There are a lot of rookies or yet-to-be-known actors acting in K-Dramas that caught attention with good acting or/and with a special aura on screen. However, most of the time, it is hard for global fans to find detailed information about these actors.

At Kpopmap, we try our best to have articles about rookie actors that have little information accessible for international fans. For the past years, we have covered a lot of rookies or yet-to-be-known actors, and here is a selection of some of them. K-Drama fans should closely look at them as they have enough talent to earn more recognition and fame! We can tell you that the future top Hallyu stars are probably on this list.

The list has no particular order also. The article was first published back in 2019, we keep on updating the list (bookmark us not to miss updates).

For the detailed actor profile or their previous works, click on the links below each picture.

Are there any rookie actors you are curious about and are not on this list? Let us know in the comments, we will inform you about them!

 

1. Ko ChanBin

Age: Born in 2001

Instagram: @briller_01

Key dramas: "Love Revolution", "Oh! My Assistant"

Find more about him below.

 

2. Ryu EuiHyun

Age: Born in 1999

Instagram: @ui_hstagram

Key dramas: "Shopping King Louie", “A-Teen”, "Adult Trainee"

Find more about him below.

 

3. Kim SungHyun (Yoo JungWoo)

Age: Born in 1997

Instagram: @dggyang

Key dramas: “Mama Fairy And The Woodcutter”, "Secret Boutique", "The Temperature of Language: Our Nineteen"

Find more about him below.

 

4. Lee JungJun

Age: Born in 1999

Instagram: @right_jun_

Key dramas: "Best Mistake 2", "Kairos", "Cheer Up", "Celebrity"

Find more about him below.

 

5. Park TaeIn

Age: Born in 2000

Instagram: @ehoili_

Key dramas: "The Mermaid Prince", "Doom at Your Service", "Doctor Cha"

Find more about him below.

 

6. Han SeJin

Age: Born in 1996

Instagram: @ahoi_ing

Key dramas: “A Piece of Your Mind", "Phantom the Secret Agent", "Mr. Heart", "Nobleman Ryu's Wedding", "Hope or Dope"

Find more about him below.

 

7. Choe ChanYi

Age: Born in 1995

Instagram: @choechani

Key dramas: "Best Mistake", "Light on Me"

Find more about him below.

 

8. Kang Yul

Age: Born in 1993

Instagram: @_kangyul_

Key dramas: "Best Mistake"

Find more about him below.

 

9. Jung HaJoon

Age: Born in 1996

Instagram: @chjoooon

Key dramas: "Memorist", "Police University", "Café Minamdang"

Find more about him below.

 

10.  Kang Hui

Age: Born in 1991

Instagram: @kanghui_

Key dramas: "Ending Again", "Cherry Blossoms After Winter"

Find more about him below.

 

11. Kim GeonWon

Age: Born in 1993

Instagram: @gxbbang

Key dramas: "Ending Again"

Find more about him below.

 

12. Lee KiTaek

Age: Born in 1994

Instagram: @leekiitaek

Key dramas: "In Seoul 2", "One Fine Week 2", "The Devil Judge", "Moonshine"

Find more about him below.

 

13. Choi JaeHyun

Age: Born in 1995

Instagram: @choijaehyun7

Key dramas: "Love with Flaws", "Sweet Munchies", "Dalgona", "Run On", "Peach of Time", "The Heavenly Idol"

Find more about him below.

 

14. Choi KyungHoon

Age: Born in 1993

Instagram: @k__h_c

Key dramas: "Romance, Talking", "Trap", "Legally Dad", "Re-Feel: If Only", "Snowdrop"

Find more about him below.

 

15. Choi WooSung

Age: Born in 1997

Instagram: @c.woo_sung

Key dramas: "At Eighteen", "It's Okay to Not Be Okay", "Police University", "Melancholia"

Find more about him below.

 

16. Son HyeonWoo

Age: Born in 1996

Instagram: @sssonzino

Key dramas: "Not Alright, But It's Alright", "Standby Curator", "Trap"

Find more about him below.

 

17. Cheon SeungHo

Age: Born in 1996

Instagram: @xxurricane

Key dramas: "Where Your Eyes Linger", "Mr. Heart", "Jun & Jun"

Find more about him below.

 

18. Lee WonJung

Age: Born in 2001

Instagram: @jung_or__

Key dramas: "Real:Time:Love", "Live On", "Bio Homme", "Can You Deliver Time? 2002", "The World of My 17 2", "Hierarchy"

Find more about him below.

