Top 20 Favourite K-Drama Actors of 2024

When we said “making hearts race,” we didn’t mean all for positive reasons! Born in 1985, 39-year-old Park Sung-hoon started with a small role in “A Frozen Flower” and has since appeared in K-dramas like “Joseon Exorcist,” “Into the Ring,” and “My Only One.” His big break came with Netflix’s “The Glory” as Jeon Jae-jun, a character so detestable it sparked real-world drama. But his latest role as the notorious villain in 2024’s hit “Queen of Tears” had us all seething. Fans forgot to “hate the character, not the actor,” and Park Sung-hoon faced some nasty comments, which he addressed with surprising grace. But don’t worry, his star is still rising with the highly anticipated second season of “Squid Game” set for December.

Well, well, 2024 was practically bursting with fresh faces, and 23-year-old Lee Chae Min is one to watch! Known for his charming but minor roles in “High Class”, “Love All Play”, and “Alchemy of Souls”, this 2000-born cutie truly stole the show in 2023 as the second lead in “Crash Course in Romance”. He also made waves hosting KBS’s Music Bank with Lesserafim’s Eunchae. But 2024 was his big breakthrough year, landing his first lead role in Netflix’s smash hit “Hierarchy”. And wow, did he deliver! With 6.3 million views in just two weeks and a week-long stay in the top 10, Lee Chae Min’s star is shining brighter than ever, and it looks like he’s just getting started!

Whether you remember him as the adorable “potato boy” from “Nevertheless” or the delivery guy in “Sisyphus: The Myth”, Chae Jong-hyeop has been on a stellar rise since 2021.  Starting as a model, he made his acting debut in 2016 with “Webtoon Hero, Tundra Show Season 2”. Before his fame, he studied in South Africa and Thailand, but his path took an unexpected turn when he was diagnosed with epilepsy and had to skip mandatory military service. Fast forward to now, and his drama list has expanded. From “Hot Stove League” and “Castaway Diva” to his latest 2024 hits “Eye Love You” and “Serendipity’s Embrace” in both Japan and Korea, he’s truly a standout from K-drama actors of 2024.

This K-pop idol-turned-actor has been making headlines for ages, but this year, Cha Eun-woo revealed even more talents. Born March 30, 1997, Lee Dong-min, better known as Cha Eun-woo, is a standout member of the super-talented Astro. He started acting with a small role in “My Brilliant Life” and quickly gained attention with “The Best Hit.” Known for his jaw-dropping looks, earning him the nickname ‘Genius Face’, his career soared with “True Beauty” in December 2020, where he played the irresistible Lee Su-ho. Since then, he’s wowed fans with boundary-pushing roles in “Island” and the latest 2024 hit “Wonderful World,” with even more exciting projects likely to come.

Tall, stunning and oh-so-versatile star, Jang Ki-yong who’s redefining leading man status. From his debut in 2014’s “It’s Alright, This is Love” to becoming a fixture on our screens, he’s done it all. Dramas, variety shows, music videos, and even serenading us with his voice on drama OSTs. Though his roles in “Search WWW” and “My Roommate Is A Gumiho” were fan favourites, it wasn’t until 2024 that he truly stole the spotlight with his standout performance in Netflix’s fantasy hit “The Atypical Family.” We’re rooting for his fabulous glow-up from a promising newbie to one of the hottest K-drama actors of 2024, stealing hearts every step of the way.

With his jaw-dropping looks and sculpted physique, Ahn Bo-hyun is undeniably a stunner, but there’s so much more to him than meets the eye. Starting as a model in 2007, he switched to acting in 2014, landing roles in hits like “Descendants of the Sun” (2016), “Investiture of the Gods” (2019), and “Itaewon Class” (2020). But in 2021, he shook things up with his standout performance as Jeon Pil-do in “My Name,” earning him the Drama Excellence Actor Award. Fast forward to 2023, and he wowed us again with “See You in My 19th Life.” Also don’t forget to watch “Flex X Cop” his latest 2024 drama too.

Some of you might know him from the Oscar-winning “Parasite,” but Choi Woo-sik is also a part of the infamous ‘Wooga Squad.’ Born in Korea but raised in Canada, he returned to Korea at 21 and kicked off his acting career with “The Duo.” By 2014, he snagged his first leading role in the indie hit “Set Me Free,” winning Actor of the Year at the Busan International Film Festival. Then he became a global sensation with “Train to Busan” and showcased his dark side as a mysterious assassin in “The Witch: Part 1.” Talking about his small screen success, after a 3-year hiatus, he’s back in 2024 with Netflix’s “A Killer’s Paradox.” Maybe he’s back to kill us with his hotness?

