my favorite korean actors — :’)
(Will be adding to this list and updating frequently)
This list first: is in no particular order (except #1, will never change that lol sorry :’), so do not fret if you see your fav at the bottom!
second, is not, cannot say this enough ... IS NOT based off how handsome each actor is, sweet lord ... I swear 9/10 that’s why people put certain actors on their favs list, they deserve more than that folks ... *eyes out*
third, I will give you some recs in each actors description box if you haven‘t seen their dramas yet, some you could start off with :’)
fourth, is based primarily off the versatile acting performances I’ve seen them in, and future roles I hope they take. I’ve seen a good chunk of these actors dramas, and films (even some reality shows), y’all might disagree with who I have on this list, lol, that’s fine, everyone’s entitled to their own opinions on who their favs are, but I will tell you I have a reason for everyone on this list and which dramas impressed me, seriously you can read why below lol
finally, if you see any of your favs on this list, please feel free to comment down below! I’d love to see or have some discussions :))))
well, let‘s get crackin!!!
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Lee Joon Gi
South Korean
ohhh yeah, there’s a reason why he’s #1: this man has impressed me many times with his acting abilities, his emotional range is outstanding, you want to see it for yourself?
watch —
- scarlet heart: ryeo
- flower of evil
- the king and the clown
- arang and the magistrate
- two weeks
- illjimae
- lawless lawyer
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Kim Soo Hyun
South Korean
one of the greatest actors I’ve seen hit the kdrama world, damn the guy knows how to act ... I don’t even need to talk about his greatness because I’ll just recommend his best dramas and you’ll understand why he’s one of highest paid actors next to LMH, and one of the biggest goof balls with his costars, he laughs like crazy in half of the behind the scenes vids I’ve watched and seems honestly like champ, love him.
watch —
- one ordinary day
- moon embacing the sun
- it’s okay, to not be okay
- secretly, greatly
- my love from another star
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Ji Chang Wook
South Korean
many people miss the times where he used to kick some ass, do his own stunts, the K2 and Healer he’s well known for these things, but I truly believe he’s one of the greats in emotional acting, acting with the eyes is a gift ladies and gents, and he can do it damn well, I see he’s being typecasted in romance dramas, but he’s already stated he doesn’t want to do action dramas due to rigorous diets and workouts, I respect his choice and so should you (I’m seeing comments on MDL saying he should go back to action dramas, easier said then done people, *eyes out*) still hope he gets in the action game oneday because he plays one hell of an action hero, but if he doesn’t, HIS CHOICE.
watch —
- the sound of magic
- healer
- suspicious partner
- empress ki (my all time fav of his)
- fabricated city
- warrior baek dong soo
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Yeo Jin Goo
South Korean
literally one of my ult fav, I don’t think he gets enough recognition for his acting, he’s phenomenal; the best dramas I’ve seen him are historical dramas and thrillers, and I’ll recommend him to anyone purely for his acting alone, he also seems like a shy guy in real life and I love that :’)
watch —
- the crowned clown (for the love of god watch this one for his duel performance alone, should‘ve won some serious awards ...)
- hwayi: a monster boy
- circle
- moon embracing the sun
- warriors of the dawn
- hotel del luna
- reunited worlds
- shoot my heart
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Lee Seung Gi
South Korean
he should be on everyone’s lists lol, he’s such wrecker when it comes to his acting chops, seen all of his popular works oof, he’s got the power, really glad he’s starring in a crime drama this year, he’s also good friends with LMH literally had no idea about this until LMH uploaded on his YouTube account ”featuring LSG,” wtf ... lol they’re bros, who knew?
watch —
- mouse (could be one of his best so far!)
- my girlfriend is a gumiho
- gu family book (pay no attention to the stupid title they changed it to on VIKI lmao)
- vagabond
- king2hearts
- shining inheritance
- a korean odyssey
- busted
- lee seunggi x lee minho (damn, you find out a lot from this series)
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Lee Min Ho
South Korean
uuu boi, am I gonna get some eyerolls lmao, for people that doubt his acting skills, why is he one of the most sought out Korean actors if he’s bad at acting? he’s handsome oh I get it ... but to all the naysayers, watch his scene in Legend of the Blue Sea when (spoiler) his girl gets shot ... then tell me he’s bad lol, sometimes its the projects actors pick where people hate their acting, but he’s a great actor imo, not enough people see it and think he’s overrated, depends on the drama really.
watch —
- legend of the blue sea
- city hunter
- faith
- boys over flowers (for one of his starting roles he wasn’t that bad actually lol)
- gangnam 1970
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Lee Byung Hun
South Korean
I haven’t had the chance to sit down and watch Mr. Sunshine (but I’ll recommend it from what I’ve heard about the show) which is a sin because I love this mans acting talent like ... why haven’ I— *sigh* so sorry lol, but he’s a little underrated to me, idk why, some of his bests works are the shows or films where he had to play a serious role, I love watching his thriller films, take the time to do so please, lol.
