Appearing on idol survival shows does not always guarantee stardom, and for many trainees, their time on programs like Produce 101 ends quietly. However, Yoon Jae‑chan and Shin Soo‑hyun have proven that a lack of spotlight does not mean a lack of potential. After being eliminated early with little public recognition, both chose a new path acting and successfully rewrote their careers.
Yoon Jae‑chan was eliminated at rank 55 during Produce 101 Season 2 in 2017, leaving the show without much attention. Years later, he caught viewers’ eyes by being cast as the younger version of Ji Sung’s character in the MBC drama The Judge Returns, which aired earlier this year. In a November 2024 interview, Yoon revealed that he had previously auditioned for the role of Ju Ji‑hoon’s younger counterpart in tvN’s Love Your Enemy, only to be rejected. Although he didn’t land that role, the audition left a strong impression on the director, leading him to be cast instead as the younger version of Im Chul‑soo’s character.
His steady rise continued with a role in SBS’s The Winning Try, and his dedication paid off when he received the Best Teamwork Award at the 2025 SBS Drama Awards. For Yoon, who has balanced singing with supporting drama roles over the years, it was a moment that validated his persistence.
Yoon also appeared in MBC’s Doubt, starring veteran actor Han Suk‑kyu. Yoon shared an unforgettable anecdote: he coincidentally met Han Suk‑kyu at a local barbecue restaurant, where the senior actor told him, “Looks like another great actor will come out of our neighborhood.” Yoon later said that those words became a powerful source of motivation.
His momentum continues this year. Following The Judge Returns, Yoon confirmed appearances in SBS’s Sold Out Today and the film A Place to Kill, starring Kim Hye‑yoon marking his first movie role since debut. While expanding his acting career, Yoon has also expressed his intention to continue music activities, aiming to grow steadily in both fields.
Notably, nearly two years after failing the Ju Ji‑hoon younger counterpart audition, Yoon landed the role of Ji Sung’s younger self—a clear example of how he turned rejection into opportunity. Rather than giving up, he rebuilt his path role by role, leading to a string of high‑profile projects.
Shin Soo‑hyun shares a similar journey. Before becoming an actress, she appeared on JTBC’s Mixnine in 2017 and Produce 48 in 2018, but was eliminated during the first round both times. With little screen time or impact, many viewers barely remember her participation.
In 2019, Shin made a fresh start by debuting as an actress in KBS2’s Woman of 9.9 Billion. Her recognition grew significantly after the release of TVING’s Study Group in January last year. She is currently appearing in KBS2’s weekend drama Our Golden Days and Netflix’s Cashero, steadily showcasing her range and solid acting skills.
Shin has also secured a role in the highly anticipated Disney+ original series Portraits of Delusion, starring Suzy and Kim Seon‑ho one of the most talked‑about upcoming projects of the year.
While countless trainees pass through idol audition programs only to fade from public memory, Yoon Jae‑chan and Shin Soo‑hyun stand out for discovering new possibilities beyond the stage. Their journeys from overlooked survival show contestants to steadily rising actors highlight that success in the entertainment industry does not follow just one path, and that quiet persistence can sometimes lead to the most meaningful breakthroughs.
Sources: Daum