Okay-dramas are a supply of final enjoyable and leisure; they’re typically filled with a number of twists and (un)shocking turns, hooking audiences onto each new episode. Although the plot is usually the most important promoting level of most Okay-dramas, typically followers watch them due to particular actors and actresses. With stans and followers all around the globe, some Okay-drama actors and actresses get pleasure from the next degree of consideration; they could possibly be handsome or have a fantastic public status (which is every little thing within the South Korean leisure world).

As these actors get extra TV and movie beneath their appearing belts, their dramas usually tend to be hits. Due to a mix of their public status and nice gives, a number of South Korean actors and actresses have hit after hit. The success of their dramas could lie in a significantly written script and aesthetically pleasurable visuals, however most frequently, it is their very own presence. These actors are sometimes in Okay-dramas that by no means miss, bringing them much more love and a focus from international audiences.

10

Gong Hyo-jin

‘When the Camellia Blooms,’ ‘The Best Love’

Gong Hyo-jin is kind of a family identify in South Korea. Her profession spans over 25 years, after she debuted within the Okay-horror film Memento Mori. Right this moment, most followers know Gong for her roles in When the Camellia Blooms, The Best Love, and The Producers. Gong Hyo-jin is usually solid as the feminine lead character with a robust persona, a girl who’s robust on the surface however mushy on the within. Her mild facial options make her a chameleon in every position, but additionally a recognizable actor in some ways.

Gong Hyo-jin’s dramas are sometimes romantic comedies, since she has a knack for portraying relatable and humorous girls. In 2025, Netflix customers can see her in one other rom-com with components of sci-fi, When the Stars Gossip; she portrays Eve Kim, a Korean-American astronaut who falls in love with an area vacationer, Gong Ryong, performed by one other beloved actor, Lee Min-ho. The pair have wonderful chemistry, with one other playful comedy with a wild sci-fi setting that promised and delivered a fantastic Okay-drama.

9

Lee Min-ho

‘Pachinko,’ ‘Boys Over Flowers,’ ‘Heirs’

Gong Hyo-jin’s most up-to-date appearing companion, Lee Min-ho, is extra than simply that at present. Lee is kind of a dwelling Okay-drama legend, a person who’s escorted the recognition and adoration of the style to worldwide success. Although solely 37, he is technically an appearing veteran already; he debuted within the drama referred to as Sharp in 2002. Right this moment, followers principally know him for his roles in The Heirs, Boys Over Flowers, and, most lately, Pachinko. Pachinko is taken into account probably the greatest Okay-dramas of the previous few years, and it was produced by and aired on Apple TV+.

Lee Min-ho is a useful identify to most Okay-drama producers, so touchdown him for a job all the time means the drama goes to achieve success. Past his identify and attractiveness, nonetheless, Lee Min-ho is a superb actor and his dramas sometimes ship – Pachinko being the newest instance, whereas The Heirs and Boys Over Flowers get pleasure from a kind of cult traditional standing. Lee Min-ho typically portrays brave characters, or those that present the flexibility to vary and adapt; the transformative nature of his roles permits him to be likable and a fan favourite.

8

Lee Dong-wook

‘Goblin,’ ‘Story of the 9 Tailed,’ ‘A Store For Killers’

One other Okay-drama veteran and family identify, Lee Dong-wook, has efficiently transitioned from portraying a moody rom-com result in enjoying fierce motion heroes. Earlier than the 2020s, his followers knew him for the now world-well-known drama Guardian (aka Goblin), through which he starred alongside Gong Yoo (Prepare to Busan, Squid Sport) and Kim Go-eun (Little Girls, Exhuma); his different work included My Lady, and Hell Is Different Individuals.

In 2020, Lee starred in one of the vital fashionable romantic dramas within the final 5 years, Story of the 9 Tailed, however he additionally tried himself out as an motion star in Disney’s 2024 A Store for Killers and Netflix’s 2022 motion comedy Unhealthy and Loopy (alongside Wi Ha-jun). Lee Dong-wook has a recognizable face (and a good-looking one), however he’s additionally chameleonic. His transformations go from a mild rom-com resulting in a mysterious and erratic tenant; from a wealthy resort inheritor to a supervisor of a retailer which provides assassins. He is versatile and one in all South Korea’s greatest and finest appearing treasures.

