Top 50 Most Popular South Korean Actors In 2025

Song Kang-ho is arguably the most popular film star in South Korea today.

The actor made his debut in the feature film The Day a Pig Fell Into the Well. He continued to deliver a series of incredible performances as he gained nationwide attention.

He won hearts with his role play in motion pictures such as Joint Security Area, Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance, Memories of Murder, The Host, and A Taxi Driver.

That said, two of director Bong Joon-ho's biggest classics, namely Snowpiercer and Parasite, are credited with bringing global fame to Song Kang-ho.

Apart from his film credits, the man is also known to have been selected as one of the nine judges in the competition section of the 74th Cannes Film Festival in 2021.

The following year, he made headlines once again when he won the Best Actor award at the 75th Cannes Film Festival for his performance in Broker.

Since Lee Byung-hun's father was an incredibly successful businessman, he grew up in a well-off family. Needless to mention, he had never dreamt of pursuing acting as a career.

However, he started to take the thought of acting rather seriously after one of his mother's friends suggested him to go for it.

The actor has been praised for doing a wide range of films and has been seen making his presence felt in features such as Joint Security Area, A Bittersweet Life, I Saw the Devil, The Good, the Bad, the Weird, Masquerade, and Inside Men.

The historical Korean drama, Mr. Sunshine, in which he starred along with Kim Tae-ri, was one of the most inspiring and, yet, tragic series one can watch.

Uhm Hong-Sik, professionally known as Yoo Ah-in, is an actor, gallerist, and creative director.

He is known to have played a wide range of roles both on television and in the movies.

Best known for his character projection in movies such as Punch and Secret Affair, Yoo Ah-in has received Asian Film Awards and Fantasia International Film Festival's Cheval Noir Award.

He also received two Blue Dragon Film Awards and two Baeksang Arts Awards.

Lee Jung-Jae happens to be one of the most successful South Korean mainstream actors today. He is also a businessman and former model.

After having launched himself as a fashion model, the actor decided to try his hands at acting.

Originally, he was seen in television shows, but he soon started to make his presence felt in the movies as well.

He has been seen in motion pictures such as An Affair, Il Mare, Over the Rainbow, and Last Present.

Choi Min-Sik rose to prominence after having played a character in acclaimed South Korean motion pictures such as Oldboy, I Saw the Devil, and The Admiral: Roaring Currents.

The talented actor was also seen sharing the screen space with Hollywood superstar Scarlett Johansson in the 2014 science fiction film Lucy.

His performance in Oldboy ended up fetching him the Best Actor award at the 40th Baeksang Art Awards, the 24th Blue Dragon Awards, and the 41st Grand Bell Awards, respectively.

In 2022, Choi decided to make an appearance in the Disney+ series Big Bet, which is his first drama series role since he participated in 1997's Love and Separation.

The man went on to earn a nomination for Best Actor at the 59th Baeksang Arts Award and the 2nd Blue Dragon Series Award for his character projection of Cha Mu-sik.

After completing his graduation in the year 1994, Sol Kyung-gu was seen in a number of theatre productions before venturing into the film world.

He was seen playing minor roles in feature films that he was a part of during the mid-1990s.

However, he soon made a name for himself after being a part of motion pictures such as Peppermint Candy, Oasis, Silmido, Hope, The Merciless, and the Public Enemy series.

Sol Kyung-gu has won several well-deserved awards in his career so far.

Ha Jung-woo is yet another top-grossing actor from South Korean cinema to make it to our list.

But, he is not only an actor but also a film director, screenwriter, and film producer; possibly in that order.

Films starring Ha Jung-woo have amassed more than 100 million tickets at the box office.

He has been seen in flicks such as Nameless Gangster: Rules of the Time The Chaser, My Dear Enemy, Take Off, and The Yellow Sea.

A lot many South Korean actors happen to be multi-talented personalities and our next addition is no different.

Lee Min-ho is not only a competent actor but he is also a singer, model, creative director, and businessman.

His role in the television series Boys Over Flowers not only brought him widespread recognition but also fetched him a number of accolades.

He has been seen playing crucial roles in shows such as City Hunter, Personal Taste, City Hunter, The Heirs, and The Legend of the Blue Sea, to name a few.

2019 saw him being cast in the SBS-broadcast and Netflix-distributed fantasy romance The King: Eternal Monarch. It was easily one of the most awaited shows in the first half of 2020.

The Korean Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism has ranked him the number one Korean actor amongst international audiences from 2018 to 2021.

