Kpopmap Editors' Pick:
Best of Korean Actors 2021
Ishani Sarkar · Kay · Laure
The year is about to end, and it is time to celebrate the new year in a couple of days. But, before 2022 starts, it is the perfect time to look back on 2021 and its not-to-miss releases.
Here at Kpopmap, our Team prepared a list of actors who made 2021 an awesome year in Korean entertainment.
Don't forget to share your 2021 favorites with Kpopmap readers and us in the comments.
Note: This article contains some spoilers.
- · Best Actors
- · Best Actresses
- · Best Actor/Actress with His/Her First Lead Role
- · Best Supporting Actor/Actress
- · Best Rising Actors
- · Best Rising Actresses
- · Best New Actors of 2021
- · Best New Actresses of 2021
- · Best Acting-dol in a K-Drama
- · Best Acting-dol in a Web Drama
- · Acting-dols with Potential
- · Best Idol Debut in a K-Drama
Best Actors
Ishani Sarkar
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Coupang Play Kim SooHyun in "One Ordinary Day"
Kim SooHyun gave us one of the best performances of his career as Kim HyunSoo in "One Ordinary Day". The pain, helplessness, desperation, fear, panic, anger, and sheer grit that Kim SooHyun so artfully portrays as a young college student caught in a whirlwind is unbelievable, to say the least.PROFILE
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tvN Kim JungHyun in "Mr. Queen"
The character of King CheolJong was one of the most complex and multidimensional characters in the drama "Mr. Queen" and Kim JungHyun does a brilliant job at manifesting his duality. A man in power and a man in love: Kim JungHyun can do it all effortlessly.Profile
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iQIYI Ahn BoHyun in "Yumi's Cells"
Ahn BoHyun in "Yumi's Cells" is Ahn BoHyun like we've never seen before. Basking in his own wonderful glory, his talent shines brighter than a diamond and Gu Woong is a character that I'll love forever. Profile
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Netflix Koo KyoHwan in "D.P."
A gem in the truest sense of the word, Koo KyoHwan is a touch of grace in "D.P.". The actor has always been known for his masterful acting but this time, the world bowed in front of him for his excellence as Han HoYeol.Profile
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TVING Kim MinSeok in "Shark: The Beginning"
The range of emotions that Kim MinSeok can make his audience feel in "Shark: The Beginning" makes the film linger long after it has ended. His transformation is gradual and hard-hitting but what is truly amusing is how Kim MinSeok portrays months of change in the matter of an hour. Read More
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Netflix Lee JeHoon in "Move To Heaven" and "Taxi Driver"
2021 was undoubtedly the year of Lee JeHoon. From the notorious underground fighter turned soft, campcore uncle in "Move To Heaven" to the vengeful dark hero in "Taxi Driver", Lee JeHoon has shown us what true brilliance looks like. Profile
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tvN Song JoongKi in "Vincenzo"
Shaking the entertainment industry with his iconic comeback, Song JoongKi has shown the world that he's still the undisputed king of the K-Drama world. With how season 1 of "Vincenzo" ended, I am holding my heart for a second season. Read More
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tvN Ji Sung in "The Devil Judge"
The man against the world, Kang YoHan in "The Devil Judge" was a menace in a society that desperately needed his brand of chaos and no one, if not Ji Sung could have brought this character to life. From confusing us with his moral ambiguity in the first half to converting us into devoted followers by the second, Ji Sung ruled our hearts and minds with ease. Cast & Summary
Kay
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Netflix Jung HaeIn in "D.P."
