In Photos: 20 Veteran Korean Actors And Actresses Who Are Staples In K-Dramas (Part 1)

1. Kim Mi-Kyung

The 57-year-old actress has been a part of the South Korean entertainment scene since 1985. Through the years, she's been a favorite for mother roles. She's been the on-screen eomma of top Korean actresses like Park Min-young, Park Shin-hye, Gong Hyo-jin, Jang Na-ra, Kim Tae-hee, and Song Ji-hyo. (In photo) Kim Mi-kyung in "Hi Bye, Mama!"

Photo Credit: tvN

The K-dramas you may have seen her in include: "When I Was Most Beautiful," "18 Again," "Was It Love?," "It's Okay to Not be Okay," "Hi Bye, Mama!," "Her Private Life," "My Strange Hero," "Confession Couple," "20th Century Boy and Girl," "Introverted Boss," "Another Miss Oh," "Healer," "It's Okay, That's Love," "The Heirs," "Master's Sun," "The Fugitive of Joseon," "Faith," and "Sungkyunkwan Scandal." (In photo) Kim Mi-kyung in "Her Private Life"

Photo Credit: tvN

(In photo) Kim Mi-kyung in "It's Okay to Not be Okay"

Photo Credit: tvN

2. Oh Jung-Se

2020 has been a challenging year overall, but it's special for 43-year-old Korean actor Oh Jung-se. For one, his popularity soared with the hit 2020 K-drama "It's Okay to Not be Okay" (in photo), then he also won the Best Supporting Actor (TV) award for "When the Camellia Blooms" at the 56th Baeksang Arts Awards last June. He's been in the industry since 2001, but that award is only his fourth, reason why his acceptance speech at the award ceremony was very emotional. The recognition was such a huge motivation for him to keep embracing this craft and continue getting better in acting.

Photo Credit: tvN

The K-dramas you may have seen him in include: "The Good Detective," "It's Okay to Not be Okay," "Hot Stove League," "When the Camellia Blooms," "Touch Your Heart," "Mistress," "Missing 9," "A Beautiful Mind," "The Vampire Detective," "The Lover," "Plus Nine Boys," "A New Leaf," "Miss Korea," and "Missing You." (In photo) Oh Jung-se in "When the Camellia Blooms"

Photo Credit: KBS2

(In photo) Oh Jung-se in "Hot Stove League"

Photo Credit: SBS

3. Kim Sun-Young

Today, she may be best known for the K-drama "Crash Landing on You," wherein she played the role of one of the "ahjummas" in a North Korean village. Her role may seem trivial, but her portrayal was actually commendable and memorable enough to earn her a Best Supporting Actress (TV) award for the abovementioned series at the 56th Baeksang Arts Awards last June. She's known for being a versatile actress, who has played roles ranging from being a mother to being a villain. (In photo) Kim Sun-young in "Crash Landing on You"

Photo Credit: Koreaboo

The K-dramas you may have seen her in include: "Backstreet Rookie," "Kkondae Intern," "Crash Landing on You," "Vagabond," "When the Camellia Blooms," "At Eighteen," "Her Private Life," "Romance is a Bonus Book," "Because This is My First Life," "Shopping King Louie," "My Horrible Boss," and "Reply 1988." (In photo) Kim Sun-young in "Backstreet Rookie"

Photo Credit: SBS

(In photo) Kim Sun-young in "Her Private Life"

Photo Credit: tvN

4. Kim Won-Hae

51-year-old Kim Won-hae has been an actor since 1991, and is undeniably one of the most talented and prolific ones in the South Korean entertainment industry. He's both in-demand in movies and TV series. He's currently seen in the ongoing K-drama "Start-Up" as the father of Nam Joo-hyuk's character. He's as great of an actor in comedic roles (check out "Strong Woman Do Bong-soon") as he is in dramatic scenes (see his short but powerful stint in "Graceful Friends"). (In photo) Kim Won-hae in "Strong Woman Do Bong-soon")

