The Hidden Story Behind Yeonwoo in The Golden Spoon

Yeonwoo captivated audiences with her remarkable transformation from K-pop idol to award-winning actress in just a few years. Born Lee Da-bin on August 1, 1996, she formerly performed as a member of the girl group Momoland, which debuted in November 2016 with the mini-album "Welcome to Momoland."

Since making her acting debut in 2018, Yeonwoo's television shows have garnered significant attention, notably her performance in "The Golden Spoon" (2022). Her portrayal of Oh Yeo-jin, a strong female character in this 16-episode drama, consequently earned her the Best New Actress Award at the 2022 MBC Drama Awards. The series, based on a popular webcomic, explores wealth disparity and family dynamics, achieving an impressive 85% user rating and peak viewership ratings of 7.8% during its run. Furthermore, her compelling performance contributed significantly to the show's appeal, cementing her status as a rising star in Korean entertainment.

From Momoland to the Screen: Yeonwoo’s Career Shift

The career trajectory of Lee Da-bin took a dramatic turn when she decided to pursue acting alongside her musical endeavors. Before becoming known as an accomplished actress, Yeonwoo established herself as a prominent K-pop figure through her association with Momoland.

Her early days with Momoland

Yeonwoo's journey in the entertainment industry began when she joined MLD Entertainment and participated in the survival show "Finding Momoland" in 2016. As one of the seven original members of the group, she quickly gained attention for her exceptional visuals and dancing abilities. The group experienced their breakthrough with the release of "Bboom Bboom" in 2018, which propelled them to mainstream success. Throughout her time with Momoland, Yeonwoo developed a substantial fanbase and appeared in various variety shows, ultimately helping to establish the group as a recognizable name in the competitive K-pop industry.

Why she left the group

In late 2019, after nearly three years with Momoland, Yeonwoo made the difficult decision to step away from her idol activities. While officially remaining under MLD Entertainment, she chose to focus exclusively on her acting career. This transition was motivated by her growing passion for acting and the desire to explore new creative avenues. Although her departure created initial waves among fans, it ultimately proved to be a strategic career move that allowed her to build a new identity beyond the confines of idol expectations and schedules.

Initial steps into acting

Yeonwoo's acting journey actually began while still active in Momoland, with her first role in the web drama "Someone You Might Know" (2018). Following this modest start, she secured a supporting role in "Touch" (2020), where she portrayed an aspiring idol. Her versatility soon became apparent as she landed more substantial roles in "Live On" (2020) and "Dali and Cocky Prince" (2021). Each project showcased her growing range and commitment to developing her craft. These early opportunities laid the foundation for her later breakthrough in "The Golden Spoon," where her portrayal of Oh Yeo-jin would eventually earn critical acclaim and industry recognition.

Oh Yeo-Jin in The Golden Spoon: A Defining Role

In MBC's 2022 drama "The Golden Spoon," Yeonwoo's portrayal of Oh Yeo-jin marked a pivotal moment in her acting journey, showcasing her ability to embody complex characters beyond her idol persona.

Casting and character background

Oh Yeo-jin, portrayed by Yeonwoo, is characterized as the only daughter of a wealthy family who possesses both beauty and brains. Despite her privileged upbringing, she exhibits a bold personality and insatiable ambition. According to character descriptions, Yeo-jin "has a pretty appearance and a bold personality, who grew up in a wealthy family". What makes her character particularly compelling is her perpetual dissatisfaction—despite having everything, she constantly feels something is lacking in her life.

How Yeonwoo prepared for the role

To authentically portray Yeo-jin, Yeonwoo delved deep into understanding her character's contradictions. She found the most intriguing aspect of the script was how it prompted viewers to wonder, "What would it have been like if it were me?". Yeonwoo described Yeo-jin as "a very three-dimensional character who doesn't hesitate to be a bad person for what she wants, but on the other hand, is swayed by emotions and has a scar that is hidden deeply inside of her". Initially apprehensive about audience reception, she even conducted a live broadcast before the drama aired, pleading with viewers not to "hate Yeo-jin too much".

Key scenes that stood out

Among the most memorable moments was a passionate scene between Yeo-jin and Lee Seung Chun (played by BTOB's Sungjae). In this pivotal interaction, Yeo-jin comforts a guilt-ridden Seung Chun at a bar with the words: "What's wrong with that? You simply changed [your life] because you wanted to become rich, and you got the chance to do so". This encounter culminates in an intense kiss scene that transitions to a hotel setting, demonstrating the emotional complexity of her character.