 

19. Ahn SeMin

Age: Born in 2000

Instagram: @saemings

Key dramas: "Let Me Off The Earth", "User Not Found", "School 2021"

Find more about him below.

 

20. Kim SeungHo

Age: Born in 2001

Instagram: @_s_ngho_

Key dramas: "My Fuxxxxx Romance", "Going to the Blue House Like This", "Rookie Cops"

Find more about him below.

 

21. Cho HanGyeol

Age: Born in 2002

Instagram: @cho.0910

Key dramas: "Let Me Off The Earth", "Love Mate", "Blue Temperature"

Find more about him below.

 

22. Yoo Jun

Age: Born in 2000

Instagram: @yyjjun_xx

Key dramas: "Color Rush" (1 and 2), "Crash Course in Romance", "Duty After School: Part 1"

Find more about him below.

 

23. Won TaeMin (Won HyungHoon)

Age: Born in 1993

Instagram: @one__tm_

Key dramas: "You Make Me Dance", "Unintentional Love Story"

Find more about him below.

 

24. Lim JiSub

Age: Born in 1998

Instagram: @leemjs

Key dramas: "The Eight Sense"

Find more about him below.

 

25. Lee ChanHyeong

Age: Born in 1997

Instagram: @nakktaa_ 

Key dramas: "Re-Feel", "Hospital Playlist", "My Sweet Dear", "Adult Trainee", "Gaus Electronics"

Find more about him below.

 

26. Kim DoMin

Age: Born in 2000

Instagram: -

Key dramas: "Arthdal Chronicles", "Twenty Twenty", "Hearts and Hani"

Find more about him below.

 

27. Lee SaeOn

Age: Born in 1995

Instagram: @leesaeon

Key dramas: "Light On Me", "Boss-dol Mart"

Find more about him below.

 

28. Oh JunTaek

Age: Born in 2001

Instagram: @ohjunt

Key dramas: "The Eight Sense"

Find more about him below.

 

29. (Byeon) SeongTae

Age: Born in 1998

Instagram: @bsvvt_

Key dramas: "Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha", "Happy Merry Ending"

Find more about him below.

 

30. Min InGi

Age: Born in 1995

Instagram:  @min2kki

Key dramas: "Blue of Winter"

Find more about him below.

 

31. Jeon YuBin

Age: Born in 1997

Instagram:  @u_b.97

Key dramas: "Blue of Winter"

Find more about him below.

 

32. Lee JungMin

Age: Born in 2000

Instagram: @jungmin_0618

Key dramas: "Blue of Winter", "Why R U?"

Find more about him below.

 

33. Yoo YoungMo

Age: Born in 1998

Instagram: @___youngmo

Key dramas: "Blue of Winter"

Find more about him below.

 

34. Yoon HyunSoo

Age: Born in 1999

Instagram:  @hyvn_soo

Key dramas: "Racket Boys", "Juvenile Delinquency", "Kill Heel", "Hope or Dope", "Running Mate"

Find more about him below.

 

35. Song WonSeok

Age: Born in 1988

Instagram: @songwonseok88

Key dramas: "One the Woman", "Lovers of the Red Sky", "Entourage", "Business Proposal"

Find more about him below.

 

36. Park SungJoon

Age: Born in 1992

Instagram: @nujabes7479

Key dramas: "Rookie Cops", "Run On", "Eulachacha Waikiki", "Strongest Deliveryman"

Find more about him below.

 

37. Baek SeoHoo

Age: Born in 1996

Instagram: @seohoo._.b

Key dramas: "Color Rush 2", "Minamdang: Case Note", "IDOL: The Coup", "Love Revolution", "Heartbeat"

Find more about him below.

 

38. Min HyoGi

Age: Born in 1997

Instagram: @_minhyogi (private now)

Key dramas: "Color Rush 2"

Find more about him below.

 

39. Heo WonSeo

Age: Born in 2001

Instagram: @1hwesd

Key dramas: "Our Blooming Youth"

Find more about him below.

 

40. Ki HyunWoo

Age: Born in 2000

Instagram: @hywo.o

Key dramas: "Jinx", "Semantic Error: The Movie", "Jun and Jun"

Find more about him below.

 

41. Lee JungHa

Age: Born in 1998

Instagram: @jungha.km

Key dramas: "Moving"

Find more about him below.

 

42. Kim JaeWon

Age: Born in 2001

Instagram: @rlawodnjs_

Key dramas: "Stealer: The Treasure Keeper", "King The Land".

Find more about him below.

