When Joyce Guerra arrived in Korea in 2015, she did not plan to become an actress. Like many international students, she came to Korea to study. She pursued a master’s degree in Business Administration at Sookmyung Women’s University, inspired by her growing interest in Korean culture and K-dramas such as Dream High.
Today, more than ten years later, Joyce is a familiar face in Korean film and television. She has appeared in over 80 K-dramas and films while continuing to work full-time in the corporate sector. Joyce is now based in Seoul and manages two careers at the same time. On weekdays, she works in the foreign exchange and funding department of a fintech company. On weekends and holidays, she works as an actress on drama and film sets, slowly building her place in Korea’s entertainment industry.
Her acting journey began in 2016, one year after moving to Korea. At first, acting was simply a way for her to stay busy and active while living abroad. Over time, it became a serious interest. She made her drama debut in 2017 and later appeared in well-known series such as True Beauty, Hospital Playlist, All of Us Are Dead, The Glory, Record of Youth, Extraordinary You, and Arthdal Chronicles.
Throughout her career, Joyce has worked with many well-known Korean actors. She appeared alongside Moon Ga-young and Cha Eun-woo in True Beauty, Jo Jung-suk in Hospital Playlist, Song Joong-ki in Arthdal Chronicles, and Lee Jung-jae in Big Bet. She also took part in The Encounter, which starred Song Hye-kyo and Park Bo-gum. Joyce has described this experience as a dream come true. In All of Us Are Dead, she worked on a large Netflix production with young actors Park Ji-hu and Yoon Chan-young.
While Joyce was first known for her background and supporting roles in television, an important change in her career came through film. She was cast in “Move to Mind” (감동주의보 Gamdongjuuibo), her first movie role with significant screen time. In the film, she played a character with emotional depth and an important role in the story. This project allowed her to show her abilities as an actress and marked an important step in her growth in the Korean film industry.
Her appearance in True Beauty later brought her wider public attention, especially among Filipino viewers who were happy to recognize a fellow Filipino on screen. Media outlets in both Korea and the Philippines reported on her story. Despite the attention, Joyce continued to focus on her responsibilities at work and often returned to her office job late at night after filming.
In 2025, Joyce reached another milestone when she was cast in the K-drama Ms. Incognito. She plays Jenny, a Filipino character who supports the lead while hiding an important truth. The drama stars Jeon Yeo-been and Jinyoung of B1A4. For Joyce, the role was especially meaningful because it was the first time she officially portrayed a Filipino character in a mainstream Korean drama.
Beyond her personal achievements, Joyce sees her work as a way to connect cultures. She hopes to act as a bridge between Korea and the Philippines and help improve understanding between the two countries. What began as a hobby has become a true passion and a source of inspiration for others who wish to build a life abroad.
Joyce has expressed her gratitude for the support she has received and shared her wish to continue living in Korea while exploring more opportunities. Whether she is working in an office or acting on set, her story shows how multicultural experiences are becoming a natural part of Korean society.
As Korean films and dramas continue to reach audiences around the world, Joyce Guerra’s journey shows that the Korean Wave is not only shared globally, but also shaped by people from many different countries.
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