As someone who has been a fan ofK-dramasfor many years, there are several actors I never get tired of watching. From boisterous romantic comedies to tragic thrillers, these actors have delivered outstanding performances in some of thebest K-dramas of all time, improving their filmographies with every new release. Their commitment to their roles brings a vibrant addition to each new project, and I’m always excited to see what new characters these actors will take on next.
Netflix K-dramassuch asSquid GameandThe Gloryhave helped the K-drama genre to rise in popularity.I believe that actors have played a big part in this, as their delivery can often make or break a show. The K-drama genre is also incredibly diverse, and actors often have to stay on top of their game and push themselves to deliver the next best thing. While there are many who do this with great success, there are a select few actors that I always find myself coming back to.
10Park Hyung-sik
His Performances Are Full of Charisma And Charm
Ever since watchingStrong Girl Bong-soon, I’ve been a fan of Park Hyung-sik. TheK-pop idol turned K-drama actorhas an infectious charisma and is a joy to watch on screen.Park Hyung-sik is an excellent comedian with impeccable comedic timingthat makes him the perfect rom-com male lead, with his performance as Ahn Min-hyuk inStrong Girl Bong-soonrightfully being his most memorable work to date. This was why I was so excited about his rom-com return inDoctor Slump, as he revived the chaotic energy that had made me a fan in the first place.
Strong Girl Bong-Soon: 12 Reasons Why The K-Drama Is So Memorable
K-drama series Strong Girl Bong-Soon is getting all the hype, but what are the 12 reasons why it is possibly the best in its class?
Despite being such a great comedian, I was taken aback by just how well Park Hyung-sik can deliver on restrained and introspective roles.Happiness' Jung Yi-hyun could not be more different from Ahn Min-hyuk, yet Park Hyung-sik tackled the role with ease. Plus, Park Hyung-sik’s exceptional chemistry with his co-stars has led him to portray some of thebest K-drama romances. For these reasons, I’m always anticipating what Park Hyung-sik does next.
9Lee Sung-kyung
She Never Fails To Take On New Challenges
Lee Sung-kyung is an actress who knows how to make a strong impression. Since her debut inIt’s Okay, That’s Love,Lee Sung-kyung’s constant pursuit of new challenges has seen great success. She first caught my attention inCheese in the Trap, where her over-the-top performance as the spoiled Baek In-ha stole the show. Yet, in my opinion,Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-joois still her best K-drama to date. Despite being her first-ever leading role, Lee Sung-kyung’s endearing and committed performance as the younger weightlifter is hard to forget.
What excites me the most about Lee Sung-kyung is how much her acting has improved. Her addition to the cast ofDr. Romanticin season 2 created a great new dynamic for themedical K-drama. There are multiple scenes inDr. Romanticwhere Lee Sung-kyung’s performance had me in awe of her acting ability, particularly in the show’s third season. Lee Sung-kyung’s growth was even more evident inCall It Love, which took her career in a direction I am thrilled about.
8Seo In-guk
He Wholly Embodies Each New Character
Seo In-guk is another K-drama star I always watch out for. Despite initially debuting as a singer, Seo In-guk has cultivated an impressive filmography that proves that he is a master of both the stage and screen. In his most recent K-drama,Death’s Game, Seo In-guk’s limited screen time didn’t stop him from making a lasting impression. He, alongside co-star Park So-dam, provided a dramatic anchor for the series that gave it a unique edge as one of2024’s best K-dramas.
Seo In-guk has sung several OST’s for the K-dramas he has starred in, includingDoom At Your Service, Death’s GameandReply 1997.
From his breakout role in the slice-of-life K-dramaReply 1997to the fantasy romance seriesDoom At Your Service,Seo In-guk has a commanding aura that makes him a captivating figure to watch. One of my favorite roles of his has to be Kim Moo-young inThe Smile Has Left Your Eyes. Seo In-guk’s playful approach to Moo-young gave him a terrifying edge, leaving constant questions as to what his intentions truly were. Though no matter who he plays, Seo In-guk’s ability to embody a character makes him a presence I always enjoy seeing on screen.
