Korean actors have become increasingly popular worldwide for their exceptional acting skills and unique charm. These actors are part of the thriving Korean entertainment industry, which has gained global recognition recently. They have gained a reputation for their intense dedication and commitment to their craft, often immersing themselves in their characters' roles to deliver outstanding performances. Some famous Korean actors include Lee Min-ho, Kim Soo-Hyun, Song Joong-ki, Park Bo-gum, and Gong Yoo. Korean dramas, also known as K-dramas, have become a phenomenon globally, with their popularity attributed in part to the talent of these actors. The demand for Korean actors is on the rise as more people discover the quality of their work, making them some of the most sought-after actors in the world.
1. Kim Soo Hyun
Kim Soo Hyun is a famous South Korean actor and was born on February 16; 1988. He first gained recognition for his role in the teen drama "Dream High" in 2011, and since then, he has appeared in numerous successful TV dramas and films. Some of his notable works include "Moon Embracing the Sun," "My Love from the Star," "The Producers," and "Psycho but it’s okay." He has won several awards for his acting, which includes Best Actor at the Baeksang Arts Awards. He charges as much as 200 million WON ($166,426) per episode, making him the highest-paid on-screen character in Korea. In addition to his acting career, Kim Soo Hyun is known for his modeling and endorsement deals. He has been the face of various brands, including Samsung, Coca-Cola, and Lotte Duty-Free. Overall, Kim Soo Hyun is one of the most renowned actors in South Korea, loved by fans for his charming personality and exceptional acting skills.
2. Lee Min Ho
Lee Min Ho is a South Korean actor, singer, and model, and was born on June 22;1987, in Seoul, South Korea. He first rose to fame in 2009 as Gu Jun-Pyo in the hit drama 'Boys Over Flowers.’ Since then, he has starred in several successful dramas, including 'City Hunter,’ 'The Heirs,’ 'Legend of the Blue Sea' and 'The King: Eternal Monarch.’ He charges around $106,000 per episode. Besides acting, Lee Min Ho is also well-known for his philanthropic work. In 2014, he established the 'Lee Min Ho Foundation,’ which aims to support underprivileged children and teenagers in various parts of the world. He is also an ambassador for several charitable organizations, such as UNICEF. In addition to his acting career, Lee Min Ho has pursued a successful career as a singer. He has released several singles, including 'My Everything' and 'L-O-V-E.’ Known for his good looks and charming personality.
3. Hyun Bin
Hyun Bin is a South Korean actor who has gained immense popularity in television dramas and films. On September 25, 1982, he was born in Seoul, South Korea. After graduating from Chung-Ang University with a degree in theater studies, he made his acting debut in the television drama "Bodyguard" in 2003 Throughout his career, Hyun Bin has won critical acclaim, and numerous awards for his performances in hit dramas like "My Name is Kim Sam-soon," "Secret Garden," and "Crash Landing on You." He charges around $100,000 per episode. In addition to his acting career, Hyun Bin is known for his philanthropic work. He has been an ambassador for UNICEF Korea since 2016 and has participated in various campaigns to help children in need.
4. Jo In-sung
Jo In-sung is a South Korean actor. He was born on July 28; 1981, in Cheonho-dong, Gangdong-gu, Seoul, South Korea. Jo In-sung started acting in 1998 with the KBS drama "School 3". He became famous in 2004 for his role in the TV series, "What Happened in Bali.” Jo In-sung won several awards for his acting skills, including the Best Actor award at the KBS drama awards in 2004 and the Grand Prize at the 47th Baeksang Arts Awards in 2011. He has also starred in several successful movies, including "The Classic" (2003), "A Dirty Carnival" (2006), and "A Frozen Flower" (2008). He charges around $85,900 per episode. In 2014, Jo In-sung starred in the hit drama series "It's Okay, That's Love" alongside actress Gong Hyo-jin. The drama received critical acclaim, and Jo In-sung's performance was appreciated. Jo In-sung is known for his tall stature (188 cm) and sharp features, earning him the nickname "Giraffe.” He is also admired for his fashion sense and has been a brand ambassador for numerous fashion brands.
