Not in any particular order, but I tried to stick mostly to actors who have been active recently – i.e. Lee Min Ho is not here because he has been mystifyingly quiet ever since his Boys Over Flowers role (though finally there have been recent rumors of an upcoming project). Continue Reading to learn more about these ten up-and-coming leading men of the Kdrama scene.
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1. Lee Seung GiPreviously best known as a pop singer, Lee Seung Gi had only two extremely minor drama roles to his name before taking on the role of spoiled rich boy Sun Woo Hwan in Shining Inheritance (aka Brilliant Legacy). His compelling, nuanced performance in that hit drama shot him to instant adoration and won him Hot Male Drama Star at the 2009 MNET awards, firmly ensconcing him as one of the more talented singers-turned-actors. It remains to be seen whether his next role will capitalize on that success and further validate him as an actor, but for now, he is certainly possessed of great popularity and, in my opinion, acting talent. |
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2. Jang Geun SeukBest known previously for his wooden performance as television’s most well-known Emo Prince in Hong Gil Dong (in his defense, the role of Lee Chang Hwi gave him absolutely nothing – I’ve always envisioned the director actually telling him to be as expressionless as possible), Jang Geun Seuk’s star is on the rise with his lead role in currently-airing You’re Beautiful. While the drama has failed to quite hit the big-time as far as ratings go, being consistently defeated by ratings giant Iris, it has attained solid status as a mania hit. Fans are going crazy in particular over Jang Geun Seuk’s spot-on performance as arrogant, neurotic pop star Hwang Tae Kyung. |
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3. Yoon Sang HyunOne of several actors catapulted to popularity by the highly successful Queen of Housewives, Yoon Sang Hyun followed it up with the lead role in the much-buzzed about Take Care of the Young Lady, where he more than held his own opposite Yoon Eun Hye. While that drama wasn’t quite the smash hit that had been hoped for, it did garner YSH much attention for his good looks, charisma, and screen presence (if there was one thing that Take Care of the Young Lady was lacking, it was not a stellar cast). I, along with many other people, am excited to see what he does next. |
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4. Bae Soo BinA virtual unknown until the smash hit that was Shining Inheritance (aka Brilliant Legacy), Bae Soo Bin made quite a wave as sexy restauranteur and all-around-good-guy Park Jun Se in the drama, stealing many viewers’ hearts away from main male lead Lee Seung Gi. Currently heading his own drama, provocative melodrama Angel’s Temptation, Bae Soo Bin is an interesting addition to the array of potential future stars. |
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5. Jung Il WooTake Care of the Young Lady did not do Il Woo quite as many favors as it did Sang Hyun – it was supposed to solidify Il Woo’s status as a talented young hearthrob/star, but aside from the drama itself not being quite as popular as expected (it couldn’t quite break the 20% ratings roof), Il Woo’s role in it was also paper-thin and (dare I say it?) quite boring. As staid lawyer Lee Tae Yoon, he was able to display none of the youthful charisma which launched him into the public eye in 2006’s Unstoppable High Kick or the acting chops which won him acclaim in his lead role as Iljimae in 2009’s The Return of Iljimae. It did, however, raise his profile further, so as of right now he is hovering just on the edge of mainstream stardom, and hopefully his next role will propel him forward. |
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6. Cha Seung WonAlthough he has appeared as the lead before in dramas such as Bodyguard and Angel’s Kiss, Cha Seung Won’s star was pretty much under the radar until earlier this year, when he snagged the lead role opposite Kim Sun Ah in City Hall. Bringing a whole new meaning to the word “charismatic” as the brilliant, emotionally distant politician Jo Gook in the highly successful drama. He stirred both the hearts of ajumas and the younger girls alike. His next drama is set to be the perennially-postponed Fashion King opposite Nam Gyu Ri, but in the meantime he will appear in high-profile war film Into the Gunfire alongside Kwon Sang Woo. |
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7. Jung Joon HoJung Joon Ho is apparently one of those actors who waits until he’s in his thirties to make it big, because after heading highly succesful romcom Last Scandal in 2008, he was offered the jackpot of all acting jobs, the role of secret agent Jin Sa Woo opposite Lee Beung Hun in Iris, the year’s most anticipated drama . Effortlessly transitioning from Last Scandal’s warm-hearted movie star to Iris’s coldly efficient (and cold-blooded) special agent, Joon Ho has shown both the professionalism and the versatility of a true star. It will be exciting to see what he does next. |
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8. Oh Ji HoAnother actor who made quite a splash in Queen of Housewives earlier this year, Oh Ji Ho has, like Jung Joon Ho, been acting in dramas for quite some time, but is only now in his thirties reaching mainstream fame. He can next be seen in the Lee Da Hae/Jang Hyuk headed Chuno, which is set to premiere in December. The drama can only capitalize on Ji Ho’s Queen of Housewives success as he goes from QoH’s good-natured businessman to a violent slave in one of the year’s most anticipated dramas. |
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9. Park Hae JinRelatively new on the drama scene, Park Hae Jin first appeared in 2006’s Famous Princesses, for which he won several acting awards. His role in East of Eden, however, is what really brought him to the spotlight, winning him Popular Male Star and Male Newcomer Awards for his performance as Myung Hun, Song Seung Hun’s real brother. The popularity of that drama enabled him to get the lead role in manhwa adaptation Hot-Blooded Salesman opposite Chae Jung Ahn of Cain and Abel, which is currently pulling in decent if unexceptional ratings. I look forward to seeing more of him. |
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10. Kim BumKim Bum wasn’t supposed to be on this list. He should have be on the list of “already made it stars”, the ones who are popular enough to have made a solid career and have their pick of dramas/entertainment options. Unfortunately, after the wild success of Boys Over Flowers, Kim Bum’s next drama, Dream, was a relative flop, pulling in ratings just high enough to get it through its 20-episode run. And now, with him dropping out of his film role in 71, it’s up to his other film Bisang, which premieres in December, to determine whether he can move beyond his Boys Before Flowers role. |
In summary,
I find Yoon Sang Hyun, Jang Geun Seuk, and Cha Seung Won to have the most potential and screen presence out of this round-up, as well as Oh Ji Ho and Jung Joon Ho based on the little I’ve seen of them. The others have made waves but I am slightly more skeptical about their ability to follow through and make a truly successful and versatile career. Regardless, it will be interesting watching them.