Ahn JunHo's conviction and sense of justice despite circumstance made him a character that we sympathized with. Jung HaeIn pulled off this difficult subject matter in a way that was easy to digest but also had us curious about the ins and outs of military life and the relationship dynamics surrounding it. Read More
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SBS Ahn HyoSeop in "Lovers of the Red Sky"
Ahn HyoSeop's character Ha Ram lost his vision and ended up plotting revenge against those who had wronged him. Plagued by a curse that changed him into a monster ego, he pulled off the role of a blind man and his dark side brilliantly. Read More
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Netflix Yoo AhIn in "Hellbound"
Yoo AhIn played the role of Jung JinSu and it was somewhat uncomfortable to watch but fascinating enough to make you not want to look away. Yoo AhIn has always been a convincing actor who 1000% makes you fall into his character and this role was no different. Read More
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tvN Song Kang in "Navillera"
Not only did Song Kang make a beautiful ballerino as Lee ChaeRok, but his emotions were captivating to watch in this role. As he formed a friendship with his elderly friend and student, his walls started to crumble and he became an extremely endearing character despite dealing with his own hurt. Read More
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tvN Park HyungSik in "Happiness"
"Happiness" comprised itself of a lot of complex characters and character dynamics. Park HyungSik himself was somehow able to pull off this romantic zombie drama whilst hitting the balance between hardcore and sweet right on the mark. Read More
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Netflix Lee JungJae in "Squid Game"
Many were surprised by this character for Lee JungJae because he usually plays the well-off lad, however, this was definitely a turning point in his career. His character was raw, authentic, conflicted, and reflected the double-edged concerns that many of us would feel in the same situation. Read More
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iQiyi Jang KiYong in "My Roommate Is A Gumiho"
Jang KiYong played the role of an ancient being living in modern society in a genius way. His charisma and the way he conveyed his internal conflict about his romantic interest were very intriguing to watch. Read More
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KBS Kim MinJae in "Dali And Cocky Prince"
Kim MinJae executed the role of Jin MuHak skillfully as he balanced his naivety with his knowledge of business. He played a pure-hearted but clumsy and fun character who livened the mood as soon as he showed up on-screen. Read More
Laure
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JTBC Kim JaeYoung in "Reflection of You"
What passion and craziness in Kim JaeYoung's eyes in "Reflection of You"! This talented actor was 10000% in his character Seo WooJae and played perfectly the four different sides of the character (a loving boyfriend, a patient without memories, an obsessive lover, and an artist). Read More
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Coupang Play Kim SooHyun in "One Ordinary Day"
Kim SooHyun is an acclaimed actor for a reason, and this year his acting in "One Ordinary Day" was utter perfection. With intense facial expressions, he took on the demanding role of the university student Kim HyunSoo who claims his innocence in a murder case.Cast & Summary
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tvN Park HyungSik in "Happiness"
Park HyungSik took on the role of Jung YiHyun in "Happiness" as his first role after his military discharge. The actor has this special skill to connect the viewers to his character and deliver captivating acting from the start to the end.Read More
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tvN Seo InGuk in "Doom at your Service"
In "Doom at your Service", Seo InGuk took on the role of the half-god Myul Mang and flawlessly delivered his emotions to the viewers through his eyes and tone. The actor is an expert in cold and tortured roles, and he showed another excellent performance in this drama. Read More
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Kakao TV Ji ChangWook in "Lovestruck in the City"
Ji ChangWook lives up to his status of romance expert with Park JaeWon in "Lovestruck in the City". He showed remarkable chemistry with Kim JiWon and expressed the character's despair with intense scenes. Read More
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MBN Jung IlWoo in "Bossam: Steal the Fate"
Jung IlWoo delivered acting full of emotions and made viewers fall into the historical drama "Bossam: Steal the Fate" with his role of BaWoo. He showed a moving performance and proved that he is talented in historical dramas. Cast & Summary
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Wavve Yoon ShiYoon in "You Raise Me Up"
I dare to say that it will be impossible to find a Korean actor acting an unconfident 'pushover' as perfectly as Yoon ShiYoon. The actor took on the role of the impotent and unemployed Do YongSik in "You Raise Me Up" with talent, not everyone can manage such a role that nicely. Read More
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tvN Lee SooHyuk in "Doom at your Service" and "Handmade Love"
If there is an actor who captivated viewers with his voice and charisma on screen this year, it will be Lee SooHyuk. Standing out is not a talent given to all, but the actor knew how to get viewers' attention in "Doom Your Service" (editorial team leader) and in "Handmade Love" (a god and the boss of the tailor shop). Read More
Best Actresses
Ishani Sarkar
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tvN Kim MinJung in "The Devil Judge"
Kim MinJung's fatal charm and twisted understanding of justice and power followed by her ultimate demise as Jung SunAh in "The Devil Judge" makes one think that in an alternate universe, she could have lived the innocent life she always dreamt of. Despite her cruelty, you cannot help but empathize with her and at times, even root for her and that speaks volumes of Kim MinJung's talent. Read More
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TVING Kim GoEun in "Yumi's Cells"
The way Kim GoEun has brought YuMi to life, keeping the character's essence intact while also imbuing it with her own meaningful touch has made her inseparable from the same. Kim GoEun's YuMi will go down in K-Drama history as one of the most wonderfully portrayed webtoon characters ever. Read More
