term, little Woo-joo, played by Kim Jun-II in "Hospital Playlist" made viewers squeal with joy every time he appeared on the screen. Not only was he a delight to watch just by virtue of his existence but his impeccable comedic timing at such a young age is truly commendable. I cannot wait to see more of Kim Jun-II in the future!

"The Moon Embracing the Sun"

Finally, this list would not be complete without the drama that starred three of the brightest leading actors we know today: Kim You-jung, Yeo Jin-goo, and Kim So-hyun, albeit as children. Needless to say, their current success could very well be predicted from their marvelous performance in "The Moon Embracing the Sun" as their potential was what made them shine. From playing the younger versions of K-Drama protagonists to taking on main characters themselves, these brilliant artists have come a long way, and we couldn't be prouder of having witnessed that journey.

By Ishani Sarkar.