That said, the performer made his Hollywood debut in 2022 on the television series adaptation of the novel Pachinko.

Hyun Bin, an actor whose name means "bright light", is truly one of the brighter lights in the South Korean film industry.

He first gained prominence for his promising character play in the 2005 romantic comedy television drama series My Name is Kim Sam-soon.

Soon after, he was seen making his presence felt in shows such as Secret Garden, Memories of the Alhambra, and Crash Landing on You.

Hyun Bin has also starred in box office hits such as Confidential Assignment, The Swindlers, The Negotiation, and Rampant.

Park Hae-il launched his acting career in theater and was first seen in the movie Waikiki Brothers in 2001.

He soon started commanding the attention of the South Korean cinematic world after his stunning character portrayal in feature films such as Memories of Murder and Jealousy Is My Middle Name.

Soon after, Park Hae-il started headlining projects and was, thus, seen in titles such as Moss, Paradise Murdered, and Rules of Dating, to name a few.

Ju Ji-hoon made his debut on television by playing a crucial role on the show Princess Hours, which catapulted him into the Korean wave stardom.

He has been a part of some significantly popular projects ever since.

Some of them are Kingdom, The Devil, Antique, Mask, Dark Figure of Crime, Along with the Gods: The Two Worlds, and its sequel, and The Spy Gone North.

His debut feature film, Antique, was invited to the Berlin International Film Festival.

Lee Joon-gi is yet another multi-talented personality to make it to our piece. He can act, sing, dance, and has also been a fashion model in the past.

The actor showcased his talent quite early in his career after having played the role of a clown in the critically acclaimed feature film The King and the Clown.

His character play in the romantic comedy television series My Girl brought him further fame.

Lee's work in popular television shows has established him as a well-known celebrity in Asian countries.

One of the most respected actors in the history of South Korean cinema, Ahn Sung-ki made his debut at the tender age of five in the film Twilight Train.

The actor has been a part of over 100 films in a career that has been over six decades-long.

Credited with signing diverse movies, Ahn Sung-ki has often been called "the nation's actor" by the mainstream media in the country.

A recipient of numerous accolades, he has even served as the Vice President and President of the Korean Film Actors Association.

Lee Jong-suk made his feature film debut in Sympathy. Be is a South Korean model and actor who has made a name for himself after having appeared in television shows such as School 2013.

He also appeared in Doctor Stranger, I Can Hear Your Voice, W, Pinocchio, While You Were Sleeping, and Romance Is a Bonus Book, to name a few.

We'd also like to mention that, apart from appearing in television shows and a number of films, Lee Jong-suk has also featured in a handful of music videos.

Kim Yoon-Seok is not only an actor but he is also a film director and screenwriter. Initially, he gave his career a kick-start by working in theater.

This bore fruit as he was soon being given minor roles to play in feature films and television dramas.

He started getting recognized after playing a negative character in the gangster drama Tazza: The High Rollers.

However, it was his astonishing performance in The Chaser that brought him further fame and critical acclaim.

Hwang Jung-min is one of the highest-grossing actors in the history of South Korean cinema.

He has starred in iconic box office blockbusters such as Ode to My Father, Veteran, A Violent Prosecutor, and The Himalayas.

He was also seen playing a significant role in the horror-thriller The Wailing; a film that opened to favorable reviews from both the critics and audience alike.

We'd also like to inform our readers that Hwang Jung-min is only the third actor in South Korea to be part of the "100 Million Viewer Club" in Chungmuro.

So Ji-sub made his debut as a jeans model and was first seen making an appearance on the television show Model.

He has been seen playing leading roles in series such as What Happened in Bali, I'm Sorry, I Love You, Cain and Abel, Master's Sun, Oh My Venus, Phantom, and Something Happened in Bali.

So Ji-sub has also been seen in the feature film  Rough Cut, which went on to become a surprise hit at the box office.

Park Seo-Joon is a South Korean actor who made a name for himself by featuring in television shows such as She Was Pretty, Kill Me, Heal Me, Hwarang: The Poet Warrior Youth, Fight for My Way, What's Wrong with Secretary Kim, and Itaewon Class.

The actor has also been participating in feature films such as The Chronicles of Evil, The Divine Fury, and Midnight Runners.

Each of the aforementioned movies and television shows is credited with bringing him mainstream popularity.

Cho Seung-woo is a well-known actor and singer who made his screen debut in the feature film Chunhyang in 2000.

