From the small screen to the big screen, these Korean actors have totally been taking over the world! It’s not just their dazzling good looks and gentlemanly charm that catches our eye. Nope, they even have the artistic talent to back it up! From intense drama and action roles to more lighthearted romcom heartthrobs, these Korean actors can do it all.
Join us as we list down just 22 of the most handsome and talented Korean actors working today. Who knows? Maybe you’ll even find your next bias on this list!
1. Hyun Bin
There is hardly anyone who doesn’t know Hyun Bin. With his classic good looks and manly charm, he has captured the hearts of many people from all over the world. Perhaps you know him best from his recent hit Crash Landing on You, where he starred with the gorgeous Son Ye-Jin who is now his wife! The superstar couple has been making waves ever since the announcement of their marriage.
Hyun Bin is a certified international Hallyu star. Aside from Crash Landing on You, he’s also famous for Secret Garden, Memories of the Alhambra, Confidential Assignment, and more. He has definitely shown his range as an actor with these challenging roles!
Instagram: @hyunbinactor_
2. Seo In-Guk
Up next we have one of the most beloved K-Drama actors working today: Seo In-Guk! It’s no surprise why he has built such a dedicated following. With his devilish handsome looks and insane amount of talent, it’s no wonder Seo In-Guk is one of the most sought-after Korean actors today. He has built up quite a portfolio of roles like young and impressionable students, Joseon-era royals, and even cold-blooded murderers. Talk about range!
But did you know, Seo In-Guk didn’t actually start as an actor? In fact, this multitalented man first debuted as a singer when he won the talent show Superstar K all the way back in 2009. Is there anything he can’t do?
Instagram: @seo_cccc
3. Park Bo-Gum
No list of Korean actors can be complete without the iconic Park Bo-Gum. At such a young age, Park Bo-Gum has already established himself as one of the most talented actors of his time. With iconic roles in Reply 1988, Hello Monster, Love in the Moonlight, Encounter, and more, he has proven to be a versatile actor who can act as an aloof go player, a cold-hearted prince, or even as a psychopathic lawyer!
Park Bo-Gum started his career at the very young age of 9 years old, so it’s no wonder he’s now extremely experienced in his early 30s. We guarantee you’ll fall for him after just seeing his smile!
Instagram: @bogummy
4. Nam Joo-Hyuk
Our next actor is fresh off the runway–literally! Nam Joo-Hyuk first started out his career as a model, but it didn’t take long for agents to notice his incredibly handsome looks and nudge him toward a career on the silver screen. His breakthrough role was in Who Are You: School 2015. Since then, he has only racked up more and more experience playing a diverse range of characters!
You might know him best from the hits Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-Joo and Twenty-Five Twenty-One. It’s safe to say that Nam Joo-Hyuk’s boy-next-door good looks as well as his natural talent for acting has made him one of the most popular Korean actors in the industry today!
Instagram: @skawngur
5. Lee Min-Ho
Whether you’re a recent fan of K-Dramas or a long-time lover, Lee Min-Ho is one of those OGs that everybody knows. With a strong charisma and timeless good looks, he has built up a reputation as one of the best Korean actors today. Some of his iconic roles include Gu Jun-Pyo in Boys Over Flowers, Kim Tan in The Heirs, and Emperor Lee Gon in The King: Eternal Monarch.
Recently, he has also been reintroduced to American audiences through the show Pachinko! Lee Min-Ho is the definition of “childhood crush,” yet even today he still remains a permanent fixture on our TV screens. Talk about longevity!
Instagram: @actorleeminho
6. So Ji-Sub
Our next actor also started out in the modeling industry–and it’s not hard to see why. With his towering height and expressive face, he’s the perfect fit for both the runway and the silver screen. So Ji-Sub’s most iconic role is probably in the classic K-Drama I’m Sorry, I Love You. You might also recognize him from hits like Oh My Venus, Phantom, Master’s Sun, and more!
Aside from acting, So Ji-Sub is an avid hip-hop enjoyer. He has released many hip-hop EPs and has even rapped for many of his K-Dramas’ original soundtracks!
Instagram: @soganzi_51
7. Song Joong-Ki
Up next we have the “flower boy” Song Joong-Ki. He became famous for this title due to his delicate boyish good looks and boy-next-door charm. Though he’s already in his late 30s, he still looks like he’s in his 20s! Song Joong-Ki is famous for dramas like Descendants of the Sun, Vincenzo, Reborn Rich, Arthdal Chronicles, and more. You might also recognize him as one of the original cast members from the hit variety show Running Man.
