Is it just me, or are we living in another golden era of K-dramas? We’re only partway through the year, and we’ve already been blessed with some super, super hit shows, with many more on the way. And guess what? Some familiar faces are showing up again and again, giving us amazing performances in drama after drama.
Today, let’s take a look at the K-drama actors and actresses who are literally everywhere this year—owning every screen and stealing every scene!
1. Lee Jun-young
Lee Jun-young might just be the busiest actor of the year, haha. It feels like he’s showing up in every single popular drama, and we are not complaining! He’s been working non-stop, earning nicknames from fans like “OTT Prince” and “OTT Civil Servant” because he’s always on our screens.
He recently starred in the Disney+ hit The Impossible Heir and is confirmed for two of the most anticipated upcoming dramas: the rom-com Melo Movie and the star-studded Jeju Island story, When Life Gives You Tangerines. With so many high-profile projects back-to-back, he’s proving he can handle any genre you throw at him, from intense thrillers to charming romantic leads.
2. Cha Woo-min
Cha Woo-min has been on an absolute roll, giving us some of the best drama moments recently. He kicked things off by playing a key role in the intense teen-noir thriller Night Has Come in late 2023. This year, he’s set to continue his rise as a main character in the highly anticipated webtoon adaptation Study Group, where he’ll showcase his action and dramatic skills.
But he’s not just a tough guy! In a perfect display of his versatility, he’s also joining the cast of the romantic drama Melo Movie, where we’ll get to see a much softer and sweeter side of him. Balancing action-packed roles with heartfelt romance is a power move, and Cha Woo-min is nailing it.
3. Park Bo-young
The rom-com queen is back and reclaiming her throne! It feels like this is Park Bo-young’s era all over again, and we are so happy to see it. After her brilliant performance in the healing drama Daily Dose of Sunshine in late 2023, she is taking the lead in the star-studded drama Melo Movie.
And did you notice something? All the actors we’ve mentioned so far are in Melo Movie! Haha, what a coincidence. That drama has a truly great, great cast, and bringing Park Bo-young back to a pure romance story is a dream come true for fans. I enjoyed her recent work so much. Did you? Let us know in the comments!
4. Kang Ha-neul
While some actors are appearing in many dramas, Kang Ha-neul is starring in the ONE drama that everyone on the planet is waiting for. After his hilarious role in the 2023 movie 30 Days, he is returning to the small screen in Squid Game Season 2.
Yes, you read that right! He is one of the new, key players joining the deadly games. While his role is top-secret, just being part of the world’s biggest show makes him one of the most-watched actors of the year. The anticipation for his performance is off the charts, and we are eagerly waiting to see what kind of character he’ll bring to life.
5. Roh Jeong-eui
Roh Jeong-eui has been quietly building an incredible career, and this year, she’s taking center stage. After her breakout role in Our Beloved Summer and a strong performance in Badland Hunters, she’s now slated for a series of major leading roles that showcase her amazing range.
She’s confirmed to lead the mystery-thriller The Witch, where we’ll see a darker, more intense side of her. On top of that, she’s also set to star in the highly anticipated drama adaptation of the webtoon Pigpen. Juggling multiple lead roles in completely different genres shows she is one of the hardest-working young actresses out there.
6. Go Youn-jung
Our prettiest actress, Go Youn-jung, is absolutely rocking the industry right now. After a phenomenal run with megahits like Alchemy of Souls, Moving, and a powerful cameo in Death’s Game, she hasn’t slowed down one bit.
This year, she’s leading the much-anticipated medical drama Resident Playbook (a spin-off of the beloved Hospital Playlist), which is already getting so much love from the audience. As if that wasn’t enough, she’s also confirmed to star opposite Kim Seon-ho in the upcoming Hong Sisters’ drama Can This Love Be Translated?. From fantasy to action to romance, Go Youn-jung is proving she is one of the most in-demand and versatile actresses of her generation.
So there you have it—our favorite stars who are ruling K-dramaland! Whether they’re making us cry, laugh, or scream at the screen, one thing’s for sure: we can’t get enough of them.
Who’s your favorite face of the year so far? And which drama are you most excited for next? Let us know in the comments, Wavies—let’s fangirl/fanboy together
