The 25 Best Korean Actors Under 40
by amyalm | created - 12 Jan 2017 | updated - 12 Jan 2017 | PublicTop 25 South Korean actors under the age of 40 (no specific order)
1. Lee Joon-gi
Actor | Wang-ui namja
Lee Joon-Gi was born in Busan, South Korea on April 17, 1982. He was raised by his parents and has one younger sister. He is an actor/model/singer. He started his career as a model and had minor roles in Korean dramas until he landed the role of Gong-Gil in The King and the Clown in 2005. After ...
2. Jang Hyuk
Actor | Nae yeojachingureul sogae habnida
Jang Hyuk was born on December 20, 1976 in Busan, South Korea. He is an actor, known for Windstruck (2004), The Slave Hunters (2010) and Shine or Go Crazy (2015). He has been married to Yeo-Jin Kim since June 2, 2008. They have three children.
3. Hyun Bin
Actor | Sikeurit Gadeun
Hyun Bin, born in 1982, had a typical childhood as the youngest son of a family with loving parents and a strong older brother. In high school, he fell in love with the allure of acting in a theater club he joined on the advice of a senior, but he was opposed by his father, who wanted him to pursue...
4. Song Joong-ki
Actor | Seungriho
Song Joong Ki is an actor in the Republic of Korea. His debut was in the 2008 film 'A Frozen Flower'. He familiarized himself with the public through TV shows such as 'My Precious You (2008)', 'Triple (2009)', 'Will it snow for Christmas? (2009)', and 'Obstetrics and Gynecology Doctors (2010)'. At ...
5. Lee Jong-suk
Actor | Romaenseuneun Byulchaekboorok
Lee Jong-suk was born on September 14, 1989 in Yongin, South Korea. He is an actor and executive, known for Romance Is a Bonus Book (2019), Pinocchio (2014) and I Hear Your Voice (2013).
6. So Ji-seob
Actor | Yeong-hwa-neun yeong-hwa-da
So Ji-seob was born on November 4, 1977 in Seoul, South Korea. He is an actor, known for Rough Cut (2008), Ghost (2012) and I'm Sorry, I Love You (2004). He has been married to Jo Eun-Jung since April 7, 2020.
7. Lee Dong-wook
Actor | Sseul-sseul-ha-go cha-ran-ha-sin-do-ggae-bi
Lee Dong-Wook is a South Korean actor, entertainer, and model and easily one of the notable faces in Korea's film universe. Lee made his acting debut in 1999 in an MBC single-episode drama. The PD of the drama saw Lee, and proceed to cast him in the teen drama School 2. Lee started to gain ...
8. Gong Yoo
Actor | Busanhaeng
Gong Ji-Chul (better known as Gong Yoo) was born in Busan, Korea on July 10, 1979. The actor is known for the movies Train to Busan (2016), Silenced (2011), Squid Game (2021), and The Age of Shadows (2016).
Gong Yoo graduated with a Bachelor's degree in theater at Kyung Hee University and worked as ...
9. Lee Min-ho
Actor | Kkotboda namja
Lee Minho is one of South Korea's most influential artists. He is an actor, producer, and creative director. With a combined 95 million social media followers on Instagram, Facebook and Weibo, he has a remarkable global reach. The Korean government's Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism has ...
10. Kim Woo-bin
Actor | Sangsogjadeul
Kim Woo Bin wanted to become a model while he was in high school and didn't have much intention of becoming an actor. However as his modeling career grew bigger, and he started getting offers to do commercials he was soon told that some basic acting was required and he decided to take on classes. ...
11. Ji Chang-wook
Actor | Hilleo
Ji Chang-Wook is a South Korean actor who first gained fame for his role in 'Smile Again', a South Korean drama series where he played the lead role. He is also known for his role in the South Korean thriller film 'Fabricated City', which was a huge commercial success. After playing small roles in ...
12. Won Bin
Actor | Ajeossi
Won Bin, born November 10, 1977 in Jeongseon County, Gangwon Province, South Korea, is a popular actor. He is the youngest of five siblings (two older brothers and two older sisters). While growing up in Jeongseon County, Won Bin initially planned to become a car mechanic, but in 1996 entered an ...
