From cameos to crossovers, K-dramas have a knack for dropping famous faces into our favorite series. Have you seen them all?
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K-dramas have taken the world by storm with their storylines, star-studded casts, and show-stopping cinematography. And while we focus on the main characters (and sometimes, the second leads), and gripping plots, there is also another aspect of K-dramas that get people talking – the celebrity cameos.
These fleeting appearances by famous faces are like shooting stars that streak across our screens, adding an extra layer of excitement and intrigue for fans. Whether they’re simply customers at a restaurant or have an actual role to play, we can all relate to those moments when we scream, ‘Ariana, what are you doing here?” as soon as we spot them.
So, grab some snacks and scroll through the crossovers and cameos you might’ve missed while binge-watching in your favorite K-dramas.
Gong Yoo in Squid Game
Who else got majorly starstruck when Gong Yoo made a surprise cameo in the blockbuster K-drama Squid Game? Despite his blink-and-you’ll-miss-it appearance as a seemingly ordinary salesman, this mysterious character pulls strings behind the scenes with the finesse of a puppet master.
Caught mid-game in a round of the classic Korean ddakji, where folded paper tiles mean serious business, a mysterious recruiter becomes the catalyst for dragging the main character, Seong Gi-hun (played by Lee Jung-jae), into the high-stakes chaos of the Squid Game.
Kim Soo-hyun in Crash Landing on You
This list of celebrity cameos wouldn’t be complete without the comedic charm brought forth by Kim Soo-hyun in his appearance in the 2020 K-drama sensation, Crash Landing on You. As one of the industry’s top-tier talents and highest-paid actors, the Queen of Tears leading man took on the role of Won Ryu-hwan, a North Korean spy donning a signature bowl haircut and green tracksuit. Now that we’re seeing it again, do you think his character was the inspiration behind Squid Game’s iconic costumes?
Lee Hyeri in Record of Youth
In a twist fit for a K-drama plot, fans of the iconic series Reply 1988 were in for a surprise with Lee Hye-ri’s cameo moment in Record of Youth. As half of the beloved duo Duk-seon and Choi Taek alongside Park Bo-gum, the actress’ return to the screen sparked anticipation among viewers.
However, despite the high hopes for a heartwarming reunion, the stars didn’t align for Lee Hyeri and Park Bo-gum to share the screen once more. For now, the BTS photo shared by the two was enough for fans while eagerly awaiting the next surprise twist in the world of K-dramas.
Lee Jong-suk in Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-joo
In Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-joo, eagle-eyed fans caught the lightning-fast yet unforgettable cameo by the undeniably charming Lee Jong-suk, known for his roles in Pinocchio and While You Were Sleeping.
This blink-and-you’ll-miss-it appearance in the 2016 smash-hit drama saw Lee Jong-suk stepping into the shoes of a customer at Bok Chicken. Now, let’s be honest, who among us isn’t a tad envious that the actor got to check out the infamous fried chicken?
Lee Joon-gi in Hotel del Luna
In a sensational reunion that sparked fireworks on screen, Lee Joon-gi and IU, renowned for their chemistry in Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo, shared a K-drama once more in the supernatural spectacle Hotel del Luna.
This time, Lee Joon-gi steals the show with a scene-stealing cameo as a priest knee-deep in the exhilarating task of exorcising spirits. But here’s the twist: Jang Man-wol (played by IU) had bestowed upon him the gift of ghost-sight, hoping to recruit him for her hotel, only to find him on a ghost-busting spree instead.
Park Bo-gum in Itaewon Class
The final episode of Itaewon Class is graced by the sight of a glowing and oh-so-beautiful Park Bo-gum in slow motion. It’s a scene that sends our hearts racing faster than a K-drama plot twist.
As he steps into the role of a chef fighting for a spot at Oh Soo-Ah’s restaurant (played by Kwon Nara), the stunned daebak that escapes her lips mirrors our own astonishment at his breathtaking presence. It’s moments like these that make us crave seconds (and thirds!) of this groundbreaking series.
Song Joong Ki in Queen of Tears
Amidst the whirlwind of drama that is Queen of Tears, fans were hit with a jaw-dropping surprise—a full-blown crossover starring none other than the charming Song Joong Ki from Vincenzo. Talk about turning up the drama meter.
Portraying his Vincenzo Cassano persona, complete with Italian flair and Korean roots, Song Joong Ki seamlessly slid into the scene as a divorce attorney representing Kim Ji Won’s Hong Hae In. And let’s not forget the inside jokes; spotting our favorite ‘corn salad’ references was like finding hidden treasures for those in the know.
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