They may have exploded in popularity on TV, but these actors actually climbed to the top by building a rock-solid acting spectrum onstage — and their theater-rooted rise is now making waves.
Kim Mu-yeol, who led the success of the Netflix series Teach You a Lesson as Na Hwa-jin, Lee Bong-jun, who left a powerful mark in the finale as Cho Gyu-cheol, and Lee Sang-yi, who redefined what a special appearance can be in the TVING Original The Legend of Kitchen Soldier, are at the center of the buzz.
One of the works that made Kim Mu-yeol who he is today is the musical Thrill Me: The Leopold & Loeb Story. As part of the original cast, he shot to idol-level popularity and shed his rookie status. He then shined with overwhelming presence in major productions like Spring Awakening, Gwanghwamun Sonata, and Kinky Boots. After closing out Thrill Me: The Leopold & Loeb Story in 2017, he has focused on screen acting.
Lee Bong-jun, who also starred in Teach You a Lesson, stepped onto the stage in 2020 with the musical Jesus Christ Superstar. In his debut year, he joined the breakout showcase for rising actors — Bare: A Pop Opera — as Matt, a path Lee Sang-yi also took. He has since grown into a powerhouse who moves seamlessly between intimate and grand stages, with credits including Spring Awakening, Eternity, and Werther. He is currently appearing as Noah in the musical Mad Hatter, captivating audiences with a 180-degree different charm from Teach You a Lesson.
Lee Sang-yi returns in MBC's new Friday-Saturday drama Married Woman Killer, premiering on the 31st, and he too is a stage-trained actor who debuted in 2014 with the musical Grease. Interestingly, Lee Sang-yi boasts a rare resume that covers both of the other two actors' signature works. He performed in different seasons of Thrill Me: The Leopold & Loeb Story, where Kim Mu-yeol once stood, and Bare: A Pop Opera, where Lee Bong-jun thrived, making major waves as a musical actor. He has not limited himself to musicals either, appearing in the stage play Shakespeare in Love last year and showing unwavering passion for the theater.
Moving effortlessly between the small and big screens while winning over the public, these stars bring stage-honed acting chops and impeccable stage manners — and expectations for what they will do next are sky-high.