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JTBC Shin HyunBeen in "Reflection Of You"
Anyone who has watched the drama "Reflection Of You" will agree that the Shin HyunBeen we saw in the drama was not one that we saw coming by any means and there could not have been a more pleasant surprise for fans of the actress. Melancholy yet powerful in her own right, submissive to her vulnerability yet assertive in her beliefs, Shin HyunBeen's Gu HaeWon was perfect because of her imperfections and I will never forget how she made me feel.Read More
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tvN Jeon YeoBeen in "Vincenzo"
A character that had the whole world on their knees in awe of her addictive personality was Jeon YeoBeen's Hong ChaYoung. Never have I ever seen a character get progressively better and better as Hong ChaYoung does and Jeon YeoBeen's ability to keep us on our toes is simply unmatched. Read More
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SBS Kim YooJung in "Lovers of the Red Sky"
The titular character of Hong ChunGi in "Lovers of the Red Sky" could not have been fulfilled as perfectly as it was if not for Kim YooJung and her immeasurable charisma. The woman holds grace in every word she speaks and it is clear that she has mastered her craft because she has transformed Hong ChunGi into a character that the world will remember. Profile
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tvN Jun JiHyun in "Jirisan"
Jun JiHyun has never shied away from experimenting with characters that are rather out of the box and her acting style has evolved over the years accordingly. Seo YiKang is quite possibly one of Jun JiHyun's most interesting characters and also one that has once again, re-established her as one of the best actresses, not just in South Korea but in the world. Cast & Summary
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JTBC Won JinA in "Hellbound" and "She Would Never Know"
The range that Won JinA has given us in a single year, with Yoon SongAh in "She Would Never Know" and Song SoHyun in "Hellbound" is a testament to her incredible talent as an artist. She doesn't just play a role but rather, becomes it and that is exactly what sets her apart. Profile
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tvN Shin HyeSun in "Mr. Queen"
The queen of versatility, Shin HyeSun, essentially plays two characters in "Mr. Queen": the bashful Kim SoYong and the boastful Jang BongHwan and she aces them effortlessly, embodying the pains and pleasures and syncing them in a seamless manner. Without a doubt, this is an artistic challenge but Shin HyeSun, being the amazing actress she is, emerges victorious in the hearts of viewers and critics alike. Cast & Summary
Kay
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tvN Kim HyeYoon in "Secret Royal Inspector Joy"
Kim HyeYoon shows us a different side of herself in "Secret Royal Inspector Joy". Her bright character definitely spreads her energy through the screen and into our hearts. Cast & Summary
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SBS Kim SoYeon in "Penthouse: War In Life"
Kim SoYeon takes a no-nonsense approach to reach her goals in each season of "Penthouse: War In Life". Nothing can get in her way and she is willing to do devious deeds to make sure of it. Read More
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SBS Lee HaNee in "One The Woman"
Lee HaNee proved not only her duality as an actress by playing two separate roles within the same drama, but she also proved that no matter the role, she is an endearing actress. When she was cold and reserved as Kang Mina, she made us empathize with her, and her outgoing and strong alter-ego Cho YeonJoo was just as charming. Read More
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JTBC Han SoHee in "Nevertheless,"
Coming off from the hype of her no-consequence go-getting role in "The World of the Married", many didn't anticipate Han SoHee playing a totally opposite character in "Nevertheless,". Yu NaBi was less strong, indecisive, and naive but Han SoHee played her well and showed her polarity as an actress in doing so. Read More
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tvN Kim SeoHyung in "Mine"
Kim SeoHyung is the ultimate strong female lead, empowering poised figure, and overall mood as her character in "Mine". Nothing got in the way of her happiness in the end, no matter what plot she had to derive or how calculating she had to be. Read More
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tvN Go HyunJung in "Reflection of You"
This drama was filled with complex emotions and Go HyunJung pulled them off without missing a beat. In fact, it felt like we were going through the motions with her as she teetered a fine line between protecting the realities of both her past and present. Read More
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JTBC Jung SoMin in "Monthly Magazine Home"
Jung SoMin's acting was phenomenal as she showed us a relatable character dealing with the ups and downs of life. Her reaction to her boss' tumultuous personality and later accepting him was also enjoyable to watch. Read More
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SBS Jin JiHee in "Penthouse: War In Life"
Jin JiHee has been on Korean screens since she was a child. Through this role, she proved that she is all grown-up. She pulled off both the mean girl role and the redeemed gal pal, showing not only duality but her ability to portray a character's arc. Read More
Laure
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tvN Moon GaYoung in "True Beauty"
She made us laugh hard, cry rivers, and swoon this year; it is none other than Moon GaYoung! The talented actress perfectly took on the role of the high school student, Im JuGyeong, struggling with confidence issues in the drama "True Beauty". Read More
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JTBC Shin HyunBeen in "Reflection of You"
In "Reflection of You", Shin HyunBeen played the most depressed, sick, and crazy character (Gu HaeWon). She managed to make one with the character and give an impactful delivery of the character's complex emotions. Read More
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JTBC Shin SeKyung in "Run On"
Shin SeKyung played the role of Oh MiJoo, a film translator, in "Run On" and became viewers' favorite. She showed great chemistry with her partner Im SiWan and completely matched with her character. Read More
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tvN Jun JiHyun in "Jirisan"
