How cool would it be to have a Korean celebrity as one of your professors?
Imagine walking into class and seeing a famous face at the front of the room. In South Korea, that scenario is more common than you think. Over the years, several Korean stars have stepped into lecture halls to share their real-world experience with students.
From actors to singers, these Korean celebrities prove that fame and academia can go hand in hand.
Here are 14 Korean celebrities who have become professors
Yoo Yeon-seok
Education:
- Sejong University (Bachelor’s degree in Film Arts)
Yoo Yeon-seok, known for his acting in “Hospital Playlist”, “Mr Sunshine”, and “When the Phone Rings,” has been appointed as a professor at Sejong University, his alma mater, for the 2026 Spring semester.
He will be teaching the Multimedia Performance course to senior acting arts majors in the Department of Film Art. Students will learn how to act in different media environments, such as film, musicals, and TV dramas; they’ll then perform in front of Yoo and receive feedback.
He’ll go by Ahn Yeon-seok, his real name, during his professorship at the university.
Lee In-hye
Education:
- Dongguk University (Bachelor’s degree in Theatre – dropped out)
- Seoul Arts and Practical School (Bachelor’s degree in Beauty Arts)
- Korea University (Master’s and PhD in Journalism)
Lee In-hye began her career as a child actress in 1992, receiving acclaim for her roles in dramas like “Sassy Girl Chun-hyang” and “Hwang Jin Yi” in the 2000s.
On top of her acting career, Lee In-hye is a full-time professor in the AI Media Department at Kyungsun University. She was also the youngest to be appointed professorship at 28 years old.
Yoo Ji-tae
Education:
- Dankook University (Bachelor’s in Theatre and Film)
- Catholic University of Korea (Master’s in Social Welfare)
- Chung-Ang University (Master’s in Visual Arts and PhD in Visual Arts)
Yoo Ji-tae launched his acting career in 1998, rising to fame through films “Attack the Gas Station” and “Ditto.”
Yoo is one of the few actors with several degrees. On top of juggling his PhD and acting career, he has been working as a professor at Konkuk University’s Department of Media Acting.
For the 2026 Spring semester, Yoo will teach three classes: Scene Acting 1 (for first-year students), Graduation Film Workshop 1, and Graduation Theatre Project 1.
Kim Yeon-woo
Education:
- Seoul Institute of the Arts (Professional Bachelor’s degree in Applied Music)
- Joongbu University (Bachelor’s degree in Practical Musicology)
Kim Yeon-woo is a South Korean male singer, vocal coach, and professor at Seoul Art College. He teaches practical music and specialised vocal techniques, focusing on vocal training and ballad performance.
He gained fame in the late 1990s as a member of the band Toy and for his successful solo career.
Ryu Seung-ryong
Education:
- Seoul Institute of the Arts (Bachelor’s in Theatre)
Ryu Seung-ryong, known for his work in “Kingdom”, “The Good Bad Mother”, and “Life is Beautiful”, is an adjunct professor at Seoul Art College’s School of Acting Arts.
Aiki
Education:
- Sungshin Women’s University (Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees)
Aiki, dancer and leader of the dance crew Hook, rose to fame through the famous dance show Street Woman Fighter. She was appointed adjunct professor at Sungshin Women’s University’s Department of Dance Art in 2024. For Spring 2026, she’ll be teaching two classes: Dance Workshop Training 1 and Major Dance Practice 5.
She has also taught classes at Dongguk University and spent aweeklong residency at the University of Southern California’s Kaufman School of Dance.
G-Dragon
Education:
- Gukje Cyber University (Bachelor’s in Leisure Sports Studies)
- Sejong University (Master’s degree in Content and Retail Distribution)
- Kyunghee University (postmodern music — dropped out)
G-Dragon hardly needs an introduction as the leader of Big Bang. He was appointed as a visiting professor at KAIST’s Department of Mechanical Engineering in June 2024, with his term set to last until June of this year.
He will be offering special lectures to students and conducting research in “entertech”, or areas that combine AI and robotics with K-content.
Nam Hee-seok
Education:
- Seoul College of Arts (Professional bachelor’s degree in Advertising Creation)
- Dankook University (Bachelor’s degree in Theatre — dropped out)
Comedian Nam Hee-seok has been appointed as a full-time professor at the Daekyeung College in Gyeongsan, South Korea, in the Broadcasting and Master of Ceremonies department. It’s unknown whether he’s still a professor.
Bae Jong-ok
Education:
- Chung-Ang University (Master’s in Film Studies)
- Korea University (PhD in Media and Communication)
Bae Jong-ok, known for her work in “Mr. Queen”, “That Winter, the Wind Blows”, and “Graceful Family”, has been working as a visiting professor at Chung-Ang University since 2003.
She teaches theatre and film studies.
Ock Joo-hyun
Education:
- Kyunghee University (Bachelor’s degree in Theatre and Film)
Former member of FIN.K.L and renowned musical actress, Ock Joo-hyun, was appointed as a part-time musical theatre/applied music professor at Dankook University in 2009.
Min Jin-woong
Education:
- Dankook University (Bachelor’s in Law — dropped out)
- Korea National University of Arts (Bachelor’s in Acting/Art History)
Min Jin-wong has been appointed as a new visiting professor at Cheongwoon University’s Theater and Arts Department in 2025.
He conducted a ‘Practical Acting Class with a Current Actor – Musical Talk Concert’ for students and held Q&A sessions.
Cha In-pyo
Education:
- New Jersey State University (Bachelor’s degree in Economics)
Cha In-pyo, known for his roles in “The Gentlemen of Wolgyesu Tailor Shop” and “Sent From Heaven”, has been appointed as a professor at Kyungil University’s newly founded K-Culture Entertainment Department.
Fun fact: his book “Once We Look at the Same Star” wasselected as required reading/textbook for Oxford University students.
ALi (Cho Yong-jin)
Education:
- Dankook University (Bachelor’s in Life Music and Master’s in Popular Music Production Management)
- Sangmyung University (Completion in Music Technology)
Singer ALi is a professor at Hongik University’s School of Performing Arts and has been teaching since August 2024. She teaches Vocal Ensemble, instructing students to prepare group vocal performances.
She has also taught at Soongeui Women’s University’s Department of Applied Music in 2024, Howon University’s Division of Applied Music in 2022 and Gangdong University’s Department of Applied Music in 2017 and 2018.
Kim Se-hwang
Education:
- Musicians Institute (Doctor of Music in Performance Honoris Causa (Mus. D.)
Kim Se-hwang, a former member of rock band N.EX.T, has taught at several universities.
Seoul Art College (2009 to 2014):
- Professor of Applied Music Department, Instrument Division
- Director of International Relations
- Dean of the Applied Music Department, Instrument Division
KimPo University (2014 to current):
- Faculty of Hallyu Culture at the Department of Performing Arts
Hanyang University (2016 to current):
