Cover K-drama actress Roh Yoon-seo proves she’s as talented with a paintbrush as she is in front of the camera, sharing glimpses of her artistic process on Instagram (Photo: @rohyoonseo/Instagram)
K-drama actress Roh Yoon-seo proves she’s as talented with a paintbrush as she is in front of the camera, sharing glimpses of her artistic process on Instagram (Photo: @rohyoonseo/Instagram)
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From fine arts degrees to gallery exhibitions, these K-drama actresses prove their creativity extends far beyond the screen
Acting may have made them household names, but for these K-drama actresses, creativity doesn’t stop when the cameras stop rolling. Some studied fine arts before pursuing careers in entertainment, while others have built impressive second careers as painters, exhibiting their work in galleries around the world.
Whether it’s creating artwork that appears in their own dramas, sketching portraits on variety shows or mounting solo exhibitions, these stars continue to express themselves through the visual arts. From Roh Yoon-seo and Go Youn-jung to Han So-hee, Ha Ji-won and Ku Hye-sun, meet the talented K-drama actresses whose artistic pursuits are every bit as captivating as their performances on screen.
In case you missed it: The Roh Yoon-seo K-dramas and films that showcase Korea’s next-generation Hallyu leading lady
Roh Yoon-seo
Above Before becoming one of K-drama’s brightest rising stars, Roh Yoon-seo studied fine arts and dreamed of becoming an art teacher (Photo: @rohyoonseo/Instagram)
Before becoming one of K-drama’s brightest rising stars, Roh Yoon-seo studied fine arts and dreamed of becoming an art teacher (Photo: @rohyoonseo/Instagram)
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Roh Yoon-seo, the star of Our Blues, Crash Course in Romance and Netflix’s The East Palace, is not just a talented rising actress; she’s also quite the artist. She attended Sunhwa Arts High School and graduated with a Fine Arts degree from the prestigious Ewha Womans University. Before becoming a model and an actress, she had dreamed of becoming an art teacher.
During an appearance on the YouTube talk show Salon Drip 2, Roh Yoon-seo impressed viewers with an impromptu sketch of host Jang Do-yeon, capturing her likeness down to the hairstyle and features. Although she admits she hasn’t had time to paint as often as she’d like lately, fans can catch glimpses of her creative process and art projects on her Instagram.
See more: Nam Joo-hyuk, Roh Yoon-seo and Cho Seung-woo star in the upcoming Netflix K-drama ‘The East Palace’
Go Youn-jung
Above Go Youn-jung continues to nurture her artistic side through original paintings, detailed portraits and even live sketches on variety shows (Photo:@goyounjung/Instagram)
Go Youn-jung continues to nurture her artistic side through original paintings, detailed portraits and even live sketches on variety shows (Photo:@goyounjung/Instagram)
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Go Youn-jung, star of hit K-dramas such as Alchemy of Souls, Moving and Can This Love Be Translated?, graduated from Seoul Arts High School and pursued a degree in Contemporary Art at Seoul Women’s University. Her education, however, would be cut short after her early modelling days eventually led to a flourishing acting career.
Her artistic side continues to shine through on Instagram, where she occasionally shares original paintings and drawings, including a detailed portrait of Hollywood actor Timothée Chalamet. The sketch was one of two artworks she brought with her during her guest appearance on You Quiz on the Block, where she also surprised hosts Yoo Jae-suk and Jo Se-ho by drawing playful caricatures of them on the spot.
See more: The K-drama actresses who defined every generation of Hallyu, from Choi Ji-woo to Go Youn-jung
Han So-hee
Above Han So-hee’s artistic talent was so convincing that several of her own sketches appeared in ‘Nevertheless’ (Photo: @xeesoxee/Instagram)
Above On Instagram, the K-drama actress’ sketches are more personal and raw (Photo:@xeesoxee/Instagram)
Han So-hee’s artistic talent was so convincing that several of her own sketches appeared in ‘Nevertheless’ (Photo: @xeesoxee/Instagram)
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Han So-hee may have played art major Yoo Na-bi in the popular K-drama Nevertheless, but her artistic talent extends off-screen. The actress attended Ulsan Arts High School, giving her an advantage when preparing for the role. In an interview, director Kim Ga-ram shared that, unlike her co-star Song Kang, Han So-hee didn’t need to take additional art lessons thanks to her artistic background.
Like Go Youn-jung, her artwork even made its way into the series. Several of the sketches on the walls of Na-bi’s place were drawn by Han So-hee herself, while the scene of Na-bi sketching was filmed without the use of a double. Beyond Nevertheless, Han continues to showcase her creativity on Instagram, where she occasionally shares original drawings and paintings. In contrast to the classical sketches featured in the K-drama, however, her personal works often explore darker, more introspective themes.
Ha Ji-won
Away from the cameras, Ha Ji-won, the OG Hallyu queen who starred in classic K-dramas such as Secret Garden, Memories of Bali and Empress Ki, has cultivated a successful career as a visual artist, creating vibrant abstract paintings that have explored the passage of time, delved into her perception of identity and embraced whimsy.
What started as a hobby has since grown into a full-fledged pursuit. Ha Ji-won has thrown herself into painting with the same dedication she brings to acting, and found no less success for it. The actress has already held solo exhibitions, participated in art fairs and even sold out her paintings. She made her Southeast Asian debut early this year, joining the Moment & Face K-Art exhibition during Singapore Art Week 2026. Her 2025 Phenomenal Change: Looking into the Reason I Am Myself exhibition brought her two worlds together, probing the intersection between actress and artist.
Ku Hye-sun
Above From ‘Boys Over Flowers’ star to internationally exhibiting visual artist, Ku Hye-sun continues to redefine what it means to be a multidisciplinary creative (Photo: @kookoo900/Instagram)
Above The K-drama actress has even donated proceeds from one of her art shows to worthy causes (Photo: @kookoo900/Instagram)
From ‘Boys Over Flowers’ star to internationally exhibiting visual artist, Ku Hye-sun continues to redefine what it means to be a multidisciplinary creative (Photo: @kookoo900/Instagram)
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Best known for her breakout role as Geum Jan-di in the blockbuster K-drama Boys Over Flowers, Ku Hye-sun has since built a multifaceted career as a director, composer, inventor, KAIST scientist and visual artist. As the latter, she has established herself through solo exhibitions in South Korea and abroad, including Hong Kong, Shanghai and Paris.
Her 2017 exhibition dark YELLOW, held at Seoul’s Hangaram Art Museum, highlighted her multidisciplinary approach, creating an immersive experience that paired her paintings with music from her own album. She has also used her art to support charitable causes. Proceeds from her exhibition A World Without You, Loneliness for Me were donated to animal welfare initiatives, reflecting her long-standing advocacy for pets and animal rescue.
Whether they trained in fine arts, pursued painting alongside acting or established themselves as exhibiting artists, these K-drama actresses demonstrate that creativity knows no bounds. Their work on canvas offers fans a different perspective on the stars they admire, revealing imaginations that continue to flourish both on and off screen.
Maggie Adan is a content writer, editor, and strategist with extensive experience across print, digital, and social media publishing. Formerly editor-in-chief at K-Zone Philippines, Summit Books and Content Lab, she has written lifestyle stories covering everything from entertainment and travel to beauty and wellness. A storyteller at heart with a keen editorial eye and a passion for narrative, she contributes to various publications and helps brands create and curate content for their social media platforms.
