The Hallyu wave does not seem to stop anytime soon. With new Korean movies and dramas coming every day, we have been introduced to highly talented actors that the country has to offer. While the current crop is making waves, the future seems bright too. With rookie actors giving their best performance in everything they work in, here is a list of 10 upcoming actors who have proved themselves with their brilliant performances –
1. Jo Byeong-Gyu
Jo Byeong-Gyu had been consistently working before breaking out with shows like The Uncanny Counter, Hot Stove League and Sky Castle. Before taking the lead role in The Uncanny Counter, he turned heads with his performances in shows such as He is Psychometric, Sky Castle and Hot Stove League.
2. Kim Hye-Yoon
Hye-Yoon made her debut in 2013 with Samsaengi and gave a memorable performance in the show Bad Guys. She gave her career-defying performance in the massively popular show Sky Castle. She received the prestigious Baeksang Arts Award in the New actress category for her performance. She then found widespread popularity globally and domestically with the show Extraordinary You as the protagonist. She will be next seen in the much-awaited drama Snowdrop.
3. Lee Jae-Wook
Lee Jae Wook started his career in 2018 with supporting roles in Memories of the Alhambra and the film The Battle of Jangsari. He then worked in Search: WWW and Extraordinary You, of which the latter brought him widespread popularity and nomination at the Baeksang Awards. He then worked in When the Weather is Fine and took up his first-ever lead role in Do Do Sol Sol La La Sol.
4. Kim Kyung-Nam
Kim Kyung Nam had been working since 2012, taking up supporting roles in shows such as Faith, Strongest Delivery Man and the wildly famous show Prison Playbook. He then worked in Where Stars Land and The King:Eternal Monarch. He gave a noteworthy performance in shows Special Labour Inspector, Come and Hug Me and Birthday Letter. He will be seen in Revolutionary Sisters and most likely conclude its airing this month.
5. Kim Hyang-Gi
Kim Hyang Gi started her career as a child actress in a commercial. She soon starred in films and TV dramas, of which The Queen’s Classroom and Thread of Lies brought her fame and accolades in the form of awards at MBC and Baeksang Awards, respectively. Her next big project was the Along with the Gods series, which turned out to be blockbusters. She was also part of At Eighteen and was recently cast in the drama Fly High Butterfly.
6. Na In-Woo
Na In Woo first appeared in 2014 in the show Glorious Days. He made his official debut in 2015 with Shine or Go Crazy. In-Woo then continued to take on the roles of supporting characters. He got an opportunity in Mystic Pop-Up Bar, where he played the main antagonist. He found popularity with Mr Queen, in which he was the second male lead. The show became a commercial success both domestically and internationally. He was next seen in The River Where the Moon Rises as the main lead. He received positive reviews, and this show got him his first Baeksang Award nomination.
7. Go Min-Si
Min Si made her debut with My Sassy Girl and followed up with Hello, My Twenties in 2015. Go then appeared in The Smile Has Left Your Eyes and in movies Cheese in the Trap and The Witch: Part 1 The Subversion. The talented actress was next seen in the viral Netflix show Love Alarm and thriller show Secret Boutique, for which she won Best New Actress Award. She then appeared again in a Netflix show Sweet Home and reunited with her Sweet Home Co-star for Youth of May. The rookie will be next seen in the much-awaited series Cliffhanger.
8. Hwang In-Yeop
Hwang made a late debut with a web series named Why in 2018. He then made his TV debut with a supporting role in The Tale of Nokdu. He gained recognition for his performance in 18 Again as a bully but found widespread popularity globally with the show, True Beauty as the endearing second male lead. He will be seen next in the sound of Magic alongside Ji Chang Wook.
9. Kim Seon-Ho
Kim Seon Ho started his acting journey with theatre and made his TV debut with Good Manager. He then starred in Strongest Deliveryman, Two Cops and the top-rated show 100 Days My Prince. He played the lead role in the shows Welcome to Waikiki 2 and Catch the Ghost in 2018. Seon Ho finally found his breakthrough performance with the drama Start-Up and was nominated at the Baeksang Awards. The actor is currently starring in Hometown Cha Cha Cha alongside Shin Min Ha and receiving positive reviews for his performance.
10. Kim Kwon
He might not be the most well-known actor internationally, but he has been making space for himself in the industry with one role at a time. The rookie actor made his debut with a minor role in the show Me Too, Flower and continued to work with supporting roles in shows like The Heirs, On The Way to Airport, Voice and Criminal Minds. Kim finally found a lead role in He is Psychometric and Leverage. He also won the Best New Actor award at KBS Drama Awards for his work in Marry Me Now. Navillera was the last Netflix show he was seen in.
