In Photos: 30+ Korean Actresses With New K-Dramas This 2021
Whether confirmed or rumored, the new and upcoming shows of these actresses are making us even more excited about this year in K-dramaland
In 2020, many Korean actresses stood out and delivered impressive performances in K-dramas.
Among those who were much talked-about were Crash Landing on You's Son Ye-jin, The World of the Married's Kim Hee-ae, It's Okay to Not be Okay's Seo Ye-ji, The King: Eternal Monarch's Kim Go-eun, Start-Up's Bae Suzy, and Flower of Evil's Moon Chae-won, among many others.
This 2021, the lineup of female Hallyu stars with new K-dramas seems to be just as exciting. We've got the likes of Jun Ji-hyun and Han Hyo-joo who are making their small screen comeback after years of K-drama break. There are also those like Kim Go-eun and Seo Ye-ji who, after their well-loved 2020 K-dramas, will be back in new shows right away. Others are rising actresses who are marking this year with their first-ever K-drama lead roles, like Lee Joo-young from Itaewon Class and Blackpink's Jisoo.
Check out the gallery below for the list of Korean actresses who are confirmed and rumored to star in K-dramas this 2021:
Korean Actresses With 2021 K-Dramas
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Kim Hyun-Joo in “Undercover” and “Hellbound”
Undoubtedly one of the most prolific and awarded actresses in the Korean entertainment scene, 43-year-old Kim Hyun-joo marks 2021 with two exciting projects that both feature her as a lawyer. JTBC’s “Undercover,” a remake of the BBC series of the same name, will see her reuniting with her “I Have a Lover” co-star Ji Jin-hee and have them playing husband and wife on-screen again; in the 2015 K-drama, she also played the role of a lawyer. Meanwhile, in “Hellbound,” she’s joined by Yoo Ah-in, Park Jung-min, and Won Jin-ah; the drama’s story revolves around people hearing predictions about their deaths.
Photo Credit: YNK Entertainment
Kim Ok-Bin in “Dark Hole”
You may recognize 34-year-old Kim Ok-bin in her supporting role in 2019’s “Arthdal Chronicles.” But even prior to that, this talented actress has starred in several K-dramas already. And this year, she’s back to a starring role with “Dark Hole,” where she plays the role of a detective whose husband gets murdered. She’s paired with actor Lee Joon-hyuk. As she hunts down this killer, we anticipate she’ll have some action scenes here and do an amazing job in them (hey, after all, she’s trained in martial arts in real life!).
Photo Credit: @kimokvin
Lee Joo-Young in “Times”
This 28-year-old actress from “Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok Joo,” “Something in the Rain,” “The Ghost Detective,” and “Itaewon Class” gets her first-ever K-drama lead role in “Times.” In the upcoming series, she plays the role of a reporter from 2020 who gets to mysteriously communicate with another reporter from five years ago; together, they work on a murder case. A truly promising actress, Lee Joo-young was recognized with a Best Icon Award at 5th Asia Artist Awards last year.
Photo Credit: @i_icaruswalkss
Won Jin-Ah in “She Would Never Know” and “Hellbound”
In the newly-released drama “She Would Never Know,” Won Jin-ah, 29, takes on the role of a senior marketing employee for a cosmetic brand who develops a romantic relationship with her junior (portrayed by Ro Woon). This is only the fourth K-drama of Won Jin-ah after working on “Rain or Shine,” “Life,” and “Melting Me Softly.” On her way to becoming a sought-after leading lady, she’s also been tapped for a lead role in fantasy drama “Hellbound” as the wife of a broadcasting station PD (played by Park Jung-min).
Photo Credit: @yooborn_official
Bae Doona in “The Sea of Tranquility”
The brilliant 41-year-old actress is a staple in both Korean films and K-dramas, and has even crossed over to Hollywood. Last year alone, Bae Doona had two much talked-about small screen projects: “Stranger 2” and “Kingdom 2.” This year, she’s delighting her fans once again with the futuristic sci/fi series “The Sea of Tranquility” (or “The Silent Sea”), where she’s an astrobiologist who travels to the moon for a mission.
