15. Park Seo-Joon
Known for being a master of romantic comedy, Park Seo-joon lived up to that reputation when he played Deputy Chief Editor at The Most magazine’s publishing office inShe Was Pretty.
Meanwhile, inKill Me Heal Me, he played a person with seven different personalities and knocked them all out of the park. He also played one of the male leads in the seriesHwarang: The Poet Warrior Youth.
Some also know him for his action-comedy movies, likeMidnight Runnerswhere he portrayed a not-so-smart student of Korean National Police University who’s nonetheless sincere in his studies.
And then inThe Divine Fury, his comedic personality—often a staple in every role of his—was replaced with a badass attitude fueled by hatred and resentment that turned him into something else.
14. Lee Joon-Gi
In the iconic fantasy Korean drama seriesMoon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo,Lee Joon-gi played the role of the disowned 4th Prince Wang So. He also made a special appearance inHotel Del Lunaas the priest/exorcist who was a candidate for employment at the titular hotel.
He also appeared in the sci-fi action Hollywood filmResident Evil: The Final Chapteras a lieutenant of Umbrella Corporation. He performed well alongside Hollywood actors in the final film of theResident Evilfranchise, where he fought one-on-one against the main character, Alice.
13. Jo Jung-Suk
Jo Jung-suk played the role of a prince charming in chief’s clothes, in the romantic comedy seriesOh My Ghost. But before this, he captured the hearts of audiences inYou Are The Best, Lee Soon Shinas a workaholic and overconfident but dedicated CEO.
In the 2016 fantasy dramaLegend of the Blue Sea, he made an appearance as a 911 rescue operative who also happened to be a merman, and he even showed his musical talents inHospital Playlistwith the OST “Aloha,” which rose to No. 1 in South Korea.
Related:The Best Korean Fantasy Series
12. Yoo Seung-Ho
Yoo Seung-ho received the Top Excellence Award at MBC Drama Awards for playing Crown Prince Yi Sun in the historical drama seriesRuler: Master of the Mask, where he was forced to wear a mask to hide his identity from a shadow organization.
He also excelled in performance as the leading man in other Korean drama series, such asMy Strange HeroandI’m Not a Robot.
11. So Ji-Sub
So Ji-sub started his career as a model before entering the world of the entertainment industry and becoming the star of television series likeTerius Behind Me,Oh My Venus,One Sunny Day,The Master’s Sun,I’m Sorry I Love You, andGhost.
He won Best Actor at the 2009 Grimae Awards for his role as Lee Cho-in/Oh Kang-ho in the melodrama action seriesCain and Abel(based on the biblical story), where he played the character of the younger son.
10. Gong Yoo
He’s most well-known for his “goblin” character in the 2016 fantasy-drama seriesGuardian: The Lonely and Great God. He also played the role of Choi Han-gyul in the romantic comedy seriesCoffee Prince, for which he won an Excellence Award at the 2007 MBC Drama Awards.
He then rose to greater frame with his world-class performance as Seok Woo in the horror-action zombie apocalypse movieTrain to Busan, which became an international blockbuster. And most recently, he had a short but impactful role in Netflix’sSquid Gameseries.
9. Hyun Bin
Hyun Bin starred in several Korean drama series that won awards from several award-giving bodies.
His role inIrelandled to him winning Best New Actor at the MBC Drama Awards, while his performances inConfidential AssignmentandThe Swindlersearned him the Top Star Award at the 6th Korea Film Actors Association Awards.
One of his best and most well-known performances is his role as Captain Ri Jeong-hyeok, the serious military man who led Netflix’sCrash Landing on Youalongside lead actress Son Ye-jin. In it, he showcased his ability to be both badass and hilarious depending on the scene.
Related:The Best Korean Drama Series on Netflix
8. Lee Min-Ho
Lee Min-ho gave life to some of the most iconic characters in Korean drama history, like Gu Jun-pyo inBoys Over Flowers, for which he received the Best New Actor award at the 2009 Baek Sang Art Awards.
He accumulated many more awards in 2016 with the seriesLegend of the Blue Sea, including the SBS Drama Award for Best Couple, together with leading actress Jun Ji-hyun.
