K-Drama Casting Trend: When Agencies Produce and Star Their Own Actors

A growing number of Korean entertainment companies are casting their own actors in dramas they help produce. Actors Kang Hoon and Jang Gyu-ri are the latest examples, both set to headline upcoming tvN dramas backed by their respective agencies.

tvN's "My Favorite Employee" (Choeae-ui Sawon) premieres next month on the 3rd. It marks Kang Hoon's first lead role in a romantic comedy. He plays the male lead and carries the show. His agency, NPIO Entertainment, co-produced the drama.

Kang Hoon debuted in 2014 and has built his filmography across several projects. He raised his profile with the role of Hong Deok-ro in MBC's "The Red Sleeve," which was also produced by NPIO Entertainment. He later broadened his mainstream recognition as a temporary member on SBS's "Running Man" and appeared in "Dear Hyeri" and "The Haunted Palace" (Mesreul Deun Sanyangkkun). "My Favorite Employee" is his first turn anchoring a straight dramatic lead.

tvN's "Four Hands" (Pohaendeu), which premieres August 29, stars Song Kang and Jang Gyu-ri, both signed to Namoo Actors. The agency co-produced the drama. Song Kang shares male lead duties with Lee Jun-young, while Jang Gyu-ri plays the female lead.

For Jang Gyu-ri, "Four Hands" is her first lead role in a straight drama since leaving the group fromis_9. It is also her return to television after about two years, following MBC's "The Midnight Romance in Hagwon" (Jigeum Geosin Jeonhwaneun).

This model is not new. Fantagio produced SBS's "Manager Kim" (Kim Bujang), which featured Fantagio artists Lunate Kael and Yoo Ji-an. Both made their acting debuts with the project and drew steady reviews as newcomers.

For companies handling both management and production, casting their own actors doubles as a business strategy. It expands the actors' range of work and helps develop rookies. Producers who already know an actor's strengths and growth potential also have an edge during casting decisions.

Internal synergy, though, does not guarantee that a cast choice will land. Casting depends on how well an actor fits the role, the creative team's vision, and chemistry with the rest of the ensemble. Leads carry an extra burden. Getting the part is only the start. They have to hold the show together on screen.

Kang Hoon will need to show he can drive a romantic comedy as its lead, and Jang Gyu-ri will need to carry the weight of a straight dramatic lead. Both actors are already in the spotlight because of their agencies' involvement. Whether they justify that casting once the shows air will come down to the performances themselves.