Cover Before global streaming reshaped viewing habits, these K-drama oppas were already setting the tone for what a leading man in Korean television looked like, one hit drama at a time (Photo: hi_songjoongki/Instagram)
Before global streaming reshaped viewing habits, these K-drama oppas were already setting the tone for what a leading man in Korean television looked like, one hit drama at a time (Photo: hi_songjoongki/Instagram)
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The original K-drama oppas who shaped Hallyu and where stars like Hyun Bin and Gong Yoo are now
Long before streaming platforms turned Korean dramas into a global entertainment category, a generation of actors laid the groundwork for the Hallyu wave through terrestrial television, DVD circulation and early fan forums. These stars became fixtures across Asia in the 2000s and early 2010s, shaping the image of the modern romantic lead while helping Korean pop culture expand far beyond domestic audiences. Some built careers through melodramas, others through romantic comedies or action series, but all of them became defining faces of their era.
Today, many of these K-drama oppas are still active across television, film, streaming projects and endorsements. Some have shifted into darker roles, some now headline prestige dramas, and others continue to rely on the polished romantic persona that first made them famous. While newer stars dominate current conversations, these actors remain central to the history of Korean entertainment and the global rise of Korean dramas. From early Hallyu pioneers to actors who bridged the transition into the streaming age, here are 10 OG K-drama oppas and where their careers stand now.
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Lee Min-ho: the modern archetype oppa
Few actors symbolise second-generation Hallyu quite like Lee Min-ho. His breakout role as Gu Jun-pyo in Boys Over Flowers turned him into one of Asia’s biggest television stars almost overnight. The drama’s enormous popularity across countries including Japan, the Philippines and China helped define the modern image of K-drama oppas for an international audience.
After establishing himself through dramas such as City Hunter and The Heirs, he later transitioned into larger-scale fantasy and action projects including The King: Eternal Monarch. More recently, he appeared in the Apple TV+ adaptation of Pachinko, marking a notable expansion into international productions.
Gong Yoo: the rom-com standard-setter
Gong Yoo’s career has balanced romantic dramas with darker, more restrained performances. He first gained mainstream attention through Coffee Prince, a drama that remains one of the most recognisable romantic comedies of the 2000s.
His global visibility increased significantly after starring in Train to Busan and Guardian: The Lonely and Great God. The latter became one of cable television’s defining Korean dramas and reinforced his reputation as one of the industry’s most dependable leading men. In recent years, he has continued alternating between streaming projects, films and selective television appearances, including The Silent Sea and Squid Game.
Hyun Bin: the melodrama royal
Before international audiences discovered him through Crash Landing on You, Hyun Bin had already spent years building a strong television career. His early breakout came through My Name Is Kim Sam-soon, one of the defining romantic comedies of its era.
He later strengthened his profile through projects including Secret Garden, which became a major cultural hit throughout Asia. Among veteran K-drama oppas, Hyun Bin remains one of the most commercially visible figures, balancing film work, endorsements and high-profile television projects.
Lee Seung-gi: the multi-platform star
Lee Seung-gi entered the entertainment industry as a singer before successfully transitioning into acting and variety television. He gained widespread popularity through dramas such as Brilliant Legacy and My Girlfriend Is a Gumiho.
Unlike many actors from the same era, he maintained a strong television presence outside scripted dramas through hosting and variety programmes. In recent years, he has continued taking on thriller and action-oriented roles, including appearances in Mouse and The Law Cafe.
Jo In-sung: the quiet heavyweight
Jo In-sung became one of the defining faces of early 2000s melodrama television through projects like What Happened in Bali and That Winter, the Wind Blows.
Known for balancing emotional dramas with quieter performances, he also expanded into major film projects over the years. While he appears less frequently than some contemporaries, his selective approach has helped maintain strong interest whenever he returns to television. He most recently drew attention for his role in Disney+ series Moving.
Song Joong-ki: the global breakout
Song Joong-ki first gained major recognition through Sungkyunkwan Scandal before becoming one of the industry’s biggest stars with Descendants of the Sun. The military romance became a major international success and further expanded the reach of Korean dramas across Asia and beyond.
Although younger than several actors on this list, he still belongs to the generation of K-drama oppas that helped transition Hallyu into the streaming era. In recent years, he has taken on more varied projects including Vincenzo and Reborn Rich.
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Kim Rae-won: the steady leading man
Kim Rae-won became widely known through early 2000s dramas such as Attic Cat and Love Story in Harvard. His calm screen presence and steady run of melodramas made him one of television’s familiar leading men during the peak of early Hallyu.
Over time, he gradually shifted into crime, thriller and medical dramas including Doctors and The First Responders. His career trajectory reflects how many former romantic leads evolved alongside changing audience tastes.
Rain: the first crossover idol
Before idol actors became standard industry practice, Rain was already moving between music, television and international promotions. His starring role in Full House helped make him one of the earliest Korean entertainers with broad overseas recognition.
He later pursued music tours, Hollywood projects and action films while continuing to appear in Korean dramas. Even as newer stars emerged, Rain remained closely associated with the first major expansion of Hallyu. Among older K-drama oppas, he represents one of the clearest examples of early crossover celebrity culture in Asia.
Bae Yong-joon: the original face of Hallyu
Above Bae Yong-joon, the face of ‘Winter Sonata’, helped turn Korean dramas into a pan-Asian phenomenon in the early 2000s (Photo: Jun Sato/WireImage)
Bae Yong-joon, the face of ‘Winter Sonata’, helped turn Korean dramas into a pan-Asian phenomenon in the early 2000s (Photo: Jun Sato/WireImage)
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Bae Yong-joon occupies a distinct place in Hallyu history due largely to the massive success of Winter Sonata. The drama became particularly influential in Japan, where it helped introduce Korean television dramas to mainstream audiences.
Often referred to as one of the original Hallyu stars, Bae eventually stepped away from regular acting work and focused more heavily on business ventures and entertainment management. Although he rarely appears publicly today, his influence on the international growth of Korean dramas remains significant.
Lee Dong-wook: the genre chameleon
Lee Dong-wook first gained widespread attention through My Girl, a romantic comedy that became popular throughout Asia during the mid-2000s drama boom.
While many viewers still associate him with romance dramas, his career expanded considerably through fantasy, thriller and procedural projects. His role as the Grim Reaper in Guardian: The Lonely and Great God introduced him to a newer generation of viewers, while later projects including Bad and Crazy and A Shop for Killers demonstrated his continued range.
Even as the industry shifts toward streaming platforms and younger breakout stars, these K-drama oppas continue to occupy a major place in Korean entertainment history. Their dramas shaped international viewing habits, helped define multiple eras of Hallyu and established many of the industry templates that still exist today.
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.