 

43. Park KangHyun

Age: Born in 1989

Instagram: @p_k_h_

Key dramas: "Heartbeat"

Find more about him below.

 

44. Yang JunMo

Age: Born in 2001

Instagram: @emdow_

Key dramas: "Jun &Jun"

Find more about him below.

 

45. Yoon DoJin

Age: Born in 1998

Instagram: @dzyunb

Key dramas: "Love Tractor"

Find more about him below.

 

46. Han GenU

Age: Born in 1992

Instagram: @kyunnnh

Key dramas: "Tale Of The Nine Tailed 1938",

Find more about him below.

 

47. Oh JinSeok

Age: Born in 1995

Instagram: @o.b.o.n

Key dramas: "The Heavenly Idol", "Sh**ting Stars"

Find more about him below.

 

48. Do Won

Age: Born in 1994

Instagram: @yokwans

Key dramas: "Love Tractor"

Find more about him below.

 

49. Cho HyunMin

Age: Born in 1994

Instagram: @c_hm11

Key dramas: "Love Mate"

Find more about him below.

 

50. Song JiHo

Age: Born in 1992

Instagram: @ziffffo

Key dramas: "Doctor Cha"

Find more about him below.

 

51. Jeong SooHyun

Age: Born in 1997

Instagram: @from.jsoohyun

Key dramas: "The Heavenly Idol", "Mokkoji Kitchen"

Find more about him below.

 

52. Lee SeungGyu

Age: Born in 1999

Instagram: @gyue_ing

Key dramas: "Our Dating Sim", "User Not Found"

Find more about him below.

 

53. Lee JongHyuk

Age: Born in 1997

Instagram: @zonyuk_

Key dramas: "Our Dating Sim"

Find more about him below.

 

54. Kim YoonWoo

Age: Born in 2000

Instagram: -

Key dramas: "Mimicus", "Deceitfully Delightful", "My Dearest"

Find more about him below.

 

55. Lee MinJae

Age: Born in 2000

Instagram: @__minnjaee_

Key dramas: "Oh! Youngsimi", "Cheer Up", "The Golden Spoon", "Crash Course In Romance"

Find more about him below.

 

56. Kim HyunWook

Age: Born in 1997

Instagram: @hyunvvk

Key dramas: "Cherry Blossoms After Winter", "Kill Heel", "The Uncanny Counter 2: Counter Punch"

Find more about him below.

 

57. Woo HyoWon

Age: Born in 1994

Instagram: @whyocircle

Key dramas: "You Raise Me Up", "Bad Girlfriend", "Love Class 2"

Find more about him below.

 

58. Lee GwangHee

Age: Born in 1997

Instagram: @gwang._.hh

Key dramas: "Love Class 2"

Find more about him below.

 

59. Choi YoonJe

Age: Born in 1999

Instagram: @cdbswp

Key dramas: "May I Help You?", "Snowdrop", "Search", "The Forbidden Marriage", "Under the Queen's Umbrella"

Find more about him below.

 

60. Yoo JungHoo

Age: Born in 1997

Instagram: @u_junghoo

Key dramas: "Durian's Affair", "Bitch X Rich"

Find more about him below.

 

62. Kim DoHoon

Age: Born in 1998

Instagram: @7imdohoon

Key dramas: "The Law Cafe", "Today's Webtoon", "Here's My Plan", "Moving"

Find more about him below.

 

63. Yeon Oh

Age: Born in 1995

Instagram: @yeonoh._.

Key dramas: "Alchemy Of Souls", "Revenge Of Others", "The Secret Romantic Guesthouse", 'Twinkling Watermelon"

Find more about him below.

 

64. Lee SiWoo

Age: Born in 1999

Instagram: lee__s.woo.

Key dramas: "Boyhood", "Pale Moon", "Here's My Plan", "Do Do Sol Sol La La Sol" and "Hi Bye, Mama!"

Find more about him below.

 

Actors previously on this list but who gained popularity and experience. They have left our list: Nam YoonSu, Tang JunSang, Byeon WooSeok, Lee JaeWook, Kim DoWan, Kim YoungDae, Song Kang, Hwang InYeop, Seo JiHoon, Kim DongHee, Jang DongYoon, Kim SungCheol, Bae HyunSung, Ki DoHun, Chae JongHyeop, Lee JongWon, Moon SangMin, Joo WooJae, Jang EuiSoo, Choi HyunWook, Song GeonHee, Park SangNam, Kim MinGi, Cho JunYoung, Baek SungChul, Park JiBin, Kang Hoon, Park JungWoo, Kim WooSeok, Choo YoungWoo, Kim SuGyeom, etc.