Jun JiHyun gave us chills and thrills with her role of the mountain ranger Seo YiKang in "Jirisan". She showed great acting by handling several genres at once: action, mystery, fantasy, etc. Cast & Summary
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tvN Han HyoJoo in "Happiness"
Han HyoJoo's character in "Happiness" is Yoon SaeBom, a member of the Special Operation Unit who is not scared of the zombies and is always ready for action. Yoon SaeBom is one of the best characters in dramas this year, and Han HyoJoo's genuine acting can only be the reason why she is even more likable and cool. Cast & Summary
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tvN Park BoYoung in "Doom at your Service"
Park BoYoung took on the emotionally challenging character Tak DongKyung in "Doom at your Service", a terminally ill patient who found love. Her scenes were filled with sorrow and passion that made viewers tear up. Read More
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SBS Esom in "Taxi Driver"
Here is another actress who took on nicely the role of a strong and cool woman. Esom acted as the serious and elite prosecutor Kang HanNa in "Taxi Driver", and she was very convincing and intimidating. Cast & Summary
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KBS Park EunBin in "The King's Affection"
What if the king was a woman? Park EunBin acted as Lee Hwi who has to protect her identity and love in "The King's Affection". With emotions, she made the audience root for her. Read More
Best Actor/Actress with His/Her First Lead Role
Ishani Sarkar
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TVING RyeoUn in "Adult Trainee"
Coming in hot as Kim NamHo in "Adult Trainee", the adorable RyeoUn we knew in "18 Again" has transformed into a total cutie that can make anyone's heart flutter. We hope he gets even more leading roles in the future! Read More
Kay
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Netflix Jung HoYeon in "Squid Game"
Jung HoYeon not only secured her first lead role with the role of SaeByeok in "Squid Game" but she also made her acting debut through this role. For her first lead role and first acting role ever, she pulled it off flawlessly, conveying the emotions of a challenging and emotional persona. Read More
Laure
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tvN Hwang InYoup in "True Beauty"
Hwang InYoup, the fake bad boy Han SeoJun in "True Beauty" is one of the best discoveries of 2021. In no time, he made fans from all over the globe fall in love with his acting (and one-sided love) and unique charms. Read More
Best Supporting Actor/Actress
Ishani Sarkar
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Netflix Anupam Tripathi in "Squid Game"
The world might be divided on how they think "Squid Game" should have ended but one thing is for certain: Ali deserved better. The fact that Anupam Tripathi could make millions of viewers worldwide sympathise with his character so strongly speaks volumes of his talent. Read More
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tvN Kang HanNa in "My Roommate Is A Gumiho"
A scene-stealer in every sense of the word, Kang HanNa's character Yang HyeSun in "My Roommate Is A Gumiho" is definitely someone we need more of. A Yang HyeSun spin-off would be comedic gold but also playful, romantic, and beautifully innocent. Profile
Kay
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TVING Lee YooBi in "Yumi's Cells"
Lee YooBi was a catalyst to many of the relationships that happened in "Yumi's Cells" even if the main characters didn't know it. Pair that with the fact that she refers to herself in the third person, and it all makes her a memorable supporting character. Read More
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tvN Kim YoungOk in "Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha"
Kim YoungOk played the lovable granny that doesn't take any funny business from anyone. Her character gave off a familiar vibe that added to the healing nature of the drama itself and played a role in the lives of every single person in the village. Read More
Laure
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tvN Kwak DongYeon in "Vincenzo"
In 2021, Kwak DongYeon astonished everyone one more time with his stunning acting. With his half-lead half-supporting character of Jang HanSeo, he showed a wide range of emotions with talents. Read More
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TVing SHINee's MinHo in "Yumi's Cells"
Even if he did not appear much, MinHo made all the viewers fall for his special character Chae WooGi, a handsome and caring office worker in "Yumi's Cells". His soft smile and tone made his character even more swoon-worthy. Cast & Summary
Best Rising Actors
Ishani Sarkar
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Wi HaJun's Instagram Wi HaJun
Taking over the world with his character Hwang JunHo (equipped with a phone that has undying battery life) in "Squid Game", giving a fantastically moving performance in "Shark: The Beginning" and more recently, making us fall in love with Crazy K in "Bad And Crazy", Wi HaJun is on a roll and we can't help but swoon over him. This rising star is shining brighter than the sun. Profile
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Tang JunSang's Instagram Tang JunSang
2021 was a year where we saw Tang JunSang grow, take on increasingly difficult challenges in acting ("Move To Heaven", "Racket Boys" and "Unframed"), and deliver with excellence. It is clear that Tang JunSang is brimming with unbelievable talent and we cannot wait to see more of him in 2022. Profile
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W Korea Nam DaReum
An actor who we have seen grow from a child actor to the charming young man that he is today, Nam DaReum is a force to be reckoned with. In 2021, Nam DaReum worked tirelessly on some incredible projects ("The Great Shaman Ga DooShim", "Doom At Your Service", "Sinkhole", "The 8th Night") and he is booked and busy for 2022 as well ("Birth", "The Sound Of Magic", "Monstrous", "The Great Shaman Ga DooShim Season 2") so we're even more excited for the new year. Profile
Kay
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Blossom Entertainment Jung GunJoo
Jung GunJoo has been showing off his dimpled charms in some of K-Drama fans' favorite dramas. Not only did he make us fall in love with him as the second lead of "Monthly Magazine Home" but he has also appeared in dramas such as "True Beauty", "Extraordinary You", and "A-Teen". Read More
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The Star Nam YoonSu
