“Who's Your Father?” Singers with Legendary K-Pop Dads: Talent That Runs in the Family

In recent years, the Korean entertainment world has seen a new trend emerge—children of iconic 90s singers are stepping into the spotlight, following in their parents' footsteps as performers. With undeniable talent that seems to run in the family, many are proving that the saying “the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree” couldn’t be more true.

1. Top Composer from the 90s, Yoon Sang and His Son RIIZE’s Anton

Singer and composer Yoon Sang (real name Lee Yoon-sang) made his debut in November 1990 with his first album, Yoon Sang. He quickly rose to fame with hit songs like “In the Shadow of Parting,” which became a sensation at the time.

Beyond his success as a singer, Yoon Sang also built a prolific career as a composer. One of his most iconic works is “Violet Fragrance,” written for singer Kang Su-ji. The song became a massive hit upon its release, instantly launching the then-unknown Kang Su-ji into stardom.

“Violet Fragrance” remains a beloved classic, and its enduring appeal has led to numerous remakes by artists like Click-B and Jeon Mi-do, each offering their own unique vocal interpretation.

Anton, the vocalist of RIIZE, was born to music legend Yoon Sang and actress Shim Hye-jin. Since his debut, Anton has appeared alongside his father on shows like You Quiz on the Block, where he shared how he grew up listening to his father’s music and dreaming of becoming an artist himself. Now, that dream has become a reality.

RIIZE is SM Entertainment’s first new boy group in seven years since NCT, and the company poured significant resources and anticipation into their debut. While Yoon Sang initially discouraged his son from pursuing an idol career, Anton insisted on following his own path—auditioning on his own and firmly denying any rumors that his father helped him get in.

Now, seeing his son on stage, Yoon Sang has had a change of heart. He proudly says, “These days, people call me the father of a RIIZE member,” unable to hide his pride and joy.

2. Sim Shin, a 90s Heartthrob, and His Daughter Belle from 'KISS OF LIFE'

One standout example is Belle, a member of the rookie girl group 'KISS OF LIFE' and daughter of 90s heartthrob Sim Shin.

Sim Shin rose to fame in 1990 with his hit song “One and Only You” and was one of the most popular singers of his era. In 2012, he appeared on the SBS variety show ''Star Junior Show Bungeoppang'' with his daughter Sim Hye-won, charming viewers with their close bond.

Although Sim Hye-won didn’t immediately pursue a career in front of the camera, she steadily built her presence behind the scenes. She made a name for herself as a songwriter, contributing to tracks for artists like LE SSERAFIM and (G)I-DLE’s Miyeon. Her songwriting talent earned her respect in the industry before she eventually stepped into the spotlight herself.

In 2023, she debuted as Belle in the four-member girl group ''KISS OF LIFE'' under S2 Entertainment. Belle has since gained recognition as the group’s main vocalist, praised for her powerful vocals and smooth dance skills. With her steady rise and undeniable talent, she’s quickly carving out a place for herself in the K-pop scene—just like her father once did in the 90s.

Park Nam-jung made his debut in 1988 with the hit song 'Oh, Wind', becoming a pop culture icon in Korea with his signature robot dance and the viral “ㄱㄴ” (giyeok-nieun) moves. With his striking looks, strong vocals, and dynamic stage presence, he captivated a generation and quickly rose to fame as one of Korea’s most beloved entertainers.

His eldest daughter, Park Si-eun, first entered the entertainment industry as a child actress, appearing in acclaimed dramas like 'Six Flying Dragons', and 'Signal', gradually building public recognition.

But she didn’t stop there. Determined to carve her own path in music, Si-eun transitioned from acting to K-pop, debuting in 2020 as a member of the girl group STAYC. As the group’s main vocalist, she’s been praised for her stable vocal skills and has built a loyal fanbase. STAYC has since released a string of hits, including ASAP, RUN2U, POPPY, Teddy Bear, MEOW, and GPT. Most recently, they dropped their 5th single album BEBE in March, continuing their streak of success.

Park Nam-jung has been a proud and supportive father throughout his daughter’s idol journey. He’s joined Si-eun in promoting her group’s releases—filming dance challenge videos for STAYC songs and even appearing together on shows like Knowing Bros, where their father-daughter dance chemistry stole the spotlight. From ’80s legend to K-pop dad, Park Nam-jung is cheering just as loudly now as his fans did back then.

In 2024, Sieun’s younger sister and Park Nam-jung’s second daughter, Park Si-woo, also stepped into the spotlight with dreams of joining the entertainment industry. She appeared on the KBS2 variety audition show 'The DdanDdaRa', but was unfortunately eliminated after not being selected by Park Jin-young (JYP).

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