5urprise: A Throwback to K-Pop's First All-Actors Group

5urprise was a significant departure from the traditional trajectory of K-pop success, as its members were actors first and then musicians

- DEBASHREE DUTTA

5urprise was the first K-pop group featuring five Korean actors-Yoo II, Seo Kang-joon, Gong Myung, Kang Tae-oh, and Lee Tae-hwan-underpinning K-pop's acting-idol trend.

5urprise was a significant departure from the traditional trajectory of K-pop success, as its members were actors first and then musicians. And while it pushed the boundaries between different artistic disciplines, 5urprise testified to Korean popular culture's growing influence.

In 2011, Actors League, an initiative meant to identify potential actors who undergo a period of training ahead of making their debut, was launched by Fantagio, a top Korean entertainment company that also has a name for cultivating and producing artists through specialized training. In 2013, this drive led to the selection of 5urprise's members.