Photo Credit: JTBC

The K-dramas you may have seen him in include: "Graceful Friends," "How to Buy a Friend," "Chocolate," "Melting Me Softly," "When the Devil Calls Your Name," "The Fiery Priest," "The Hymn of Death," "Clean With Passion for Now," "Player," "Where Stars Land," "The Ghost Detective," "Life," "Are You Human?," "Queen of Mystery 2," "Black," "Criminal Minds," "Strong Woman Do Bong-soon," "Good Manager," "Hwarang: The Poet Warrior Youth," "Drinking Solo," "Monster," and "Signal." (In photo) Kim Won-hae in "Signal"

Photo Credit: tvN

(In photo) Kim Won-hae in "Good Manager"

Photo Credit: KBS2

5. Lee Il-Hwa

Fans of the "Reply" series will surely recognize her in an instant. The 49-year-old actress has an extensive list of TV projects, and it's not at all surprising considering she's been an actress since 1991. She's also a favorite when it comes to mother roles, as seen in K-dramas like "Her Private Life," "Reply 1994," "Reply 1988," and "My Love from the Star."

Photo Credit: SBS

The K-dramas you may have seen her in include: "Lie After Lie," "Her Private Life," "Man in the Kitchen," "Good Manager," "Reply 1988," "She Was Pretty," "My Love from the Star," "Reply 1994," "Ugly Alert," "King of Ambition," and "Heartstrings" (In photo) Lee Il-hwa in "Reply 1994"

Photo Credit: tvN

(In photo) Lee Il-hwa in "Her Private Life"

Photo Credit: Soompi

6. Sung Dong-Il

From one "Reply" series cast member to another—Sung Dong-il is easily recognizable, too! The 56-year-old actor has been active in the industry since the early 1990s. With a quick look at his filmography, it's easy to see that he's a go-to lead and supporting actor for good reason. Whether as an "appa" (father) or a villain, you can trust him to make an impact with every role he plays. (In photo) Sung Dong-il in "Ms. Hammurabi"

Photo Credit: JTBC

The K-dramas you may have seen him in include: "The Cursed," "Trap," "Your Honor," "Ms. Hammurabi," "Live," "Prison Playbook," "Hwarang: The Poet Warrior Youth," "Legend of the Blue Sea," "Reply 1988," "It's Okay, That's Love," "Reply 1994," and "Lovers in Paris" (In photo) Sung Dong-il in "Trap"

Photo Credit: OCN

(In photo) Sung Dong-il in "The Cursed"

Photo Credit: tvN

7. Kim Hye-Eun

K-drama fans may remember the 47-year-old Kim Hye-eun in the recent series "Itaewon Class" as Jangga Group's executive director. From being an announcer for MBC in 1997, Kim Hye-eun shifted gears and turned to acting, a career that she immediately pursued after quitting her job as a media personality. (In photo) Kim Hye-eun in "Graceful Friends"

Photo Credit: JTBC

The K-dramas you may have seen her in include: "Graceful Friends," "Itaewon Class," "Doctor John," "Encounter," "Clean With Passion for Now," "The Guest,," "Are You Human?," "Introverted Boss," "Monster," and "Secret Affair" (In photo) Kim Hye-eun in "Itaewon Class"

Photo Credit: JTBC

(In photo) Kim Hye-eun in "Doctor John"

Photo Credit: SBS

8. Yoo Jae-Myung

From one "Itaewon Class" cast member to another—Yoo Jae-myung, 47, is not only an actor, he used to be a theater director, too! With that kind of background, it's understandable why he's such a good actor, leaving a lasting impression no matter how small or big his role may be. (In photo) Yoo Jae-myung in "Itaewon Class"

Photo Credit: JTBC

The K-dramas you may have seen him in include: "Itaewon Class," "Confession," "The Smile Has Left Your Eyes," "Life," "Prison Playbook," "Stranger," "Strong Woman Do Bong-soon," "Hwarang: The Poet Warrior Youth," "Dare to Dream," and "My Horrible Boss" (In photo) Yoo Jae-myung in "Stranger"

Photo Credit: tvN

(In photo) Yoo Jae-myung in "Strong Woman Do Bong-soon"

Photo Credit: JTBC

9. Lee Jung-Eun

New followers of the Korean entertainment scene may recognize 50-year-old Lee Jeung-eun from the award-winning and critically-acclaimed movie "Parasite." But it's not only her list of movies that's long, she also has a lot of small screen projects. Typically portraying the role of a mother, she surprises and wows once in a while, too, with characters that have a mysterious side (check out her roles in "When the Camellia Blooms" and "Hell Is Other People"). (In photo) Lee Jung-eun in "My Holo Love"