Photo Credit: W Korea
Jeon Yeo-Been in “Vincenzo”
After starring in 2019’s “Be Melodramatic,” Jeon Yeo-been is onto her second leading role in “Vincenzo,” opposite top Korean actor Song Joong-ki. The 31-year-old actress has only been acting for a little more than three years, and has so far worked on more than 10 films and three K-dramas. Recognized as the Best New Actress at last year’s 56th Grand Bell Awards for her portrayal as a documentary director and CEO in “Be Melodramatic,” Jeon Yeo-been is set to show viewers her versatility in acting with her role as a lawyer in “Vincenzo.”
Photo Credit: @jeonyeobeen726
Lee Da-Hee in “L.U.C.A.: The Beginning”
From playing the role of a businesswoman in “The Beauty Inside” to a web portal company employee in “Search: WWW” in her recent K-dramas, Lee Da-hee now brings to life the character of a detective in “L.U.C.A.: The Beginning.” Her latest role presents Lee Da-hee in a less stylish and grittier on-screen persona, and is expected to impress in both drama- and action-filled scenes.
Photo Credit: @dahee0315
Kim Yoo-Jung in “Red Sky”
The “Love in the Moonlight” star is back in another period drama, this time a historical series with a fantasy twist. The latest role of this 21-year-old child star-turned-leading lady is that of a painter “who was born blind and miraculously regains vision.” This small screen project is a far cry from her previous one, “Backstreet Rookie,” where she played the role of a convenience store part-timer; it was a role that earned her an Excellence Award, Actress in a Miniseries Fantasy/Romance Drama from the SBS Drama Awards last year.
Photo Credit: @you_r_love
Choi Gang-Hee in “Hello? It’s Me!”
If you’ve seen Choi Gang-hee in last year’s “Good Casting” as a legendary black agent for the NIS, her newest on-screen character is totally different from it but is likely to impress just the same. “Hello? It’s Me!” is a fantasy rom-com that features the 43-year-old actress as a 37-year-old single woman who mysteriously comes across her 17-year-old self. If you want to see more of Choi Gang-hee, check out her previous dramas “Queen of Mystery” and “Glamorous Temptation.”
Photo Credit: @gangjjang337
Nana in “Oh! Master”
After debuting as a K-pop idol as a member of After School in 2009, this gorgeous 29-year-old crossed over to the world of acting in 2014. It was in 2019 when she was given her first lead role via the K-drama “Kill It,” followed by two more starring roles in “Justice” and “Into the Ring.” This year, she’s taking on a role similar to her real profession in “Oh! Master:” a famous celebrity known for rom-com projects, but off-cam, she’s not that good at handling romantic relationships.
Photo Credit: @jin_a_nana
Park Joo-Hyun in “Mouse”
26-year-old Park Joo-hyun is on a roll, proving she is one of the fast-rising Korean actresses today, . 2020 was a breakthrough year for her, as from a supporting role in “A Piece of Your Mind,” she was immediately tapped for lead roles in “Extracurricular” and “Zombie Detective.” Her upcoming role is that of a high schooler who’s skilled in martial arts—after seeing her performances in her previous dramas, something tells us she’ll do a great job in this new series.
Photo Credit: W Korea via @charmgirl_1005
Jisoo in “Snowdrop”
Joining the list of K-pop idols-turned-actors is Blackpink’s Jisoo. She once had a cameo in K-drama “The Producers” back in 2015, but this year, viewers will see more of her acting chops as she stars in “Snowdrop.” The 26-year-old’s first K-drama lead role is a cheerful college student who falls in love with a fellow student, a mysterious guy portrayed by Jung Hae-in. Blink or not, this is something K-drama lovers should look forward to.
Photo Credit: @sooyaaa__
Han So-Hee in “Undercover”
After her breakthrough year in 2020, thanks to K-drama “The World of the Married,” Han So-hee has been busy with endorsement and magazine shoots, and continues to be among the most promising Korean actresses in their 20s today. With her award-winning performance in the said series, K-drama fans are now anticipating her first lead role via Netflix’s action noir series “Undercover.” From a mistress/second wife, she’s now taking on the role of a daughter who’s out to take revenge on those behind her father’s death.
Photo Credit: @xeesoxee
Jung So-Min in “Monthly House”
Last year, Jung So-min starred in “Soul Mechanic” as “a musical rising star with terrible anger management issues,” a performance that earned her a nomination for Excellence Award, Actress in a Miniseries at the 34th KBS Drama Awards. This year, the 31-year-old will be seen in “Monthly House” as an editor of a home magazine who, despite being in this line of work for 10 years, hasn’t yet owned a house. She then meets the new owner of the place she’s renting, the man who also happens to be the CEO of the magazine company she’s working at, and her life will never be the same again.
