10 Talented K-Drama Actors Who Deserve More Love And Attention

Kim Ji-Seok

Kim Ji-seok, 40, may be known for second lead or supporting roles, but he can absolutely carry himself well in starring roles too. Most recently, he joined the main cast of “My Unfamiliar Family,” a 57th Baeksang Arts Awards Best Drama nominee. The other K-dramas he starred in include “Top Star U-Back,” “Children of the 20th Century,” “The Rebel,” “Cheongdam-dong Alice,” and “I Need Romance 2.” We also recommend you check him out in his supporting roles in series “When the Camellia Blooms,” “Another Oh Hae-young,” and “Personal Taste.” This year, he is starring in an upcoming K-drama titled “Monthly House” as a real estate property owner and investment expert.

Photo Credit: J Story Company

Kim Ji-Seok in "My Unfamiliar Family"

Photo Credit: @kimjiseok16

Lee Sang-Yeob

Next up is Kim Ji-seok’s “Top Star U-Back” co-star Lee Sang-yeob. The 38-year-old award-winning actor is also a very familiar face in the K-drama scene. Last year, he starred in the 100-episode series “Once Again” with actress Lee Min-jung; here, he won several acting awards for his role as an internist. His other K-dramas that featured him in starring roles are “Good Casting,” “The Master of Revenge,” and “House of Bluebird.” The small screen projects that earned him awards for his supporting roles are “The Innocent Man,” “Jang Ok-Gung, Living by Love,” “A Little Love Never Hurts,” “While You Were Sleeping” (a must-watch because he played a villain here), and “Love Affairs in the Afternoon.” He’s confirmed to star in an upcoming drama titled “No One in Their Right Mind,” wherein his character works in the business sector of an electronics company.

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Lee Sang-Yeob in "Once Again"

Photo Credit: KBS2

Son Ho-Jun

We last saw Son Ho-jun in a cameo in K-drama “The Uncanny Counter” this year and a starring role in “Was It Love?” last year. This 36-year-old actor has a charming onscreen presence that’s hard not to love; we think he’s great in rom-coms but he can also definitely pull off tear-jerking scenes. He’s also known for K-dramas like “Reply 1994,” “Mrs. Cop 2,” “Blow Breeze,” “Confession Couple,” “My Secret Terrius,” and “Dazzling”—all of which earned him acting awards. He recently debuted as a director, launching a short film titled “A Wild Apricot” on his own YouTube channel.

Photo Credit: YG Stage

Son Ho-Jun in "Was It Love?"

Photo Credit: JTBC

Sung Hoon

He’s 38, but he doesn’t look like it, right? Sung Hoon last portrayed the role of a lawyer and a cheating husband in the K-drama “Love Ft. Marriage and Divorce,” which is returning for a second season this June. If you haven’t seen any of this sexy actor’s series yet, check him out in “Passionate Love,” “Oh My Venus” (his chemistry and bromance with So Ji-sub and Henry Lau is on a different level of awesome), “My Secret Romance,” and “Level Up.”

Photo Credit: @sunghoon1983

Sung Hoon in "Love Ft. Marriage and Divorce"

Photo Credit: TV Chosun

Namgoong Min

Namgoong Min is one of the most versatile actors in K-dramaland. He can do justice to both protagonist and antagonist roles, and fit perfectly in different genres. This 43-year-old award-winning actor has a long list of dramas, and the titles that stand out in his filmography include “Listen to My Heart,” “I Need Romance 3,” “A Girl Who Sees Smells,” “Remember,” “Beautiful Gong-Shim,” “Good Manager,” “Falsify,” “The Undateables,” “Doctor Prisoner,” “Hot Stove League,” and “Awaken.” His next K-drama is the espionage-action drama “Black Sun,” wherein his role is a skilled NIS agent.

Photo Credit: @min_namkoong

Namgoong Min in "Awaken"

Photo Credit: tvN

Go Kyung-Pyo

He’s good-looking, no doubt, and he’s got a killer smile too. But when this 30-year-old portrayed a charming character in a rom-com or slice of life (“Don’t Dare to Dream,” “Strongest Deliveryman), a tough detective in a crime series (“Private Lives”), or even a genius ghostwriter (”Chicago Typewriter”), he looked even more dashing and attractive. Go Kyung-pyo is known for being a part of the main cast of the famous family rom-com “Reply 1988.” He starred in a medical thriller back in 2018 titled “Cross” as well.

