From G-Dragon to aespa's Karina, stars born in Year of Dragon to shine bright in 2024
Actor Park Seo-joon poses during a press event for the new Netflix series “Gyeongseong Creature” in Yongsan District, Seoul, Dec. 19. Park was born in 1988, the Year of the Earth Dragon. Yonhap
G-Dragon, born in 1988, will establish a foundation for fighting drug abuse after recently being cleared of illegal drug use allegations. Courtesy of Galaxy Corporation
As 2024 marks the Year of the Dragon, it shines a spotlight on individuals born under this special and auspicious Chinese zodiac sign. Known for their creativity, confidence and curiosity, several notable Korean celebrities are dragons of various kinds.
G-Dragon, who debuted as the leader of K-pop boy band BigBang in 2005, turns 36 in 2024. The rapper-singer had a rough year in 2023: He was investigated by police for alleged illegal drug use, but was recently cleared of these charges. He is planning a comeback this year and will establish a foundation to fight drug abuse, according to his new management agency, Galaxy Corporation.
Sharing the Year of the Earth Dragon, 1988, with G-Dragon, actor Park Seo-joon made his Hollywood debut in “The Marvels” and starred in “Concrete Utopia,” Korea’s entry for best international feature film in the 2024 Academy Awards, last year. His latest venture the new Netflix series “Gyeongseong Creature” Part 1 was launched in December, with Part 2 set to be released soon.
Actor Kim Soo-hyun, known for his roles in “My Love from the Star” (2013) and “It’s Okay to Not Be Okay” (2020), is another 1988 “dragon baby.” In 2024, he will star in the highly anticipated romance drama “Queen of Tears,” penned by “Crash Landing on You” writer Park Ji-eun, alongside actor Kim Ji-won.
Also turning 36 is singer-turned-actor Im Si-wan, who is currently leading “Boyhood,” and has been cast in the eagerly awaited second season of Netflix’s megahit series “Squid Game,” scheduled for release in 2024.
Members of K-pop girl band aespa, from left, Giselle, Winter, Ningning and Karina pose during SBS's end-of-year music awards ceremony at the Inspire Arena in Incheon, Dec. 25. Karina and Giselle were born in the Year of the Metal Dragon in 2000. Yonhap
The Year of the Metal Dragon, 2000, has seen the rise of numerous K-pop idols from both third- and fourth-generation groups, formed between 2012 and 2017 and since 2018, respectively.
They include girl group aespa’s Karina and Giselle; former Momoland member Nancy; former CLC member Kwon Eun-bin; Itzy’s Yeji and Lia; Le Sserafim’s Kim Chae-won; and solo artist Lee Chae-yeon.
Male artists from this cohort include Hyunjin, Han, Felix and Seungmin of Stray Kids; Soobin of TXT; Jongho of Ateez; Haechan, Jeno and Jaemin of NCT; Sunwoo and Eric of The Boyz; and Choi Bo-min from Golden Child.
Veteran actor Han Suk-kyu, who has impressed viewers with his role as top surgeon Kim in the series “Dr. Romantic,” was born in 1964, the Year of the Wood Dragon. Courtesy of SBS
Several Korean celebrities born in 1976, the Year of the Fire Dragon, including singer Kim Jong-kook and actors Cha Tae-hyun and Jang Hyuk formed call themselves the "Dragons Club" and, together, they starred in the Korean reality travel show “Couriers in Mongolia” in 2023.
Born in 1964, the Year of the Wood Dragon, veteran actor Han Suk-kyu, who has impressed audiences with his role as top surgeon Kim in the “Dr. Romantic” drama series, marks his 60th birthday this year, a culturally significant milestone in Korean and East Asian traditions, symbolizing the completion of the 60-year sexagenary cycle.
Meanwhile, K-pop pioneer Lee Soo-man, the founder of music label SM Entertainment, and veteran actor Ahn Sung-ki, both born in 1952, the Year of the Water Dragon, remain influential figures in the Korean entertainment landscape.