The Most Gorgeous Korean Actresses To Turn To For Beauty Inspiration
Whether you are attending a special occasion or simply want to get dolled up for the day, these stunning Korean actresses will be your favorite pegs
South Korea is considered to be the skincare and beauty capital of the world. The Korean beauty products are globally famous for the impressive results they deliver. They constantly innovate and dictate the beauty trends and develop a cult following for them. There's a saying that good makeup starts with good skin, and the South Korean beauty industry cannot emphasize this enough with the efforts they've been exerting to prioritize skincare.
In South Korea, physical appearance is of utmost importance. The young ones are trained early on to take care of themselves. But all those efforts evidently pay off, and looking at these Korean actresses who are naturally beautiful easily proves it does.
These female celebrities serve as great beauty inspirations, whether it be through photos of them in character for a project, their simple selfies, or their ad campaign photos.
While Pinays' skin types or features may be different from those of the South Korean women, the main beauty takeaway one can get from them is that you need to take care of yourself. Looking good can be synonymous to feeling good. Invest in quality beauty products. Stick to a beauty routine that's suitable to you (just because your favorite actress follows a certain regimen doesn't mean it can work for you, too!).
In an interview with Cleo, Song Hye-kyo, one of the most beautiful Korean actresses, shared how she maintains her clear skin: "When I'm filming or busy, I don't have a lot of time to take care for my skin. Skin exhaustion always lead to ageing skin, so... I use mask every day. And because I'm not young anymore, I try my best to exercise. From time to time, like many other women, I visit aesthetics clinics for treatments. Lately, compared to when I was young, I've been using more anti-ageing products."
We listed down the most beautiful South Korean actresses. Get to know them in the gallery below:
Most Beautiful Korean Stars
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Song Hye-kyo
It’s impossible to have a list of the most beautiful Korean actresses without Song Hye-kyo in it. Not only is she a top Hallyu star, she’s also considered a goddess and a “living doll” for her natural beauty. The awards she has received ever since she started modeling and acting in 1996 are not only proof of her brilliance as an actress but also her immense popularity.
Photo Credit: @kyo1122
Song Hye-kyo
The 38-year-old actress is an in-demand brand endorser who has lent her face to a wide array of products and services, including a clothing label, a skincare brand, a credit card company, a mobile phone brand, watch and jewel brands, and even a water purifier!
Photo Credit: @kyo1122
Song Hye-kyo
Song Hye-kyo’s must-watch K-Dramas include “Autumn in my Heart,” “Full House,” “Worlds Within” (wherein she’s paired with “Crash Landing on You” actor and her ex-boyfriend Hyun Bin), “That Winter, The Wind Blows,” “Descendants of the Sun” (which she starred in with her ex-husband Song Joong-ki), and “Encounter.”
Photo Credit: @kyo1122
Park Min-young
Park Min-young started out as a commercial model in 2005, seamlessly transitioning to acting a year later. Four years after her acting debut in a TV series, she gained popularity with the K-Drama “Sungkyunkwan Scandal” opposite Park Yoo-chun. Her string of notable K-Dramas continued since: “City Hunter” with Lee Min-ho in 2011, “Healer” with Ji Chang-wook in 2014, “Remember” with Yoo Seung-ho in 2015, “What’s Wrong With Secretary Kim” with Park Seo-joon in 2018, and “Her Private Life” with Kim Jae-wook in 2019.
Photo Credit: @rachel_mypark
Park Min-young
Her latest project is the ongoing 16-episode series “When the Weather is Fine,” which premiered last February 24 and will end in April. Here, the 34-year-old actress is paired with Korean actor Seo Kang-joon. She’s also part of the variety show “Busted” on Netflix.
Photo Credit: @rachel_mypark
Park Min-young
Recently, Park Min-young turned heads at Milan Fashion Week where she was at the frontrow of Tod’s show. In the past, she has also served as a muse for high-end fashion brands like Gucci and Valentino. She has also appeared on many magazine covers, including Ceci China, Vogue Taiwan, and InStyle Korea, among many others.
Photo Credit: @rachel_mypark
Shin Se-kyung
Shin Se-kyung, 29, was a child star who blossomed into a fine young actress. Through the second season of the sitcom “High Kick” in 2009, she began to have a following until she became a leading lady material with projects one after another: “Deep Rooted Tree” (2011), “Fashion King” (2012), “When a Man Falls in Love” (2013), “Blade Man” (2014), “A Girl Who Sees Smells” (2015), “The Bride of Habaek” (2017), “Black Knight: The Man Who Guards Me” (2017), and “Rookie Historian Goo Hae-ryung” (2019).