Photo Credit: The Star

Go Kyung-Pyo in "Private Lives"

Photo Credit: JTBC

Yoo Yeon-Seok

New K-drama fans may recognize him for his role as an assistant professor of pediatric surgery in “Hospital Playlist” which is returning for its second season this June. But Yoo Yeon-seok, 37, has proven his talent in acting and his ability to capture audiences in several dramas prior. His K-dramas that earned him acting awards and nominations are “Warm and Cozy,” “Mood of the Day,” “Dr. Romantic,” and “Mr. Sunshine.” He’s also a cast member of series like “Gu Family Book” and “Reply 1994.”

Photo Credit: King Kong by Starship

Yoo Yeon-Seok in "Hospital Playlist"

Photo Credit: tvN

Joo Won

Joo Woon has the least number of TV projects in this list. Despite that, the quality and range of the roles he took on are enough to earn him a spot in K-drama lovers’ hearts. Although he only worked on less than 10 series, he interestingly garnered awards and recognitions for all of them. Most recently, he portrayed the role of an emotionless detective in the sci-fi romance series “Alice” which earned him the Producers’ Award at the 28th SBS Drama Awards. His other K-dramas are “King of Baking, Kim Takgu,” “Ojakgyo Family,” “Bridal Mask,” “7th Grade Civil Servant,” “Good Doctor,” “Naeil’s Cantabile,” “Yong-pal,” and “My Sassy Girl.”

Photo Credit: Santa Claus Entertainment

Joo Won in "Alice"

Photo Credit: SBS

Jung Il-Woo

33-year-old Jung Il-woo currently stars in the historical romance drama “Bossam: Steal the Fate,” wherein his character kidnaps widows for money. He was badly injured in a car accident with fellow actor Lee Min-ho in 2006, but thankfully, he recovered from that well and continued to be a sought-after actor in the Korean entertainment scene. His most notable projects that made award-giving bodies notice him are “Unstoppable High Kick,” “The Return of Iljimae,” “My Fair Lady,” “Moon Embracing the Sun,” “49 Days,” “Cool Guys, Hot Ramen,” “Golden Rainbow,” “Diary of a Night Watchman,” and “Haechi.” He also starred in “Cinderella With Four Knights” and “Sweet Munchies.”

Photo Credit: 9ato

Jung Il-Woo in “Bossam-Stealing Fate”

Photo Credit: MBN

Choi Tae-Joon

With his ongoing series “So I Married the Anti-Fan” with actress Sooyoung, we're further convinced of how effective Choi Tae-joon can be as a leading man. He's been in the entertainment industry since 2001 but he hasn't taken on a lot of K-drama lead roles yet. He, however, managed to gain love and attention from K-drama lovers for his support roles in series like “A Girl Who Sees Smells” and “All About My Mom” as well as his being a part of the main cast of K-dramas like “Adolescence Medley,” “Flowers of the Prison,” “Missing 9,” and “Suspicious Partner,” and “The Undateables.” He also previously starred in the 2018 mini series “Exit,” 2014 family drama “Mother’s Garden,” and 2013 romance melodrama “Ugly Alert.” In case you didn’t know, he’s also the boyfriend of actress Park Shin-hye; how nice would it be to see them star in a K-drama one day?!

Photo Credit: Huayi Brothers

Choi Tae-Joon in "So I Married the Anti-Fan"

Photo Credit: Naver TV

BONUS! Jang Ki-Yong

Though he only has a handful of K-drama starring roles to date, Jang Ki-yong is fast becoming a favorite leading man for his handsome looks, sexy on-screen charisma, and remarkable acting chops. This year alone, he has three projects: the film “Sweet & Sour,” ongoing K-drama “My Roommate Is a Gumiho,” and upcoming series “Now We Are Breaking Up.” He received acting awards for K-dramas “My Mister” (he’s a villain here!) and “Come and Hug Me.” He’s also a must-see in his supporting role in “Confession Couple” and lead roles in “Kill It,” “Search: WWW,” and “Born Again.” | Photo from YG Stage

Photo Credit: Check out our profile article on Jang Ki-yong here.

Jang Ki-Yong in "My Roommate Is A Gumiho"

Photo Credit: iQIYI