Adorable kid from ‘Reply 1988’ now a 14-year-old student prodigy

Kim Seol, who starred as Jin-ju in “Reply 1988” / Courtesy of tvN, Kim’s social media

The children once beloved by Korean audiences — from star offspring to scene-stealing child actors — are now all grown up, leaving fans amazed by their striking visuals and life updates.

On Monday, a new photo of Kim Seol, the child actress who played Jin-ju in tvN’s 2015 hit “Reply 1988,” went viral after her mother shared it on social media. The post, captioned “2025 Nov. 4 Gifted education program completion ceremony,” showed Kim smiling brightly while holding her certificate.

Only 4 years old when she appeared in “Reply 1988,” Kim, now 14, has grown into a poised young teen — surprising fans who remember her as the show’s adorable toddler.

Lee Jong-hyuk and his son Joon-soo / Xportsnews, captured from Lee's social media

The sons of actor Lee Jong-hyuk — Joon-soo and Tak-soo — also captured attention recently with their own updates. Joon-soo, now a high school senior, announced his preliminary acceptance to Chung-Ang University’s Department of Theater and Performing Arts and Sejong University’s Department of Film Arts. He later shared that he had officially been admitted to Seoul Institute of the Arts, where his father is an alumnus — a detail that fans found heartwarming.

Tak-soo, meanwhile, appeared this year on tvN STORY and Tcast E Channel’s reality show “When Our Kids Fall in Love,” where his warm personality and good looks drew praise from viewers. Both brothers rose to fame as part of MBC’s hit family show “Dad! Where Are We Going?"

Lee Seol-ah / Captured from KBS2, Lee's social media

On Tuesday, another celebrity child made headlines — Seol-ah, the third daughter of former soccer star Lee Dong-gook. Her latest photos revealed a mature new look far removed from her days on KBS 2TV’s “The Return of Superman,” sparking a wave of nostalgia online.

Fans affectionately dubbed “online aunts and uncles” left congratulatory messages, expressing pride in how these once-little stars have grown up.

Many of Korea’s most cherished celebrity children and child actors are now stepping into new chapters — whether in school, entertainment, or everyday life — reminding audiences how quickly time flies since their first television appearances.

This article from Xportsnews is adapted by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.