The actor has been seen playing crucial roles in motion pictures such as The Classic, Marathon, Tazza: The High Rollers, and Inside Men.

He has also made his presence felt in television dramas such as The King's Doctor, God's Gift: 14 Days, Life, Sisyphus: The Myth, and Stranger.

Jeong Jae-Yeong, who's often seen collaborating with director Jin Jang, first made an appearance in the project The Adventures of Mrs. Park.

He shot to fame after having featured in motion pictures such as Silmido, Right Now, Wrong Then, and On the Beach at Night Alone.

For his work in the movies, Jeong Jae-Yeong has received the Best Actor and Best Supporting Actor awards at the Blue Dragon Film Awards.

He also received the Director's Cut Awards, Busan Film Critics Awards, 9th Asia Pacific Screen Awards, Korean Association of Film Critics Awards, and the Locarno International Film Festival, respectively.

Park Bo-gum made his acting debut in the 2011 feature film Blind. He has been seen playing a range of roles in the movies.

He has been seen making a name for himself in television shows such as Reply 1988, Hello Monster, Encounter, Record of Youth, and Love in the Moonlight, to name a few.

We'd also like to add that he was the youngest artist to be named Gallup Korea's Television Actor of the Year.

Han Suk-kyu is one of the better-known actors in South Korean cinema.

His most prominent character projections have come in films such as No.3, Green Fish, Shiri, Christmas in August, Shiri, The Scarlet Letter, and The President's Last Bang.

For his adroit performance in the historical television drama Deep Rooted Tree, he received the Grand Prize (Daesang) at the SBS Drama Awards in 2011.

He managed to win the same trophy once again in 2016 for his superb performance in the medical drama Dr. Romantic.

Apart from being a known screen face in South Korea, Jung Woo-sung is also the first Korean UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador.

He started his career as a fashion model and gained recognition after having appeared in the feature film Beat.

For his performance in the aforementioned flick, Woo-sung won Best New Actor at the 17th Korean Association of Film Critics Awards.

We would also like to mention that he is quite popular in Japan.

A play that he saw as a grade eight student is what motivated Yoo Hae-jin to take up acting as a career.

Even though his family was of a conservative mindset, the actor tried his very best to realize his dream, and, realize he did in due time.

While he started playing "bit roles" in movies, he soon established himself as a sought-after character actor who was capable of delivering scene-stealing performances.

He has been seen in movies such as Confidential Assignment, A Taxi Driver, and King and the Clown, among others.

Song Joong-ki made his feature film debut with A Frozen Flower in 2008.

He shot to fame after having appeared in the historical coming-of-age South Korean drama Sungkyunkwan Scandal.

Ever since he's found fame, he has tried to prove his acting abilities by playing a range of roles in shows such as The Innocent Man, Descendants of the Sun, Vincenzo, and Arthdal Chronicles.

When it comes to the movies, he has been seen in titles such as Space Sweepers, A Werewolf Boy, and The Battleship Island, among others.

The actor gained immense popularity for his k-drama Vincenzo and space movie Space Sweepers. Both the projects were appreciated by the audience in South Korea.

Kim Myung-min made his debut in the feature film Sorum.

He's made a name for himself by appearing in popular South Korean television shows such as Immortal Admiral Yi Sun-shin, Beethoven Virus, Six Flying Dragons, Law School, and White Tower.

Also known to be a part of motion pictures such as Closer to Heaven and the Detective K franchise, Kim Myung-min is often referred to as an acting expert courtesy of his commendable acting skills.

Jung Hae-in was first seen in AOA Black's music video for "Moya" in 2013. He made his debut on television the very next year in a show called Bride of the Century.

He has been seen playing a supporting role in shows such as While You Were Sleeping and Prison Playbook; each of which is credited with bringing him fame.

That said, appearing in shows such as Something in the Rain, D.P., and Snowdrop only fetched him greater recognition.

Won Bin was first seen playing a role in the television series Ready Go!. He shot to fame after having played a critical role in the KBS's television series Autumn in My Heart.

He is known to be one of the most selective actors in South Korea today. This is primarily because he has not participated in a lot of films yet.

However, the actor can be seen in titles like Guns & Talks, Taegukgi, My Brother, Mother, and The Man from Nowhere.

Ryu Seung-Ryong made his feature film debut in Someone Special. He started his acting career by working in theater.

Sooner than later, he managed to establish himself as one of the most versatile supporting characters working both in South Korean movies and on television.