 

Is there any rookie actor you want to know more about? Let us know in the comments. 

 

One of the most unique aspects of the Korean entertainment industry is the rapid influx of new talent. The K-Drama world is known to be welcoming of rookies, and fans are always looking forward to their debut. In recent years, there have been a number of new Korean actors who have not only achieved rising status but have also made a name for themselves on a global scale. The world is learning about these young stars and acknowledging their potential to lead Hallyu. Hand in hand with this recognition comes their undeniably growing influence on related fields like fashion. With seniors in the industry, like Lee MinHo, Kim GoEun, Hyun Bin, Song HyeKyo, and more, leading the fashion game as luxury brand ambassadors, rising actors are well on their way to doing the same. So, here are some promising rookie/rising Korean actors who we are predicting will conquer the fashion world in 2024!

Note: This list is not a ranking. 

 

1. Park JiHoon

Winner of the "Best New Actor" award at this year's "Blue Dragon Series Awards", Park JiHoon is singlehandedly the most prominent rising actor in the Korean entertainment industry right now. With the world's attention focused on this multitalented star, it is only a matter of time before he is named the brand ambassador of prestigious luxury brands. Adding to that is Park JiHoon's own personal tryst with fashion, which favors our prediction even more. With the release of "Love Song For Illusion", we're certain that Park JiHoon will achieve this feat in 2024.

 

2. Kim DoHoon

Speaking of Korean actors known for their fashion, we cannot forget Kim DoHoon. Kim DoHoon is another actor who has turned millions of K-Drama viewers into his fans through his role in the Disney+ blockbuster "Moving". To keep the momentum going, he delivered yet another fantastic performance in "The Escape Of The Seven", impressing fans all over the world with his versatility. However, that is not the only thing that fans have their eye on. Kim DoHoon's visuals, statuesque proportions, and keen fashion sense all point to a future brand ambassadorship and we could not be more excited.

 

3. RyeoUn

Coming in hot with "The Secret Romantic Guesthouse" in the first half of the year and dominating the K-Drama fandom with "Twinkling Watermelon" in the second, RyeoUn is an unstoppable force to be reckoned with. His growth has been unbelievable, and his competence as a leading actor is commendable, raising expectations for the future. However, what we're also looking forward to is seeing him on the cover of magazines as a luxury brand ambassador, and we have a feeling that 2024 is the year this will come true.

 

4. Lee Edam

Lee Edam is a fresh face in K-Dramaland, but she is quickly winning hearts all over the world with her works. In 2023 alone, Lee Edam showed off her acting chops with the dark action thriller "Black Knight" and once again endeared herself to audiences with "Daily Dose Of Sunshine". It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that Lee Edam is now the internet's girl crush. As her career flourishes even more in 2024, we're predicting that Lee Edam will become a rising star in the fashion world too.

 

5. Bae NaRa

Accomplished musical theatre actor Bae NaRa made his K-Drama debut with an incredibly impactful role in "D.P. 2". Showered with critical appreciation and love from global fans, Bae NaRa quickly became an actor to keep an eye out for. Given his unique and confident style, we're sure that industry professionals in fashion are also paying close attention to him. Needless to say, we definitely see Bae NaRa as a future luxury brand ambassador. In addition, at the time of writing, Bae NaRa is in talks for appearing in "Weak Hero Class 1" Season 2, and with such a project to his name, his brand power is bound to skyrocket too!

 

6. Lee SeoEl

Lee SeoEl is a rookie actress who is gaining global traction for her role in the rom-com "A Good Day To Be A Dog". Not only is her character a bold fashionista, but the actress also has an eye for fashion in real life. Her Instagram account (@seoel) is perhaps the best proof of this quality. Lee SeoEl has an eclectic style, and her gorgeous physique gives her a supermodel look. With all the makings of an influential luxury brand ambassador, Lee SeoEl will definitely succeed in fashion.

Which other Korean actors would you add to this list of future luxury fashion brand ambassadors? Tell us in the comments section down below!

 

August is here and the K-Drama industry is getting ready to bless us with some amazing K-Dramas. From webtoon-based series to historical dramas, this month is packed with entertainment. So, we compiled some of the most highly awaited August K-Dramas in a watchlist for you!

Here are 5 K-Dramas you absolutely do not want to miss in August 2023!

Note: This watchlist includes select K-Dramas airing on Korean national television as well as Netflix, Disney+, and Apple+ original series. For web dramas, check out our watchlist here.