Agree? Disagree? Who did I miss?
(Side note: Dramabeans had an interesting article on The men of Queen of Housewives some time back.)
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Category: Korean Drama | Tags: Angel's Temptation, Bae Soo Bin, Bisang, Boys Before Flowers, Boys Over Flowers, Cain and Abel, Chae Seung Won, Chuno, Dream, Into the Gunfire, Jang Geun Seuk, Jung Il-woo, Jung Joon Ho, Kim Bum, Lee Seung Gi, Oh Ji Ho, Park Hae Jin, Queen of Housewives, Take Care of the Young Lady, Yoon Sang Hyun, You're Beautiful
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shegirl07 November 29th, 2009 7:10 am
i really like the acting skill of jung il woo.
how great he is??????
Eliane Lee November 30th, 2009 12:54 am
Kim Bum looks like Japanese Star. Matsuyama Kenichi!!
Both cooool…^^
Petirrojo November 30th, 2009 1:10 am
I’m in complete agreement with your list, especially Cha Seung Won. He appeared like a bolt out of the blue with “City Hall,” but he’s not exactly an unknown in the acting profession. Rather than being a drama actor (other than “Bodyguard” years ago), he’s been doing excellent work in film. I’ve tracked down a number of his films on Netflix, such as, “Blood Rain” and “Murder, Take One,” and he had a cameo in the cult classic, “Attack of the Gas Station!” He has a tremendous natural charisma and his chemistry with Kim Seon Ah is amazing. I will also drool a moment too over Jung Joon Ho: he was brilliant as the apparently selfish Jebin/immature Dongchul in “Last Scandal,” and like Cha, enjoyed a realistic and heartfelt connection with his costar, the late Choi Jin-shil.
jo November 30th, 2009 3:25 am
I’m sorry but did jang geun suk really say that ” the role of Lee Chang Hwi gave him absolutely nothing “?? that’s really surprising to know. I LOVED prince changhui.
Claire November 30th, 2009 11:43 am
Jo – I think you’ve misread it, I didn’t say that JGS said that, it’s simply my opinion(and the popular one based on many reviews that I’ve read) of his role
Nainai December 1st, 2009 1:48 am
I really like your list, in my personal opinion Jang Geun Seuk is the one with the most projection, i just love how he “changes skins” in each drama he really becomes the characters, i think he going to be huge and insanely successful,i am looking forward to his next projects.
tarheeler December 24th, 2009 1:16 am
I agree with a lot of your choices, however I also thought that it was a break through year for Jung Kyung-ho with Smile You, for Song Joong-ki with Triple and his cameo in Will it Snow for Christmas, for Im Ju-hwan in his role in Tamna Island, for Kim Nam-gil in Queen Seon-duk (he’s going to get so many offers because of this drama), actually a lot of the young up and coming stars in the Elle photo shoot/article had really good year.
Yiska December 26th, 2009 3:01 pm
I agree with u in so many ways… Jang geun seuk will be huge, myb very huge someday… The last film you’re beautiful really amused me and i can see how u say that he’s one of the most potential guys of all u’ve mentioned..
tt December 27th, 2009 5:33 pm
Although Cha Seung Won doesn’t star much in TV dramas, he has a well-respected film veteran, and if you are a fan of Korean cinema, you’ll definitely know him. He’s not a newbie. So I’m kind of offended (overreacting) when Cha Sueng Won is put with new-comers like Lee Seung Gi (not saying that Seung Gi is bad or anything)
kdramaqueen January 6th, 2010 12:25 pm
Oh Ji Ho is not only terrific looking but has get acting potential. I’ve seen glimpses in many of his dramas which I repeatedly watch because I love him. I think ‘Chuno’ is going to be the one where his talent will be seen. I’m so glad you included him on the list.
DramaFever.com Blog» Blog Archive » Kdrama’s Top Ten Up-and-Coming Leading Ladies January 15th, 2010 7:01 pm
[...] companion to Kdrama’s Ten Up-and-Coming Leading Men, here are the leading ladies who made a splash in 2009 and seem destined for greater [...]
rainey January 19th, 2010 7:10 pm
Cha Seung Won?
He’s a big time movie star, he ‘arrived’ a long time ago.
ABL January 22nd, 2010 3:36 am
I think Kim Nam Gil should be on this list rather than one on here that I do not think is going to be as big a star in the future as you seem to think he will be.
Tara January 22nd, 2010 2:49 pm
Jang Geun Seuk should be number one! Not only did he have great roles in wonderful dramas, he is quite opular in movies too. Did you see “The Case of the Itaewon Homicide”? He spoke English almost the entire movie! And the “Baby and Me.” Lee Seung Gee was very good in “Shining Inheritance” but his resume cannot compare to the wonderful and incredibly handsome Jang Geun Seuk.