Written by: Mark Galvez
Year after year, we witness a refreshingly diverse wave of talents ascending for their notable Korean drama performances.
2020 had many surprises, so let’s take a look at these breakthrough stars who captured our hearts so far this year, and whom we anticipate having more significant roles that’ll bring out their acting potentials this year and the following years to come.
1. Seo Ji Hye
Many of us have seen her in Crash Landing On You. She gathered lots of attention as Seo Dan, a North Korean department store heiress.
Her latest project was Dinner Mate alongside Song Seung Heon which received great reviews as well.
You can also watch her in Heart Surgeons, 49 Days, Rampant, and many more.
2. Park Joo Hyun
A warmhearted character in A Piece Of Your Mind to become a badass character in Extracurricular.
A great start for a rookie actress and she is already on her third drama project this year titled Zombie Detective with Choi Jin Hyuk and it will be aired around September this year.
3. Kim Da Mi
She is popularly known from the movie The Witch: Part 1, The Subversion where she gathered lots of awards. As well as in her recent drama Itaewon Class. Everyone was amazed by her performance and she won Best New Actress award during the 56th Baeksang Arts Awards.
She has 2 upcoming movies: Soulmate and The Witch: Part 2.
4. Kim Dong Hee
Many expected more with his character in Itaewon Class because he can’t portray his villain role. With his character in Extracurricular, he gained his reputation to all those who criticize his acting.
He has an upcoming movie titled Mathematician In Wonderland.
You can also watch him in Sky Castle and A-Teen Seasons 1-2.
5. Ahn Bo Hyun
He started his acting career slowly and most of it was supporting roles.
He was very proud of his performance in Itaewon Class because many people admired him and that he would be remembered as Jang Geun Won.
You can also watch him in Her Private Life, Descendants Of The Sun, Dokgo Rewind, Hide and Seek and many more.
His next project is Kairos with a stacked cast of Lee Se Young, Shin Seung Rok, and Nam Gyu Ri.
6. Han So Hee
She’s a nominee for Best New Actress during the 56th Baeksang Arts Awards.
Many will remember her as Yeo Da Kyung from The World Of The Married. She shocked everyone with her mature role and nailed it perfectly.
You can also watch her in Abyss, Money Flower, 100 Days My Prince, Reunited Worlds, and her next project is titled Undercover.
7. Park Hae Jin
What a busy year for Park Hae Jin as he already has 2 dramas this year (Kkondae Intern and Forest) which are both highly recommend.
He has an upcoming drama titled Crime Puzzle which will air by the end of the year.
You can also watch him in My Love From The Star, Cheese In The Trap, Doctor Stranger, Bad Guys, and many more.
8. Bae Doo Na
Another actress who has a busy year and we will see her again this month in Stranger 2.
She also has another drama titled Sea Of Silence alongside Gong Yoo and Lee Joon which will air by the end of the year.
9. Ju Ji Hoon
Both of his dramas (Hyena and Kingdom Season 2) this year were successful as they were nominated for Best TV Drama. He’s also a nominee for Best Actor during the 56th Baeksang Arts Awards.
He will be stacked next year since he has 4 upcoming projects such as Along With The Gods Part 3-4 and as well the drama Mount Jiri with Jun Ji Hyun.
You can also watch him in Princess Hours, Item, Medical Top Team, Mask, and as well his movies.
10. Lee Shin Young
The majority of his dramas were just short series such as Just One Bite and It’s Okay To Be Sensitive.
He earned a role in the hit drama Crash Landing On You portraying a North Korean soldier. Afterward, he had another short series titled How To Buy A Friend.
He has an upcoming drama titled Awaken which will air by November.
11. Seo Ye Ji
Everyone was amazed by her hourglass-like figure and amazing acting skills in It’s Okay To Not Be Okay.
The chemistry of Seo Ye Ji and Kim Soo Hyun is perfect. The drama will air its last episodes this week and it’s definitely a must-watch.
You can also watch her in Save Me, Lawless Lawyer, Hwarang, Potato Star, and Moorim School.
12. Oh Jung Se
He won Best Supporting Actor from his spectacular performance in When The Camellia Blooms.
Hot Stove League won Best TV Drama where he was also a part of the cast.
Currently, he has 2 ongoing dramas: It’s Okay To Not Be Okay and The Good Detective.
He’s one of the most hardworking and consistent actors out there and year by year, he would have 2-3 dramas and movies.
Have you watched the dramas of the actors and actresses on this list?
Images courtesy of mydramalist