Photo Credit: @somin_jj
Kim So-Hyun in “The Moon Rising River” and “Love Alarm 2”
At only 21, Kim So-hyun is already one of the most accomplished young actresses in the Korean entertainment scene today. Considering the number of sageuk dramas she’s done, she was even given the title “The Goddess of Historical Drama.” It’s a title that’s completely aligned with her soon-to-be released period drama, “River Where the Moon Rises,” where her role is the ambitious princess of Goguryeo who’s been raised as a soldier. Her character Kim Jo-jo, a high school student, is also set to come back via “Love Alarm 2.”
Photo Credit: @wow_kimsohyun
Park Shin-Hye in “Sisyphus: The Myth”
We missed seeing Park Shin-hye in a series last year as her last was “Memories of the Alhambra” in 2019. She did treat her fans with two movies last year, “#Alive” and “The Call.” But Park Shin-hye fans, rejoice, as this well-loved 30-year-old actress is all set for her soon-to-be released drama/fantasy/mystery series, “Sisyphus: The Myth.” Knowing how talented she is, we’re sure she’ll deliver a commendable performance with her portrayal of an elite warrior who time-travels to help a genius engineer (Cho Seung-woo) solve the mystery behind his brother’s death.
Photo Credit: @ssinz7
Park Bo-Young in “One Day Destruction Entered The Front Door Of My House”
The 30-year-old actress who’s famous for K-dramas “Strong Girl Bong Soon” and “Oh My Ghost” will soon be back in a K-drama via romantic fantasy drama “One Day Destruction Entered The Front Door Of My House.” The charming and baby-faced Park Bo-young is featured in the new series as the editor of the web novel “Life Story,” who believes in fate and crosses paths with a handsome yet dangerous man (played by Seo In-guk).
Photo Credit: @bhent_official
Jun Ji-Hyun in “Cliffhanger”
This is a much-awaited small screen comeback for the world-famous and in-demand actress who’s iconic for K-dramas “My Love from the Star” and “Legend of the Blue Sea.” After exciting her fans with that cliffhanger of a cameo in “Kingdom” last year, the 39-year-old is finally back in a K-drama titled “Cliffhanger” (or “Mount Jiri”). A mystery, thriller, action, and drama in one, the upcoming series features her as a top ranger in Mount Jiri, a place where mysterious deaths and disappearances take place. Of course, there are also hopes that Jun Ji-hyun will have a significant role, if not star, in the third season of “Kingdom.”
Photo Credit: @stonehenge_official
Kim Go-Eun in “Yumi’s Cells”
New K-drama fans may be surprised that, with her massive popularity, the talented Kim Go-eun actually only has three K-dramas so far since 2016 (“Cheese in the Trap,” “Guardian: The Lonely and Great God,” and “The King: Eternal Monarch.” (She has more films in her dossier.) Regardless of that fact, that number was definitely enough for viewers to stop and notice not just her beauty but her impressive talent in acting and her charming on-screen aura as well. She’s set to delight K-drama fans again with “Yumi’s Cells,” a webtoon-based series that revolves around Yu-mi, an ordinary career woman in her 30s whose brain cells control her emotions and actions in unique, mysterious ways.
Photo Credit: Marie Claire Korea via @ggonekim
Shin Min-Ah in “Here”
In 2019, the K-drama “Here” was confirmed with a star-studded cast that includes Shin Min-ah, Lee Byung-hun, Han Ji-min, and Nam Joo-hyuk. It was supposed to premiere last year, but is said to have been rescheduled to this year instead because of COVID-caused delays. No further details have been revealed yet about the show’s characters. 36-year-old Shin Min-ah’s last series was “Chief of Staff” in 2019. The versatile actress is also known for classic and well-loved K-dramas like “My Girlfriend is a Gumiho,” “Arang and the Magistrate,” “Oh My Venus,” and “Tomorrow With You.”
Photo Credit: @michaachannel via @illusomina
Han Ji-Min in “Here”
Also reported to headline in this K-drama in the works is 38-year-old Han Ji-min, who last graced the small screen via “One Spring Night;” it was a project that earned her the Top Excellence Award, Actress in a Wednesday-Thursday Miniseries award and the Grand Prize (Daesang) nomination at the 38th MBC Drama Awards. As we wait for more news about what her character would be in “Here,” you may want to acquaint yourself with this actress or re-watch her must-see K-dramas; check out “Dazzling,” “Familiar Wife,” and “Hyde Jekyll, Me.”
