Baek Sung hyun

Career

Baek Sung-hyun made his acting debut in the 1994 film I Wish for What Is Forbidden to Me when he was five years old. The child actor practically grew up onscreen, playing the roles of an adorable son in several MBC series including See and See Again in 1998 and Ajumma (also known as Housewife's Rebellion) in 2000. As he entered his teenage years, he played the younger versions of male protagonists in dramas such as Damo (2003), Emperor of the Sea (2004) and Stairway to Heaven (2003) — the last his breakout role. Critics praised his acting that seemed more mature and romantic for his age.

Director Lee Joon-ik had previously wanted to cast Baek in his films King and the Clown and The Happy Life; he finally got to work with Lee in Blades of Blood (2010). Lee said he cast Baek as the character Gyun-ja who stands between the two main leads Hwang Jung-min and Cha Seung-won for he was "the only actor who can act as much as he can at such a young age," attesting to Baek's strong acting fundamentals.

He has since starred in a number of other films and TV series — sitcom Kokkiri (Elephant) (2008), high school comedy Our School's E.T. (2008), romantic comedy The Accidental Couple (2009), and period drama Queen Insoo (2011).

Of note is Baek's performance as a young marathoner in the four-episode Running, Gu (2010), his acting calm and gravitas in the eight-episode drama special White Christmas (2011), and his leading man turn in the youthful romance Melody of Love (2013).