He has played a significant role in monstrous box office hits such as Miracle in Cell No. 7 and Extreme Job.

It is said that Ryu Seung-Ryong is the first South Korean actor to feature in four movies that have attracted over 10 million viewers each.

Best known for playing crucial roles in motion pictures such as Friend and Taegukgi: The Brotherhood of War, Jang Dong-gun is reportedly among the highest-paid actors and celebrity endorsers in South Korea.

The actor began his acting career by playing roles in television dramas. He is often voted as one of the most bankable stars in the country.

After several of his television dramas started streaming in other Asian countries during the late 1990s, there seemed to be a significant rise in the number of people who admired Jang Dong-gun.

Oh Dal-Su is one of those South Korean actors who has had a rich career on stage. This is primarily because he gave his acting career a kick-start by performing in a theater in Busan.

Since he'd been an experienced performer on stage, there was a rise in Oh Dal-Su's demand.

Soon after, he was seen playing important supporting characters on the big screen.

He has been a part of feature films such as Oldboy, A Bittersweet Life, and Mapado, to name a few.

Aside from acting, Park Hyung-Sik can also dance and sing. That is perhaps why he's been seen marking his presence in music videos and reality programs.

Even though he is not too experienced as a performer so far, he has gone on to prove that he can act in television shows such as The Heirs, High Society, Hwarang: The Poet Warrior Youth, Strong Girl Bong-soon, Happiness, and Suits.

Lee Dong-Wook, besides being an actor, is also a television host, model, and entertainer.

He has been seen playing critical roles in shows such as Scent of a Woman, My Girl, The Fugitive of Joseon, Hotel King, Life, Guardian: The Lonely and Great God, and Touch Your Heart, among others.

In addition to his work on television, he is known for being a host of talk shows such as Strong Heart, Produce X 101, and Wook Talk.

His character play in My Girl is credited with making him popular in several Asian countries.

Cha Eun-woo is an actor and singer who made his feature film debut with My Brilliant Life in 2014.

A member of the South Korean boy group named Astro, this handsome young man is one of the rising screen performers in South Korea.

Also a television host, Cha Eun-woo has been seen in television shows such as Rookie Historian Goo Hae-Ryung, True Beauty, Island, and Law of the Jungle in New Caledonia.

Song Seung-Heon has been a part of several television shows and motion pictures. He first appeared on the television show Three Guys and Three Girls.

He has been a significant part of several television dramas such as East of Eden, Player, Autumn in My Heart, Black, Dinner Mate, and The Great Show.

One of his latest screen appearance was in the fourth season of the show Voice.

This South Korean screen performer is known for playing the role of Lee Dong Sik in Beyond Evil.

Some of his most notable film credits include Joint Security Area, Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance, Save the Green Planet!, and Welcome to Dongmakgol.

Shin Ha-Kyun trained as a stage actor and appeared in a number of plays before making a name for himself in mainstream cinema.

The actor shot to fame after playing a North Korean soldier in Joint Security Area.

Gong Yoo shot to international fame after having played a critical role in the critically and commercially acclaimed zombie thriller Train To Busan.

However, the actor has been a fan favorite in South Korea ever since he made his striking presence felt in the well-received South Korean drama Coffee Prince.

He has been seen in feature films and television shows such as Silenced, Train to Busan, The Age of Shadows, and Guardian: The Lonely and Great God.

Cha Seung-won is yet another performer to make it to our list who started his career in the entertainment industry as a fashion model in the 1990s.

Comedy flicks such as Kick the Moon, Jail Breakers, My Teacher, Mr. Kim, and Ghost House are credited with bringing him widespread attention.

That said, he even went on to prove his versatility as an actor in motion pictures such as Blood Rain, My Son, and Night in Paradise.

Ji Chang-Wook is another South Korean screen performer who can sing.

The actor made his screen debut in the feature film Days... and shot to fame after playing the lead role in the drama series Smile Again.

His major television credits include Warrior Healer, Baek Dong-soo, Empress Ki, Suspicious Partner, The K2, Melting Me Softly, Backstreet Rookie, and Lovestruck in the City.

He's known to have begun his career in musical theatre.

Ma Dong-Seok, who is also known as Don Lee, is one of South Korea's better-known actors to have ever graced the silver screen.

Gallup Korea's Film Actor of the Year in 2018, he has been seen playing critical roles in feature films such as The Outlaws, Derailed, Norigae, One on One, and The Neighbor, to name a few.

However, it was Ma Dong-Seok's performance in the international hit Train to Busan that fetched him global fame.