Photo Credit: Netflix

The K-dramas you may have seen her in include: "Once Again," "A Piece of Your Mind," "My Holo Love," "When the Camellia Blooms," "Hell Is Other People," "The Light in Your Eyes," "Familiar Wife," "Mr. Sunshine," "While You Were Sleeping," "Fight for My Way," "Tomorrow, With You," "Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-joo," and "Oh My Ghost" (In photo) Lee Jung-eun in "Hell is Other People"

Photo Credit: OCN

(In photo) Lee Jung-eun in "When the Camellia Blooms"

Photo Credit: KBS via Dramabeans

10. Kim Kwang-Kyu

Kim Kwang-kyu, 53, has more than 50 TV series under his name, excluding his cameo appearances in K-dramas. These make his two-decade acting career constantly exciting. Since he debuted as an actor in 1999, there wasn't a year that went by that he didn't have a project. He's played a wide array of roles, such as a detective, a prosecutor, a school vice principal, and a chief of a news desk. (In photo) Kim Kwang-kyu in "My Strange Hero"

Photo Credit: SBS via Dramabeans

The K-dramas you may have seen him in include: "Extracurricular," "Diary of a Prosecutor," "Trap," "My Strange Hero," "Lawless Lawyer," "Hospital Ship," "Save Me," "Hwarang: The Poet Warrior Youth," "Marriage Contract," "Pinocchio," "The Suspicious Housekeeper," "Potato Star 2013QR3," "I Can Hear Your Voice," "Arang and the Magistrate," and "Scent of a Woman" (In photo) Kim Kwang-kyu in "Hospital Ship"

Photo Credit: kdramakisses.com

(In photo) Kim Kwang-kyu in "Pinocchio"

Photo Credit: SBS via Amino Apps

11. Hwang Young-Hee

Hwang Young-hee, 51, is fresh in the memory of avid K-drama viewers as she recently appeared in "Men Are Men" and "The King: Eternal Monarch," portraying the role of a mother in both series. There are almost 40 TV shows featured in her resume throughout her 14-year acting career, solid proof that she's a K-drama staple. (In photo) Hwang Young-hee in "The King: Eternal Monarch"

Photo Credit: SBS

The K-dramas you may have seen her in include: "Men Are Men," "The King: Eternal Monarch," "Never Twice," "Nokdu Flower," "The Last Empress," "My Healing Love," "Mama Fairy and the Woodcutter," "The Secret of My Love," "Revolutionary Love," "While You Were Sleeping," "Band of Sisters," "Romance Full of Life," "Good Manager," "Gogh, The Starry Knight," "Shopaholic Louis," "Page Turner," "My Son-In-Law's Woman," "Hwajung," "Divorce Lawyer in Love," "Sweden Laundry," "Mr. Baek," "The King's Daughter, Soo Baek-Hyang," "Can You Hear My Heart," "My Princess," and "Beethoven Virus" (In photo) Hwang Young-hee in "Men Are Men"

Photo Credit: KBS2

(In photo) Hwang Young-hee in "While You Were Sleeping"

Photo Credit: Soompi

12. Lee Kyung-Young

Lee Kyung-young (or Lee Geung-young), 59, has been active in the industry since the early 1990s. Although his list of movies is considerably longer than that of his TV series, he still has more than 20 small screen projects he takes pride in. Although he has a tainted reputation because of a controversy, he remains to be a staple in the South Korean entertainment scene, with recent projects such as "The World of the Married" and "Hyena." Villain roles suit him best! (In photo) Lee Kyung-young in "The World of the Married"

Photo Credit: JTBC

The K-dramas you may have seen him in include: "The World of the Married," "Hyena," "Vagabond," "Haechi," "Room No. 9," "Misty," "The Bride of Habaek," and "D-Day" (In photo) Lee Kyung-young in "Hyena"

Photo Credit: SBS

(In photo) Lee Kyung-young in "Misty"

Photo Credit: JTBC

13. Seo Yi-Sook

Seo Yi-sook, 52, is a cast member of ongoing K-dramas "Start-Up" and "Do Do Sol Sol La La Sol." The usual roles given to her, which suit her best, are mother and lady boss characters. Among her most memorable K-dramas is 2019's "Hotel del Luna," wherein she took on several personas as a deity. (In photo) Seo Yi-sook in "Hotel del Luna"