watch —
- a bittersweet life
- I saw the devil
- masquerade
- iris
- mr. sunshine
- memories of the sword
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Kim Seon Ho
South Korean
everyone and their mother fell in love with this man because of start-up lmao you can’t tell me otherwise, funny enough I knew about him before start-up I just never got into his other dramas, not anymore lol, highly recommend him for his killer emotional acting chops. I hope he takes more diverse roles in the future because I could see him in a thriller or a horror show for some reason, all in all, so happy his career has skyrocketed since his stellar perfomance as han jipyeong (who deserved better you devil writers ...)
watch —
- hometown cha cha cha
- catch the ghost
- you drive me crazy
- eulachacha waikiki 2 (quite the mouthful this title sksks)
- 100 days my prince
- 2d1n (beware— you will laugh soooo hard ...)
- start-up (only for his scenes lol and I oop, as much as I love Suzy, needs to be said)
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Park Seo Joon
South Korean
one of my personal favs :P, haven‘t met one person who hasn’t seen one of his dramas or doesn’t like his acting chops, he’s not considered “one of the most attractive actors” by a lot of lists I’ve seen (which is bs, because *cough* have seen him in what’s wrong with secretary kim ... still has the most watched kiss scene on YouTube btw lmao, check it out) but he just has that charisma where I can watch anything he’s in no problem, he’s a genuinely good actor, and I highly recommend his dramas, he’s one of the most versatile actors out there :’)
watch —
- the divine fury
- what’s wrong with secretary kim?
- she was pretty
- itaewon class
- kill me, heal me
- midnight runners
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Gong Yoo
South Korean
need I say more lol? we all know who he is is from train to busan and goblin (still will put it on this list, which once again, so sorry, haven’t gotten a chance to watch :’( but I know its good, lol feeds tell you everything), but this man deserves all the things and I love his natural acting <3
watch —
- train to busan
- goblin
- coffee prince
- the age of shadows
- silenced
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Park Hyung Sik
South Korean
ughhhhhh friggin love this man ... he’s also in the typecast rom-com fest, really want to see himin mystery / thrillers like nine, seriously ... he did great that show, and he‘s not just a pretty face and can act :’) just watch strong woman and you’ll see!
watch —
- strong woman do bong soon (the drama everyone knows him for and my personal fav ofhis, though sometimes he can get cringy)
- suits
- hwarang (will forever be salty the writers didn’t stick to the bromance ... *sigh*)
- nine: nine times time travel
- high society
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Lee Jong Suk
South Korean
fun fact: I think his dramas are incredibly overrated lol (except for while you were sleeping, that drama is a gem to society lmao) but he’s on this list because HE DAMN WELL KNOWS HOW TO ACT, anyone who thinks otherwise hasn’t seen him act, truth be told, I’ll recommend the dramas I’ve seen where he shows his emotional range, no matter how popular or unpopular they are, in the future I hope to see him in more diverse roles though, because I think he derives better tbh. I also think he’s slowly being typcasted in rom-coms like JCW, so hope the best for the future, if he stays in rom-coms though, that’s his choice.
watch —
- while you were sleeping
- w (shocker lol)
- the hymn of death
- pinocchio
- doctor stranger
- school 2013
- v.i.p. (his one villain role baby >:)
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Jung Il Woo
South Korean
he hasn’t been in enough dramas with solid stoylines imo, but I think he‘s a fantastic actor, he just needs more diverse acting roles and shows that aren‘t cringy romance, though sometimes I can stand it lol, I’ll recommend his popular ones so you can see for yourself, but I cannot wait for him to star in bossam: steal the fate this year, love historicals ...
watch —
- cinderella and the four knights (cringe fest 1,000 lol)
- high-end crush
- haechi (haven‘t watched, heard its good :’)
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Kang Ha Neul
South Korean
ahhhhh how can you not love this man, he’s so good I can’t, little on the underrated side too imo, but quite the actor, and deserves all the things :’) incredibly versatile in his roles.
watch —
- forgotten (my ult fav film of his, it‘s so good, and has one of the best twists I’ve seen in a long time)
- when the camellia blooms
- midnight runners
- scarlet heart: ryeo
- misaeng
- the girl’s ghost story
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Yim Si Wan
South Korean
you’ve either seen or heard of him, the mans got a gift indeed, he’s also a versatile actor, fell for him in “misaeng“ but his recent drama “run on,” was absolutely killer, one of the best “slice of life” dramas of 2020 imo, cannot wait to see what glorious diverse roles he takes in the future!!!