What’s a list without a dark horse? Say hello to Uhm Tae-goo, born November 9, 1983. He debuted in 2007 and, despite his immense talent, stayed under the radar for years. Known for his standout supporting roles in films like “Coin Locker Girl” (2015) and “The Age of Shadows” (2016), he finally hit the big time in 2024 with the romcom “My Sweet Mobster.” Not only did he become one of the favourite K-drama actors of 2024, but this role also catapulted him into the spotlight, winning hearts and awards along the way.

If you know his name from a K-pop survival show, you’re spot on! Before hitting the screen, Lee Jung-ha was deep into stage acting and even appeared on the idol survival show “The Unit” as a trainee. He even revealed that he once auditioned for JYP Entertainment but left due to his lack of dance and singing skills. He switched to acting and debuted in the 2017 web series “Heart Attack Warning.” But his standout moment came with the 2023 drama “Moving,” where he gained 30kgs for his role. His dedication earned him the Best Newcomer Actor award for this record-breaking drama. Whether it’s his charming eye smile or sheer determination, Lee Jung-ha proves that everything happens for a reason!

From sizzling looks to earning the nickname “Son of Netflix,” Song Kang is one of the hottest K-drama actors of 2024. Born April 23, 1994, he made his debut in 2017 with “The Liar and His Lover” and quickly hit it big with “Love Alarm” in 2019. But 2021 was a game-changer, with “Sweet Home,” “Love Alarm Season 2,” and “Nevertheless” ranking 5th, 6th, and 8th in Netflix’s global K-drama viewership. Fast forward to 2024, and Song Kang took things up a notch as a 200-year-old demon in the fantasy romance “My Demon.” Every Song Kang drama is a must-watch, but they all have one thing in common—a chemistry that’s simply irresistible!

If you’re a Netflix binge-watcher, Lee Do-hyun is a name you know well. Born on April 11, 1995, he first made waves with the 2017 film “Summer Night,” but it was his breakout role in the 2019 hit “Hotel del Luna” that skyrocketed him to fame. Global recognition followed with his standout performance in the 2020 comedy “18 Again,” earning him Best Actor at the 57th Baeksang Arts Awards. Since then, he’s been on a roll with hits like “The Glory (2022)” and the 2024 award-winning film “Exhuma,” his first lead film role. But what’s a list without some news? Lee Do-hyun is reportedly dating his “The Glory” co-star Im Ji Yeon, and the chemistry is still sizzling!

When it comes to legends, Namkoong Min is the name on everyone’s lips. Born in 1978, this 47-year-old star made his mark with the 2001 film “Bungee Jumping of Their Own,” but it was “A Dirty Carnival” (2006) that put him on the map. Since then, he’s been racking up megahits and awards like it’s his day job! First the Grand Prize at the 2020 SBS Drama Awards for “Hot Stove League” and again at the 2021 MBC Drama Awards for “The Veil.” In 2023, he took home Best Actor at the Grimae Awards and another Grand Prize at the MBC Drama Awards for “My Dearest.” And trust us, he’s far from finished!

From idolizing his mother to beating out 720,000 contestants on “Superstar K” in 2009, Seo In-guk is the definition of an inspiring K-drama actor of 2024. Growing up, he dreamt of everything from being a racing driver to a weightlifter or even the president. Instead, he became a singer and made his acting debut in 2012 with “Love Rain” and “Reply 1997,” which opened doors to a treasure trove of awards and opportunities. Over the years, he has dazzled us in roles from high school student to swimmer, rich heir, and prince. But in 2023, he took a darker turn with “Death’s Game,” and trust us, you’ll want to see this side of him in the next part!

King of comedy anyone? Meet Park Hyung-sik, born November 16, 1991. Not only is he a charismatic actor, but he’s also a singer and dancer, rocking it as a member of the hit boy band ZE:A. Though the group took an indefinite hiatus, his solo career has been nothing short of stellar. He started in theatre in 2011, transitioned to acting with minor roles, and broke out in 2015 with “High Society” as a chaebol falling for a part-timer. He won hearts and rave reviews, even capturing attention in Japan. With hits like “Strong Woman Do Bong-soon” (2017), “Suits” (2018), “Happiness” (2021), and the 2024 drama “Doctor Slump,” Park Hyung-sik continues to charm us.