What most people don’t know about Song Joong-Ki is he didn’t always intend to be an actor. He actually started out as a pro high-speed skater and even got to represent his hometown Daejeon at the National Level. Unfortunately (or fortunately?), an injury forced him to drop out of the sport and pivot his attention to more artistic pursuits instead.
Instagram: @hi_songjoongki
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8. Kim Soo-Hyun
Up next we have the total eye candy Kim Soo-Hyun! This Hallyu star started his career at 19 years old playing a musical genius in the drama Dream High. Since then, he has only been given more and more iconic roles such as in the shows My Love From The Star, Moon Embracing the Sun, The Producers, and more.
Kim Soo-Hyun proves he’s not just a handsome face; as the winner of a whopping four Baeksang awards, he has proven to be one of the most talented actors of his generation. In fact, he’s even one of the most sought-after and highest-paid actors working today!
Instagram: @soohyun_k216
9. Park Seo-Joon
There’s hardly a K-Drama fan today who doesn’t know the name Park Seo-Joon. He’s been knocking it out of the park with memorable roles in Itaewon Class, What’s Wrong With Secretary Kim, Fight for My Way, She Was Pretty, and more!
His bad-boy vibes, deep husky voice, and stunning good looks put him in the running for one of the most gorgeous Korean actors we love to watch today. You might even recognize him from that cameo in the worldwide hit film Parasite!
Instagram: @bn_sj2013
10. Ji Chang-Wook
When it comes to handsome Korean actors, Ji Chang-Wook is pretty much the standard. This handsome stud started out his career in musical theater, proving his acting–and singing!–skills in front of a live audience day in and day out. Then he slowly transitioned into film and television work and has been a household name ever since.
You might know Ji Chang-Wook from his roles in Warrior Baek Dong-Soo, Empress Ki, Suspicious Partner, Lovestruck in the City, and more. From his debut back in 2006 to now, this gentleman has been stealing hearts for years and years!
Instagram: @jichangwook
11. Gong Yoo
Speaking of Korean actors as the standard, we’re sure you’ve heard of Gong Yoo. His handsome features and effortless charm have made him the standard celebrity crush for over two decades now! As a veteran in the industry, he has starred in countless hits like Coffee Prince, Guardian: The Lonely and Great God, Train to Busan, Squid Game, and more.
From being a top local star, he has now boomed into a global superstar! Aside from flexing his acting chops, Gong Yoo is also a prolific model. He has modeled for luxury brands like Chanel and Louis Vuitton.
Instagram: @gongyoo_official
12. Lee Jong-Suk
Don’t let his baby face fool you. Lee Jong-Suk is actually a veteran when it comes to show business! With those handsome features of his, he first started out as a runway model. In fact, he was considered the youngest model to ever participate in Seoul Fashion Week at the young age of 15!
Now, he is known as one of the most talented and versatile actors of his generation. You may know him from School 2013, Doctor Stranger, W, While You Were Sleeping, Romance is a Bonus Book, and more!
Instagram: @jongsuk0206
13. Park Hyung-Sik
There is a sort of stigma when it comes to K-Pop idols transitioning into acting, but our next pick proves that stigma shouldn’t exist in the first place. The multitalented Park Hyung-Sik first started out in the boy group ZE:A and its sub-unit ZE:A Five. With that charming voice of his, he has also released his own solo singles!
Now Park Hyung-Sik is more active as an actor. He has proven his acting skills with memorable roles in The Heirs, Hwarang: The Poet Warrior Youth, Strong Girl Bong-Soon, and more. He is also active in the musical theater scene where he is able to showcase his acting and singing skills all in one!
Instagram: @phs1116
14. Lee Joon-Gi
Up next we have another actor of “flower boy” fame, Lee Joon-Gi! His timeless beauty has given him that nickname as well as landed him in many historical drama roles. He brings history to life in his roles in Arang and the Magistrate, Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo, The King and the Clown, and more.
His acting prowess has garnered him several prestigious awards including a Baeksang for his first-ever starring role! While first he was given this “pretty boy” image, Lee Joon-Gi has since been branching out into darker and more mature roles to fill up his acting repertoire.
Instagram: @actor_jg
15. Lee Dong-Wook
We’re sure you recognize our next pick. Lee Dong-Wook is a top-notch star who has been stealing the hearts of many a K-Drama fan since his debut all the way back in 1999. He is a prolific actor who has starred in My Girl, Scent of a Woman, Guardian: The Lonely and Great God, Bad and Crazy, and more.
With his acting skills, he can go from charming rom-com male leads to complex and wild bad boys. He has also made a name for himself in variety shows with his quirky and loveable personality as seen in Sea of Hope!