7Kim Tae-ri
Her Commitment to Her Roles Is Unrivaled
While my introduction to Kim Tae-ri came through her historical movieThe Handmaiden, I soon found her work on the small screen to be just as impressive. Kim Tae-ri has only starred in three K-dramas to date, with one more airing later this year. Yet, each has proved why she is such a powerhouse actress. Her commitment to her characters is unrivaled, and her rich and dynamic performances always keep me engaged from start to finish.
Kim Tae-ri’s upcoming K-drama,Jeong-nyeon: A Star is Born, will premiere on Jul 24, 2025, on TVN. It will also be available to stream on Disney+.
No matter what,Kim Tae-ri never fails to show something new. Her character inMr. Sunshineis abadass female K-drama leadwho breaks stereotypes. Similarly,Revenantis one of 2023’s best K-dramas thanks to the chilling duality Kim Tae-ri displayed. Though for me,Twenty-Five Twenty-Oneis her standout K-drama. The youthful energy she gives to Na Hee-do is infectious, making delving into the highs and lows of Hee-do’s fencing career all the more engrossing. This is why Kim Tae-ri’s upcoming K-dramas are always ones I actively search for.
6Lee Do-hyun
He Is A Dynamic Performer With A Bright Future
Lee Do-hyun’s career has continued to grow from strength to strength, and I’m so glad I’ve been able to watch it happen in real-time. Ever sinceLee Do-hyun landed his breakout role opposite IU (Lee Ji-eun) inHotel del Luna, he has continued to prove his worth as a leading figure in K-dramas through a vast range of exciting performances.Lee Do-hyun’s best K-dramasincludeThe Glory,18 AgainandYouth of May, where his dynamic performances thrive on-screen.
Lee Do-hyun’s continued success as one ofNetflix’s biggest K-drama starshas seen him take on even more compelling roles. I was thrilled to see him return toSweet Home, particularly as Lee Eun-hyuk was one of the most interesting characters in season 1. Similarly, Lee Do-hyun’s performance as Choi Kang-ho inThe Good Bad Motherwas astonishing. He made Kang-ho’s development throughout the K-drama one of its most endearing features. Although Lee Do-hyun currently has no upcoming projects due to his mandatory military service, I cannot wait to see what roles await him when he returns.
5Kim Go-eun
She Is Incredible At Portraying Emotional Depth
In my opinion,there are few actors who can commit to a character quite like Kim Go-eun can. She’s bold and not afraid to take risks, which often means that there is no knowing what she will do next with her career. As a fan, I find this incredibly exciting. Kim Go-eun has already proven that she is very capable when it comes to playing characters from a vast number of genres, so whenever I watch one of her projects, I know I’m in for a treat.
Along with this, Kim Go-eun is exceptional at portraying emotion. I don’t think I’ve ever seen an actor cry as well as Kim Go-eun did inThe King: Eternal Monarch. Plus, her ability to portray awkward characters like Kim Yu-mi inYu-mi’s Cellsand those of boundless energy like Ji Eun-tak inGoblinconstantly has me in awe. Yet, there is no performance of hers greater than that of Oh In-joo inLittle Women.Kim Go-eun’s best K-dramacombines the greatest parts of her previous works to deliver a breathtaking performance that I am still mesmerized by.
4Ji Chang-wook
The Diversity Of His Filmography Is Very Impressive
While many K-dramas actors star in several genres throughout their careers, none have quite the same versatility as Ji Chang-wook. In 2024 alone, the actor appeared in two very different K-dramas, with his next drama also following this trend.Welcome to Samdal-risaw Ji Chang-wook thrive in a rom-com environment as the endearing Cho Yong-pil. In thehistorical K-dramaQueen Woo, he portrayed Gu Nam-mu, the sharp-minded King of Goryeo. Alternatively,Gangnam B-sidewill see Ji make a drastic transformation as a mysterious broker who controls one of Seoul’s wealthiest districts, Gangnam.
Gangnam B-sideis reported to be released in November 2024 on Disney+ and Hulu.
