Image courtesy of Namoo Actors' official website.

Note: This is the first part of the ongoing series about the different entertainment agencies in Korea. We will talk about the history of the agency, then the famous actors under their wing along with their representative works.

Whenever people hear the word "agencies", most people would think about the Big Three: SM, YG, and JYP. Well, they are not wrong in that sense, but when we talk of agencies, it's not just the K-pop agencies we're talking about. In Korea, actors belong in acting agencies, where their affairs are handled by the company in terms of choosing their next projects, managing their image, and handling their professional lives most of the time. Actors who are in an agency are usually assigned a team, consisting of a manager, an assistant manager, a stylist, an intern, and hair and makeup team. Depending on how big the star is, they will have more members under their team.

There are different classifications of entertainment agencies in Korea. Some focus on music and therefore produce singers and idol groups. This is where agencies like Brave Brothers, FNC, Woollim, and Starship are famous. Others focus on their set of actors and entertainers, such as Namoo Actors.

Namoo Actors has produced and managed a ton of actors and actresses who went on to become household names in the Korean society, with some racking more campaigns and advertisments compared to other actors.

In this article, we will talk more about how Namoo Actors started. Of course, we will talk about some of their actors and their representative works, be it in television, stage, or film.

How Namoo Actors Started

Photo courtesy of Namoo Actors' official website.

Namoo Actors started in 2004 with Kim Joongdo as president and founder of the company, under the name Namoo Actors, Co. Ltd. They started with Song Jihyo, Kim Taehee, Kim Kangwoo, and Kim Hye-na in 2005. Soon after, it grew to be one of the biggest talent management agencies in Korea focusing on producing and managing actors and actresses for film, stage, and television.

The founder and president Kim Joongdo was known to be best friends with actor Kim Joohyuk, who also appeared with him several times on 2 Days 1 Night when Kim Joohyuk was a member of the show.

The company was home to some of the most famous actors and actresses in Korea, such as Song Jihyo, Kim Taehee, Kim Hyang-gi, Kim Soyeon, Kim Joo-hyuk, Moon Geun-young, and Nam Gyuri. Nowadays, it has 37 actors and actresses under their wing, consistently appearing on television, stage, and film all year round.

Here are some of the known former actors in Namoo Actors:

• Chun Woo-hee (2011-2021)
• Han Hye-jin (2008–2017)
• Jeon Hye-bin (2009–2018)
• Kim Ah-joong (2011–2015)
• Kim Hyang-gi (2011-2021)
• Kim Ji-soo (2004-2020)
• Kim Joo-hyuk (2004–2017 until his death)
• Kim Kang-woo (2005–2014)
• Kim So-yeon (2006–2018)
• Kim Tae-hee (2005–2010)
• Lee Yoo-jin (Produce 101 contestant) (2017–2020)
• Moon Geun-young (2004-2020)
• Nam Gyu-ri (2013–2014)
• Shin Se-Kyung (2004-2021)
• Song Ji-hyo (2005–2011)
• Yoo Ji-tae (2013–2018)

Actors Under Namoo Actors

As mentioned above, Namoo Actors is now one of the biggest acting agencies in Korea, joining the ranks of KeyEast, Sidus HQ, and Fantagio.

A lot of actors and actresses acting in K-dramas and films and appearing in variety shows are currently represented by the agency, such as Song Kang, Lee Joongi, Seohyun, Park Minyoung, and so much more.

Here are some of the actors currently under their wing:

Song Kang

Song Kang was one of the actor trainees by the agency who came out in 2017 along with Oh Seunghoon and Lee Yoojin of the Produce 101 season 2 fame. He started acting as a supporting role in the 2017 romantic comedy The Liar and His Lover, alongside Lee Hyunwoo and Red Velvet's Joy. Soon after, he hosted on SBS Inkigayo and appeared in the variety show Michuri with Yoo Jaesuk and fellow labelmate Kang Kiyoung. Some of his works include Love Alarm seasons 1 and 2, Navillera, Sweet Home, and Nevertheless. He is slated to appear alongside labelmate Park Minyoung in another JTBC drama People at Meteorological Service.

Seo Joohyun (Seohyun)

We first knew her as Girls' Generation's sweet and pure maknae Seohyun, and after her contract with SM Entertainment expired, she moved to Namoo Actors to help manage her acting career. Since then, she has appeared in dramas such as Hello Dracula and Private Lives. She is expected to return to the television screens with the upcoming dramas Moral Sense and The Jinx's Lover.

Park Minyoung

Park Minyoung rose to popularity after appearing in the hit drama Sungkyungkwan Scandal with Song Joongki. Since then, she was praised for her impeccable acting performances, and soon after she appeared in various television dramas such as City Hunter, Healer, Remember, and so many others. Her biggest success as of now are the two dramas What's Wrong with Secretary Kim with Park Seojoon and Her Private Life with Kim Jaewook. Secretary Kim has catapulted her to superstardom, particularly overseas, with her affable charms and slick acting chops. She is slated to appear with Song Kang in the JTBC drama People at Meteorological Service in the first half of 2022.

Lee Joongi

Lee Joongi signed with Namoo Actors back in 2014. Since then, he had appeared in numerous Korean dramas such as Scholar Who Walks the Night, Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo, 7 First Kisses, Criminal Minds, Lawless Lawyer, and Flower of Evil. Specifically, Moon Lovers shot him into international celebrity status because of his undeniable chemistry with IU.

Ji Sung

Ji Sung signed with Namoo Actors back in 2010. Since then, he has appeared in many television dramas such as Kill Me Heal Me, Secret Love, Entertainer, Innocent Defendant, RUN, and his newest drama The Devil Judge. His performance in Kill Me Heal Me with Hwang Jung-eum is still loved by fans around the world. His performances in The Devil Judge and Innocent Defendant has made him a household name with his realistic portrayal of such difficult roles.