Photo Credit: Goldendew via @roma.emo
Jung Yu-Mi in “Until the Morning Comes”
An actress who has established herself in both indie and mainstream entertainment scenes, Jung Yu-mi is very likable in her portrayals. Last year, she took on the role of a school nurse who has the special power of seeing human desires in the form of jellies in “The School Nurse Files.” Many may recognize this 38-year-old actress as the pregnant lady in the film “Train to Busan” and the award-winning actress behind the strong female lead character in the movie “Kim Ji-Young: Born 1982.”
Photo Credit: @_jungyumi
Park Eun-Bin in “Yeonmo”
28-year-old Park Eun-bin had quite an eventful 2020, following her starring roles in hit K-dramas “Stove League” and “Do You Like Brahms?” She earned acting awards for both projects. An actress truly deserving of lead star status, she’s currently in talks to headline a new historical drama that’s tentatively titled “Yeonmo,” reportedly alongside SF9’s Rowoon. Her role? A female king! Now that sounds exciting!
Photo Credit: @eunbining0904
Kim Ah-Joong in “One the Woman”
Late last year, Kim Ah-joong, 38, made headlines as she was reported to star in a new drama titled “One the Woman” with actor Lee Sang-yoon. If confirmed, this will be considered her small screen comeback in about three years, as she last starred in a K-drama via historical time travel series “Live Up to Your Name.” Like her last series, “One the Woman” also has a bit of a fantasy element to it as the role that awaits her is that of a prosecutor who gets into a car accident, falls into a coma, suffers with amnesia, and mysteriously switches life with the youngest daughter of a chaebol.
Photo Credit: @ashia_kim
Hyeri in “Frightening Cohabitation”
Undeniably one of the most popular young Hallyu stars today, Hyeri has successfully moved from being a K-pop idol (formerly a member of Girl’s Day) to an actress. She’s famous for the now-iconic “Reply 1988” and starred in three more K-dramas after (“Entertainer,” “Two Cops,” and “Miss Lee”). Last year, she had a cameo in “Record of Youth,” wherein she reunited with her “Reply 1988” co-star Park Bo-gum. For 2021, she’s taking on the lead role of a university student who accidentally swallows the powerful bead of a nine-tailed fox (played by Jang Ki-yong); as they think of how to extract that bead from her body, the two decide to live together.
Photo Credit: @hyeri_0609
Kang Han-Na in “Frightening Cohabitation”
Also starring in “Frightening Cohabitation” (or “My Roommate is a Gumiho”) is Kang Han-na, who most recently made waves in the much talked-about series “Start-Up.” In this new webtoon-based series, she’s a former gumiho who gets romantically involved with a sweet and kind guy (played by Kim Do-wan, also from “Start-Up”). If you’ve just discovered Kang Han-na, check her out as a NIS Terrorism Task Force Analyst in “Designated Survivor: 60 Days” and as a princess of a Goryeo Imperial family in “Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo.”
Photo Credit: @k_hanna_
Seo Hyun-Jin in “Why Oh Soo Jae” and “You Are My Spring”
A versatile actress who has played a product planning team representative (“Another Miss Oh”), a doctor (“Dr. Romantic”), an aspiring screenwriter (“Temperature of Love”), a top celebrity (“The Beauty Inside”), and a private high school teacher (“Black Dog: Being a Teacher”), Seon Hyun-jin has been confirmed to breathe life into the character of a temperamental professor in “Why Oh Soo Jae.” It’s a role she finds challenging because of the character’s “cruel and despicable” personality. The 35-year-old actress has also been confirmed to star in “You Are My Spring,” where her role is a hotelier who comes across a murder case.
Photo Credit: Soompi
Seo Ye-Ji in “Island”
Following the immense success of her 2020 K-drama “It’s Okay to Not be Okay,” K-drama fans are now looking forward to Seo Ye-ji’s next series. She’s been tapped to star in the webtoon-based fantasy exorcism drama “Island.” The role that’s been offered to her is that of a daughter from a rich family who becomes the target of goblins; the character is set to meet a “sexy” monster hunter. This is definitely something new for the 30-year-old Hallyu star as she has so far only appeared in action, romance, historical, thriller, and legal dramas in the past.
