From Kim Tae-hee in Hi Bye, Mama! to Son Ye-jin in Crash Landing on You, 8 of Korea’s top hallyu actresses who helped make K-drama a global success
From Kim Tae-hee and her tear-jerker, Hi Bye, Mama! to Son Ye-jin and the record-breaking North-South Korean love story Crash Landing on You, Korea’s top hallyu (or Korean wave) actresses from the early 2000s have made comebacks with a resurgence of hit drama series.
Born in the 80s, these actresses in their late thirties and early forties debuted more than decades ago, and while their looks don't show their age – their talent and range reveal the years of experience they've gained. In fact, much of Korean drama’s global success is all thanks to them.
Let’s get to know more about Korea’s top stars, their best works and where you might have seen them.
Kim Tae-hee
Recent work: Hi Bye, Mama! – one of this year’s best family dramas, and Kim’s comeback series after a five-year hiatus.
Kim first gained recognition for her role as the evil stepsister in Stairway to Heaven, a 2003 drama that became a hit in Korea and overseas. She was eventually cast for lead roles in Forbidden Love in 2004, Iris in 2009, and Yong-pal in 2015, which would win her top acting awards.
5 things to know about Hi Bye, Mama! star Kim Tae Hee
Son Ye-jin
Recent works: Pretty Noona Who Buys Me Food, a 2018 Netflix series that saw commercial success and marked Son’s small screen return after a five-year break; and Crash Landing on You this year with Hyun Bin, which was loved by fans all over the world.
Before the world fell head-over-heels in love with Son as the charming Yoon Se-ri, Son’s success in romance-themed dramas during the early days of her career earned her the nickname “Nation’s First Love” in Korea. What solidified her hallyu status was her performance in the 2003 drama Summer Scent, which is part of the Endless Love series.
Known for picking her projects well and valuing diversity in the roles she plays, Son would also work on various film projects that would gain her popularity in Hong Kong, China and Japan.
Gong Hyo-jin
Recent work: When The Camellia Blooms in 2019 with Kang Ha-neul.
Called the queen of romcom, Gong had consistently worked on projects every year since her debut in 1999. She has a long list of acting awards – from “best couple” to popularity awards, to excellence awards for her supporting and main roles – and is also recognised as a style and beauty icon.
5 things to know about South Korean romcom actress Gong Hyo-jin
Gong prefers unconventional roles that portray multifaceted women, as seen in her dramas Thank You in 2007, Pasta in 2010, The Greatest Love in 2011, and It’s Okay, That’s Love in 2014, among others.
Han Ji-min
Recent work: One Spring Night, the 2019 Netflix romance melodrama with Jung Hae-in.
In 2012, Han played the lead in the Joseon-era, time-travelling romcom, Rooftop Prince, which gained popularity overseas, including China and Japan. Given her innocent look, Han broke free from her sweet image by playing diverse roles, such as in the film Miss Baek, which won her numerous awards.
Jun Ji-hyun
Recent works: This year’s Kingdom, where Jun made a cameo that led to rumours of her joining the drama’s next season; Legend of the Blue Sea in 2016 and My Love From The Star in 2013 – both of which became globally popular, not just for the story, but for the fashion and beauty choices featured in the shows.
Jun’s smashing success started in the 2001 romcom My Sassy Girl, which immediately catapulted her to hallyu status. The actress became a favourite face in advertisements, went on to make a Hollywood debut, and landed on covers of international fashion magazines, including American Vogue.
6 Jun Ji-hyun looks that made her a fashion icon
Song Hye-kyo
Recent works: Descendants of the Sun in 2016, where she would meet her now ex-husband, Song Joong-ki; and Encounter in 2018 with Park Bo-gum.
Song's first lead role in a drama would be in 2000s Autumn in My Heart (from the Endless Love series), which would lead to her rise to fame in and beyond Korea. Her performance in 2004 drama Full House with hallyu star Rain, would cement her status and make her famous internationally.
Why is Song-Song couple’s US$11 million ‘love nest’ being destroyed?
Ha Ji-won
Recent works: Hospital Ship in 2017 and Chocolate in 2019.
In 2010, Ha starred opposite Hyun Bin in Secret Garden, which became a commercial success in Korea and abroad. The drama is known for making fashion and music trends popular, and its iconic scenes are often referenced in future dramas. Ha would continue to dabble in various genres, appearing in period dramas, romcoms, horror films and action hits.
Shin Min-ah
Recent works: Tomorrow With You in 2017 and Chief of Staff in 2019.
Her breakthrough roles in My Girlfriend is a Gumiho in 2010 and Oh My Venus in 2016 make her a favourite of K-drama fans. Shin has been active for more than 20 years and has become globally popular as an actress and model, where she sometimes works together with model-actor boyfriend Kim Woo-bin.
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The global success of Korean films and Netflix series in recent years has made these actresses international stars, but what about their earlier work?