Some of the most prominent things that South Korea is renowned for are K-pop and K-dramas. Their high-quality dramas and movies star some of the most famous South Korean actors and actresses.
A prominent feature is that these films are made to appeal to the South Korean audience instead of portraying aspects of the western film industry. They have their unique style, which has a stark difference from the television series and movies produced in Hollywood.
With high-quality production value, diverse storytelling, and the most famous Korean actors, Korean dramas have slowly made their way into people’s hearts across the world.
What are K-dramas
What is popularly known as K-drama actually stands for Korean drama. A Korean drama is a television series that is made in South Korea and stars some of the most famous Korean actors.
Hallyu wave
One of the main reasons that K-dramas are so popular worldwide is due to the ‘Korean wave,’ or the ‘Hallyu wave.’ This is the spread of Korean pop culture across the globe and its availability worldwide on OTT platforms that offer subtitles in many different languages.
Since Korean dramas have reached every corner of the world, it has a huge impact on other countries as well. Korean movies and shows have gained a lot of attention for their style, fashion, and culture. This has led to a great boost in industries such as fashion and make-up, and the most famous Korean actors gained a lot of recognition globally.
Who Are the Most Famous Korean Actors
Not only have K-drama stars found their place as some of the most talented and the most famous Korean actors, but the industry creates multiple opportunities for great Korean actors and actresses to rise to fame. There may be innumerable actors on the rise, but this list is for the most famous Korean actors over the years.
So, if you, like most of us, have been swept up by the Hallyu wave, this list of most famous Korean actors is for you!
1) Lee Min-Ho
K-drama
He played the lead role in the following television series: Personal Taste, The Heirs, City Hunter, The Legend of the Blue Sea. His other works include- The King: Eternal Monarch, Faith, and Boys Over Flowers. He is also cast as the lead role in Apple’s upcoming series ‘Pachinko’.
Lee Min-Ho also starred in a mini-web series called Line Romance.
Movies
Some of his films include Bounty Hunters, Gangnam Blues, and Public Enemy Returns. Bounty Hunters was his first China-produced film.
More about the actor
Lee Min-ho is a South Korean actor, model, singer, businessman, and creative director.
One of his most popular works is Boys Over Flowers, which was a remake of the Japanese series Hana Yori Dango. He starred alongside Kim Bum, Kim Hyun Joong, and Kim Joon.
He played the role of Gu Jun-Pyo, who was a young chaebol heir. This role led to his popularity shooting up overnight, making Lee Min-Ho a heartthrob among millions of fans and earning his place as one of the most famous Korean actors.
He received the best new actor award at the 45th Baeksang Arts Awards for this series. Despite his rare appearances in movies, Lee Min-Ho won the Grand Bell Award for Best New Actor for his amazing performance in Gangnam Blues.
Lee Min-Ho is the first Korean actor to have a wax figure made at Madame Tussauds Museums. His figures can be seen in the museums in Shanghai and Hong Kong.
His success on television dramas made him a top Hallyu star, with a huge following on all social media. Lee Min-Ho is the most followed Korean actor on Instagram with 28 million followers.
Lee Min Ho had enlisted for his mandatory military service from 2018 to 2019. After which, he continued to work on more dramas and kept his title as one of the most famous Korean actors.
2) Kim Soo Hyun
K-drama
Kim Soo Hyun made his debut with the series Kimchi Cheese Smile and played his first lead role as Han Jae-ta in Jungle Fish. Some of his other work includes One Ordinary Day, Moon Embracing the Sun, My Love from the Star, Dream High, and It’s Okay to Not Be Okay.
He has also made several special appearances in shows starring other famous Korean actors. Some of these are Dream High 2, Hotel Del Luna, and Crash Landing on You.
Movies
Kim Soo Hyun starred in movies like Real and Secretly, Greatly. He has also starred in a few short films, such as Cherry Blossom, Worst Friends, and The Thieves.
More about the actor
After the release of Dream High, Kim Soo Hyun became a household name in South Korea as one of the most famous Korean actors. His other shows, like Moon Embracing the Sun, only further skyrocketed his fame.
He has consistently been known as one of the most talented and handsome, and famous Korean actors, making him a very popular Hallyu star.
Kim Soo Hyun has also recorded songs for some of the dramas that he has starred in.
He has won two Grand Bell Awards, which is South Korea’s version of the Academy Awards. He is one of the biggest names in Korean drama. He has also won several Baeksang Arts Awards for his acting.
