Cover From ‘Vincenzo’ to ‘Queen of Tears’, these K-drama actors played characters audiences loved to hate (Photo: IMDb)
From ‘Vincenzo’ to ‘Queen of Tears’, these K-drama actors played characters audiences loved to hate (Photo: IMDb)
1 / 1
These K-drama actors turned antagonists, rivals and troubled figures into some of television's most memorable roles
One of the reasons K-dramas have become such a global phenomenon is their ability to create memorable characters across every part of the story. While romantic leads often dominate conversations, some of the most talked-about performances come from characters viewers actively root against. These figures can be manipulative, ruthless, selfish or simply frustrating, yet they remain essential to the success of a series. Without a compelling antagonist or morally complicated figure, even the strongest plot can lose momentum.
Many K-drama actors have built impressive reputations by stepping into these difficult roles. Playing a villain or controversial character requires a different set of skills than portraying a straightforward hero. The actor must make the audience believe the character’s motivations while still generating tension, conflict and emotional investment. In some cases, viewers become so immersed in the story that they struggle to separate the performer from the role itself.
From ambitious corporate heirs and serial killers to toxic love interests and corrupt officials, these characters left a lasting impression for all the wrong reasons. Here are some of the K-drama actors who delivered unforgettable performances as characters audiences loved to hate.
Read more: Hallyu celebrity calendar: South Korean actors and K-pop idols with July birthdays
Ok Taec-yeon as Jang Jun-woo in ‘Vincenzo’
Above Ok Taec-yeon as Jang Jun-woo in 'Vincenzo': The soft-spoken facade that hid a ruthless power player
When Ok Taec-yeon first appeared in Vincenzo, his character seemed harmless, friendly and slightly awkward. The drama later revealed that Jang Jun-woo was actually the ruthless chairman behind Babel Group.
The twist transformed the character into one of the series’ most effective villains. Jang Jun-woo’s unpredictability and violent tendencies made him a constant threat to Vincenzo and Hong Cha-young. Ok Taec-yeon balanced the character’s outward charm with his darker side, creating a villain whose actions became increasingly unsettling as the story progressed.
Lee Sang-yeob as Lee Yoo-beom in ‘While You Were Sleeping’
Above Lee Sang-yeob as Lee Yoo-beom in 'While You Were Sleeping': A prosecutor whose ambition consistently outweighed his ethics
Lee Sang-yeob played prosecutor Lee Yoo-beom, a man willing to manipulate the legal system for personal gain. Despite holding a position meant to uphold justice, he frequently placed ambition ahead of ethics.
Throughout the series, Yoo-beom served as a major obstacle for the protagonists. His calculated decisions and ability to exploit situations made him a frustrating figure for viewers. Lee Sang-yeob's performance helped establish the character as one of the drama’s most memorable antagonists.
Kim Ji-hoon as Baek Hee-sung in ‘Flower of Evil’
Above Kim Ji-hoon as Baek Hee-sung in 'Flower of Evil': A chilling presence at the centre of a tightly wound mystery
Kim Ji-hoon appeared as Baek Hee-sung in Flower of Evil, a psychological thriller filled with secrets and deception. The character's involvement in the central mystery gradually revealed a disturbing reality beneath his seemingly ordinary appearance.
His performance added another layer of tension to a drama already packed with suspense. As the truth emerged, Baek Hee-sung became one of the most chilling figures in the series.
Kim Bum as Lee Rang in ‘Tale of the Nine-Tailed’
Above Kim Bum as Lee Rang in 'Tale of the Nine-Tailed': A wounded antihero driven by resentment and unresolved loyalty
Lee Rang was not a traditional villain, but he frequently found himself at odds with his half-brother Lee Yeon.
Driven by resentment and feelings of abandonment, Lee Rang often made choices that complicated the lives of those around him. Kim Bum brought emotional depth to the character, allowing viewers to understand his motivations even when they disagreed with his actions. His complicated relationship with the protagonist became one of the drama’s strongest storylines.
Kim Jae-wook as Mo Tae-gu in ‘Voice’
Above Kim Jae-wook as Mo Tae-gu in 'Voice': A composed predator whose calm made him even more unsettling
Few villains in recent K-drama history have been as memorable as Mo Tae-gu.
