Cover Korean celebrities born in the Year of the Horse, including Yoona, continue to shape the entertainment industry (Photo: Han Myung-Gu/WireImage/Getty Images)
Korean celebrities born in the Year of the Horse, including Yoona, continue to shape the entertainment industry (Photo: Han Myung-Gu/WireImage/Getty Images)
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In the fiercely competitive world of Korean entertainment, where careers can vanish as quickly as they ignite, the Year of the Horse stars born in 1990 have defied expectations—and their secret might just be written in the stars
The Year of the Horse, particularly the 1990 Metal Horse cohort, is renowned in the zodiac for producing individuals with exceptional stamina, resilience and an almost superhuman work ethic. These traits have translated into remarkable staying power for Korean celebrities born this year. From K-pop’s golden generation to Chungmuro’s finest, these stars haven’t just survived the industry’s notorious “seven-year curse”—they’ve thrived well beyond it, maintaining top-tier relevance for nearly two decades. As the Lunar New Year arrives, celebrate the unstoppable force of these Metal Horse celebrities.
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Im Yoon-ah: the unstoppable K-pop centre
Nearly 20 years after her debut with Girls’ Generation, Yoona remains one of Korea’s most beloved stars. Her transition from K-pop’s visual centre to acclaimed actress showcases the Metal Horse’s versatility. Whether performing stunts in the disaster film Exit or charming audiences in the romantic comedy King the Land, Yoona embodies the Horse zodiac’s signature vitality and independence. Her willingness to tackle physically demanding roles whilst maintaining her idol career proves that Year of the Horse celebrities possess unmatched stamina and adaptability.
Lee Jun-ho: entertainment perfectionist
From 2PM member to a Baeksang Best Actor winner, Junho’s trajectory perfectly illustrates the Horse’s “success arrives swiftly” principle. His meticulous preparation for The Red Sleeve and decade-long dedication to honing his craft demonstrate the stubborn determination characteristic of Year of the Horse individuals. His disciplined routine and quiet confidence in his timing reflect how Metal Horse personalities direct their restless energy toward sustained success, not short-lived attention.
Kim Tae-ri: the resilient Chungmuro star
Though she debuted later than her idol peers, Kim Tae-ri’s explosive arrival with The Handmaiden and subsequent critical acclaim in Twenty-Five Twenty-One embody the Year of the Horse’s success story. Her intense dedication to roles and willingness to take on challenging, physically demanding characters demonstrate the Metal Horse’s resilience and fearlessness. Her ability to command both the big screen and television proves that Horse zodiac individuals possess the endurance and versatility to conquer any arena they enter.
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Park Shin-hye: the fearless action queen
Park Shin-hye’s willingness to perform her own stunts in dramas like Sisyphus: The Myth exemplifies the Horse zodiac’s physical courage and athletic constitution. Having been in the public eye since childhood, her sustained relevance speaks to the Year of the Horse’s trademark perseverance. Her magnetic chemistry with co-stars and competitive spirit on variety shows like Running Man reveal the Horse’s social charisma and innate desire to lead the pack—traits that have kept her at the forefront of Korean drama for over two decades.
Choi Soo-young: the wit of the century
As Girls’ Generation’s unofficial spokesperson, Sooyoung’s quick wit and refreshingly honest communication perfectly capture the Horse’s straightforward nature. Her transition to acting in Not Others and Idol I showcased her ability to portray strong, independent characters—a reflection of the Year of the Horse’s fierce autonomy. Whether handling difficult questions with grace or commanding scenes with her natural leadership, Sooyoung demonstrates how Metal Horse celebrities combine intelligence with approachability, creating lasting connections with audiences across generations.
After more than a decade in lifestyle media, Clifford has mastered the art of writing seriously about things that are fun—and writing fun things about people who take themselves very seriously. At Tatler Asia, he helped steer its flagship lists, Tatler’s Most Influential and Asia’s Most Stylish. And today, he leads T-Labs, Tatler Asia’s content innovation hub, where he continues the noble pursuit of lifestyle storytelling, spinning stories on wealth, entertainment, necessary style, Hallyu, Hollywood, beauty and more for audiences across Asia.
