January may be bitter cold in many parts of the world. But it’s also the month that these 10 global stars were born, helping to make the world a little more warm and fuzzy! As we wish all of these great stars a very happy birthday, here are some little-known facts about these stars that you may be surprised to find out!
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Claim to Fame: Former Mexican beauty queen-turned-actress of such hit telenovelas as “Eva Luna”
Surprising Fact: Blanca Soto is adept at working as a “dubbing actress,” doing voice-overs of characters from English to Spanish in two films, including voicing Mary Magdalene in 2014’s “Son of God.”
Surprising Fact: Blanca Soto is adept at working as a “dubbing actress,” doing voice-overs of characters from English to Spanish in two films, including voicing Mary Magdalene in 2014’s “Son of God.”
Kim Young Kwang — January 11
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Claim to Fame: Former model who walked the runways of major designers like Alexander McQueen, Vivienne Westwood and Dior Homme but is now heralded for his acting in such hit dramas as “Plus Nine Boys” and “Pinocchio”
Surprising Fact: Kim Young Kwang’s father was a former Vietnam War vet and a “person of national merit,” which means that Kim Young Kwang is only required to serve six months of mandatory military service (rather than two years). Kim Young Kwang fulfilled his six-month service in the first half of 2014.
D.O. — January 12
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Claim to Fame: Known for his singing ability as the lead vocalist for EXO-K, the Korean subgroup of the Korean-Chinese boy band EXO; but also won Best New Actor awards for his role in the popular 2014 K-drama “It’s Okay, That’s Love”
D.O. — January 12
Claim to Fame: Known for his singing ability as the lead vocalist for EXO-K, the Korean subgroup of the Korean-Chinese boy band EXO; but also won Best New Actor awards for his role in the popular 2014 K-drama “It’s Okay, That’s Love”
Surprising Fact: D.O. knows how to cook, doing most of the cooking duties for the members of EXO!
Lego Li — January 12
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Claim to Fame: Taiwanese actor who has starred in the hit dramas “Aim High” and “In a Good Way”
Surprising Fact: Although he is only 5 foot 8 inches tall, Lego Li is quite the athlete. He won a high jump competition in Taipei in 2003. Educated at the National Taiwan College of Physical Education, Lego Li has said that he wants to teach physical education if he ever leaves the entertainment industry.
Lee Bo Young — January 12
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Claim to Fame: South Korean actress who starred in the hit dramas “God’s Gift — 14 Days” and “I Hear Your Voice”; married to actor Ji Sung, who is currently starring in “Kill Me, Heal Me,” and expecting their first child in July
Surprising Fact: Lee Bo Young is the voice of “Hye Sung,” Dal Po’s (played by Lee Jong Suk, her co-star from “I Hear Your Voice”) “girlfriend” who is actually his car navigation system in Episode 3 of the currently airing hit drama “Pinocchio”!
Jung Yoo Mi — January 18
Surprising Fact: Although he is only 5 foot 8 inches tall, Lego Li is quite the athlete. He won a high jump competition in Taipei in 2003. Educated at the National Taiwan College of Physical Education, Lego Li has said that he wants to teach physical education if he ever leaves the entertainment industry.
Lee Bo Young — January 12
Claim to Fame: South Korean actress who starred in the hit dramas “God’s Gift — 14 Days” and “I Hear Your Voice”; married to actor Ji Sung, who is currently starring in “Kill Me, Heal Me,” and expecting their first child in July
Surprising Fact: Lee Bo Young is the voice of “Hye Sung,” Dal Po’s (played by Lee Jong Suk, her co-star from “I Hear Your Voice”) “girlfriend” who is actually his car navigation system in Episode 3 of the currently airing hit drama “Pinocchio”!
Jung Yoo Mi — January 18
Claim to Fame: Award-winning South Korean actress of such popular dramas as “Discovery of Love” and “I Need Romance 2”
Surprising Fact: Jung Yoo Mi shares the same name as another popular Korean actress who starred in the dramas “Rooftop Prince” and “A Thousand Days’ Promise.” But this Jung Yoo Mi’s acclaimed acting in many indie films, cult classics and melodramas for both film and television have garnered her many Best Actress awards since 2005.
Paula Taylor — January 20
Claim to Fame: Thai model and actress born to a British father and Thai mother in Bangkok but grew up with her family in Australia; she rose to fame after competing in “The Amazing Race Asia 2” in 2007 and has starred in the Thai series “True Love Next Door Season 1” and “True Love Next Door Season 2”
Surprising Fact: Paula Taylor is an active YouTuber under the channel “Paulaandbaby,” where she likes to post videos containing beauty tips and cooking demos with her adorable daughter.
Song Chang Eui — January 24
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Claim to Fame: Acclaimed South Korean musical theater actor who has successfully crossed over to film and television, notably starring in the currently airing drama “Dr. Frost,” as well as “The Woman Who Married Three Times” and “Heartstrings”
Surprising Fact: Song Chang Eui is a huge baseball fan, even playing pitcher on a celebrity team in the past. He is estimated to throw a ball at 120 kilometers!
Claim to Fame: Acclaimed South Korean musical theater actor who has successfully crossed over to film and television, notably starring in the currently airing drama “Dr. Frost,” as well as “The Woman Who Married Three Times” and “Heartstrings”
Surprising Fact: Song Chang Eui is a huge baseball fan, even playing pitcher on a celebrity team in the past. He is estimated to throw a ball at 120 kilometers!
Hwang Jung Eum — January 25
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Claim to Fame: Debuted as a singer in the South Korean girl group Sugar in 2002 but shot to fame for her acting roles, including her starring roles in the currently airing drama “Kill Me, Heal Me,” as well as her roles in “Endless Love,” “Secret,” “Incarnation of Money,” “Golden Time” and “Can You Hear My Heart?”
Surprising Fact: Watch the music video that launched Hwang Jung Eum’s long-term relationship with Kim Yong Jun of SG Wannabe!
Lee Yoo Ri — January 28
Claim to Fame: Debuted as an actress in 2001 and is now one of the most recognized faces, thanks to her role in last year’s No. 1 hit drama “Jang Bo Ri Is Here;” also starred in “I Love You, Don’t Cry”
Surprising Fact: Lee Yoo Ri’s role as the villain Min Jung in “Jang Bo Ri Is Here” elevated the actress to household-name status, earning her the Grand Prize at the 2014 MBC Drama Awards and ranking her in the Top 5 of Gallup Korea’s “Actor of the Year” recognition, second only to Kim Soo Hyun!
We wish all of these great stars a happy birthday this month! Which star born in January is your favorite? Let us know in the comments!
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