 

1. "Destined With You"

Where & When: Netflix, August 23

Cast: SF9's RoWoon, Cho BoAh

Summary: An unassuming young woman, Lee HongJo (Cho BoAh), comes into the possession of an old wooden chest with the key to lifting a curse. This curse happens to be on Jang ShinYu (RoWoon), who seeks her out to have his curse broken.

Reasons To Watch: "Destined With You" is a lovely fusion drama combining romantic comedy with elements of the supernatural. We can also expect to see period drama sequences and themes of fate and coincidence weaved throughout the story. So, if you're a fan of classic K-Drama romance, "Destined With You" is going to be a must-watch for you. In addition, you can look forward to masterful performances by RoWoon & Cho BoAh, who are already radiating amazing chemistry from the posters!

 

2. "Moving"

Where & When: Disney+, August 9

Cast: Ryu SeungRyong, Han HyoJoo, Zo InSung, Cha TaeHyun, Ryu SeungBum, Kim SungKyun, Lee JungHa, Go YounJung, Kim DoHoon, Park HeeSoon

Summary: Kim BongSeok (Lee JungHa), Jang HeeSoo (Go YounJung), and Lee GangHoon (Kim DoHoon) are students at Jeong Won High School. However, they are no ordinary students. They possess superhuman abilities like flying, regeneration, rapid healing, and super strength, respectively. They inherited these abilities from their parents, who now try to protect them from falling into the wrong hands and being abused.

Reasons To Watch: With such a star-studded cast of talented actors, "Moving" is bound to be a grand success. If that's not appealing enough, consider the drama's fresh take on the teen superhero trope, and you'll find yourself being drawn to it easily. If that too is not your cup of tea, the coming-of-age story at the core of "Moving" will definitely impress you.

 

3. "My Dearest"

Where & When: MBC, August 4

Cast: NamKoong Min, Ahn EunJin, Lee HakJoo, Lee DaIn

Summary: Set during the turbulent time of the Qing invasion in Joseon, "My Dearest" explores the heartening romance between Lee JangHyun (NamKoong Min), a mysterious man with dark secrets, and Yoo GilChae (Ahn EunJin), a bright woman from a noble family who learns about the world through her relationship with him.

Reasons To Watch: Heartbreaking historical dramas are in a league of their own, and the latest drama to tug at your heartstrings will be "My Dearest". As you can tell from the summary already, this drama will be laced with love and loss, happiness and tragedy, and the story of an eternal romance that blooms despite adversities. You do not want to miss this timeless love story.

 

4. "Behind Your Touch"

Where & When: JTBC, Netflix, TVING, August 12

Cast: Han JiMin, Lee MinKi, EXO's SuHo

Summary: Bong YeBoon (Han JiMin) is a young woman aspiring to be a veterinarian in the countryside, stuck in her mundane life, when suddenly, she gains psychometric powers. Chaos ensues when a passionate detective, Moon JangYeol (Lee MinKi) gets involved with her after mistaking her for a pervert. Together, they solve crimes with the help of YeBoon's powers.

Reasons To Watch: This drama is the much-awaited small-screen comeback of all three leading actors - Han JiMin, Lee MinKi, and SuHo. Fans are excited to see what kind of dynamic these amazing actors will strike up in their roles, especially considering the quirky theme of the drama. However, it's not all fun and games because our characters will be solving mysteries and probably saving lives, too! Needless to say, it's the complete package.

 

5. "Mask Girl"

Where & When: Netflix, August 18

Cast: Go HyunJung, Nana, Ahn JaeHong

Summary: Kim MoMi has a glamorous physique but considers herself unsightly and plain-looking. She is an ordinary office worker by day and an internet broadcasting jockey (BJ) by night. What makes her special, however, is that she never takes her mask off during broadcast, true to her online persona 'Mask Girl'. However, when her sense of reality becomes misplaced by fame, her world comes crashing down.

Reasons To Watch: "Mask Girl" is based on a popular webtoon of the same name with a great fan following, so it will be exciting to see how the webtoon translates on screen. It will start off as a slice of life/comedy and spiral into a thriller as we go, diving into ideas of beauty, desirability, and obsession. Instead of being an idyllic representation of society and its treatment of beauty, "Mask Girl" will expose the bitter truth about lookism. So, if you're looking for a satire, add "Mask Girl" to your watchlist.

Which of these August K-Dramas are you looking forward to the most? Tell us in the comments section down below!