Nam YoonSu won over many hearts with his lovable character in "The King's Affection". Not only that, he has been making a name for himself with roles in the dramas "Beyond Evil", " Extracurricular", and more. Read More
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VOGUE Kim YoungDae
Kim YoungDae stood out on the screen of "Penthouse: War In Life", his character commanded our attention and affection. Before that, he has appeared in a number of fan-favorite K-Dramas including "True Beauty", "Extraordinary You", "Eulachacha Waikiki 2", and more. Read More
Laure
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star1 Kim DoWan
Kim DoWan is a skillful rising star who needs even more recognition for his talents and one-of-a-kind charms. The actor quickly managed to steal viewers' attention and make them laugh with his awkward smiles and funny scenes (in 2020's "Start-Up" and also 2021's "My Roommate Is A Gumiho"). Read More
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Fides Spatium Bae InHyuk
2021 is a special year for Bae InHyuk, who showed his potential by handling completely different characters nicely. In "At A Distance, Spring Is Green", he made us worry about his malnourished and depressed university student, while in "My Roommate Is A Gumiho" he made us swoon as a rich bad boy ending up with a heartbreaking one-sided love. Read More
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Marie Claire Kang TaeOh
Kang TaeOh had a busy year acting as a cute art student in "Run On" and a cafe owner struggling with his past love in "Doom at your Service". He has everything to be THE perfect lead actor for a romance drama with his soft acting and attractive smiles; we can't wait to see more of him! Read More
Best Rising Actresses
Ishani Sarkar
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Jung HoYeon's Instagram Jung HoYeon
Jung HoYeon made one of the grandest impressions on the entertainment industry with her debut work "Squid Game" and proved her wealth of talent at once. It will be interesting to see her take on even more incredible roles in the future. Read More
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Allure Kim HyeJun
Kim HyeJun is one of the most versatile new actresses in the Korean entertainment industry and it is a delight to watch her on screen. Her presence is addictive and it is about time that she plays more and more leading main roles. Cast & Summary
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Grazia So JooYeon
So JooYeon is no new name in the entertainment scene and her talent is truly worth high praise. It was refreshingly enjoyable and endearing to see her as Shin SolYi in "A Love So Beautiful" and we are excited to see more of her versatility in the future. Read More
Kay
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Park YooNa's Instagram Park YooNa
Park YooNa made a lasting impression in "True Beauty". She had us feeling a range of emotions for her character and has been doing exactly that in her other roles such as her supporting role in "SKY Castle". Read More
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Star 1 Jung YiSeo
Jung YiSeo was a breath of fresh air in the K-Drama "Mine". She made the impression that she will have a bright career as an actress in the future, she was even cast in the highly anticipated 2021 drama "Snowdrop". Cast & Summary
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Choi YeBin's Instagram Choi YeBin
Choi YeBin's acting in "Penthouse: War In Life" was so convincing that many would think that she was an industry veteran, however, it was her debut role. Many are anticipating her upcoming projects as she's recently starring in the webtoon-based drama "Love & Wish". Read More
Laure
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bnt Lee JooBin
Lee JooBin is eye-catching and has this special something that makes you focus fully on her; in "She Would Never Know" she shined. She is a rising actress to look forward to. Read More
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Singles Shin DoHyun
The actress and model Shin DoHyun took on the role of Na JiNa in "Doom at your Service" nicely. She has great chemistry with other actors and would fit in any character; please give her more lead roles. Read More
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1st Look Pyo YeJin
Pyo YeJin is a rising actress that needs more recognition for her potential. In "Taxi Driver", she stood out and embodied her character with depth. Read More
Best New Actors of 2021
Yeo HoeHyun
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Kakao TV Yeo HoeHyun
Yeo HoeHyun has been acknowledged for his incredible talent ever since his acting debut but in 2021, he received admiration and love from a global audience through "A Love So Beautiful". We cannot wait to see Yeo HoeHyun in more leading roles in works of varying genres in the future. Profile
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SBS Choi HyunWook
A fresh face (and a very handsome one at that), Choi HyunWook created quite the wave with his work in the entertainment industry in 2021. Right off the bat, he has shown us versatility and potential through "Taxi Driver", "Racket Boys" and "Jirisan" and I strongly believe that he could pull off any role he wants to take on in the future. Profile
Kay
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SBS Kim MinGi
You might have seen Kim MinGi in "True Beauty" and "Racket Boys". He is one of the youthful actors that you should watch out for as he grips you into his captivating and entertaining acting. Read More
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SBS Lee TaeVin
Lee TaeVin made a huge impression in "Penthouse: War In Life" and the web drama "Delivery". As a former idol, it should be interesting to see the types of roles he takes on in the future. Read More
Laure
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Kakao TV Baek SungChul
Baek SungChul is a model and rookie actor who stole viewers' hearts with his cute charms as the younger man straightforward in his feelings for Hani in "Not Yet 30". He showed great potential in his first steps in acting and we need him in more dramas ASAP (he was also acting as Lee YoungAe's assistant in "Inspector Koo"). Read More
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WHY NOT MEDIA Choe ChanYi
Choe ChanYi is already known to viewers of the popular web drama "Best Mistake" but he took fresh steps this year, showing that he is a new actor to look forward to. He left a great impression on viewers with the role of Shin DaOn in the BL drama "Light On Me" and portrayed the struggles of the character with emotions. Read More
