Korea National University of Arts, also known as K’ARTS, is the only national arts university of South Korea, established in 1993 by the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism. In its 32 years of existence, the university has produced some of the biggest talents in the Korean entertainment industry. However, the class of 2010 is largely considered a “legendary” phenomenon, owing to the large number of stars that came from it.
Here are the best-known faces from Korea National University’s class of 2010:
1. Kim Go Eun
Kim Go Eun made her official acting debut while she was still in college in 2012 with the critically acclaimed movie, Eungyo. Her breakout project, however, is largely considered to be Guardian: The Lonely and Great God. Some of her more recent hits include movies like Exhuma and Love in the Big City, and K-Dramas such as Yumi’s Cells and The Price of Confession.
2. Ahn Eun Jin
Ahn Eun Jin first gained recognition for her supporting role in Hospital Playlist (2020-2021). Since then, she has steadily risen in her career, bagging central roles in acclaimed projects such as The Good Bad Mother and My Dearest.
3. Park So Dam
Park So Dam was already appearing in indie movies while in university. After graduating in 2014, she had her first big break in 2015 with the movie The Silenced. Her role in the 2019 Oscar-winning black comedy, Parasite, catapulted her to a new level of stardom. She took a hiatus from acting to treat her cancer, and made a successful return to acting after recovery with Death’s Game.
4. Lee Sang Yi
Lee Sang Yi was active in the musical theater scene for years before getting his first breakthrough role in a terrestrial show called Once Again. He became more popular after his appearance on Hometown Cha Cha Cha and Bloodhounds.
5. Kim Sung Cheol
Kim made his acting debut in the musical Puberty in 2014. After appearing in various musicals in the following years, he finally made his television debut in Prison Playbook in 2017.
6. Lee Yoo Young
Lee began her career in 2012 while she was in university. She appeared in the short film, Flowers Do Not Wither, followed by seven more short film appearances. She made her movie debut shortly after and has consistently appeared in critically acclaimed projects, with her recent one being Pro Bono.
7. Cha Seo Won
Though Cha Seo Won has appeared in multiple K-Dramas since 2013, his true breakthrough role was in the 2022 K-Drama, The Second Husband. He also appeared in the critically acclaimed 2022 movie Decision to Leave, and the 2026 hit K-Drama, The Wonderfools.
Stage actor Lee Hw Jong and K-Drama actor Lee Seo Jun are also known to be from the same class of 2010, adding more to the roster of the legendary batch,