10 Korean Actors Who Shot to Fame After One Breakout Role

The K-entertainment industry, like any other entertainment field, is tough and unforgiving. Actors often spend years working tirelessly to maintain a decent lifestyle and secure a steady income, without any guarantee of when the next role will come or where the next paycheck will come from. Many hold out hope for that one transformative role—the breakout performance that can change everything. It’s the role that can catapult a career, bring widespread recognition, and build a dedicated fan base. We take a look at ten actors who found that breakthrough moment—whether early on or after years of perseverance—and became household names.

1. Wi Ha-joon and Jung Ho-yeon - Squid Game

   
   

   

The monumental success of Squid Game elevated everyone involved, from the creators and cast to the streaming platform itself. Among the biggest breakout stars were Jung Ho-yeon, who portrayed Kang Sae-byeok (Player 067), and Wi Ha-joon, who played Detective Hwang Jun-ho. The series catapulted them into the global spotlight, bringing fame, recognition, lucrative opportunities, and devoted fan bases. While Jung Ho-yeon’s character had a well-rounded arc, some fans were divided over the direction of Wi Ha-joon’s storyline. Regardless, his role remains a crucial element of the series.

2. Kim Seon-ho – Start Up

   
   

Most fans would agree that when they first began watching Start Up, they assumed Kim Seon-ho’s character, Han Ji-pyeong, was the main lead and that the story revolved around him, until Nam Joo-hyuk’s Nam Do-san entered the picture. Nonetheless, Kim Seon-ho carried much of the series with his effortless acting, emotional depth, and, of course, his charming, dimpled smile that won him a new fanbase, particularly among female viewers. It’s safe to say that Kim Seon-ho made Start-Up memorable—perhaps more than the series made him.

3. Hwang In-youp – True Beauty

   
   

Undoubtedly, the biggest breakout star of tvN’s school rom-com True Beauty was Hwang In-youp. The then 30-year-old actor effortlessly slipped into the role of Han Seo-jun - a classic bad boy with a heart of gold - who develops feelings for Lim Ju-kyeong (Moon Ga-young), despite her being in love with his best friend, Lee Su-ho (Cha Eun-woo). Eventually, Han Seo-jun gives up on his love for Ju-kyeong and reconciles with Su-ho. Fans widely admitted to experiencing serious second lead syndrome, making Hwang In-youp an overnight sensation.

4. Park Eun-bin – Extraordinary Attorney Woo

Before rising to prominence as a leading actress, Park Eun-bin had already built a successful career as a child star. Her breakthrough came with the titular role in Extraordinary Attorney Woo, where she portrayed Woo Young-woo, a brilliant and unconventional lawyer on the autism spectrum working at the prestigious Hanbada Law Firm. Despite the challenges she faces, Young-woo is determined to succeed on her own terms. Park Eun-bin’s nuanced and heartfelt performance captivated audiences and critics alike, earning her the Grand Prize for Television at the 2023 Baeksang Arts Awards and firmly cementing her place as one of Korea’s top actresses.

5. Lim Si-wan – Misaeng: Incomplete Life

While many fans now recognize Lim Si-wan for his role as the morally complex Lee Myung-gi in Squid Game seasons 2 and 3, fewer may realize that he began his career as an idol, debuting with the K-pop group ZE:A alongside fellow actor Park Hyung-sik. However, it was his breakthrough performance in Misaeng: Incomplete Life that truly established him as a serious actor. In the drama, he portrays Jang Geu-rae, a former Baduk (Go) prodigy struggling to adapt to the corporate world. Lim Si-wan delivered a quietly powerful performance, using his gentle appearance and reserved demeanor to bring depth, vulnerability, and resilience to the character. His portrayal earned widespread praise and cemented his place among Korea’s most promising actors.

6. Shin Hye-sun – Mr. Queen

Few actresses possess both exceptional dramatic range and impeccable comic timing - Shin Hye-sun is undoubtedly one of them. In Mr. Queen, she delivers a standout performance as Queen Cheorin of the Joseon era, whose body is mysteriously inhabited by the soul of Jang Bong-hwan (played by Choi Jin-hyuk), a modern-day, womanizing chef who suffers a near-fatal accident and switches souls with Shin Hye-sun's character. Watching Shin Hye-sun embody the eccentric, masculine spirit of Bong-hwan while navigating palace life as a queen had audiences in stitches. Her hilarious yet nuanced portrayal not only showcased her comedic brilliance but also reaffirmed her versatility and depth as an actress.

7. Chae Soo-bin – When The Phone Rings

Chae Soo-bin has long been regarded as one of the most talented yet underrated actresses in Korean television. Despite appearing in several semi-successful projects and being paired with some of the industry's top male leads, widespread recognition didn’t come easily. That changed with her powerful performance in When The Phone Rings, where she portrayed Hong Hee-joo, a mute sign language interpreter trapped in a secretive, loveless marriage with Korea’s presidential spokesperson, Baek Sa-eon (played by Yoo Yeon-seok). Chae Soo-bin’s emotionally layered performance resonated deeply with viewers, and her compelling chemistry with Yoo Yeon-seok only heightened the show's appeal. The result: a surge in her Instagram following, an uptick in brand endorsements, and the long-overdue recognition she truly deserves.

8. Lim Ji-yeon and Park Sung-hoon – The Glory

Lim Ji-yeon and Park Sung-hoon delivered career-defining performances as the chilling antagonists in The Glory. Portraying Park Yeon-jin and Jeon Jae-joon - ruthless bullies who torment Moon Dong-eun (played by Song Hye-kyo) throughout her high school years - they brought a disturbing intensity to their roles. Both actors were so convincing in their portrayals that viewers were left torn between loathing their characters and admiring their powerful performances. With The Glory, Lim Ji-yeon and Park Sung-hoon achieved long-overdue breakthroughs, firmly establishing themselves as actors capable of commanding both fear and fascination on screen.

All of the above-mentioned dramas are available on popular streaming platforms like Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+, and Viki. Which K-drama actor's breakthrough performance is your favorite? Let us know in the comments below!

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