Instagram: @leedongwook_official
15. Ju Ji-Hoon
Our next pick is yet another veteran when it comes to the acting industry. Ju Ji-Hoon has been a staple on our screens since his debut all the way back in 2006 when he landed a role in the hit show Princess Hours. Since then he has been taking on a wide range of different characters in shows like Lucifer, Along with the Gods: The Two Worlds, Kingdom, and more.
His dark and handsome looks have also given him success as a model. He has represented various brands like Calvin Klein and Levi’s. Aside from his success as an actor, he’s also been awarded titles like Best Male Model and Most Stylish Male Model for his modeling work!
Instagram: @_jujihoon
17. Kim Woo-Bin
When it comes to models-turned-actors, you can’t get much more classic than Kim Woo-Bin. He initially started out wanting to be a model, even going so far as racking up online forums just to get a start in the industry. He debuted as a runway model at age 20 and has since participated in many prestigious events like Seoul Fashion Week.
But Kim Woo-Bin’s luck doesn’t end there. Since then, he has also found his way towards the acting industry by playing memorable roles in hit K-Dramas like The Heirs, Uncontrollably Fond, Our Blues, and more! He has also found success in blockbuster movies like the Alienoid series, The Con Artists, Twenty, and so on.
Instagram: @____kimwoobin
18. Kim Hyun-Joong
Next up we have another talented idol-actor, Kim Hyun-Joong! You may recognize his handsome features and boy-next-door charm from the worldwide hit Boys Over Flowers. He has also starred in Playful Kiss, Inspiring Generation, and in movies like Indian Pink. He’s also charmed audiences with his variety show appearances, especially in We Got Married alongside Chakra’s Hwangbo.
Aside from acting, Kim Hyun-Joong is a member of the buy band SS501 and has also released his own solo records in both the Korean and Japanese markets. Due to his success, he is considered one of the top Hallyu stars of the early 2010s.
Instagram: @hyunjoong860606
19. Song Kang
Whether you simply own a Netflix account or are a frequent watcher of the platform, we’re sure you recognize our next pick. Song Kang is popularly known as the “Son of Netflix” because of the wide success his shows have found on the platform! You may know him from Love Alarm, Sweet Home, Navillera, Nevertheless, and more.
With his gorgeous looks and courage to take on more and more diverse roles, Song Kang is an up-and-comer like no other. His rugged charm paired with that angelic face has captured the hearts of many people from all over the world, and we think this is only the beginning of Korea’s next top actor!
Instagram: @songkang_b
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20. Lee Do-Hyun
Our next pick may have debuted later than some of the actors on this list, but he is already one of the most talented up-and-comers in the scene. Lee Do-Hyun debuted back in 2017 and has since been racking up impressive roles in Prison Playbook, Hotel del Luna, Youth of May, Melancholia, and of course, The Glory. He showcases his acting chops again and again by playing complex characters that are neither black nor white.
But behind the camera, Lee Do-Hyun is a complete sweetheart! His puppy-like good looks have charmed viewers from all over the globe. Who could resist that sweet smile? Lee Do-Hyun is total boyfriend material!
Instagram: @ldh_sky
21. Lee Jun-Ho
Another triple-threat idol-actor we have to watch out for is Lee Jun-Ho. He debuted as part of one of the most successful boy groups of the 2nd Generation, 2PM. When not making ladies swoon as he dances smoothly on stage, Lee Jun-Ho has also found great success as a formidable actor.
He has starred in Good Manager, Rain or Shine, King the Land, and The Red Sleeve. For his role as King Jeongjo in The Red Sleeve, he has even earned a prestigious Baeksang award. Lee Jun-Ho is bound to make the entire world part of 2PM’s fan club, HOTTEST!
Instagram: @le2jh
22. Cha Eun-Woo
And lastly, we’re ending this list with undoubtedly one of Korea’s current top stars. Cha Eun-Woo has been the subject of countless praise due to his unbelievable visuals. People say he looks like he’s stepped straight out of a webtoon with his unrealistically handsome looks. He’s even been called “face genius” because of this!
Cha Eun-Woo is part of the boy band ASTRO. He has also been gaining more and more acting experience by joining the shows My ID is Gangnam Beauty, Rookie Historian, True Beauty, and more. With a face like that, so many different kinds of brands have asked him to represent them such as Burberry, TikTok, Giordano, Dior, and more.
Instagram: @eunwo.o_c
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We hope you liked our article on the most handsome Korean actors! Which actor is your total favorite? Don’t forget to tell us all about him in the comments!
With their artistic talent and involvement in multiple industries, these Korean actors prove they’re more than just eye candy. The global Hallyu wave is buoyed by the popularity and talent of these actors, and we can’t wait to see what else they do in the future!
If you like this kind or articles, make sure to check out our take on the hottest Korean male models ever and the most beautiful Korean female models.