Photo Credit: @sjkuksee
Shin Se-kyung
A multi-talented woman, she also has excellent cooking skills; she even attended a culinary workshop at the prestigious Le Cordon Bleu in Paris, France. She often posts about food on Instagram, and actually maintains a well followed YouTube channel which documents her cooking experimentation, her travels, and her work-related gigs.
Photo Credit: @sjkuksee
Shin Se-kyung
Last year, Shin Se-kyung won the Celebrity Youtuber award at the Brand of the Year Awards. She also donated her YouTube earnings to international humanitarian development NGO Good Neighbors. Her donation was used to create kits for young girls that include essential items like a year’s worth of sanitary pads. In a Soompi article, she said, “As I share my daily life on YouTube and connect with people, I think about what I can do for all the people I share this world with. I have received so much love this past year, and I wanted to repay that love. I hope that my donation will help young, growing girls who need a lot of support.”
Photo Credit: @sjkuksee
Park Shin-hye
It was in 2003 when Park Shin-hye debuted as an actress, appearing in the popular K-Drama “Stairway to Heaven” as the young version of actress Choi Ji-woo. But it wasn’t until 2009 when she soared to stardom, thanks to the well loved series “You’re Beautiful.” Her must-watch shows thereafter include “Heartstrings” (2011), “The Heirs” (2013), “Pinocchio” (2014), “The Doctors” (2016), and “Memories of the Alhambra” (2018).
Photo Credit: @ssinz7
Park Shin-hye
She is a top brand endorser, and was even picked by Filipino clothing brand Bench to be among their roster of global “benchsetters.” A number of global brands, like Swarovski and Olivia Burton, have also chosen her as their first-ever Korean ambassador.
Photo Credit: @ssinz7
Park Shin-hye
Considering her international fame, it’s no surprise that this 30-year-old Hallyu star was also invited to Fashion Week shows abroad, attending Paris Fashion Week dressed up in Valentino last year and New York Fashion Week in Coach in 2018.
Photo Credit: @ssinz7
Bae Suzy
Bae Suzy is a singer and actress, who began her career in the entertainment industry in 2010 as a member of the girl group Miss A. The following year, she tried out acting via the teen drama “Dream High.” Her next big project as an actress was the “Gu Family Book” in 2013, wherein she starred alongside actor Lee Seung-gi who she was later reunited with via the 2019 K-Drama “Vagabond.”
Photo Credit: @skuukzky
Bae Suzy
The 25-year-old actress’ other notable K-Dramas include “Uncontrollably Fond” (2016) and “While You Were Sleeping” (2017).
Photo Credit: @skuukzky
Bae Suzy
She is one of the most in-demand brand endorsers. In 2013, she made headlines as the queen of modeling contracts and was nicknamed the “10 Billion Won Girl” for reportedly earning that big amount for endorsement deals with about 14 brands in one year. It was a nickname that used to make Suzy cry because of the negative comments that came with it. In an interview, she was quoted saying, “I am really thankful. As I film more and more advertisements, my level of responsibility increases. I am being careful."
Photo Credit: @skuukzky
IU
Lee Ji-eun (more popularly known as IU), 26, is a singer-songwriter and an actress. She is currently the most followed South Korean female actress on Instagram, with more than 12 million followers.
Photo Credit: @dlwlrma
IU
As an actress, she debuted via the TV series “Dream High” in 2011. Her other TV projects include “You Are the Best” and “Bel Ami” (both in 2013), “The Producers” (2015), “Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo” (2016), “My Mister” (2018), and “Persona” and “Hotel del Luna” (both in 2019).
Photo Credit: @dlwlrma
IU
IU is an award-winning actress and singer who is also known for her philanthropic initiatives. She is also one of the most bankable endorsers in South Korea’s entertainment industry, with her remarkable achievements both in the field of music and acting.
Photo Credit: @dlwlrma
Lee Sung-kyung
Before becoming an actress, she was first a model (she’s so tall at 5’9”). Her acting debut was via a supporting role on the K-Drama “It’s Okay, That’s Love” in 2014. The following year, she took on her first starring role via the series “Flower of Queen.” Year 2016 saw her in several notable shows: “Cheese in the Trap,” “The Doctors,” and “Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok Joo.”