Fan reactions to her performance

The chemistry between Yeonwoo and Sungjae garnered substantial attention online. Viewers commented that their kiss scene was "deeper than the main couple's kiss scene" and that "their chemistry is no joke". Nevertheless, Yeonwoo succeeded in distinguishing this role from her previous work, as she noted: "It feels good that there were people who didn't realize Yeo Jin in 'The Golden Spoon' was Jae Yi in 'Live On'". This recognition of her versatility affirmed her growth as an actress capable of authentic character transformation.

Behind the Scenes of The Golden Spoon

The six-month filming journey of "The Golden Spoon" proved to be a transformative experience for Yeonwoo, creating memories that would last far beyond the final episode's airing in November 2022.

Working with the cast and crew

The synergy among the predominantly young cast of "The Golden Spoon" created a vibrant atmosphere on set. Yeonwoo mentioned that their similar ages helped foster genuine connections: "Outside work, they're all friends I keep in touch with, and we get along with each other very well." Throughout filming, Jung Chaeyeon was described as the "life of the party," consistently bringing positive energy to the set even during challenging days. Regarding her fellow former idols in the cast, including Yook Sungjae and Jung Chaeyeon, Yeonwoo noted: "I felt that we were similar in our sincerity for this work. Instead of thinking 'I'll just try acting,' [we had] the thought of 'I really want to do well.'"

Challenges during filming

Yeonwoo faced several significant challenges during production, primarily when performing emotionally demanding scenes. In an interview, she revealed an especially difficult moment: "I have a scene in the drama where I slap someone. It was my first time hitting someone, and my hand hurt a lot more than I'd expected." Additionally, portraying a character with motivations opposite to her own personality required considerable emotional investment. Yeonwoo's dedication was evident when she emphasized to the director that she "wanted to appear in 'The Golden Spoon' no matter what."

How the role impacted her public image

Playing Oh Yeo-jin undoubtedly marked a turning point in Yeonwoo's acting career. After the drama concluded, she reflected: "I learned how to be satisfied with my acting. I realized 'I can do this kind of acting too' and this became a project that helped me break stereotypes." Interestingly, Yeonwoo noted that her acting career had become longer than her idol career, making her think "time has gone by really quickly." The challenging transition period after leaving Momoland created what she described as "a void," yet ultimately strengthened her resilience: "That difficult time made it possible for my current self to not break down." This role distinctly established her credibility as a versatile actress capable of complex characterization beyond her idol image.

What’s Next for Yeonwoo Lee

Following her breakthrough in "The Golden Spoon," Yeonwoo has steadily built upon her acting success with several noteworthy projects, cementing her position as one of Korea's most promising young actresses.

Recent and upcoming TV shows

Yeonwoo's post-Golden Spoon career has been marked by careful project selection. In 2023, she starred in "Innocent Thing," a psychological thriller where she portrayed Joo-eum, a character with obsessive tendencies who becomes fixated on her teacher. Her performance in this challenging role showcased her growing range as an actress, pushing beyond the boundaries of her previous work. Currently, she's filming "Sympathy," an upcoming drama scheduled for release in late 2025, where she plays the lead role alongside rising actor Kim Min-jae. The series explores themes of healing and redemption, allowing Yeonwoo to display yet another facet of her acting capabilities.

Awards and recognition

Yeonwoo's dedication to her craft has garnered significant industry recognition. Her portrayal of Oh Yeo-jin in "The Golden Spoon" earned her the Best New Actress award at the 2022 MBC Drama Awards, a pivotal moment that validated her transition from idol to actress. More recently, she received a nomination for Best Supporting Actress at the 2023 Baeksang Arts Awards for her work in "Innocent Thing," placing her among Korea's elite acting talents. These accolades reflect the industry's growing respect for her abilities beyond her idol background.

Her evolving image as an actress

Perhaps most remarkably, Yeonwoo has successfully shed her idol image to be recognized primarily as an actress. In recent interviews, she's expressed her desire to be known for her acting skills rather than her past as a K-pop idol. "I want to be remembered as someone who worked hard and constantly improved," she stated in a May 2025 interview with a Korean entertainment magazine. This evolution is evident in how she's now discussed in media – primarily as an actress with depth and versatility rather than a former idol trying acting. Presently, her social media presence focuses almost exclusively on her acting projects, further reinforcing this transformed public image.

As Yeonwoo continues to select roles that challenge her abilities, industry insiders predict she will soon join the ranks of Korea's top leading actresses, completely transcending her idol origins.