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| The world-famous Lee Min Ho (left) vs. the less-famous Lee Min Ho! |
Unlike the Screen Actors Guild in the United States, which prohibits two working actors from having identical names, no such rules must apply in Korea. Many celebrities in Korea have the same Romanized names, which is unfortunate for the star who is lesser known. The less famous of the stars sharing the same name often get relegated to the title of the “other.”
Below are eight sets of stars who share the same name. Which is your bias? Let us know in the comments!
Lee Min Ho of ‘Heirs’ vs. Lee Min Ho of ‘Rooftop Prince’
Unfortunately for most Hallyu fans, there’s only one Lee Min Ho (pictured above left). The star of “Heirs,” “The Great Doctor (aka Faith),” “City Hunter,” “Personal Taste” and “Boys Over Flowers” overshadows the younger Lee Min Ho of “The Blade and Petal,” “Rooftop Prince” and “The Moon Embracing the Sun” fame.
Kim Soo Hyun of ‘My Love From the Star’ vs. Kim Soo Hyun the Actress
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| The one-and-only Kim Soo Hyun vs. the actress who shares his name |
Like Lee Min Ho, fans of Kim Soo Hyun of “My Love From the Star” probably don’t care that there is actress out there who goes by the same name. The female Kim Soo Hyun also is known by her American name, Claudia Kim, and will star in the upcoming Hollywood film “Avengers: Age of Ultron” and appeared in the K-drama “7th Grade Civil Servant.”
Kim Young Kwang the Soccer Star vs. Kim Young Kwang of ‘Pinocchio’
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| Soccer star Kim Young Kwang vs. Kim Young Kwang of ‘Pinocchio’ |
Kim Young Kwang, of the hit dramas “Pinocchio” and “Plus Nine Boys,” is gaining popularity as an actor, but he shares his name with the already-famous soccer star, who was a part of the 2004 South Korean Olympic soccer team and the 2006 FIFA World Cup team and currently plays for the Gyeongnam FC.
Nam Ji Hyun of ‘What Happens to My Family?’ vs. Nam Ji Hyun of 4Minute
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| Nam Ji Hyun of ‘What Happens to My Family?’ vs. Nam Ji Hyun of 4Minute |
Actress Nam Ji Hyun is making a name for herself in the currently-airing hit drama “What Happens to My Family?” (winning the Best New Actress Award at the 2014 KBS Drama Awards for her role) and “Angel Eyes.” But the older singer Nam Ji Hyun of the popular girl group 4Minute also is branching out into acting, with her leading role in the online drama “Love Cells” in 2014.
Kim Joon Soo of JYJ vs. Kim Joon Soo/Kim Min Joon of 2PM vs. Kim Min Joon the Actor
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| Kim Joon Soo of JYJ (left) vs. Kim Joon Soo/Kim Min Joon of 2PM vs. Kim Min Joon the actor |
In an interesting name change, Kim Joon Soo of 2PM changed his name to Kim Min Joon in 2013. With his real name, the singer had the same name as Kim Joon Soo of JYJ. But with his new name, he also has the same name as the actor Kim Min Joon, who currently stars in “Seonam Girls’ High School Investigators”!
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Jung Yoo Mi of ‘Rooftop Prince’ vs. Jung Yoo Mi of ‘Discovery of Love’ |
They look nothing alike, but Jung Yoo Mi of “Rooftop Prince” and “A Thousand Days’ Promise” shares her name with Jung Yoo Mi of “Discovery of Love” and “I Need Romance 2.”
Kim Ki Bum of SHINee vs. Kim Ki Bum of Super Junior vs. Kim Ki Bum formerly of U-KISS
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| Kim Ki Bum of SHINee (left) vs. Kim Ki Bum of Super Junior (middle) vs. Kim Ki Bum formerly of U-KISS |
When you share your name with a few other Korean stars, it’s good to have a stage name to use instead. Kim Ki Bum of the boy band SHINee goes by his stage name Key, while Kim Ki Bum, formerly of U-KISS, also is known as Allen Kim. Kim Ki Bum of Super Junior is using his real name as he is on hiatus from the boy band and is concentrating on his acting career. He has appeared in such popular dramas as “A Tree With Deep Roots” and “I Love Lee Tae Ri.”
Kim Hyun Joo of ‘What Happens to My Family?’ vs. Han Ga In of ‘The Moon Embracing the Sun’
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Kim Hyun Joo of ‘What Happens to My Family?’ vs. Han Ga In of ‘The Moon Embracing the Sun’ |
Although her real name is Kim Hyun Joo, Han Ga In of “The Moon Embracing the Sun” fame goes by a different stage name. That may be a smart move so that she doesn’t get confused with the popular actress Kim Hyun Joo of “What Happens to My Family?”
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