The wayJi Chang-wook always changes up the roles he playshas made me a big admirer of his career. He never allows fans to remain comfortable and always pushes to deliver something new and interesting. Even if he does return to similar roles, I always love to watch them as Ji Chang-wook revive things I have loved about his past performances. Yet, no two of Ji Chang-wook’s characters are ever the same, and his consistent efforts towards variety in his projects makes him an actor I’m always excited to watch.
3Park Bo-young
She Has A Great Command Of The Scenes She’s In
Park Bo-young is largely responsible for my obsession with K-dramas.Strong Girl Bong-soonwas one of the very first K-dramas I ever watched, and Park Bo-young’s performance as the cheeky and obscenely strong Bong-soon captivated me from the very first episode. Since then, I’ve constantly appreciated how well Park Bo-young can command a scene, especially in comedic roles. Her performances inAbyssandOh My Ghostare hysterical and ones I revisit often.
The first of Park Bo-young’s upcoming K-dramas,Light Shop, is scheduled to be released on Disney+ in late 2024. Her next project,Melo Movie, will be released in 2025.
Like many other K-drama actors,Park Bo-young’s duality as an actress makes each new show incredibly exciting to watch. InDoom At Your Service, her on-screen chemistry with Seo In-guk was electric, making Tak Dong-kyung’s harsh reality all the more devastating. However, inDaily Dose of Sunshine,her portrayal of Jung Da-eun’s depression was astonishing. So, I’m glad she won the Blue Dragon Award for Best Actress for this performance, as it’s one of her best. It makes me even more eager to delve into her two upcoming K-dramas.
2Kim Soo-hyun
He’s A Highly Sought-After Actor For All The Right Reasons
There’s a reason why Kim Soo-hyun is one of the most sought out K-drama actors. Since his on-screen debut in 2008,Kim Soo-hyun has amassed an impressive 23 awards and 16 nominationsfor his acting abilities, and I’m not surprised why. He is an incredibly reliable actor who always brings the best out of each project he is a part of. Kim Soo-hyun also fully embodies each character he portrays. As a result, there is never a dull moment inKim Soo-hyun’s best K-dramas.
Kim Soo-hyun’s Homage To His Queen Of Tears Co-Star’s Funniest K-Drama Character Couldn’t Have Been More Perfect
Kim Soo-hyun shows a wide acting range in Queen of Tears, and he uses his comedic talents to pay homage to one of his co-star’s best roles.
Most recently, Kim Soo-hyun’s performance inQueen of Tearsconstantly had me in shock. His approach to Baek Hyun-woo could not have been better, resulting in one of the best acting performances of his career. Kim Soo-hyun’s on-screen chemistry with Kim Ji-won was also exceptional and consistently had me on the edge of my seat. This was similarly echoed inIt’s Okay to Not Be Okay. Kim Soo-hyun’s sensitive yet passionate performance continues to be incredibly memorable years after the show’s release. No matter his role, Kim Soo-hyun always ensures his K-dramas are the ones to watch.
1Kim Ji-won
She Is A Master At Delivering Subtlety & Comedy
As a long-time fan of Kim Ji-won, I’m so happyQueen of Tearshas seen her rise into super-stardom. Though I’m disappointed thatKim Ji-won hasn’t gotten award recognition for herQueen of Tearsrole, I’m sure there will be more to come. One thing that always amazes me about Kim Ji-won’s talents is how easily she can express her character’s subtle emotions. Whether it be the frustrations of the lovelorn Yoon Myeong-ju inDescendants of the Sunor the quiet ferocity ofMy Liberation Notes' Yeom Mi-jung,Kim Ji-won makes her characters come alive with just a glance.
Though many of her roles have been quiet and introspective, one ofKim Ji-won’s best K-dramaroles was a one-of-a-kind in her career. Her performance as the boisterous wannabe newscaster Choi Ae-ra showed a whole new side to Kim Ji-won’s acting abilities, proving that she is an exceptional comedian. To date,Fight For My Wayis one of my most rewatched K-dramas and has me constantly wishing for her return to comedy. Regardless of if she does, I’m sure I’ll never get tired of watching herK-dramas.