Best New Actresses of 2021
Ishani Sarkar
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Lee YooMi's Instagram Lee YooMi
Hearts all over the world hurt for JiYeong in "Squid Game" and we cannot help but think of an alternate universe where SaeByeok and JiYeong live happily ever after. Even with a considerably smaller role, Lee YooMi left a deep impression, and on the other hand, proved her mettle as an incredible actress through the film "Hostage: Missing Celebrity" as Ban SoYeon, leading us to be even more excited for her projects in the future. Read More
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JTBC Lee HoJung
Lee HoJung's character Yoon Sol in "Nevertheless," has a whole entire fandom of its own. Even though she's not a newcomer in the industry, she has definitely emerged as one of the most intriguing actresses of 2021 and we hope to see her take on even more unique characters in the future. Read More
Kay
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JTBC Yoon SeoAh
Yoon SeoAh showed her fresh acting style in "Nevertheless,". She could easily become one of the sought-after young actresses as she has made appearances in "True Beauty", "Love Revolution", and more already. Read More
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JTBC Han ChaeKyung
Han ChaeKyung is slowly rising to the top following her roles in "She Would Never Know", "Extraordinary You", "Familiar Wife", and more. She can pull of more mature roles and also fresh ones like her role in "The World Of My 17" season 1 and 2. Read More
Laure
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KBS Woo DaVi
Woo DaVi is getting busier, and that is the best for K-Drama viewers; in 2021, she had a supporting role in "Live On", "At a Distance, Spring is Green", and "Melancholia". She is slowly building up her filmography, and we can tell that she will become everyone's favorite actress soon. Read More
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WHY NOT MEDIA Lee ShiWoo
If you have watched the web drama "Be My Boyfriend", you would have seen potential in the lead actress Lee ShiWoo. She is a very new rookie actress that might surprise us in her following projects. Read More
Best Acting-dol in a K-Drama
Ishani Sarkar
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KBS Jung SooJung (f(x)'s Krystal) in "Police University"
Krystal imbues her character with an extraordinary flair and unbeatable courage in "Police University" that truly makes her a role model for the younger generation. She represents strength, resilience, power, and determination and we cannot possibly imagine anyone other than Krystal in this role. Cast & Summary
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tvN GOT7's JinYoung in "The Devil Judge"
JinYoung's character in "The Devil Judge", Kim GaOn, is a morally confused and ever-changing character who oscillates between what's right and what's just throughout the series. JinYoung embodies his character with such perfection that viewers cannot help but identify their own modern concerns with GaOn's pain. Profile
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KBS SF9's RoWoon in "The King's Affection"
Giving us one of the best performances of his career, RoWoon completely lets his artistic faculties take over in "The King's Affection". His expressiveness is so honest and sincere that it becomes too easy to get attached to Jung JiUn and without a doubt, RoWoon as Jung JiUn is something that I will never forget (mostly because I will be replaying the drama over and over again). Read More
Kay
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TVING GOT7's JinYoung in "Yumi's Cells"
GOT7's JinYoung was overflowing charm so much so that he had some viewers rooting for a love line with him instead of the main lead. He has proven his acting capability and ability to steal people's hearts time and time again. Read More
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tvN 2PM's Ok TaecYeon in "Vincenzo"
2PM's Ok TaeCyeon's villain role was so convincing that he had us loving to hate him. He played the role so well that you would find yourself scoffing whenever he came on-screen. Read More
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JTBC EXID's Hani in "IDOL: The Coup"
EXID's Hani has managed to act well and convey the intensity and truth of the drama. Of course, it's an added bonus that her talents get to be on display at the same time. Read More
Laure
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JTBC SF9's RoWoon in "She Would Never Know"
It will be hard to find a better lead in a romance drama this year than RoWoon in "She Would Never Know", he shone in every scene. Everything was there to make the viewers swoon over him and join his fanbase (if you are not already in). Read More
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KBS Park JiHoon in "At a Distance, Spring is Green"
Park JiHoon is consistent in delivering good acting, and he was touching in "At a Distance, Spring is Green". In 2020, he was the happy cutie-pie in "Love Revolution" but with "At a Distance, Spring is Green", he pierced viewers' hearts with his sad faces.Read More
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tvN ASTRO's Cha EunWoo in "True Beauty"
Cha EunWoo's acting keeps getting better, and with "True Beauty" he showed that he was able to steal hearts and that not only with his handsome face but with his acting. The way he called Moon GaYoung "JuGyeong-ah" was so heart-fluttering, and it is not an easy task to call someones' name like this. Read More
Best Acting-dol in a Web Drama
Ishani Sarkar
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TVING SECRET's Han SunHwa in "Work Later, Drink Now"
The life of the show, Han JiYeon, played by Han SunHwa is a character that you want to be best friends with in real life. She is bubbly, optimistic, and doe-eyed but also resolute, brave, and honest and the reason why she is so beloved is because of Han SunHwa. Read More
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YouTube (G)I-DLE's MiYeon in "Delivery"
Action isn't really a coveted genre that rookie actors undertake but MiYeon does an incredible job at bringing the character of Kwak DooShik to life. The noble cause behind this work was a major reason why MiYeon took on this challenge, which makes it even more special. Read More
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Kakao TV Ong SeongWu in "Shall We Have A Cup Of Coffee?"
