The Evolution of Korean Actors in Variety Shows

While these actors are adored by viewers, they often make the decision to depart from these shows in order to prioritize their acting careers.

“For example, in a recent announcement, KBS2’s “2 Days & 1 Night”revealed that Na In-woo and Yeon Jung-hoon will be departing from the show. Na In-woo became a member of the show in 2022 and captured the hearts of viewers with his endearing and bumbling nature, earning the moniker “second Kim Jong-min”.”

Despite the success he found on the show, he has decided to depart in order to fully devote himself to his acting career. His roles on the show may have caused some viewers to only see him as a comedic actor, hindering his ability to pursue more serious roles.

In a similar fashion, Lee Kwang-soo bid farewell to SBS’s “Running Man”after 11 years in order to dedicate himself to his acting career. This decision was largely influenced by a car accident that made the physically demanding filming of the show difficult for him. He also expressed that the audience’s expectation for him to provide comedic relief added pressure and negatively impacted his acting endeavors.

Despite gaining popularity and recognition through her role on “SNL Korea”, actress Joo Hyun-young made the decision to leave the show in order to focus on her acting career. The character she portrayed on the show had the potential to typecast her and restrict her opportunities as an actress.

Despite their success, these actors have made the decision to depart from popular variety shows in order to uphold their versatility and credibility in their acting careers. The demanding schedules of acting projects often conflict with the commitments of variety shows, creating a challenge to balance both. While fans may express disappointment, there is a strong show of support for these actors as they prioritize their primary careers.