13. Yoo Ah-in
Actor | Yungnyong-i Nareusya
Yoo Ah-In is a South Korean actor and creative director. He has built a unique filmography that distinguishes him from other actors of the same age, playing a series of impressive characters in films and TV series. Not only is he known as an icon of youth in Korea, but also he has made remarkable ...
14. Ji Sung
Actor | Kilmi, hilmi
Born Kwak Tae Gun on February 27, 1977 he landed his debuting role in 1999 SBS Television Drama KAIST. It was through the suggestion of is then-manager that he took on the the stage name Chae Ji-sung and subsequently known as simply Ji Sung. His participating in following TV dramas such as All In(...
15. Joo Won
Actor | Gaksital
Joo Won is a South Korean actor best known for his roles in King of Baking, Kim Takgu (2010), Ojakgyo Family (2011), Bridal Mask (2012), Good Doctor (2013), Fatal Intuition (2015), Yong-pal (2015), My Sassy Girl (2017) and Alice (2020). Moon Jun-won was born in Seoul, South Korea.He studied at ...
16. Jang Keun-suk
Actor | Maelineun oebagjung
Jang Keun Suk was born in Danyang County, Chungcheongbuk Province, South Korea. He was born on the 4th day of the 8th month of the Lunar Calendar in 1987 (the year of the rabbit), making his Gregorian calendar birth date 26 September 1987. He is an only child.
At the age of five, he was discovered ...
17. Yoo Seung-ho
Actor | Seondeok yeowang
Yoo was born in Incheon and raised there by his family and the younger of two siblings. He made his entertainment debut in a cellphone commercial in 1999 after his mother sent in a photo of her son to an ad agency.
In 2000, Yoo began his career as a child actor, first appearing in television dramas....
18. Lee Seung-gi
Actor | Guga-ui Seo
Lee Seung Gi is a South Korean singer, actor, host and entertainer. Known as the "Ballad Prince", Lee has had numerous hit songs such as "Because You're My Woman", "Will You Marry Me", and "Return". He has garnered further recognition as an actor and rose to international popularity around Asia ...
19. Kim Soo-hyun
Actor | Byeol-e-seo on geu-dae
Soo-Hyun Kim is one of the brightest stars in East Asia. He became a household name in South Korea in 2011, playing a country bumpkin who turned out to be a musical genius in the teen-age drama 'Dream High'.
His popularity sky-rocketed in 2012 when he starred in as the young king Lee Hwon in the ...
20. Gang Dong-won
Actor | Busanhaeng 2: Bando
Since he debuted as an actor in 2003, Gang, Dong-Won has played a leading role in 20 works over 18 years. (Accumulated Attendance 67,000,000, which is ranked 1st among Korean actors in their 30s, excluding 2 years of military service period) As much as he enjoys creating new characters in his works...
21. Choi Siwon
Actor | Geunyeoneun yeppeodda
Music career
Choi Siwon was raised in a strict, Protestant family from Seoul, South Korea. After Choi's talents were scouted in the Starlight Casting System in 2003, his parents initially disapproved him to pursue in an entertainment career. After consideration, his parents approved Choi to sign ...
22. Hong-ki Lee
Actor | Modern Farmer
Lee Hong Ki/Lee Hong Gi is a South Korean idol singer, actor and MC. He is the lead singer of popular Korean band F.T. Island, a South Korean rock band and is well known for his powerful and versatile voice. He is the oldest sibling in his family, and has a younger sister who still lives with her ...
23. Jung Yong-hwa
Actor | Minami Shineyo
Yong-hwa Jung is born in Seoul (South Korea). He was still a very little boy when he moved with his parents in Busan (South Korea). He has a brother who is four years older. He was discovered by his agency, FNC Entertainment, thanks to one of his pictures uploaded on a site for good looking people....
24. Kim Hyun-joong
Actor | Kkotboda namja
Kim Hyun-joong is a South Korean singer and actor most well known for his parts in "Boys Over Flowers" and "Playful Kiss". Kim began his career as a singer with the popular boy band SS501, and has most recently been releasing solo albums with backing musicians "Gemini Band". A talented singer, ...
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