Kim Soo Hyun earned a wax figure made in his image at Madame Tussauds museums in Asia. He was also a part of Forbes ’30 Under 30 Asia’ list, which includes 30 influential people under the age of 30 who have made a great impact in their fields.
3) So Ji Sub
K-drama
His first lead role was in a time travel historical drama, Thousand Years of Love. He has starred in many popular Korean dramas like Oh My Venus, Master’s Sun, Cain and Abel, My Secret Terrius, Phantom, and Sorry, I Love You.
Movies
Some of his movies include- Always, The Battleship Island, and Be With You.
More about the actor
Starting out his career as a jeans model, So Ji Sub made his acting debut in Three Guys and Three Girls. Despite being a familiar face on Korean television since the 1990s, he only rose to stardom after 2004, with the critically acclaimed show ‘I’m Sorry, I Love You’.
His performance in the Korean Drama ‘My Secret Terrius’ gained him a lot of recognition and the grand prize at the MBC Drama Awards. He has also won multiple Baeksang Arts Awards, unsurprisingly, since he has been one of the most famous Korean actors for the past few years.
Other than his acting career, So Ji Sub has released many hip-hop albums and also taken part in recording the soundtracks for some of the shows that he has starred in. He has published several magazines and books of photo essays for his fans.
4) Lee Jong Suk
K-drama
Lee Jong Suk made his official debut as an actor with the television series ‘Prosecutor Princess.’ His breakthrough role was of Go Nam-soon in’ School 2013′.
He has starred in multiple shows like While You Were Sleeping, W Two Worlds, I Can Hear Your Voice, Pinocchio, Romance is a Bonus Book, Doctor Stranger, and The Hymn of Death.
He was also cast in the web series 7 First Kisses.
Movies
Lee Jong Suk made his debut on the big screen with the horror movie ‘Ghost’. Some of his other movies include As One, V.I.P., R2B: Return to Base, No Breathing, Hot Young Bloods, and The Face Reader.
More about the actor
Lee Jong Suk debuted as a runway model in 2005, making him the youngest model to ever participate in Seoul Fashion Week.
He is often found in lead roles in romance series, which he is renowned for, and has won multiple awards for the same. His fantasy thriller ‘W’ topped multiple charts and earned him the Daesang (grand prize) at the MBC Drama Awards. He is one of the most famous Korean actors of his generation.
5) Park Bo Gum
K-drama
Park Bo Gum played his first major role in the drama ‘Wonderful Mama,’ where he played the role of a playboy. Some of his most famous shows are Wonderful Days, Hello Monster, Reply 1988, Encounter, Love in the Moonlight, and Record Youth.
He has also made a cameo in multiple shows like Bridal Mask, The Producer, and Itaewon Class.
Movies
Park Bo Gum debuted as an actor in the thriller film ‘Blind,’ playing a supporting role. His other films include Runway Cop, Coin Locker Girl, A Hard Day, and Seo Bok.
He is also set to star in the upcoming Netflix film ‘Wonderland,’ which is a South Korean fantasy sci-fi.
More about the actor
He is known for his versatile acting and his ability to play several different types of roles while also doing them justice, earning him a spot as one of the most famous Korean actors.
Apart from acting, Park Bo Gum has ventured into music as well. He recorded the OST for Love in the Moonlight. He also released his debut album ‘blue bird’ in 2020, which also includes the track ‘Bloomin.’
He was the youngest male actor to be named Gallup Korea’s Television Actor of the Year. He was also the first actor to top the Korea Power Celebrity list by Forbes.
Park Bo Gum is set to be discharged from the mandatory military service on 30th April, 2022.
6) Hyun Bin
K-drama
Hyun Bin made his acting debut with the television series called ‘Bodyguard’ in 2003. He starred in a romantic comedy series, ‘My Lovely Sam Soon’ in 2005, which led to a sudden rise in his fame.
One of his most popular shows was ‘Secret Garden,’ which gained international attention for its music, fashion, and catchphrases. Other shows include Memories of Alhambra, Worlds Within, Crash Landing On You, and The Snow Queen.
Movies
His first film was ‘Shower,’ which was being produced in 2002. However, it was never released because of a lack of funding. His debut film was a teen sports movie called ‘Spin Kick.’
Some of his movies include A Millionaire’s First Love, The Fatal Encounter, Rampant, The Swindlers, and The Negotiation.
More about the actor
South Korean are known for their versatile projects and amazing acting abilities, and Hyun Bin is a perfect example of that. Hyun Bin has been a favorite face on South Korean television dramas ever since his beautiful performance in the series called ‘My Lovely Sam Soon.’