Photo Credit: tvN

The K-dramas you may have seen her in include: "Start-Up," "Do Do Sol Sol La La Sol," "The World of the Married," "Welcome 2 Life," "Hotel del Luna," "The Banker," "My Lawyer, Mr. Joe 2: Crime and Punishment," "My Secret, Terrius," "Mother," "Bad Thief, Good Thief," "Rebel: Thief Who Stole the People," "First Love Again," "The Master of Revenge," "Happy Home," "The Roots of Throne," "Unkind Ladies," "Heart to Heart," "My Dear Cat," "You're All Surrounded," "Your Neighbor's Wife," "Pure Love," "Feast of the Gods," "The Duo," and "Jejungwon" (In photo) Seo Yi-sook in "The World of the Married"

Photo Credit: JTBC

(In photo) Seo Yi-sook in "Bad Thief, Good Thief"

Photo Credit: MBC

14. Ahn Nae-Sang

55-year-old Ahn Nae-sang made his acting debut in 1994 with a Bong Joon-ho short film called "Baeksekin," no less! He first filled his acting resume with short films, only starting to work on a TV series in 2004. Although he got his kick-start in doing films, he ended up appearing in more TV shows than movies, now with about 80 small screen projects to his name, including his cameo appearances.

Photo Credit: Soompi

The K-dramas you may have seen him in include: "Memorials," "Hi Bye, Mama!," "My Country: The New Age," "Designated Survivor: 60 Days," "The Banker," "Blessing of the Sea," "Legal High," "The Light in Your Eyes," "Heart Surgeons," "The Guest," "Lawless Lawyer," "Ms. Hammurabi," "Misty," "Rain or Shine," "The Rebel," "Love in the Moonlight," "Squad 38," "Entertainer," "My Daughter, Geum Sa-wol," "Songgot: The Piercer," "Love on a Rooftop," "Kill Me, Heal Me, "Medical Top Team," "Ugly Alert," "Moon Embracing the Sun," and "Sungkyunkwan Scandal," among others (In photo) Ahn Nae-sang in "Hi Bye, Mama!"

Photo Credit: tvN via Dramabeans

(In photo) Ahn Nae-sang in "Moon Embracing the Sun"

Photo Credit: MBC

15. Kim Young-Ok

At 82, Kim Young-ok is still very much active at work. This year, she was a cast member of "The King: Eternal Monarch." But last year, she was extra busy with five projects! Working on several TV series in a span of a year has been normal for this veteran actress who joined the industry way back in 1957. (In photo) Kim Young-ok in "The King: Eternal Monarch"

Photo Credit: SBS

The K-dramas you may have seen her in include: "The King: Eternal Monarch," "Love With Flaws," "Love Alarm," "The Golden Garden," "Her Private Life," "Dazzling," "My Strange Hero," "Witch's Love," "Ms. Hammurabi," "The Most Beautiful Goodbye," "Birth of a Beauty," "Shopping King Louie," "Dear My Friends," "Marriage, Not Dating," "Master of Study," "Boys Over Flowers," "Coffee Prince," among others (In photo) Kim Young-ok in a cameo in "Welcome to Waikiki"

Photo Credit: JTBC via Dramabeans

(In photo) Kim Young-ok in "All Kinds of Daughters-in-Law"

Photo Credit: MBC

16. Um Hyo-Sup

Um Hyo-sup, 53, is a go-to for roles like a father, a doctor, an agent, or a prosecutor. His versatility allows him to easily shift gears in terms of character portrayals. His first acting stint was back in 1995. (In photo) Um Hyo-sup in "The Doctors"

Photo Credit: SBS

The K-dramas you may have seen him in include: "Extraordinary You," "Doctor John," "He Is Psychometric," "My Strange Hero," "My Secret Terrius," "Life," "I'm Not a Robot," "Live Up to Your Name," "The King in Love," "Stranger," "Shopaholic Louie," "The Doctors," "Remember," "Splendid Politics," "Heart to Heart," "Liar Game," "Gunman in Joseon," "My Love from the Star," "Two Weeks," "Gu Family Book," "School 2013," "Queen and I," "Warrior Baek Dong-soo," among others (In photo) Um Hyo-sup in "My Love from the Star"

