From left, Jang Da-ah, Kim Ji-yoon and Han Ji-min / Xportsnews

When Korean stars talk about childhood popularity, the punchline is rarely that someone else was more famous. But actress Han Ji-min recently did exactly that — saying her older sister, not she, was the one classmates adored — sparking renewed online fascination with celebrity siblings whose looks rival the idols themselves.

Han said on a recent YouTube variety show appearance that she “wasn’t popular” in school and that “my sister was more famous than me,” adding she had been known as her sister’s “picky little sibling” who would sometimes hang up calls meant for her. The candid anecdote resurfaced past photos of the sisters that had already drawn attention for their shared features and elegant image.

Han Ji-min / Captured from YouTube channel Fairy Jaehyung

The moment quickly folded into a broader Korean internet trope: the “celebrity sister” phenomenon. In Korea’s image-focused pop culture — where image is central to idol branding — family members of stars often go viral when their resemblance becomes known.

Jang Da-ah, left, and Jang Won-young / Courtesy of TVING, Xportsnews

One of the most cited examples is Jang Da-ah, older sister of IVE’s Jang Won-young. Even before her acting debut, her school ID photo circulated widely on Korean forums and social media, with users praising her “pure and refined” aura and noting a different charm from her sister’s doll-like idol image. She formally debuted as an actress in the 2024 TVing original series “Pyramid Game,” where viewers said she delivered a stable performance in a cool-toned role.

Kim Ji-yoon / Captured from Kim's social media

Another frequently mentioned figure is Kim Ji-yoon, older sister of BLACKPINK’s Jisoo. An influencer, she gained attention under the nickname “Gunpo Han Hyo-joo,” referencing actress Han Hyo-joo due to her similarly elegant visuals. Kim has previously worked as a Korean Air flight attendant and an SK Telecom customer service representative and recently appeared on ENA’s seller survival program “Super Seller.”

Korean online users often frame such cases as evidence of “superior DNA,” a playful phrase common in local fandom culture to describe striking family resemblance among attractive siblings. As photos and anecdotes about these sisters recirculate, the idea that top stars’ looks may run in the family continues to generate buzz.

Source: Korea Times News