Cover Lee Jun-young gives a memorable turn as Park Yeong-beom. (Photo: screencap from ‘When Life Gives You Tangerines’, Netflix)
Lee Jun-young gives a memorable turn as Park Yeong-beom. (Photo: screencap from ‘When Life Gives You Tangerines’, Netflix)
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These new K-drama actors are slowly making a name for themselves
Move over, Lee Min-ho. Step aside, Park Seo-jun. There’s a new crop of young actors making waves with their back-to-back roles and impressive résumés. From Lee Jun-young’s unforgettable performance as Park Yeong-beom in When Life Gives You Tangerines to Choo Yeong-woo’s undeniable chemistry with co-star Ju Ji-hoon in The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call, these rising stars are proving they have what it takes to captivate audiences. Their diverse talent and magnetic screen presence are setting them apart, quickly earning them a place at the forefront of K-drama’s new generation.
Also read: The new wave of second male leads: K-drama actors who are changing the game
Lee Jun-young
You know him best from: When Life Gives You Tangerines
Other K-dramas and movies: Brave Citizen, Melo Movie, The Impossible Heir
Up next: 24 Health Club, Weak Hero Class 2
He may already have been a familiar face, but it’s in When Life Gives You Tangerines that he steals hearts—and scenes—as Park Yeong-beom, Geum-myeong’s devoted first love. Sweet, innocent and caring, he won over fans with his performance. He may not have gotten the girl in the end, but he certainly got everyone’s attention.
Don’t miss: 7 hidden details in ‘When Life Gives You Tangerines’ that fans spotted—but you might have missed
Cha Woo-min
Above The main baddie of ‘Study Group’ (Photo: IMDb)
The main baddie of ‘Study Group’ (Photo: IMDb)
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You know him best from: Study Group
Other K-dramas: Buried Hearts, Melo Movie, Weak Hero Class 1
Up next: Love Entangled
He made a strong impact in Weak Hero Class 1, but it’s his turn as Pi Han-wool, the main villain in Study Group, where he truly left a lasting impression. Although his most memorable roles so far are as villains, his offscreen charisma has led fans to believe that he can take on romantic lead roles in the future as well.
Don’t miss: 7 K-dramas that bring the chaos of high school to life
Choo Yeong-woo
You know him best from: The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call
Other K-dramas: The Tale of Lady Ok, Once Upon a Small Town, Police University
Up next: Mercy for None, Gyeon-Woo and the Fairy
His back-to-back appearances in The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call and The Tale of Lady Ok kept him on fans’ minds, but it’s his portrayal of Yang Jae-won and his chemistry with co-star Ju Ji-hoon in Trauma Code that truly made him a household name. In fact, his role as Jae-won has even turned him into a popular meme, further cementing his status in the public eye.
See also: Joo Ji-hoon is everywhere and we’re not complaining
Bae Hyun-sung
Above Leaving his boy-next-door persona behind (Photo: screencap from ‘Gyeongseong Creature 2’, Netflix)
Leaving his boy-next-door persona behind (Photo: screencap from ‘Gyeongseong Creature 2’, Netflix)
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You know him best from: Gyeongseong Creature 2
Other K-dramas: Family by Choice, Our Blues, Hospital Playlist 1 and 2
Up next: Dear M
A familiar face best known for playing sweet, naive characters in Hospital Playlist and Our Blues, he caught everyone’s attention in his sexy turn as the conflicted villain of Gyeongseong Creature 2. He not only holds his own against veteran actors like Park Seo-jun and Han So-hee, but turns in a performance that had everyone talking.
Choi Hyun-wook
You know him best from: Twinkling Watermelon
Other K-dramas: My Dearest Nemesis, D.P. Season 2, Weak Hero Class 1, Twenty Five Twenty One, Racket Boys
Choi Hyun-wook has played in an ensemble cast, as the second lead, as the male best friend and as a romantic lead. He’s making a name for himself as a versatile actor who can take on diverse roles across various genres. But it’s his role as the playful, cheerful and warm-hearted Ha Yi-Chan in Twinkling Watermelon that won the hearts of fans and critics alike.
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