Photo Credit: Harper's Bazaar - Korea
Han Hyo-Joo in “Moving”
Many K-drama fans surely miss Han Hyo-joo; it’s been a little more than four years when the 33-year-old actress was last seen in a series via “W.” As someone who seems to be selective of the projects she works on (she only starred in six K-dramas throughout her 17-year-long career), Han Hyo-joo must have seen something truly special about “Moving” should she accept the offer to star in it. We can’t wait, especially since Jo In-sung was also tapped for the project; his last series was 2014’s “It’s Okay That’s Love.”
Photo Credit: @hanhyojoo222
Kwon Yu-Ri in “Bossam: Steal the Fate”
After two years, Kwon Yu-ri will appear in a K-drama again via “Bossam: Steal the Fate;” she was last seen in “Dae Jang Geum Is Watching.” In the new historical romance drama, the 31-year-old K-pop idol-turned-actress (she was a member of Girls’ Generation) plays the role of a princess who lost her husband on their wedding day and gets kidnapped by mistake by a man who performs bossam (the practice of abducting widowed women). This is a promising addition to the list of lead roles she’s done, and marks her first sageuk.
Photo Credit: @yulyulk
Jeon Mi-Do in “Hospital Playlist 2”
If you aren’t familiar with up-and-coming actress Jeon Mi-do yet, now’s the time to check her out. The 38-year-old has devoted many years as a theater actress and only recently started hopping onto mainstream TV. Her first-ever K-drama was 2018’s “Mother,” wherein she had a small role. Last year, she starred in romance, comedy, and medical drama “Hospital Playlist,” a project that really boosted her popularity and earned her several acting awards and nominations. Since “Hospital Playlist 2” is confirmed, we can’t wait to see more of Jeon Mi-do as neurosurgery associate professor Chae Song-hwa.
Photo Credit: @mido_ring
Go Min-Si in “Youth of May”
The 25-year-old actress is well on her way to becoming a sought-after lead star. After taking on support roles in K-dramas like “The Smile Has Left Your Eyes,” “Love Alarm,” and last year’s “Sweet Home,” Go Min-si has been tapped for the lead role in the upcoming series “Youth of May” opposite her “Sweet Home” co-star Lee Do-hyun. The role that’s been offered to her is that of a nurse who falls in love with a top medical student during a turbulent time amidst the Gwangju Uprising in May 1980.
Photo Credit: Marie Claire Korea
Park Hye-Soo in “Dear M” and “Red Cuff of the Sleeve”
It’s been almost four years since Park Hye-soo was last seen in a K-drama via “Introverted Boss.” But 2021 seems like a busy year for the 26-year-old actress. She’s starring in the soon-to-be released romance series “Dr. M,” where her role is a business administration student. Then there are also reports about her starring in historical series “Red Cuff of the Sleeve;” should she accept this, this will be her second period drama, next to “Saimdang, Memoir of Colors,” wherein she played the young version of veteran actress Lee Young-ae’s character.
Photo Credit: Elle Korea via @hyesuuuuuya
Esom in “Taxi Driver”
Esom is back on the small screen after playing the role of a nursing student in 2019’s “Save Me 2.” This year, the 30-year-old is featured as an upright elite prosecutor in the upcoming action crime series “Taxi Driver.” This marks her third lead role in a K-drama, next to “The Third Charm” and “Save Me 2.” This model-actress is most famous for the 2014 film “Scarlet Innocence” which earned her her first acting award.
Photo Credit: Harper's Bazaar - Korea via @esom_
Jang Na-Ra in “Great Real Estate”
Jang Na-ra, 39, is one of the most famous and well-loved Korean actresses, and it’s easy to see why. She’s not only adored by her fans for her talent in acting but also her baby-faced beauty and sweet personality. Her most recent projects featured her as an aspiring musical actress who gets married to the Emperor of the Korean Empire in “The Last Empress,” a luxury department store VIP management team employee who gets cheated on by her husband in “VIP,” and a workaholic 39-year-old single woman who wants a baby of her own in “Oh My Baby.” Should she be confirmed for “Great Real Estate,” her role is that of a lady boss at a real estate company who has psychic abilities.
Photo Credit: Rawon Culture
What K-drama are you looking forward to the most this year?
Lead photos from @mindbridge_kr @stonehenge_official @ssinz7 @sooyaaa__
