The best K-drama series can charm audiences with compelling conflicts and plot lines, but it all depends on how well the cast fits the characters. The K-dramas, like passionate romances and emotional storylines, risk falling flat when the actors aren't the right fit for the show. Incredible K-drama actors can elevate the show with their portrayals of their characters. From heartbreaking tragedies to action-filled thrillers, masterclass acting in K-dramas is essential to making the series believable and engaging.
K-drama actors and their performances are a major factor in whether a series is a hit or a flop. Not even immaculately planned and executed masterpiece K-dramas can be salvaged if the main cast's acting ability isn't compelling or doesn't quite match what the story needs. Ranging from lighthearted romantic comedies to thrilling crime dramas, shows with skilled actors and remarkable and authentic acting have skyrocketed the popularity of K-dramas.
10 Twenty-Five Twenty-One (2022)
The beautiful and heartwarming K-drama Twenty-Five Twenty-One is one of the highest-rated dramas in Korean cable history. The beloved romantic comedy K-drama tells the grounded and compelling tale of a young couple who separate after struggling to balance their personal life and romance while building their career. Twenty-Five Twenty-One is a deeply human and relatable show that centers young love against the backdrop and struggles of financial difficulties.
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Twenty-Five Twenty-One is elevated by Kim Tae-ri and Nam Joo-hyuk's portrayal of their characters, which perfectly highlights the complexities of first love and becoming an adult in times of financial distress. Kim plays the role of Na Hee-do, the hardworking and dedicated fencer and Nam plays the role of Baek Yi-jin, a young man whose life is turned upside down after his family goes bankrupt. Kim and Nam's onscreen chemistry made the passionate and sweet romance between the leads believable, along with the turmoil they faced while struggling with their career and maintaining their relationship.
9 Itaewon Class (2020)
Itaewon Class is a thrilling revenge K-drama following Park Sae-ro-yi, played by Park Seo-joon, after he is released from prison for assaulting the man responsible for his father's death, Jang Geun-won (Ahn Bo-hyun). After being released from prison, Sae-ro-yi opens a bar-restaurant in Itaewon that becomes a strong rival to the food company Jangga Group, founded and run by Geun-won's father Jang Dae-hee (Yoo Jae-myung). Sae-ro-yi embarks on a mission to take down the powerful company and get revenge on the father and son who ruined his life.
Park Seo-joon's depiction of his beloved character, Sae-ro-yi's anger and determination following his father's death, and his struggle to maintain his humanity and integrity in the face of his vendetta and rage makes Itaewon Class a gripping character-driven K-drama. In addition, Yoo Jae-myung's portrayal of the authoritative and powerful businessman and antagonist made his inevitable downfall a joy to witness. In the tense K-drama, Park and Yoo elevated the conflict with their masterful acting and brought life to their rivalry.
8 Mouse (2021)
The mystery and crime thriller K-drama Mouse follows a detective and his rookie partner as they try to catch a brutal serial killer. The detective K-drama stars Lee Hee-joon as detective Ko Moo-chi, whose traumatic past haunts him to this day and motivates him to hunt down the serial killer. Moo-chi is joined by his rookie partner Jeong Ba-reum, played by Lee Seung-ji, an officer whose encounter with a serial killer drastically changes the trajectory of his life.
Mouse is filled with twists and turns that require skilled and talented actors to bring the suspense and characters' complexities and flaws to life. Hee-joon embodies the role of a dark detective struggling to put his past behind him as his job forces him to deal with humanity's worst, and Seung-ji effortlessly plays the multi-dimensional and twisted character as Ba-reum continues to shock and awe throughout the thriller K-drama. Mouse heavily relied on Ba-reum's character and Seung-ji's impeccable performance carried the K-drama forward.
7 Kingdom (2019-2021)
Kingdom is a historical K-drama set in the 17th century and follows Crown Prince Lee Chang as he's thrust into responsibility after his father, King Yi Yeom (Kim Kang-hoon) falls ill and is presumed to be dead by the Kingdom. While investigating the King's sudden illness, Lee Chang finds himself entrenched in conspiracies to overthrow him as heir, plots against the Royal family, and a mysterious and deadly zombie plague.
In a perfect blend of political drama and action-filled zombie horror, Kingdom is a thrilling and complicated period drama filled with zombies and political plots. The unique take on zombie dramas thrives in character building and growth along with entertaining and well-developed dynamics. Ju Ji-hoon's phenomenal performance as the Crown Prince during a hectic and tension-filled time of plagues and betrayal makes him a compelling and intriguing hero, adding complexity to the zombie K-drama and elevating it to gem.
The clever high-school drama Extracurricular is more than meets the eye and is a dark exploration of taboo subjects. Unlike most high-school K-dramas, Extracurricular is an intense psychological drama and crime thriller with deeply flawed leads. The non-romance K-drama is filled with heart-pounding thrills instead of the sweet relationships that usually dominate the screen in high-school dramas. Stellar acting is essential in Extracurricular, as the leads are morally gray and aren't necessarily likable or relatable. Kim and Oh flawlessly depict Ji-soo and Gyu-ri's everchanging motives and make the unique characters feel realistic and intriguing.