5. Gong Yoo
Gong Yoo is a renowned South Korean actor and was born on July 10; 1979, in Busan, South Korea. He started his acting career with minor roles in TV dramas while completing his studies at Kyung Hee University. His breakthrough role came in 2005 with the popular TV drama "Coffee Prince," where he played the lead role of a handsome coffee shop owner. Since then, Gong Yoo has appeared in several successful TV dramas and movies, including "Guardian: The Lonely and Great God" (2016-2017), "Train to Busan" (2016), "The Age of Shadows" (2016), and "Silenced" (2011). His acting skills and charming personality have won him numerous awards and accolades, making him one of the most popular and influential actors in South Korea. He charges around $84,000 per episode. Apart from acting, Gong Yoo is also involved in various campaigns and social activities, such as promoting green energy and supporting underprivileged children. He is known for his humble and down-to-earth nature, which makes him even more popular among his fans. Overall, Gong Yoo is a talented actor, and a good human being whose contributions to the Korean entertainment industry and society as a whole are commendable
6. So Ji Sub
So Ji-sub is an actor and model and was born on November 4th; 1977, in Seoul, South Korea. He made his acting debut in 1996 and became one of the most popular actors in South Korea after appearing in the hit TV drama "I'm Sorry, I Love You" in 2004. Some of his other notable works include the dramas "What Happened in Bali," "Master's Sun," and "Oh My Venus," as well as the films "Rough Cut," "Always," and "The Battleship Island." He charges around $68,000 per episode. In addition to his acting career, So Ji-sub is well-known for his philanthropy work. He established the "So Ji-sub Foundation" in 2018 to support low-income single-parent families and encourage education in South Korea. So Ji-sub has also released two albums as a rapper and has modeled for various high-profile brands. He is considered one of the most versatile and talented actors in South Korea, with a solid fan base both domestically and internationally.
7. Song Joong Ki
Song Joong Ki is an actor and was born on September 19; 1985, in Daejeon, South Korea. He began his career in entertainment as a model and made his acting debut in the Korean drama "Sassy Girl Chun-Hyang" in 2005. However, he rose to fame in 2010 as Gu Yong-ha in the hit series "Sungkyunkwan Scandal." Since then, Song Joong Ki has starred in many popular dramas and films, including "The Innocent Man," "Descendants of the Sun," and "Space Sweepers." He charges around $58,000 per episode. Aside from his acting career, Song Joong Ki is known for his philanthropic work. He has done charitable donations to various causes, including disaster relief efforts and organizations supporting children with cancer. Overall, Song Joong Ki is considered one of the most successful and famous actors in South Korea, known for his talent, charisma, and humanitarian efforts.
8. Park Seo Joon
Park Seo Joon is a famous South Korean actor who has gained fame for his impressive performances in various Korean dramas and movies, and was born on December 16th; 1988, in Seoul, South Korea. Park Seo Joon started his career in 2011 with a supporting role in the k-drama, "Dream High 2". However, he rose to fame with his lead role in the drama "Fight for My Way" in 2017. He has appeared in several hit dramas such as "She Was Pretty," "What's Wrong with Secretary Kim," "Hwarang," and "Itaewon Class." He charges around $60,000 per episode. Apart from his acting skills, Park Seo Joon is known for his good looks and charming personality. He has won several awards, including the Baeksang Arts Award for Best Actor for his performance in "Itaewon Class." In addition to his successful career in acting, Park Seo Joon has donated large sums of money towards various social causes, including COVID-19 relief efforts. Overall, Park Seo Joon is one of the most talented actors in South Korea today, and his popularity continues to soar both within Korea and internationally.
9. Lee Seung-gi
Lee Seung Gi is a singer, actor, and entertainer. He was born on January 13; 1987, in Namyangju, Gyeonggi Province, South Korea. He debuted as a singer in 2004 with his album "The Dream Of A Moth" and gained fame for his smooth, operatic voice. He has released a total of 14 albums over the years. He charges around $57,000 per episode. In addition to his singing career, Lee Seung Gi is known for his acting skills. He has starred in several popular K-dramas such as "The King 2 Hearts", "My Girlfriend is a Nine-Tailed Fox," and "Vagabond." Lee Seung Gi is also a popular variety show host, having hosted programs such as "1 Night 2 Days," "Strong Heart," and "Knowing Bros." Throughout his career, Lee Seung Gi has won numerous awards, including four consecutive Best Male Entertainer Awards at the SBS Entertainment Awards.
10. Jang Dong Gun
Jang Dong Gun is a South Korean actor and model, and was born on March 7; 1972, in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, South Korea. He attended the Korea National University of Arts, where he studied acting. Jang began his acting career in 1992 with the film "Repechage." He gained popularity for his role in the TV drama "The Final Match" in 1994. Jang's notable film appearances include "Friend" (2001), "Taegukgi" (2004), "The Promise" (2005), "Good Morning President" (2009), and "My Way" (2011). He has won several awards, including the Best Actor award at the Korean Association of Film Critics Awards for his role in "Friend." He charges around $55,000 per episode. In addition to acting, Jang has also done modeling work for various brands and has been the face of many advertising campaigns. He has been named the "Icon of Korea" by the Korean Tourism Organization. He has also served as the Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations Development Program in South Korea.