His most recent Korean drama was ‘Crash Landing On You,’ which earned immense popularity globally.
Over the years, Hyun Bin has been nominated for several actor awards, including five nominations at the Baeksan Arts Awards, and has gained global recognition and several grand prizes.
Being one of the highest-paid actors, Hyun Bin is acknowledged as one of the most famous Korean actors and performers of his generation.
7) Ji Chang Wook
K-drama
Ji Chang Wook played his first main role in the drama ‘Smile Again.’ He also starred in dramas such as Healer, Warrior Baek Dong Soo, Backstreet Rookie, The Empress Ki, The K2, Melting Me Softly, and Suspicious Partner.
It has been confirmed that Ji Chang Wook will star in the upcoming Netflix show ‘The Sound of Magic,’ alongside Hwang In-Youp and Choi Sung-Eun.
Movies
Ji Chang Wook made his official debut in 2008 with the film ‘Sleeping Beauty.’ He can be seen in movies such as Fabricated City, Restricted Call, and Death Bell 2: Bloody Camp.
He was also the voice actor for the Korean dub for the movie ‘Your Name.’
More about the actor
Ji Chang Wook has played multiple different roles and starred in several different genres like action, romance, and historical dramas. His versatility makes him one of the most famous Korean actors.
He had started his career in musical theatre, making his debut on the big screen in the film ‘Days.’ He also played a small role in the television drama ‘You Stole My Heart.’
He rose to fame after his performance in Smile Again, which topped the rating chart for multiple weeks in a row. He won the ‘Best Actor in a Daily Drama’ Award at the KBS Drama Awards.
Ji Chang Wook starred in the historical-action series Warrior Baek Dong-Soo, which was an adaptation of the Manwa, ‘Honorable Baek Dong-Soo’. The series was very popular and won the actor a ‘New Star Award’ at the SBS Drama Awards.
8) Park Seo Joon
K-drama
Park Seo Joon made his debut on television with the series ‘Dream High 2’. His breakout roles were in ‘She Was Pretty’ and ‘Kill Me, Heal Me.’
Some of his other dramas include Itaewon Class, Fight for My Wat, What’s Wrong with Secretary Kim, and Hwarang: The Poet Warrior.
Movies
His first leading role in the film industry was the action-comedy ‘Midnight Runners.’ Some of his other films include The Chronicles of Evil, The Divine Fury, Perfect Game, and Concrete Utopia.
Park Seo Joon has also had a cameo in several movies like Be With You, The Beauty Inside, and the Oscar-winning movie Parasite.
More about the actor
Park Seo Joon is arguably one of the most famous Korean actors of all time. He is commonly referred to as the ‘Master of Romantic Comedy’ because of his unmatched performance in the genre.
His first venture into the entertainment industry was a music video for the song ‘Remember’ by Bang Yong Guk. One of his most recent works was the drama series ‘Itaewon Class,’ which was based on a webtoon of the same name. This drama received an extremely positive response for its great story development and wonderful acting.
Park Seo Joon is also well-known for his friendship with the Wooga squad- his co-actors in the drama ‘Hwarang.’ The other members include BTS’s V, Choi Woo Shik, Park Hyung Sik, and Peakboy.
He has won multiple awards for his acting skills at some of the grandest award ceremonies, such as the Korean Association of Film Critics Awards, Baeksang Arts Awards, and the Grand Bell Awards.
9) Gong Yoo
K-drama
Gong Yoo played his first main role in the 2005 drama ‘Hello My Teacher.’ Some of his other dramas include One Fine Day, Coffee Prince, Guardian: The Lonely and Great God, and Big.
His most recent dramas- Squid Game, and The Silent Sea, were huge hits worldwide.
Movies
He has starred in movies such as Spy Girl, She’s on Duty, The Age of Shadows, Silenced, Seo Bok, Train to Busan, and A Man and a Woman.
He is also cast in the upcoming film ‘Wonderland’ which is scheduled to release in 2022.
More about the actor
Gong Yoo first gained recognition over a decade ago, with the famous K-drama ‘Coffee Prince.’ He has been a familiar face in South Korea ever since then. He also starred in the immensely popular movie ‘Train to Busan,’ which gained global success and praise.
He played the leading role in ‘Guardian,’ which was one of the most famous Korean dramas of its time. Gong Yoo won multiple awards for this show.
The recent Netflix show ‘Squid Game’ was one of the most-watched shows and created a fad across the globe. Gong Yoo gained a lot of attention for his role in this show and is now one of the most famous Korean actors.
So, this was our list of most famous Korean actors. If you liked it, click here to read more articles like this.
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