The soft-spoken and gentle Kang KoBi, played by Ong SeongWu and his emotional, spiritual and mental growth as a person presents to us a journey of sorts, which is both enlightening and relaxing at the same time. This is definitely an unconventional role, which is not new for Ong SeongWu, and he plays it with perfection. Profile
Kay
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TVING Apink's Jung EunJi in "Work Later, Drink Now"
Apink's Jung EunJi's acting in "Work Later, Drink Now" is not only masterfully funny but makes you immediately want to watch another drama that she is in. Her character is so well-played that it's hard to separate from the other persona of hers that we know. Read More
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Kakao TV WEi's Kim YoHan in "A Love So Beautiful"
"A Love So Beautiful" is a heartwarming feel-good watch about a relatable period most people go through in their youth. WEi's Kim YoHan embodied that youthfulness and relatability extremely well, living up to his name as an acting genius. Read More
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iQiyi Girls' Generation's SooYoung in "So I Married an Anti-fan"
Girls' Generation's SooYoung's role was all the more intriguing as she played an anti-fan whilst she is an idol in real life herself. Not only was she able to explore an unfamiliar realm through this character, but she also managed to portray it extremely well. Read More
Laure
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Kakao TV Golden Child's BoMin in "Shadow Beauty"
Golden Child's BoMin is 100% worthy to be the lead actor (and we have been saying that a lot on Kpopmap) and -with no surprise- he captived with his role of the turned-out-to-not-be-so-ordinary high school student Kim HoIn. Who did not get goosebumps and did not get impressed by his acting?!! Cast & Summary
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WHY NOT MEDIA JiSoo (Former Lovelyz Member) in "One Fine Week 2"
JiSoo was back to acting with season 2 of the well-loved web drama "One Fine Week". With the amount of potential she showed in the two seasons, she should get more casting offers. Cast & Summary
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Kakao TV SF9's Chani in "Jinx"
Chani had a lot of special and lead roles this year, but his lead acting in "Jinx" caught our attention as he showed new images to the viewers. With "Jinx", Chani proved that he suits light romance drama with ease and not only pitiful characters he is mainly known for (for a reason). Read More
Acting-dols with Potential
Ishani Sarkar
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Fantagio ASTRO's Rocky
Just when we thought Rocky couldn't get any more swoon-worthy, he proved us wrong with the character Choi JungSang in "Find Me If You Can". He has endless potential that is just waiting to be channeled into art and I cannot wait to see more of Actor Rocky in the future. Read More
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KBS YoungJae (Former B.A.P Member)
YoungJae is no rookie in the acting industry but he definitely has a whole lot of untapped potential since his talent in taking on a myriad range of roles suggests that he would be incredible in any genre. Hopefully, in 2022, we will see YoungJae in more and more leading roles. Profile
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Playlist Red Velvet's YeRi
YeRi made her acting debut in 2021 and quickly established her position as a talented and versatile idol actor. The energy she carries on-screen and her energetic presence are some of her biggest strengths and it seems as though she already knows how to put them to best use. Read More
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Playlist PENTAGON's HongSeok
HongSeok was booked and busy this year with multiple projects ("Nickname Pine Leaf", "Move To Heaven", "Blue Birthday", "Shadow Beauty") that solidified his status as a dreamy main lead. It is therefore immensely exciting to wait for what HongSeok could have in store for us next. Read More
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tvN SF9's DaWon
Enchanting us with his clumsy and boyish charms in "Doom At Your Service" and drawing us in with his playfulness in "Part-Time Mello", DaWon covered all bases this year and we could not have asked for more. What makes him stand out is the conviction with which he plays each character and that is quite a rare (and brilliant) quality. Read More
Kay
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Kakao TV fromis_9's Lee NaGyung
Lee NaGyung's acting in "Shadow Beauty" has shown that she can portray a character with genuine emotions. She seems to master portraying internal conflict through her character and makes you excited to see her in more roles in the future. Read More
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SBS THE BOYZ's YoungHoon
THE BOYZ's YoungHoon showed an emotional side to himself through his role in "One The Woman" that had the audience sympathizing with him. He is already showing character depth and has us curious what he could do with future characters too. Read More
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SBS Weki Meki's Kim DoYeon