Kim Jae-wook portrayed the serial killer with an unsettling calmness that made the character particularly disturbing. Unlike many villains who rely on explosive outbursts, Mo Tae-gu often appeared composed and controlled, which only heightened the tension. His performance remains one of the most discussed aspects of Voice.
Park Sung-hoon as Yoon Eun-sung in ‘Queen of Tears’
Above Park Sung-hoon as Yoon Eun-sung in 'Queen of Tears': An obsessive figure who disrupted a fragile balance
In Queen of Tears, Park Sung-hoon played Yoon Eun-sung, a man determined to insert himself into the lives of the main couple.
His obsession with Hong Hae-in and his willingness to manipulate situations for personal gain quickly made him unpopular with viewers. The character served as a significant source of conflict throughout the series, with Park Sung-hoon delivering a performance that kept audiences invested in the unfolding drama.
Yoo Jae-myung as Jang Dae-hee in ‘Itaewon Class’
Above Yoo Jae-myung as Jang Dae-hee in 'Itaewon Class': A corporate force standing firmly in the way of change
As the chairman of Jangga Group, Jang Dae-hee represented the institutional power standing in the way of Park Sae-ro-yi’s ambitions.
Yoo Jae-myung portrayed the businessman as calculating, stubborn and unwilling to admit fault. His decisions affected multiple characters across the series, making him one of the drama’s central antagonistic forces. The ongoing rivalry between Jang Dae-hee and Park Sae-ro-yi became the foundation of the show's narrative.
Yoo In-soo as Yoon Gwi-nam in ‘All of Us Are Dead’
Above Yoo In-soo as Yoon Gwi-nam in 'All of Us Are Dead': A school bully turned relentless survival threat
Among the many threats in All of Us Are Dead, Yoon Gwi-nam stood out for his relentless pursuit of the surviving students.
Originally a school bully, the character became even more dangerous as the zombie outbreak escalated. Yoo In-soo's performance captured both the character's cruelty and his obsession with revenge. Gwi-nam's presence added another layer of danger to an already chaotic situation.
Song Kang as Park Jae-eon in ‘Nevertheless’
Above Song Kang as Park Jae-eon in 'Nevertheless': A magnetic presence whose choices kept relationships uncertain
Not every disliked character is a villain. In Nevertheless, Song Kang played Park Jae-eon, a charismatic art student whose approach to relationships sparked extensive debate among viewers.
His reluctance to commit and his inconsistent behaviour often left those around him confused and hurt. While some audiences found him appealing, others viewed him as a source of frustration throughout the series. The divided reactions helped make the character one of the most discussed figures in the drama.
Byun Woo-seok as Ryu Si-o in ‘Strong Girl Nam-soon’
Above Byun Woo-seok as Ryu Si-o in 'Strong Girl Nam-soon': A calculating antagonist operating in the shadows of power
Before becoming a leading man in later projects, Byun Woo-seok portrayed the villainous Ryu Si-o in Strong Girl Nam-soon.
The character operated within the criminal underworld and served as one of the drama’s primary antagonists. His intelligence and unpredictability made him a formidable opponent for the protagonists. Byun Woo-seok's performance demonstrated a darker side that contrasted sharply with many of his later roles.
Why these K-drama actors’ performances stand out
The best antagonists and morally ambiguous characters often leave a stronger impression than heroes because they drive the story forward. These K-drama actors created characters who generated tension, sparked debate and kept audiences emotionally invested from episode to episode.
Whether portraying serial killers, corrupt executives, manipulative rivals or deeply flawed individuals, these K-drama actors proved that being disliked on screen can sometimes be a sign of a successful performance. Their characters may have frustrated viewers, but they also helped create some of the most memorable moments in modern K-drama history.
Chonx Tibajia is a senior editor at Tatler Asia’s T-Labs team, where she writes widely on lifestyle subjects including beauty, style, entertainment and travel. She has a long career in journalism, including roles as a columnist at The Philippine Star, and is the founder of the creative platform Pineappleversed. Beyond Tatler, her bylines appear in regional lifestyle and business publications, showcasing a broad portfolio that spans beauty trends, travel guides and culture pieces.
