These Good-Looking Korean Actors In Their 40s Have Upcoming Projects

Ji Jin-Hee

This 49-year-old actor was last seen in a K-Drama last year with the South Korean version of the American television series "Designated Survivor." He's also known for series like "Jewel in the Palace," "Spotlight," "Dong Yi," "The Great Seer," "Blood," "I Have a Lover," "Second to Last Love," and "Misty." His small screen comeback is expected in the first half of 2021.

Photo Credit: "Designated Survivor: 60 Days" via tvN

What's new with Ji Jin-hee is that he's confirmed to reunite with his "I Have a Lover" (2015) co-star Kim Hyun-joo in the JTBC drama "Undercover." Like his last K-Drama, this one is also a remake; it's based on a BBC drama of the same name. His character is a man who's been hiding his real identity for so long. Kim Hyun-joo's character, on the other hand, is a human rights lawyer who becomes the first head of the Senior Civil Servant Corruption Investigations Unit. In a Soompi article, Ji Jin-hee said of his character, "I decided to star in this drama because I was touched by Han Jung-hyun, who sacrifices himself to protect his loved ones. I am also looking forward to reuniting with actress Kim Hyun-joo and working with her again. I’ll be back soon with a good drama and acting, so please show lots of interest for 'Undercover.'"

Photo Credit: "Designated Survivor: 60 Days" via tvN

Gong Yoo

Gong Yoo, 41, recently made headlines when news about him and his "Coffee Prince" co-stars reuniting via a documentary was released; the MBC docu's first episode will be released on September 24 and the second one, on October 1. But there are several other things to look forward to from Gong Yoo, who became popular for K-Dramas like "Coffee Prince" and "Guardian: The Lonely and Great God" as well as films like "Train to Busan" and " Kim Ji-young: Born 1982."

Photo Credit: Management SOOP

First, he's confirmed to star in the Netflix Original drama "Sea of Silence" alongside Bae Doona, Lee Joon, and Jung Woo-sung. In this sci-fi thriller, Gong Yoo plays the role of the expedition captain who leads the risky mission to the moon. He also has the action thriller film with Park Bo-gum titled "Seo Bok." And lastly, Gong Yoo was also offered a lead role in another star-studded project, the film "Wonderland," where he's said to star alongside Bae Suzy, Park Bo-gum, Choi Woo-shik, and Tang Wei.

Photo Credit: Management SOOP

So Ji-Sub

It's been about two years since 42-year-old So Ji-sub appeared in a movie and in a K-Drama—that's via film "Be With You" and series "My Secret Terrius." Aside from these, he's also known for his role in the South Korean period action film "Battleship Island" as well as those for TV series like "Something Happened in Bali," "Master's Sun," and "Oh My Venus."

Photo Credit: "My Secret Terrius" via MBC

So Ji-sub is set to make his big screen comeback via the mystery thriller film "Confession," wherein he stars alongside Kim Yoon Jin, Nana, and Choi Kwang Il. Last December 2019, they attended their first script reading. According to Soompi, "'Confession' is a story revolving around a suspect of a murder case and his lawyer as they uncover the truth behind the murder."

Photo Credit: "My Secret Terrius" via MBC

Jang Hyuk

This 43-year-old actor reached Hallyu star status thanks to K-Dramas like "Deep Rooted Tree," "You Are My Destiny," "Voice," "Money Flower," and "Wok of Love" as well as the iconic Korean film "Windstruck." His last K-Drama, "Tell Me What You Saw," ended last March.

Photo Credit: Sidus HQ

Jang Hyuk stars in the period action film "The Swordsman," which will be released in theaters in South Korea on Wednesday, September 23. Despite delays brought about by internal issues and the COVID-19 pandemic, the project finally made it to the big screen. According to "The Korea Times," his character is "a former royal guard and swordsman―who goes in search of his teenage daughter after she gets kidnapped by Qing Dynasty warriors." His co-stars are Kim Hyeon-soo, Lee Na-kyung and Jeong Man-sik. They recently held an online press event to promote the film.