Weki Meki's Kim DoYeon also showed her ability to show character depth through emotional acting in "One The Woman". With her visuals and understanding of character, her future in acting is definitely bright. Read More
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KBS VICTON's ByungChan
VICTON's ByungChan especially showed his potential as he went against the persona that most fans know him by. He challenged himself by playing a character who is a lot less bright personality-wise than he is and also by taking on the historical K-Drama genre in "The King's Affection."Read More
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2Motion Studio MONSTA X's HyungWon
MONSTA X's HyungWon showed his charms through his role in "Fly, Again". One of the things that made his acting even more interesting is the fact that he has been an active idol for so long but had to dig back into the emotions of being a wannabe-idol for this role. Read More
Laure
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JTBC LABOUM's SolBin
SolBin has intense acting, and she did not fail to impress with her role of Cotton Candy's HyunJi, the trouble maker of the group. All of her scenes were stealing the show and we can't wait to see her in her new project. Cast & Summary
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KingKong by Starship WJSN's DaYoung
DaYoung made a noticeable cameo in "True Beauty" acting as the rude star giving a hard time to Moon GaYoung. You can be sure that tons of viewers have searched to know who was the girl with such perfect acting. Read More
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KBS CLC's Kwon EunBin
Kwon EunBin stood out with her role of Wang YoungRan, a tough university student in "At a Distance, Spring is Green". She effortlessly portrayed a girl crush but at the same time made our hearts ache with her one-sided love. Cast & Summary
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JTBC NU'EST's MinHyun
MinHyun's acting in "Live On" was enjoyable, and we could feel his growing potential in acting as the episodes passedby. With his soft tone and angelic face, he is an acting-dol that could go big once he finds the right character for him. Read More
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WHY NOT MEDIA Cherry Bullet's YuJu
In "Be My Boyfriend", we can't miss talking about YuJu acting as the popular high school student HanNa. She managed to act so perfectly as an arrogant and mean person that we could only hate her character more. Cast & Summary
Best Idol Debut in a K-Drama
Ishani Sarkar
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Netflix (G)I-DLE's Minnie in "So Not Worth It"
Flamboyant, loud, and lovely, Minnie's character Minnie in "So Not Worth It" dominates her space and unapologetically so. The way Minnie has portrayed her character with such nuance, making sure to go overboard just as her character demands is not just impressive but also worth high praise. Cast & Summary
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MBK Entertainment BAE173's HanGyul in "Love In Black Hole"
Representing everyone's first love, TaeYang in "Love In Black Hole", played by Lee HanGyul is a character that leaves you feeling butterflies in your stomach. It is almost unbelievable that this is HanGyul's acting debut and it makes me even more excited to root for him and look forward to more of his projects in the future. Cast & Summary
Kay
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Netflix GOT7's YoungJae in "So Not Worth It"
GOT7's YoungJae's debut in "So Not Worth It" was perfect for a multitude of reasons. The biggest reason was that his character matched his bright personality and it was a way to show his human-vitamin-like traits to those who are unfamiliar with it. Read More
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tvN EPEX's BaekSeung in "Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha"
Although he was only in a short part of the drama, BaekSeung definitely made an impression as a member of the imaginary boy band DOS. The amount of fangirling over him in the drama is similar to the level of fangirling that happens in real life. Read More
Laure
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IMTSdotcom ATEEZ's YunHo in "Imitation"
YunHo made a remarkable entry in the acting world with "Imitation" where he acts as a hard-working idol who has a one-sided love for the lead actress. So we can only ask: when is he back to the screen?! Read More
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JTBC VICTON's ByungChan in "Live On"
I've eagerly waited to see ByungChan's acting debut and was pleased to see him perfectly match with his cutie role in "Live On". He embodied his soft and cute character so well that he made us smile bright and look forward to his sweet romance line episode after episode. Read More
With such a brilliant year behind us and an even brighter one ahead, the Kpopmap Team wishes you a very happy new year! Let's look forward to another year of even more wonderful K-Content to make our lives happier! - The Kpopmap Team
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