Now, Kim Woo-bin may be on our list because of his acting credentials but we would also like to mention the fact that his towering height and smirk are also quite popular among those who like him.

He initially started his career as a runway model and shot to fame after having played a role in shows such as A Gentleman's Dignity, School 2013, and The Heirs.

He has also appeared in successful box office motion pictures such as Friend: The Great Legacy, The Con Artists, and Twenty, to name a few.

Ryoo Seung-bum is a well-known cinematic face in South Korea who has aspired to charm the audience with his presence in motion pictures such as Die Bad, Arahan, Crying Fist, The Unjust, and The Berlin File.

What is noteworthy about the aforementioned feature films is the fact that they have all been directed by Ryoo Seung-bum's older brother, Ryoo Seung-wan.

Ryoo Seung-bum is known to carry his scenes with a calm demeanor and top-notch energy.

One of the most appreciated movie stars in South Korea, Choi Min-soo belongs to a family that has been active in both acting and singing.

The actor took a voluntary leave from acting following an assault case in 2008. However, he has been among such controversies more than once.

Min-soo has been a part of film and television projects such as The Marriage Life, Life and Death of the Hollywood Kid, The Terrorist, Yesterday, White Nights 3.98, Sandglass, and Extracurricular.

Kim Rae-won made his television debut on the show  Me. He soon gained prominence after having been a part of shows such as Cats on the Roof, Gourmet, Love Story in Harvard, and A Thousand Days' Promise.

Motion pictures such as My Little Bride, Sunflower, and The Prison are also credited with bringing him fame.

We would like to inform our viewers that Kim Rae-won originally wanted to become a basketball player. But, a serious injury in the sport propelled his interest in acting.

Kwon Sang-woo commenced his career as a fashion model during the late 1990s.

While he was first seen on television in a show called Delicious Proposal, be started making his presence felt in the movies after being a part of a motion picture like Volcano High.

That said, he shot to fame after performing in films and shows such as My Tutor Friend and Stairway to Heaven.

It wouldn't be an exaggeration to claim that Yoo Ji-Tae is a multi-talented screen personality.

We say so because not only has he been a fashion model but he is also an actor, screenwriter, and director.

Even though he launched his film career with a role in Bye June in 1998, he rose to prominence after being a part of motion pictures such as Attack the Gas Station and Ditto.

He has worked with some of the finest filmmakers in his country in flicks such as Oldboy, Woman is the Future of Man, and One Fine Spring Day.

Chun Ho-jin was a student of chemistry when he dropped out of university to pursue his dream of acting in the movies.

He accomplished his dream when he first appeared in the 1986 feature film Street of Desire.

The actor first gained recognition after playing roles in miniseries and one-off telemovies.

He was soon seen making a name for himself by portraying significant roles in shows such as Love on a Jujube Tree, Once Again, and My Golden Life.

Yu Oh-Seong is better known for having appeared in motion pictures such as The Spy, Attack the Gas Station, and Friend. He started his acting career at the beginning of the 1990s.

Initially, he was seen playing roles on television and minor roles in the movies.

However, following the success of the gangster drama Beat, he became a rather well-known face to a new generation of cine-goers.

It is said that his career peaked in 2001 after he appeared in the movie Friend.

Kim Sang-Kyung was first seen for the first time in a feature film titled If the Sun Rises in the West.

He is best known for playing a role in motion pictures such as Memories of Murder and May 18.

Two of his feature films that were helmed by filmmaker Hong Sang-soo were screened at the Cannes Film Festival. They were Tale of Cinema and Ha Ha Ha.

Kim Sang-Kyung has also appeared in television shows such as King Sejong the Great and What Happens to My Family?, among others.

One of the highest-paid actors working in the South Korean entertainment industry today, Kim Soo-Hyun has been a recipient of four Baeksang Arts Awards, two Grand Bell Awards, and one Blue Dragon Film Award.

The actor made his debut on the television show  Jungle Fish 1 in 2008. He rose to fame after featuring in shows such as Moon Embracing the Sun, My Love from the Star, and The Producers.

The drama series It's Okay to Not Be Okay, in which he starred along with Seo Ye-Ji, went on to become a global hit.

In the first week of December 2022, Studio Dragon confirmed that Kim was going to feature in a forthcoming drama, which has been tentatively titled Queen of Tears.

The project, which is slated to be released in the second of 2023, will see the actor play Baek Hyun-woo, who happens to be the legal director of the Queen's group.