Extracurricular follows the two morally gray and multi-faceted leads as they go to new lengths to protect themselves and each other. Kim Dong-hee plays the role of Oh Ji-soo a loner straight-A student with a dark side who resorted to crime to pay for his education. Ji-soo is forcibly joined by Bae Gyu-ri, played by Park Ju-hyun after she threatens and blackmails Ji-soo to join the business and get her own share of profits, despite coming from a wealthy family.
5 Little Women (2022)
The mystery K-drama series Little Women follows the three Oh sisters after their lives are thrown into chaos after the eldest sister Oh In-joo's (Kim Go-eun) friend is found dead and leaves her millions of dollars. With Korea's richest family gunning for them, they are forced into an unwanted conflict as the powerful and well-connected family is convinced that the destitute family stole their money. Little Women examines wealth, economic struggles, and sisterhood through the mysterious and engaging plot line.
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Little Women stars Kim Go-eun, Nam Ji-hyun, and Park Ji-hu as the Oh sisters and their easy chemistry and bond showcases are central to the show. The close bond between the three sisters is the heart of Little Women and Kim, Nam, and Park's skilled acting makes each sibling dynamic feel distinctive, realistic, and endearing.
4 Flower Of Evil (2020)
Flower of Evil is a psychological thriller and action-packed romance K-drama that follows a detective who comes to the horrifying realization that the man she married and has children with may be hiding a dark and murderous secret. Lee Joon-gi effortlessly switches between Baek Hee-sung, the perfect husband and a loving father to a dangerous man who struggles to feel and understand emotions and practices smiling in the mirror. Lee's spine-chilling demeanor and portrayal of Hee-sing's dubious morality keep audiences on the edge of their seats.
Moon Chae-won's portrayal of Cha Ji-won, a tough and smart detective whose life and moral compass face turbulence after the unsettling realization that her husband may not be the person she thought he was. Moon displays Ji-won's struggle as her life and perfect marriage fall apart as she realizes she might go to great lengths to maintain the illusion of the perfect family. Moon and Lee's chemistry and relationship dynamic make Flower of Evil a must-watch romance thriller.
3 It's Okay To Not Be Okay (2020)
The heartwarming and thought-provoking K-drama It's Okay to Not Be Okay is a groundbreaking romantic comedy series that delves into mental health and healing from trauma. The K-drama's main trio form a bond and learn to heal together from their traumatic pasts. Oh Jung-se cemented himself as a talented K-drama actor with his portrayal of Moon Sang-tae, an autistic aspiring illustrator dealing with the trauma of witnessing his mother's murder at a young age.
Sang-tae's loving relationship with his young brother Moon Gang-tae, played by Kim Soo-hyun, is a highlight of the show as Gang-tae dedicates his life to ensuring his brother is happy and protected. When the brothers meet the popular children's book author Ko Moon-young, played by Seo Yea-ji, the three form a unique bond as the three open up to each other and heal. The trio's relationship dynamic is the central focus of It's Okay to Not Be Okay, and Oh, Kim and Seo's acting skills and chemistry make the emotional scenes feel authentic and elevate the romantic K-drama.
2 Prison Playbook (2017)
Prison Playbook is a fresh and heartening slice-of-life K-drama set in a prison. The K-drama quickly became a hit and was one of the highest-rated series in Korean cable television history. The groundbreaking K-drama revolves around the lives of convicts and the staff working in a prison. Prison Playbook follows Kim Je-hyeok, played by Park Hae-soo, a former baseball star who suffered a fall from grace after being arrested for assault after he protects his sister from assault. Sentenced to a year of jail time, Hae-soo is forced to adjust to life in prison.
Park shines in his role as a convict struggling with the loss of his promising career and his new life in a bleak prison. Despite the dark setting and premise, Park brings life to the thought-provoking K-drama with his lovable and endearing portrayal of the fallen hero. The supporting characters add humor and charm to the narrative, send an important message regarding the prison complex, and explore the impact of incarceration.
1 Mr. Sunshine (2018)
Mr. Sunshine is a historical romance K-drama set in the early 20th century that revolves around the activists' fight for Korea's independence. The K-drama's main romance is set against the backdrop of a tense political standoff between the U.S. Embassy and Japan in the heart of Korea. Mr. Sunshine is a character-driven K-drama that is enhanced by the actors' emotional and strong performances.
It focuses on the budding relationship between Eugene Choi (Lee Byung-hun), a former Joseon slave who fled to the United States and became a captain of the U.S. Marine Corps, and Go Ae-shin (Kim Tae-ri), an orphaned noblewoman and freedom fighter. Lee's remarkable performance as a conflicted Korean-born U.S. Marine in a tension-filled backdrop makes his internal dilemma compelling and intriguing.
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While K-dramas are often enjoyed for their sometimes-saccharine romances and dramatic plots, there are more than a few iconic female leads, as well.
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