Photo Credit: @heybiblee
Lee Sung-kyung
“Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok Joo” boosted Lee Sung-kyung’s popularity in a major way. Her role as an Olympic weightlifting champion (inspired by athlete Jang Mi-ran) resonated very well with the young ones. It was especially well received in the Philippines, that’s why last year, she made it a point to meet her Filipino fans here in Manila via the “Be Joyful” fan meet event.
Photo Credit: @heybiblee
Lee Sung-kyung
Lee Sung-kyung is a great singer, too! On Instagram, she posted a video of herself singing “A Whole New World,” and our very own Lea Salonga (who originally sung it for the 1992 Disney animated film “Aladdin”) was so impressed she couldn’t help but repost the video on her Instagram account with the caption "This is so adorable! Isn’t she a Disney princess?”
Photo Credit: @heybiblee
Kim Tae-hee
She is, no doubt, one of the most beautiful actresses in South Korea. She’s 39 years old but doesn’t look like it. An actress since 2001, she is best known for her role as an evil stepsister in the 2003 TV series “Stairway to Heaven.” Just a year after that, she was immediately given lead roles in the shows “Forbidden Love” and “Love Story in Harvard.” And as an offshoot of her popularity as an actress, she also became one of the most sought-after celebrities for commercials.
Photo Credit: @taeheekim80
Kim Tae-hee
Her other must-watch K-Dramas include “Iris” (2009) and “Yong-pal” (2015). Currently, she stars in the 2020 series “Hi Bye, Mama” which premiered just last February 22 and is set to end in April.
Photo Credit: @taeheekim80
Kim Tae-hee
Kim Tae-hee is the wife of successful singer-actor Rain. They got married in 2017 and now have two kids.
Photo Credit: @taeheekim80
Son Ye-jin
“Crash Landing on You” star Son Ye-jin is adored by many for her beauty, charm, and talent in acting. She’s been active in the entertainment industry since 2000. And if she gained a fan in you with her character as the South Korean heiress Yoon Se-ri in CLOY, then you should watch her other K-Dramas too.
Photo Credit: @manyofactory_official
Son Ye-jin
Check out “Delicious Proposal” (2001), “Summer Scent” (2003), “Spotlight” (2008), “Personal Taste” (2010), “Don’t Look Back: The Legend of Orpheus” (2013), and “Something in the Rain” (2018).
Photo Credit: @yejinhand_ph
Son Ye-jin
In an exclusive interview with Metro.Style, Son Ye-jin's makeup artist Mu Jin revealed the makeup products she used to achieve her looks for the show: "Ma:nyo Herbal Fresh Moist BB Cream, Ma:nyo Herb Cushion in Beige/Ivory, Jennyhouse Air Fit Artist Eyeshadow in Rosy Beige/Mocha Latte, Tonymoly Back Stage Gel Eyeliner in Brown, and Jennyhouse Air Fit Lipstick in Monica Robe."
Photo Credit: @manyofactory_official
Jun Ji-hyun
Jun Ji-hyun, 38, is the lead star of the classic South Korean rom-com film “My Sassy Girl” back in 2001. In 2006, she set out for a career in Hollywood, accomplishing several films on this stint. Because of these, she was recognized and featured by American Vogue in 2010, as photographed by the famous Annie Leibovitz; she’s the first ever Korean actress who was featured in this magazine.
Photo Credit: @stonehenge_official
Jun Ji-hyun
Throughout her career, she’s had more films than TV shows. After her 1999 TV show “Happy Together,” she only returned to television in 2013 via the 21-episode K-Drama “My Love from the Star” which was critically acclaimed and was very successful; she was paired with Kim Soo-hyun. Two years after this show wrapped up, she returned for yet another well received series, “Legend of the Blue Sea,” opposite Lee Min-ho.
Photo Credit: @junjihyun.official
Jun Ji-hyun
Jun Ji-hyun is married to banker Choi Joon-hyuk, and they have two sons. For those who missed seeing her, good news, she will have a cameo in the upcoming series “Kingdom 2.”
Photo Credit: @junjihyun.official
Lead photos from Dashing Diva via @management_soop, Suecomma Bonnie via @kyo1122, and Daniel Wellington via @heybiblee
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