watch —
- run on
- misaeng
- strangers from hell (he’s got quite the roll in this one)
- triangle
- the king in love
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Yoo Seung Ho
South Korean
been a fan since “I am not a robot,” one of his personal best, definitely has the emotional actingrange to be one of your favs, he can play anything ... in the future I look forward to seeing him in either more thrillers or rom-coms, he’s great in both :’)
watch —
- I am not a robot
- remember
- memorist (heard this ones good, haven‘t had the chance to watch)
- the emperor: owner of the mask
- warrior baek dong soo (be warned: he deserved better lmao)
- the magician
- blind
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Song Joong Ki
South Korean
oof what a gem, every since “werewolf boy,” I’ve been watching the roles he takes, great actor and takes a lot of mature roles, but I want to see him as the main lead in more shows :’)
watch —
- a werewolf boy (you will not regret it, but grab your tissue boxes, sh— is gonna hit the emotional fan ...)
- the innocent man
- arthdal chronicles (s2 coming :’)
- descendants of the sun (haven’t seen, I know the audacity lol, everyone says it’s one of his best though)
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Park Bo Gum
South Korean
hard not to love him, quite the acting talent he has, and recently he‘s been taking more diverse roles :’), I look forward to his future projects, hope to see him in sci-fi or a crime thriller in the future, ”seobok” needs to hurry up a release to the public because that film is sci-fi and has both him and gong yoo lol.
watch —
- encounter
- love in the moonlight
- reply 1988
- hello monster
- coin locker girl (ughhhh one of my ult favs of his, but whyyyyy did the writers have to go that far, bring your tissues ...)
- record of youth (wasn’t a fan of this one, but his acting chops are chef’s kiss in this drama)
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Kim Jae Joong
South Korean
an idol turned actor and a damn good one too, a lot of people forget it actually, “triangle” was one of the best dramas to show off his acting talent imo and one of his personal best, I’d recommend him any day, I hope he returns to the acting world soon :’)
watch —
- triangle
- spy
- codename: jackal (this one is weird af lol beware, but its pretty funny at times)
- postman to heaven
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Kang Ki Young
South Korean
you’ve seen him in at least once drama, AND WRITERS OUT THERE GET THIS MAN A LEAD ROLE DAMN, he’s such a great actor ... one of the best rom-com actors who isn’t a main lead or second main lead either, I want justice for him talent and to see him play at least one main lead before I die lol, please lord make it happen :’) just once ...
watch —
- moment at eighteen (one of his best imo)
- what’s wrong with secretary kim?
- bring it on, ghost
- I’m not a robot
- terius behind me (haven’t seen, heard he’s good in this one)
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Jang Dong Yoon
South Korean
a rising star indeed :’) deserves all the praise and I look forward to future projects, his resume is incredibly diverse! cannot wait for “Joseon exorcist!”
watch —
- the tale of nokdu
- just dance
- search
- solomon’s perjury
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Kim Jae Wook
South Korean
wanna see this guy in more lead roles, holy cow— his emotional range is stellar, and he’s worth your damn time, finished crazy love the other day and he’s now one of my fav korean actors and has a lottttof talent oof, watch his dramas!
watch —
- crazy love
- the guest
- her private life
- voice
- who are you
- bad guy
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Seo Kang Joon
South Korean
another rising star well deserved, he’s gotten some pretty diverse roles these past couple years, and I’m loving it :’) wanna see him in more thrillers or sci-fi show like “watcher or are you human too” haven’t seen him in much this year unfortunately:/
watch —
- are you human too?
- watcher
- cheese in the trap (he was done dirty though, beware lol)
- when the weather is fine (I hate slow burns, haven’t seen this, but I heard its a great drama though)
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Park Hae Jin
South Korean
quite the mature actor he is, and gets some pretty good roles, though I’m not a fan of his role in “cheese in the trap,” at all, so I won’t be recommending that one lol, his role was kind of obsessive to me in that one, but I really think he shined in “forest,” and “man to man” if he takes action roles in the future I wouldn’t be surprised, or if he did more villain roles >:)
friggin excited for “crime puzzle” though.
watch —
- forest
- my love from another star
- man to man
- bad guys
- kkondae intern (also heard this is good lol)
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Yoo Ah In
South Korean
you better believe he’s on this list, for good reason, this man has some of the best acting chops I’ve seen in kdramaland, there’s not one drama I’ve seen where I’ve been disappointed, and I’m hella excited for “hellbound,” he’s underrated imo, but not for long with his drama choices lol
watch —
- chicago typewriter (everyone’s #1 rec lol)
- secret love affair
- voice of silence
- #alive
- six flying dragons (been meaning to watch, but its like 50 ep, lord help me, I get enough of that from Chinese dramas lmao, still heard its good though)
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Seo In Guk
South Korean
*sighhhh* happy this boi is getting recognition because oof, he’s got talent, watch his dramas, seriously ... excited for “doom at your service”
watch —
- the smile has left your eyes (once again bring the tissue boxes)
- the king’s face
- high school king of savvy
- the master’s sun
- reply 1997
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Lee Soo Hyuk
South Korean
one of the most underrated Korean actors out there, my god, he’s so talented it hurts :’))) I wanna see him get the girl at least once man ... he’s like Kim Ji soo when it comes to getting woman in dramas... he doesn’t lmao, *sigh* but it’s the truth, wanna see him get the girl at least once in his future roles, and I hope he continues to take diverse ones.
