Separated at Birth?

By Han Eun-jung
Staff Reporter

The show business is always on the search for fresh faces. Kate Moss was discovered standing in line at JFK International Airport and actress Nam Sang-mi was working at a fast food restaurant in Seoul when a talent agent picked her up.

But if the business is on the constant lookout for the new and unique, then why is it that fans often run across an actor or singer who seems remotely familiar?

Does it have to with the ever-changing standard of beauty and how both agents and aspiring celebrities keep up the rush to jump in the game?

Take a moment to take a close look at some of today's most talked about celebrities and you may notice that what they share in common doesn't stop so much at the attention they garner, but their looks _ their resemblances are sometimes uncanny.

Just how much do you think these stars look alike?

Hwang Soo-jung and Go Hyun-jung

In 1996 Go Hyun-jung announced her engagement and signed out of show business, only to return earlier this year after her divorce. But in '96, fans weren't sad for long, as it was just about that time when Hwang Su-jung entered the scene. Like Ko, Hwang too had sparkling black eyes, a full figure and plump face _ the kind of face Koreans think brings good luck. It is a shame to say, however, the popular Hwang disappeared from the public eye after a 2001 arrest for drugs and has not managed a come back since.


Park Jin-woo and Moon Geun-young

Korea's love affair with Moon Geun-young all started with her heartbreaking performance as Song Hye-kyo as a child in 2000's "Kaul Tonghwa (Autumn in my Heart)". Today she is one of the most sought after teenage actresses in "Hallyuwood". Her most current work was "Innocent Steps (Taensoui Sunjong)". Park Jin-woo, who has a supporting actor part in the MBC sitcom "New Nonstop 5" is quickly making his way into the scene. Today, he can be seen in the KBS2 drama "Kunyoga Torawatta". Moon and Park look so much alike they can be mistaken for as twins and actually have worked together. Park was that baseball player Moon has a crush on in the movie "Orin Sinbu (My Little Bride)".


Park Han-byul and Jun Ji-hyun

Internet users were quick to take notice of Park Han-byul. Her uncanny resemblance to "My Sassy Girl" star Jun Ji-hyun quickly made the "just-your-average-high school student", who liked to post pictures of herself on the Internet, become an online celebrity. Upon graduation she's gone on to do movies and TV soaps, but even so, to this day Park is more often referred to as a "Jun-look alike"


Lee Ji-hyun-IV and Lee So-ra

A decade has past since Lee So-ra came in first place in a Super Elite Model Contest and, at 35, she is said to be a headturner at fashion events, parties and other functions. Nowadays, she hosts a weekly entertainment show "Yonyega Chunggye". Lee Ji-hyun, on the other hand, nine years Lee's junior, debuted in the 2000 film "Mi-in". It's hard not to notice their similar features: almond shaped eyes, sultry smiles and fabulous bodies.