13 Under 30: The Fresh Faces of K-Drama’s Next-Generation Actors
They continue to catch our attention on- and off-camera!
In the long list of Korean actors we’ve collectively gushed about since we caught #KFeveronMetro, many have already been in the spotlight for years. While we can’t get enough of the OGs, of course, we can’t help looking at all the new talents we inevitably encounter as we binge one episode after another at the end of a tiring day at work.
Thankfully, streaming platforms continue to give us access to a seemingly endless library of dramas to devour—and the amazing actors that star in them. Whether in small parts, recurring characters, young versions of lead roles, or even lead roles themselves, we now see a lot of fresh faces and rising stars making breakthroughs almost at the same time as they do in South Korea. Though some may just be starting their careers while others have been acting for quite some time, we’re just glad to be seeing more of these actors in the past few years.
Metro.Style gathers a list of some of the country’s next-generation actors who continue to wow us not just with their blooming and booming careers, but also with their disarming good looks! After all, we have to admit—a huge part of why we're obsessed with Korean drama is the eye candy they provide! Check out our picks for 13 actors under 30 you should definitely keep your eye on. Who's your bet?
Next Gen Oppas
Next Gen Oppas
Nam Da-reum, 18
Photo Credit: @magiq_official
Nam Da-reum, 18
Photo Credit: @magiq_official
Moon Sang-min, 22
Where he caught your eye: ‘The Mermaid Prince: The Beginning,’ ‘4 Reasons Why I Hate Christmas’
Photo Credit: Awesome Entertainment
Moon Sang-min, 22
Photo Credit: @_sangmxn_
Moon Sang-min, 22
Photo Credit: @_sangmxn_
Ryeo Un, 22
Photo Credit: @lucky_company_
Ryeo Un, 22
Photo Credit: @_ryeoun
Lee Jae-wook, 22
Where he caught your eye: ‘Do Do La Sol Sol,’ ‘Extraordinary You,’ ‘Search: WWW’
Photo Credit: @jxxvvxxk
Lee Jae-wook, 22
Photo Credit: @jxxvvxxk
Lee Jae-wook, 22
Photo Credit: @jxxvvxxk
Cha Eun-woo, 23
Where he caught your eye: ‘True Beauty,’ ‘Rookie Historian Goo Hae Ryung,’ ‘My ID is Gangnam Beauty’
Photo Credit: @eunwo.o_c
Cha Eun-woo, 23
Photo Credit: @eunwo.o_c
Cha Eun-woo, 23
Photo Credit: @eunwo.o_c
Yeo Jin-goo, 23
Where he caught your eye: ‘Hotel Del Luna,’ ‘The Crowned Clown’
Photo Credit: @yeojin9oo
Yeo Jin-goo, 23
Photo Credit: @yeojin9oo
Yeo Jin-goo, 23
Photo Credit: @yeojin9oo
Jo Byeong-kyu, 24
Where he caught your eye: ‘Uncanny Encounter,’ ‘Hot Stove League,’ ‘Sky Castle’
Photo Credit: @bk_arta
Jo Byeong-kyu, 24
Photo Credit: @bk_arta
Jo Byeong-kyu, 24
Photo Credit: @bk_arta
Kim Young-dae, 25
Where he caught your eye: ‘The Penthouse 2: War in Life,’ ‘The Penthouse: War in Life,’ ‘Extraordinary You’
Photo Credit: @youngdae0302
Kim Young-dae, 25
Photo Credit: @youngdae0302
Kim Young-dae, 25
Photo Credit: @youngdae0302
Lee Do-hyun, 25
Where he caught your eye: ‘Sweet Home,’ ‘18 Again,’ ‘Hotel Del Luna’
Photo Credit: @ldh_skylark
Lee Do-hyun, 25
Photo Credit: @ldh_sky
Lee Do-hyun, 25
Photo Credit: @ldh_skylark
Yook Sung-jae, 25
Where he caught your eye: ‘Mystic Pop-Up Bar,’ ‘Goblin’
Photo Credit: @yook_can_do_it
Yook Sung-jae, 25
Photo Credit: @yook_can_do_it
Yook Sung-jae, 25
Photo Credit: @yook_can_do_it
Song Kang, 26
Where he caught your eye: ‘Love Alarm 2,’ ‘Sweet Home,’ ‘Love Alarm’
Photo Credit: @songkang_b
Song Kang, 26
Photo Credit: @songkang_b
Song Kang, 26
Photo Credit: @songkang_b
Jang Dong-yoon, 28
Where he caught your eye: ‘Search,’ ‘A Poem A Day,’ ‘School 2017’
Photo Credit: @dongyoon_info
Jang Dong-yoon, 28
Photo Credit: @dongyicompany.official
Jang Dong-yoon, 28
Photo Credit: @jsjy0312
Byeon Woo-seok, 29
Where he caught your eye: ‘Record of Youth,’ ‘Flower Crew: Joseon Marriage Agency’
Photo Credit: @byeonwooseok
Byeon Woo-seok, 29
Photo Credit: @byeonwooseok
Byeon Woo-seok, 29
Photo Credit: @byeonwooseok
Hwang In-yeop, 30
(Bonus: We know he’s 30 now, but we just had to add him here!) Where he caught your eye: ‘True Beauty,’ ‘18 Again’
Photo Credit: @hi_high_hiy
Hwang In-yeop, 30
Photo Credit: @hi_high_hiy
Hwang In-yeop, 30
Photo Credit: @hi_high_hiy
Lead photos via @songkang_b, @youngdae0302, @eunwo.o_c, and @namdareum_m