excited to see him reunite with Seo In Guk in “doom at your service!!!”
watch —
- handmade love
- high school kind of savvy
- the scholar who walks the night
- born again (the writing sucked big time, but his acting in this one, was amazing ...)
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Kim Won Hae
South Korean
FUN FACT #2: YOU’VE SEEN HIM IN AT LEAST ONE DRAMA, this guy is everywhere ... it’s baffling to me how many times I’ve seen him in my favs as just a cameo or a supporting lead role, he can play anything ... it’s crazy, whether he plays a protagonist or antagonist this guys knows how to act ... love it, he deserves a spot on this list, quite frankly with the greats :’)
watch — (all of his stuff, you won’t be disappointed lmao, these are some of his best imo)
- strong woman do bong soon
- while you were sleeping
- ghost detective
- nine: nine time time travels (he played a good baddie in this one)
- black
- hwarang
- signal (heard this drama is good, and his role :’)
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Yang Se Jong
South Korean
another underrated gem, wow his acting surprised me, one of my all time favs of his is duel, and damn, lets just say that drama did everything it needed to do ... hope to see him in more kdramas, especially historical!
watch —
- duel
- my country: the new age
- thirty but seventeen
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Lee Jae Wook
South Korean
a rising star, literally within the past year, so happy he’s getting more roles and so impressed with his acting, he’s gonna go places in the future :’) I can see it!
watch —
- do do sol la la sol (be prepared for a crappy ending *eyeroll* but his acting was great)
- extraordinary you
- search: www
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Woo Do Hwan
South Korean
I LOVE THIS MAN, I friggin love this man ... and boy do I need him in another lead role stat, love him ... lol said it three times I’ll say it again, his acting range is out of this world, and I’d really love to see him in more thrillers or crime dramas like “mad dog”
watch –
- save me (my ult fav of his)
- my country: a new age
- tempted
- the king eternal monarch (only for his duel performance lol, as a LMH fan, dare I say not much else is there ...)
- mad dog
- the divine fury (plays a good baddie >:)
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Yoon Shi Yoon
South Korean
honestly, he’s great and I don’t see him in a lot of fav actors lists, he’s definitely got the emotional range needed for an actor, he’s a good one, and underappreciated.
watch —
- train
- hit the top
- mirror of the witch
- death bell 2: bloody camp
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Ji Sung
South Korean
definitely one of the greats, his dramas are so good, omg ... been a fan for a long time ... please watch his works, you will not be disappointed in his drama choices, the mans duality is something else just watch “kill me, heal me” :’)
watch —
- secret
- kill me, heal me
- familiar wife
- doctor john
- defendant
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Rain
South Korean
another idol turned actor and honestly, if he acted in more American films, I would be totally satisfied, after “Ninja Assassin,” he can play any mature role, he’s got skills to be internationally acclaimed like Lee Byung-hun, hope to see him act in action roles in the future!
watch —
- ninja assassin
- a love to kill
- sketch
- diamond lover
- please come back, mister
- I’m a cyborg, but that’s ok
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Hyun Bin
South Korean
phenomenal actor — wow, not one drama he’s been in is a disappointment, what a gem, I always love watching his works, he’s been in the acting business for awhile, and I look forward to future projects!
watch —
- crash landing on you (everyone’s fav lol)
- secret garden
- memories of alhambra
- hyde, jekyll, me
- the negotiation
- rampant
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Shin Sung Rok
South Korean
cannot tell you how many people hated him because of “The Last Empress,” lmao you really have to give him credit, he knows how to play a baddie character, but imo his best role definitely has to be in “Kairos,” one of the best dramas of 2020, give it a watch, and give his works a try, if he can make you hate him, he’s doing his job well
watch —
- kairos
- the last empress
- vagabond
- perfume
- liar game
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Song Kang
South Korean
anything he’s in, I’ll watch, what an actor, he’s getting more lead roles recently and I’m not complaining either, he’s so talented ... “Sweet Home” really sold me on his emotional side, look forward to seeing him in more serious dramas or thrillers >:)
watch —
- navillera (one of my favs so far)
- sweet home
- when the devil calls your name
- love alarm
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