Ma Dong-seok in his teenage years and late 20s, as shared on his Instagram / Captured from Instagram

Actor Ma Dong-seok, 53, shared a series of photos from the past that highlight his transformation over the years on Children's Day, May 5.

The short video compiling photos posted on his Instagram account, titled "When I was young," features six photos ranging from his childhood through to the present.

A highlight was a photo of Ma at 17, which showcased his impressive, sculpted physique that belied his age and a slim face, making him nearly unrecognizable compared to the Ma of today.

Ma Dong-seok in his childhood years / Captured from Instagram

However, it's his photo at 29 that left fans in awe, revealing a dramatically bulked-up physique compared to his teenage years. One fan quipped, "What happened between 17 and 29?"

Other comments were just as humorous: "Were you the kindergarten boss at five?" and "I apologize in advance, bro."

The actor-producer is captivating audiences in his latest film, "The Roundup: Punishment."

Ma Dong-seok's photos from his late 30s and now, shared on May 5 / Captured from Instagram

The movie surpassed 8 million viewers within 13 days of its release on the morning of May 6, breaking the record previously held by "The Outlaws" (2022), the second film in the Crime City series, by five days. Ma, who married actress Ye Jung-hwa in 2021, also announced plans to celebrate their wedding ceremony this May, prompting congratulations from fans.

This article was assisted by generative AI and edited by staff of The Korea Times.