7

Music Hye-kyo

‘Descendants of the Solar,’ ‘The Glory’

Whereas Music Hye-kyo is a considerably controversial persona in South Korea – she dedicated tax evasion in 2014 – she can also be a fantastic philanthropist and a higly fashionable actress. She made her tv debut in 1995, and has had solely a few breaks between initiatives since then. She’s most recognized to romantic Okay-drama followers as Physician Kang Mo-yeon in the extremely fashionable romantic Okay-drama Descendants of the Solar. She even married her Descendants co-star Music Joong-ki after they met on set, although the 2 later referred to as it quits in 2019. Music is a bit more recognized to Netflix drama watchers because the lead within the revenge thriller The Glory, the place she portrays a vengeful and calculated lady with deep-seated trauma and PTSD.

Music Hye-kyo initially portrayed characters of ethereal and untouchable magnificence (which is sensible as she’s one of the vital stunning South Korean actresses alive). Her roles shifted to be much less mild and extra fierce; evidently over time, Music began choosing characters that may enable her extra vary and flexibility. Her followers will be capable of see her because the lead in an upcoming supernatural thriller Darkish Nuns, the place she tries to save lots of a younger boy from possession.

6

Jung Hae-in

‘D.P.,’ ‘Love Subsequent Door,’ ‘Jail Playbook’

Regardless of being a newer Okay-drama face, Jung Hae-in is already a longtime identify. His position as Jun-ho within the navy drama D.P. ensured his timeless recognition; nonetheless, earlier than that, Jung was in a few different beloved Okay-dramas, from Whereas You Have been Sleeping to Jail Playbook. Jung Hae-in made his appearing debut in 2014, and has been persistently working. His most up-to-date work consists of the Netflix collection Love Subsequent Door, a rom-com thought-about amongst the perfect Okay-dramas in 2024.

Jung Hae-in has an extended profession forward of him, so we’re left to see what sort of characters he’ll painting subsequent (folks nonetheless hope for a D.P. season 3 announcement). To this point, nonetheless, his roles have been accompanied by high-praise and unbelievable hype, which is what any younger actor desires to expertise. Jung Hae-in is flexible along with his appearing as a lot as he’s along with his seems to be; he matches the buzzcut-sporting stoic Jun-ho from D.P. completely, however he additionally embodies the right boy subsequent door in Love Subsequent Door. Is there something Jung Hae-in cannot do?

5

Nam Joo-hyuk

‘Moon Lovers,’ ‘Twenty 5 Twenty One,’ ‘Begin-Up’

One other pretty new face within the Okay-drama realm, Nam Joo-hyuk, continues to be very acquainted to many drama followers all around the world. He debuted the identical 12 months as Jung Hae-in and has the same variety of heavy-hitting dramas on his roster. His first tv position was in The Idle Mermaid, however he grew to become a a lot greater face due to 2016’s finest Okay-drama, Moon Lovers: Scarlet Coronary heart Ryeo. This Okay-drama finds itself on lists like these with the right ending, romantic dramas that may be binge-watched all day lengthy, and essentially the most romantic Okay-dramas ever made.

In 2016, Nam Joo-hyuk additionally starred in two extremely fashionable titles – Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-joo and Cheese Within the Entice. These dramas helped set up him as an enthralling and lovable lead, although a lot of his characters begin off as shy and find yourself the heroes of the story; he additionally has a fantastic knack for bodily comedy. It appears Nam Joo-hyuk will star in one other historic drama quickly, as his upcoming supernatural fantasy drama East Palace wraps up manufacturing. Till then, he has loads of binge-able Okay-dramas for followers that need to watch some healthful characters’ journeys.

Moon Lovers: Scarlet Coronary heart Ryeo will not be at the moment out there for streaming within the US.

4

Son Ye-jin

‘Crash Touchdown on You,’ ‘Thirty 9,’ ‘Alone In Love’

When Okay-drama followers consider Son Ye-jin, they can not assist however consider essentially the most romantic Okay-drama ever, Crash Touchdown On You. This drama had the best method for a profitable present, with two beautiful leads – Son Ye-jin and Hyun Bin – and a kind of mates to lovers trope that would additionally double as enemies to lovers and a slow-burn romance. Son had her tv debut in 2002, and her appearing biography exhibits nothing lower than pure bangers in the case of Okay-dramas of all genres – although she principally portrayed romantic leads.

