K-dramashave introduced the world to countless amazing actors. Whether it’s fan favorites like Gong Yoo, who brings charm and charisma to every role he is in, or rising stars like Song Kang, whose emotional depth is far above his age,K-drama actors bring a level of complexity to their rolesthat is a joy to watch.
The best K-dramas can be memorablefor a number of reasons. However, it’s the leading actors in these shows that truly make the stories stay with audiences long after the credits roll.
20Han So-hee
Known For: My Name, Gyeongseong Creature, Nevertheless
Han So-hee is a relatively new actor and only has 13 credits to her name. However, even her short acting resume is enough to earn her place as one of the best K-drama actorsbecause she has shown her range in every role she’s been cast in. As the female lead inNevertheless, Yu Na-bi, Han was incredibly relatable.
That said, Han’s best role that fully showed what she was capable of was inMy Name.Her character, Yoo Ji-woo, holds the series togetherdue to how she executed her action scenes, but was also able to give an emotional performance.
19Hyun Bin
Known For: Crash Landing On You, Secret Garden
Many people might associate Hyun Bin with his role as Captain Ri inCrash Landing On You, but the actor has played more complex characters throughout his career. In 2015, Hyun starred inHyde, Jekyll, Me, wherehe played two characters: Robin and Gu Seo-jin. Hyun Bin oscillated between the cold Seo-jin and the kindhearted Robin, seamlessly.
While Hyun Bin’s performance inHyde, Jekyll, Meis proof of his versatility, his breakout role in the body-swapping K-dramaSecret Gardenas Kim Joo-won, an arrogant CEO, is what truly showcased his capabilities as an actor.Hyun Bin is not only charismatic in his best K-drama,Crash Landing On You, but his compelling portrayal of Captain Ri kept the series grounded.
18Son Ye-jin
Known For: Crash Landing On You, Something In The Rain
Son Ye-jin is one of the most seasoned K-drama actors, with an acting career that includes roles in films and TV shows such asThe Classic,Personal Taste, andSomething in the Rain. While some of her movies and TV shows have been received positively by audiences and critics alike,Son Ye-jin is mostly known for her role as Yoon Se-ri inCrash Landing On You.
Son Ye Jin’s character inCrash Landing on Youis a big reason why the series was such a huge success. The actor perfectly switches between a tough CEO to a vulnerable woman who falls in love with someone she isn’t supposed to.
17Park Bo-gum
Known For: When Life Gives You Tangerines, Love In The Moonlight, Good Boy
Park Bo-gum got his break as the Go champion, Choi Taek, in one of the best K-dramas of all time,Reply 1988. Since then, Park Bo-gum has only gotten better and better, with shows likeLove in the Moonlight,Record of Youth, andEncountercementing his place as a household name.
Park’sWhen Life Gives You Tangerines’ character, Yang Gwan-sik, however, is a true reflection of his abilities as an actor. While Gong isn’t as charismatic as Park’s other characters,his quiet wisdom and sensitivity make him one of the best roles Park Bo-gum has taken on.
16Song Hye-kyo
Known For: Descendants Of The Sun, The Glory
Throughout her career, Song Hye-kyo has appeared in some of the most iconic K-dramas.With roles in TV shows such asDescendants of the Sun,Encounter, andNow We Are Breaking Upas part of her acting resume, Song Hye-Kyo has brought depth to her characters.
Song Hye-kyo’s ability to deliver powerful performances couldn’t be more apparent than in her portrayal of Moon Dong-eun inthe Korean revenge series,The Glory. As Dong-eun, Song Hye-kyo brought to life Kim Eun-sook’s story in a way that resonated with audiences. She doesn’t only invoke emotional feelings like rage and sadness, butSong Hye-kyo has also perfected the art of portraying strong women.
15Ju Ji-hoon
Known For: Kingdom, The Trauma Code: Heroes On Call
Despite appearing in some of the best K-dramas of the past 10 years,Ju J-hoon is an underrated actor who deserves more praise. As Prince Lee Chang in Netflix’s first K-drama,Kingdom, the actor was a force to be reckoned with as he was not only great in the action scenes, but the level of maturity he brought to his character stole the show.
While Ju Ji-hoon has been in some dark K-dramas likeJirisan, the actor has also shown he has a lighter side to him in shows such asThe Trauma Code: Heroes on CallandLove Your Enemy, where his characters added humor to the series.
14Shin Min-a
Known For: Homewtown Cha-Cha-Cha, My Girlfriend Is A Gumiho
Not every K-drama that Shin Min-a has been in has been perfect, but it could be agreed that her presence elevated the shows she’s starred in. From playing a nine-tailed fox inthe fantasy K-drama,My Girlfriend is a Gumiho,to appearing as a dentist seeking to start afresh inHometown Cha-Cha-Cha, Shin’s characters are often well-developed.
Her character in the Netflix thriller,Karma, couldn’t be any more different from the actor’s other roles. Shin Min-ah plays Lee Ju-yeon, a doctor who suffers from PTSD that came as a result of being sexually assaulted. While the actor has always given it her all in her K-dramas, her portrayal of Dr. Lee packs an emotional punch.
13Park Shin-hye
Known For: The Heirs, Doctor Slump
A mark of any good actor is how well they can adapt to a genre they are not entirely familiar with, and Park Shin-ye has been showing her versatility for years. Park has been in a variety of genres, ranging from rom-coms to horror, witheach character showcasing the actor’s unique ability to combine strength, humor, and vulnerability.
With a career spanning over twenty years, Park Shin-ye has graced us with great performances. Her portrayal of Nam Ha-eul, a stickler for the rules with the urge to succeed as a doctor in the medical K-drama,Doctor Slump, proved that while the actor can take on serious roles, she also has a silly side that isn’t afraid to have fun.
12Ji Chang-wook
Known For: Gangnam B-Side, Queen Woo, Welcome To Samdal-ri
Ji Chang-wook is the type of actor who thrives in any role he takes on. While some K-drama actors are mostly recognized for playing male leads in romantic TV shows, the same can’t be said forJi Chang-wook, as he has appeared in a vast number of genres, from historical series likeQueen Woo to dramas likeGangnam B-Side.
Even when Ji appears in romantic comedies, he always brings a freshness to his characters that hasn’t been seen in his past work. Despite the variation in the roles he chooses,Ji Chang-wook always brings passion and intrigue to his characters. So, it’s not surprising that he’s considered one of the best actors in South Korea.
11IU
Known For: Hotel Del Luna, When Life Gives You Tangerines
The singer and actor IU is a formidable force in both the music and K-drama industries. After landing a supporting role inthe coming-of-age K-drama,Dream High, IU’s acting career continued to reach new heights with roles inHotel del Lunaand her portrayal of the icy Cindy inThe Producers, garnering her praise from critics.
IU’s best K-drama,When Life Gives You Tangerines, is the TV show that earned her a Blue Dragon Award for Best Actress at this year’s awards, and deservedly so.IU was absolutely incredible as Ae-sun, and captures her character’s desperation as she struggles to become a successful poet.
