Rising Star Kang Yoo-seok Shines After 7 Years in the Industry

Kang Yoo-seok, an actor who has been in the industry for seven years, is finally gaining recognition. Following a series of successful projects, he surprised fans with a debut as an idol group member. With his upcoming lead role, Kang is being hailed as a rising star.

Kang recently appeared in the Netflix series 'When Life Gives You Tangerines,' playing the role of Yang Eun-myung, the brother of Yang Geum-myung (played by IU). Although he was not widely known before, his natural performance in the series caught viewers' attention, leading to questions about the actor playing IU's brother.

Debuting in 2018 with OCN's 'Quiz of God: Reboot,' Kang has taken on various roles in dramas and web series, but gaining attention was challenging. Despite this, he expanded his acting range by appearing in more than two projects annually. He gained recognition through roles in SBS's 'Dr. Romantic 2,' tvN's 'Start-Up,' and JTBC's 'Beyond Evil.' In 2023, he became more familiar to audiences with his role in SBS's 'Payback.'

Kang's breakthrough came when he was cast as the lead in Netflix's 'Delivery Man,' beating 1,500 other candidates. As his face became more familiar, he took on the role of Eom Jae-il, a first-year resident and former idol, in tvN's weekend drama 'Resident Playbook.' The choreography and songs of the fictional idol group HI-BOYZ became so popular that they even appeared on a real music show.

Though he consistently took on supporting roles across various genres and networks, Kang had not achieved widespread recognition until now. His recent projects have brought him both popularity and attention, firmly establishing his name in the industry.

Kang is also set to appear in a new tvN drama 'Seocho-dong,' starring alongside Lee Jong-suk and Moon Ga-young. Scheduled to air in July, 'Seocho-dong' is a youth drama set in the legal district of Seocho-dong, focusing on the lives of associate lawyers at a law firm. Kang will play a key role, marking the first time his name is prominently featured in the main cast.

An industry insider praised Kang, describing him as "a diligent actor with stable performances." His external image and ability to embody roles are also considered commendable. As he shines at the age of 30, in his eighth year since debut, the future looks promising for this once-hidden gem.

Reported by Kim Se-ah, TenAsia haesmik@tenasia.co.kr