Photo Credit: SBS

(In photo) Um Hyo-sup in "I'm Not a Robot"

Photo Credit: MBC

17. Nam Gi-Ae

K-drama fans surely remember her in the recently-concluded series "Flower of Evil" as the woman pretending to be the mother of Lee Joon-gi's character. The 59-year-old actress usually plays the role of a mother in K-dramas. She has more than 20 small screen projects, and that's pretty impressive considering she entered the industry later than her contemporaries, with TV series only starting to fill her resume in 2015. (In photo) Nam Gi-ae in "Flower of Evil)

Photo Credit: Kumparan

The K-dramas you may have seen her in include: "All About My Mom," "Oh My Venus," "Descendants of the Sun" (cameo), "Another Miss Oh," "W: Two Worlds Apart," "White Nights," "Introverted Boss," "My Secret Romance," "Suspicious Partner," "Stranger," "Hospital Ship," "Rain or Shine," "Mother," "Suits," "Life," "Encounter," "Haechi," "Confession," "Catch the Ghost," "When the Weather is Fine," and "Flower of Evil" (In photo) Nam Gi-ae in "Hospital Ship"

Photo Credit: MBC

(In photo) Nam Gi-ae in "Mother"

Photo Credit: HanCinema

18. Choi Won-Young

Choi Won-young, 44, recently starred in the K-drama "Mystic Pop-Up Bar," and is currently seen in the series "Alice" and "My Dangerous Wife." He's played both lead and supporting roles on the small screen since he made his acting debut in 2002. (In photo) Choi Won-young in "Doctor Prisoner"

Photo Credit: IMDb

The K-dramas you may have seen him in include: "Alice," "Mystic Pop-Up Bar," "Doctor Prisoner," "Where Stars Land," "Sky Castle," "Mad Dog," "Hwarang: The Poet Warrior Youth," "The Gentlemen of Wolgyesu Tailor Shop," "Come Back Mister," "Second 20s," "Hello Monster," "Kill Me, Heal Me," "Secret Door," "Three Days," "The Heirs," "A Hundred Year Legacy," "While You Were Sleeping" (2011), "Queen Seondeok," and "You Are My Destiny" (In photo) Choi Won-young in "Sky Castle"

Photo Credit: JTBC

(In photo) Choi Won-young in "Mystic Pop-Up Bar"

Photo Credit: JTBC

19. Chun Ho-Jin

The 60-year-old Chun Ho-jin has been in the industry since 1983. Apart from movies and TV series, he also appeared in musical theater productions. He's usually cast as a villain, something he executes very well. (In photo) Chun Ho-jin in "Save Me 2"

Photo Credit: OCN

The K-dramas you may have seen him in include: "Prince Hours," "The Return of Iljimae," "City Hunter," "God of War," "Bridal Mask," "Seoyoung, My Daughter," "All About My Romance," "Ugly Alert," "Good Doctor," "Two Weeks," "Doctor Stranger," "Six Flying Dragons," "Love in the Moonlight," "Chicago Typewriter," "Man to Man," "My Golden Life," "Life," "My Strange Hero," "Save Me 2," and "Once Again" (In photo) Chun Ho-jin in "Six Flying Dragons"

Photo Credit: SBS

(In photo) Chun Ho-jin in "Doctor Stranger"

Photo Credit: SBS via HanCinema

20. Park Hyuk-Kwon

Park Hyuk-kwon started his acting career in 1993, and now has more than 30 TV series in his filmography, but has actually worked on more films. Throughout his career, the 49-year-old has played a wide array of roles, some viewers loved and some viewers hated. (In photo) Park Hyuk-kwon in "The Producers"

Photo Credit: KBS2

The K-dramas you may have seen him in include: "Extracurricular," "Nokdu Flower," "Where Stars Land," "Something in the Rain," "Six Flying Dragons," "The Producers," "Secret Love Affair," "Three Days," "Deep Rooted Tree," among others. (In photo) Park Hyuk-kwon in "Extracurricular"

Photo Credit: Kumparan

(In photo) Park Hyuk-kwon in "Secret Love Affair"

Photo Credit: JTBC