If you’ve never watched Eun Tak trying to remove the sword out of Kim Shin’s chest or the amazing spinning back-kick of Jan Di, you are seriously missing out on the best of K-Drama. These shows are taking the world by storm, all thanks to their captivating storytelling, mind-blowing stunts, and stunning visuals.
The many talented actors and actresses give life to K-Drama, often stealing the spotlight and winning the hearts of fans. Much like a Floridian would look for a local Tampa law firm first for the legal help they need, South Korea’s directors know who to call when they need a dedicated character actor to carry the performance.
Besides their impressive skills, these actors create unforgettable characters fans can’t help but connect with.
Now, let’s check out some of the best K-Dramas actors and actresses to see what valuable lessons their characters impart.
Park Seo-Joon
Although Marvel wasted Park Seo-Joon in the Marvels, he still made an epic return to the K-Drama scene with his role in Gyeongseong Creature. He also acted as the lead actor in the famous show What’s Wrong with Secretary Kim, which captivated audiences worldwide.
Much like Chang-Wook, Seo-Joon approaches each of his roles with dedication and depth and infuses charisma into every character he plays.
Jim Chang-Wook
Jim Chang-Wook first stepped into the limelight with his lead role in Smile Again. He’s known for being hardworking and resilient, taking every role seriously. As a fact, Jim Chang-Wook trained as a skater (short-track) at the ice rink five hours a day for his role in this short Korean drama series.
However, his biggest feat came when he played an elite bodyguard in K2, an action-packed drama. This series showed Chang-Wook’s perseverance and integrity because he went through grueling special martial arts training to play this role perfectly.
Jun Ji-Hyun
Jun Ji-Hyun delivered an incredible performance in a romantic comedy film called My Sassy Girl. But she truly won the fans over with her stunning beauty and versatility in her roles. Jun Ji-Hyun is loved across Asia and beyond, which has earned her numerous accolades and the title of the “Nation’s First Love.”
That aside, she acted as a mermaid navigating the modern world in My Love from the Star and a skilled assassin during Japan’s occupation of Korea in Assassination.
In most of her roles, she often portrays her strength and independence. Her characters also teach the audience about the power of self-acceptance and love.
Gong Yoo
Remember the salesman in Squid Game? Well, meet Gong Yoo, the charismatic model and stunning actor. His iconic role, however, was in the drama Train to Busan, which left a lasting deep impact on the K-Drama landscape.
In the fantasy romance drama Goblin, where he played Kim Shin, Gong Yoo gave the world a reason why he’s among the highly rated actors working today. Most viewers connected with his storyline of an immortal being grappling with love, loss, and redemption.
Gong Yoo is humble and dedicated to his craft. Most of his characters portray themes of fatherhood, bravery, and protection of loved ones. And despite his desire to lead a highly personal life, he actively participates in philanthropic activities.
Conclusion
As we wrap up, these famous actors create characters that provide us with valuable lessons. In their roles, they often explore themes of personal growth, love, sacrifice, and self-acceptance.
We know we probably didn’t mention some people on the list like Hyun Bin, Park Eun-Bin, and Park Bo-Gum, but we still recognize the indelible mark they have left on K-Drama, and if we were making an exhaustive list, we would be here all day.