Photo Credit: MBC

Ji Sung

Ji Sung, 43, has been coming out with a new K-Drama every year since 2015 with "Kill Me, Heal Me," followed by 2016's "Entertainer," 2017's "Innocent Defendant," 2018's "Familiar Wife," and 2019's "Doctor John."

Photo Credit: Namoo Actors

Although we're not seeing him in a series this year, worry not Ji Sung fans, because he might just be taking a breather. Of course, there's that COVID-19 factor that has affected the productions of South Korean films and dramas. But last June, Soompi reported that Ji Sung was offered the lead role in the new drama called "The Devil Judge." His agency, Namoo Actors, did say that he's indeed considering the project. It seems that it'll be a legal drama with a whole new twist. And if you've seen Ji Sung in "Innocent Defendant," you'll know that he'll do an amazing job in this genre should he decide to take on it.

Photo Credit: SBS

Namgoong Min

42-year-old Namgoong Min was last seen in the K-Drama "Hot Stove League," which was named the Best Drama at the 56th Baeksang Arts Awards this year and for which he received a Best Actor nomination as well. His other notable K-Dramas are "Doctor Prisoner," "The Undateables," "Good Manager," "Beautiful Gong Shim," "Remember," and "The Girl Who Sees Smells."

Photo Credit: SBS

Namgoong Min is expected to return to the small screen this coming November via the tvN series "Awaken." Also known as "Day and Night," the story revolves around mysterious cases that take place in a town, which are linked to cases that happened 26 years ago. With his knack for serious drama roles, there's no doubt he'll nail this one as well.

Photo Credit: 935 Entertainment

Kwon Sang-Woo

Kwon Sang-woo, 44, is most recognizable for his starring role in the classic K-Drama "Stairway to Heaven." But he also took on interesting roles in TV series like "Cinderella Man," "King of Ambition," "Medical Top Team," "Temptation," "Queen of Mystery," and "Queen of Mystery 2."

Photo Credit: KBS2

Kwon Sang-woo's last K-Drama, "Queen of Mystery 2," was about two years ago but he has since been working on films. Early this year, his film "Hitman: Agent Jun" was released. Last March, Soompi reported that Kwon Sang-woo is in talks to join the cast of "The Pirates 2." His agency Su Company confirmed that he was offered a role in the sequel of the hit 2014 film and that he was reviewing it. A more recent news item from "The Korea Times" last June stated that filming for this project is about to begin with a star-studded cast that includes Kang Ha-neul, Han Hyo-joo, Kwon Sang-woo, Sehun, Lee Kwang-soo, and Chae Soo-bin.

Photo Credit: Naver

Lee Sun-Kyun

What's new with Lee Sun-kyun, 45, is not a K-Drama or a Korean film but possibly a Hollywood movie titled "Cross" with Korean superstar Son Ye-jin and Australian actor Sam Worthington.

Photo Credit: tvN

You most likely know Lee Sun-kyun as the lead in the award-winning Bong Joon-ho black comedy thriller film "Parasite," which earned an Oscar nod among many other notable recognitions. But you may have also seen this versatile actor in the iconic K-Drama "Coffee Prince," "Pasta," "My Mister," and "Diary of a Prosecutor."

Photo Credit: IMDb

Cho Seung-Woo

This 40-year-old actor is currently starring in the second season of K-Drama "Stranger" alongside Korean actress Bae Doona. Reports say that as soon as he's done with "Stranger 2," he'll join the filming for series "Sisyphus: The Myth," which would see him paired up with Park Shin-hye.

Photo Credit: "Stranger" via tvN

Cho Seung-woo is best known for movies like "The Classic," "Low Life," "Tazza: The High Rollers," "The Peach Tree," and "Inside Men." His small screen projects include "The King's Doctor," "God's Gift - 14 Days," and "Life."

Photo Credit: "Life" via JTBC