Whether you’re a K-drama veteran or just dipping your toes in, Park Seo-joon’s charm is irresistible. Remember the smoggy CEO from “What’s Wrong with Secretary Kim” (2018)? That’s just a glimpse of his appeal. With over twenty years in the spotlight and a growing net worth, Park Seo-joon is a K-drama superstar. He first made waves with “A Witch’s Love” (2014), but it was “She Was Pretty” (2015) that skyrocketed him to fame and made him one of Korea’s highest-paid actors. That year, he also debuted in film, earning the Popular Star Award and grossing over USD 13 million. From “Fight for My Way” (2017) and “Itaewon Class” (2020) to the upcoming “Gyeongseong Creature” (2023-24), he continues to wow fans and set the bar high.

Born on 5 July 1987, Ji Chang-wook is our ultimate K-drama crush for 2024. This heartthrob first caught our eyes in “Smile Again” (2010–2011) and has since dazzled us in hits like “Healer” (2014), “Melting Me Softly” (2019), “Lovestruck in the City” (2020), and the 2023 sensation “The Worst of Evil.” Not just a pretty face, this Calvin Klein ambassador has also taken his charisma to YouTube, where he celebrated hitting 1 million subscribers with a gold button unboxing video too. But it’s not just his stunning looks that make him irresistible, his incredible work ethic and dedication have captured our hearts time and time again.

Say hello to the ultimate Hallyu superstar, Lee Min-ho, born in 1987. This Korean sensation first stole hearts as Gu Jun-pyo in “Boys Over Flowers” (2009), skyrocketing to fame across Asia. With unforgettable roles in “City Hunter” (2011), “Faith” (2012), “The Heirs” (2013), and “Legend of the Blue Sea” (2016), he’s been a fixture in the K-drama world. His 2020 hit “The King: Eternal Monarch” pulled in a cool $135 million, but it was his standout performance in the Apple TV+ series “Pachinko” (2022) that truly turned heads globally. With the highest Instagram following among Korean stars and an ever-growing fan base, Lee Min-ho is the definition of charm and star power.

In just over a decade, Song Joong-ki, the 38-year-old heartthrob, has become a K-drama sensation. Globally adored for his role as a South Korean special forces soldier in “Descendants of the Sun” (2016), he first stole our hearts in “Sungkyunkwan Scandal” (2010) and as an original cast member of “Running Man” (2010–2011). By 2021, he was a hit with Netflix’s “Vincenzo,” earning around USD 170,000 per episode, and wowed critics with “Space Sweepers.” Known for his charm and stellar public presence, he starred in the blockbuster “Reborn Rich” in 2023 and just dropped the Netflix film “My Name Is Loh Kiwan” (2024). We’re on the edge of our seats for his next big project!

Born in Busan, Byeon Woo-Seok is arguably one of the most popular K-drama actors of 2024. 

This heartthrob kicked off his career as a model in 2015 before diving into acting with a debut in “Dear My Friends” (2016). He made waves with cameos in hits like “Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-joo” and “Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo,” and didn’t stop there. He also dazzled in films such as “20th Century Girl” and “Soulmate,” catching eyes both locally and globally. But hold onto your seats, his role as the enigmatic villain Ryu Si-oh in Netflix’s “Strong Girl Nam-soon” catapulted him into the spotlight. Now, he smashed it as Ryu Sun-jae in the newly launched “Lovely Runner.” With his charm and talent, Byeon Woo-seok is quickly becoming a fan favourite, proving that his rise to fame is one to watch.

The reigning K-drama king and two-time Grand Bell Award winner, Kim Soo-hyun is an absolute legend. He kicked off his career with “Kimchi Cheese Smile” in 2007 and quickly became a household name with hits like “Dream High” (2011-12), “Moon Embracing the Sun” (2012), and “My Love from the Star” (2013-14). Not to mention his impressive film roles in “The Thieves” (2012) and “Secretly, Greatly” (2013). As the highest-paid Korean actor, Kim Soo-hyun shook things up in 2024 with his return to the small screen after 3 years by taking a lower salary for the blockbuster drama “Queen of Tears,” which became the highest-rated tvN series ever. With his magnetic presence and versatile power, he’s become an indispensable star on the small screen.