Regardless of being extra recognized for her film roles, Son Ye-jin starred in some Okay-drama cult classics, from the historic drama The Nice Ambition in 2003 to the oddly cute rom-com Private Style with Lee Min-ho in 2010. Her greatest Okay-drama success got here with Crash Touchdown On You, the place she and co-star Hyun Bin fell in love in actual life, too (to the enjoyment of the present’s quite a few followers). Her most up-to-date drama is the slice of life dramedy Thirty 9 on Netflix, which takes an earnest take a look at three girls and finest mates’ lives as they close to their forties. Son is charming and extra grounded on this present, which counts as a few of her finest work.

3

Kim Go-eun

‘Cheese within the Entice,’ ‘Little Girls,’ ‘Goblin’

An actress with over a decade of expertise beneath her appearing belt, Kim Go-eun is finest recognized to folks for her portrayal of Eun-tak, a lady in the midst of a love triangle with the Grim Reaper and a guardian angel in Goblin. Her greatest flex is her indomitable film profession, which is way more distinguished than her Okay-drama profession, however Kim Go-eun can exhibit with the truth that each Okay-drama she’s been in has been an absolute smash hit amongst audiences. She’s versatile however nonetheless extremely recognizable, and has a selected approach of performing.

Kim Go-eun has a sure charisma – moreover her unbelievable magnificence – that pulls folks to observe her in several roles. Earlier than Goblin, she was in Cheese Within the Entice, and most lately starred within the extremely acclaimed Okay-mystery Little Girls on Netflix. Together with her attraction, Kim Go-eun is greater than more likely to win over even wider audiences in her future roles; she’s nonetheless younger and has immense potential. For followers who’ve seen all of Kim’s dramas, she is thrilling within the horror film Exhuma and radiant within the friendship drama film Love Within the Huge Metropolis.

2

Woo Do-hwan

‘Bloodhounds,’ ‘Mr. Plankton,’ ‘Joseon Legal professional’

Presently, the most well-liked actor on social media, Woo Do-hwan, can also be a contemporary face within the Okay-drama world. He made his appearing debut in 2011, however his greatest success got here with the discharge of the Netflix motion thriller Bloodhounds, the place he stars alongside Lee Sang-yi because the boxing prodigy that begins chasing a strong mortgage shark who conned his mom. Woo and Lee have good chemistry, making Bloodhounds a buddy comedy at instances. Whereas Lee is the comedian reduction in Bloodhounds, although, Woo shows just a little extra of that ability in his most up-to-date Netflix rom-com, Mr. Plankton.

Nonetheless, Woo Do-Hwan starred in different exhibits earlier than these two, which at the moment maintain the most well-liked spots amongst Netflix Okay-dramas. Certainly one of his most notable roles was within the thriller drama Mad Canine with Yoo Ji-tae, however he additionally shines within the historic dramedy Joseon Legal professional because the lead. It appears Woo Do-hwan chooses principally critical characters that give him the chance to show his physicality; whereas that is an attribute viewers don’t thoughts in any respect, he’s additionally shortly turning into one in all South Korea’s greatest motion stars, and has dramas that have not missed the mark but.

1

Bae Suzy

‘Anna,’ ‘Uncontrollably Fond,’ ‘Gu Household Ebook’

South Korea’s sweetheart, Bae Suzy, is not only a (very) fairly face. She’s additionally one of the vital hardworking actors within the business, a fantastic singer, and a performer not like many others. Bae Suzy, typically simply often known as Suzy, has an extended appearing profession which might have flopped at instances, however fortunately did not. This may occasionally not solely be attributed to luck, although – she selected the roles she knew can be nice for her, having stepped out of her traditional field in the case of drama roles typically. Her first foray away from a extra “harmless” look is the good one-day binge Anna. Suzy portrays a chilly and deceitful lady who finds redemption on the finish of her troublesome journey.

Earlier than that, Suzy starred in some highly-acclaimed hits, just like the household drama Gu Household Ebook, Uncontrollably Fond, and Begin-Up. She is usually thought-about one of the vital current faces within the Okay-drama area, and has a time period coined after her – “Suzy Energy,” which producers and firms principally use once they need to have profitable advert campaigns by hiring her. Due to her udying recognition, Suzy starred in some wonderful Okay-dramas, that are all value watching.

KEEP READING: The 18 Greatest Okay-Dramas of All Time, Ranked