He also starred in several must-watch Korean drama series likeThe Heirs,Faith,City Hunter,Personal Taste, andThe King: Eternal Monarch. He also played roles in the filmsGangnam 1970andBounty Hunters, where he worked with Chinese actors and actresses.
7. Lee Jong-Suk
Lee Jong-suk played a big role in the seriesWhile You Were Sleepingas a rookie prosecutor who has the ability to see future events through his dreams. He also appeared in the seriesPinocchioas a reporter thirsty for revenge after his father is framed and his mother commits suicide.
But as for his best performance of all time? We’d peg it at his role as the genius cardiothoracic surgeon in the seriesDoctor Stranger, which perfectly blended comedy, romance, and medical thrills.
6. Ji Chang-Wook
Ji Chang-wook started his journey in the entertainment industry as a musical theater performer, then later rose in popularity after starring in the lead roles of several K-drama series, includingSmile Again,Empress Ki, andBackstreet Rookie.
He’s also the main lead of the seriesHealer, partnered with Park Min-young (and the two of them won Best Couple Award by KBS Awards). He also stars as the main character of the filmFabricated City, in which he becomes the “victim” of a fabricated crime scene.
5. Kim Soo-Hyun
Kim Soo-hyun is best known for his role inMy Love From the Staras Do Min-joon, the alien from outer space who falls in love with Cheon Song-yi (played by Jun Ji-hyun).
His performance inMy Love From the Starwon him numerous awards, including the Hallyu Star Award by APAN Star Awards and the Most Popular Actor for TV by Baeksang Arts Awards.
He also played the role of King Lee Hwon in the seriesMoon Embracing the Sun(for which he again bagged numerous awards) and he also made a special appearance in the finale ofHotel Del Luna.
4. Song Joong-Ki
Song Joong-ki is widely known for his role as “Big Boss” (or Captain Yoo Si-jin) in theDescendants of the Sunseries, in which he co-starred alongside Song Hye-kyo and won the Best Couple Award.
His other notable lead roles includeA Werewolf Boy,Space Sweepers,Sungkyunkwan Scandal, andInnocent Man.
Most recently, he starred inVincenzo(for which he won Outstanding Korean Actor by Seoul International Drama Awards) andReborn Rich.
3. Lee Dong-Wook
Lee Dong-wook is famously known for his supporting role as the badass Grim Reaper friend of the main characters inGuardian: The Lonely and Great God. He also starred as the titular legendary nine-tailed fox in the seriesTale of the Nine-Tailed.
In the seriesHell Is Other People, his role as the mysteriously creepy neighbor earned him the apt-named Dangerously Attractive Character award by OCN Awards.
Indeed, he’s portrayed several other “dangerously attractive characters” throughout his career, including mythical characters like the Grim Reaper and the Gumiho, but also the man inBlade Manwho develops the ability to manifest his mental pain as knives from his body.
2. Jung Hae-In
Like many, Jung Hae-in started his career with various supporting roles, but his performance inWhile You Were Sleepinggave viewers something colloquially known as “second lead syndrome.”
What’s that, you ask? Second lead syndrome is a phenomenon where audiences root for the main character to end up with the second lead instead of their intended main lead co-star!
Jung Hae-in later landed several lead roles himself, includingSnowdrop(co-starring with Blackpink’s Jisoo) andSomething in the Rain(co-starring with Son Ye-jin). For the latter, he ended up winning the K-Star Actor Award by APAN Star Awards.
1. Kwon Sang-Woo
Kwon Sang-woo is best known for his role as Cha Song-joo in the hit 2003 K-drama seriesStairway to Heaven. But his popularity didn’t end there! He had plenty more in store for us.
He went on to star in many award-winning South Korean films and TV series, includingMy Tutor Friend,The Big Thing,Once Upon a Time in High School, andWe Are Dating Now.
Kwon Sang-woo also played the lead role in the seriesTemptation, co-starring alongside Choi Ji-woo. In this series, he plays a man who’s torn between the woman he loves and the opportunity to escape poverty.
Read next:Why Are Korean TV Series (K-Drama) So Popular Now?
