Best Korean Actresses

Jeon Do-yeon is a Cannes Best Actress winner and remains one of the most respected actresses in Korea. Known for her intense, emotionally charged performances, she brings a unique rawness to her roles, often diving into difficult and complex emotional territories.

Notable Roles:

• Secret Sunshine 2007 (movie)
• Lost 2021 (movie)
• My Dear Enemy 2008 (movie)
• Crash Course in Romance 2023 (drama)
• The Good Wife 2016 (drama)

Moon So-ri is a critically acclaimed actress with an impressive body of work, particularly in art-house films. Her emotionally nuanced and fearless portrayals of deeply complex characters place her among the best.

Notable roles:

• The Handmaiden 2016 (movie)
• Oasis 2002 (movie)
• Little Forest 2018 (movie)
• Peppermint Candy 1999 (movie)
• 1987: When the Day Comes 2017 (movie)
• Queenmaker 2023 (drama)
• The Legend of the Blue Sea 2016 (drama)

Known for her versatility and strong screen presence, Kim Hye-soo excels in portraying powerful, multifaceted women. Her ability to dominate any role, from thrillers to period dramas, makes her a standout.

Notable Roles:

• Signal 2016 (drama)
• Under the Queen’s Umbrella 2022 (drama)
• Juvenile Justice 2022 (drama)
• The Thieves 2012 (movie)
• Coin Locker Girl 2015 (movie)

Kim Min-hee has become a key figure in Korean art-house cinema, known for her collaboration with director Hong Sang-soo. Her critically acclaimed performances, particularly in The Handmaiden, solidified her status as an elite actress. While her personal life has sometimes overshadowed her career, her acting skills are widely respected in the industry.
 

Notable Roles:

• The Handmaiden 2016 (movie)
• Right Now, Wrong Then 2015 (movie)
• On the Beach at Night Alone 2017 (movie)
• The Woman Who Ran 2020 (movie)
• Goodbye, Solo 2006 (drama)

Bae Doona has successfully carved out a dual career in both Korea and Hollywood, making her a global star. Her performances are often marked by a strong presence and fearless ability to take on diverse and complex roles, ranging from sci-fi to period dramas. Working with many talented high profile directors such as Bong Joon-ho, Park Chan-wook & Hirokazu Kore-eda. While she might not be as frequently in the spotlight in Korea as some others, her global presence and the respect she commands place her high on the list, in terms of A-list notoriety.
 

Notable roles:

• Sense8 (series) 
• Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance 2002 (movie)
• Broker 2022 (movie)
• The Host 2006 (movie)
• Kingdom 2019 - 2020 (drama)
• Stranger 2017 & 2020 (drama)
• Linda Linda Linda 2005 (movie)

Kim Tae-ri rose to stardom with her breakout role in The Handmaiden, showcasing a rare ability to balance vulnerability with inner strength. Her versatility is evident in her seamless shift between genres, from the historical epic Mr. Sunshine to lighter, relatable roles in In Twenty-Five Twenty-One. Despite her relatively short time in the industry, she has become one of the most sought-after actresses in Korea, known for portraying strong-willed, multifaceted women with both power and vulnerability has made her one of the most sought-after actresses in Korea.

Notable Roles:

• The Handmaiden 2016 (film)
• Mr. Sunshine 2018 (drama)
• Twenty Five Twenty One 2022 (drama)
• Little Forest 2018 (film)
• 1987: When the Day Comes 2017 (film)
• Revenant 2023 (drama)

Son Ye-jin is one of Korea's most beloved actresses, known for her versatility in romantic dramas and more serious roles. Her emotional depth and magnetic screen presence have made her a consistent favourite among both audiences and critics.

Notable Roles:

• Crash Landing on You 2019 (drama)
• A Moment to Remember 2004 (film)
• Be with You 2018 (film)
• Something in the Rain 2018 (drama)
• The Classic 2003 (film)
• Thirty-Nine 2022 (drama)

Jun Ji-hyun, a highly esteemed actress in Korean cinema, is known for her exceptional range and compelling performances in both film and television. She gained widespread fame for her role in "My Sassy Girl" (2001), which established her as a leading actress making her a legendary icon. Her versatility was further demonstrated in acclaimed performances in "My Love from the Star" (2013) and "Legend of the Blue Sea" (2016), blending commercial success with critical recognition. She has a massive fan base and consistently remains relevant in the entertainment world. Known for her magnetic screen presence and successful portrayals of both comedic and action roles, Jun Ji-hyun has solidified her position as a long-standing star, although some believe she is slightly outranked in terms of acting range and emotional depth by actresses who have taken on more complex roles.

Notable Roles:

• Il Mare 2000 (film) 
• My Sassy Girl 2001 (film)
• My Love from the Star 2013 (drama)
• Legend of the Blue Sea 2016 (drama)
• The Thieves 2012 (film)

Jun Jong-seo has quickly gained recognition as one of the most exciting and daring actresses of her generation. Her breakout role in Burning (2018) earned international acclaim, and she continues to impress with challenging roles, such as the psychopathic killer in The Call. Though more celebrated for her acting ability than mainstream A-list fame, her growing profile within the film industry and among cinephiles signals her rise. Her versatility across genres and bold role choices have cemented her reputation as a talented and critically acclaimed actress.

Notable Roles

• Burning 2018 (film)
• The Call 2020 (film)
• Queen Woo 2024 (drama)
• Money Heist: Korea – Joint Economic Area (drama)
• Ballerina 2023 (film)
• Mona Lisa and the Blood Moon 2021 (film)

Kim Go-eun is highly regarded for her naturalistic acting style, emotional depth, and ability to portray both vulnerability and strength. Known for her subtle, nuanced performances, she brings authenticity to her characters, whether in emotionally intense dramas, romantic comedies, or fantasy series. Her standout roles in Goblin (2016) and The King: Eternal Monarch (2020) have boosted her profile, while her critically acclaimed work in films like Tune in for Love (2019) highlights her balance between mainstream success and artistic merit. Kim Go-eun has worked with acclaimed filmmakers like award-winning Jung Ji-woo and elite actors such as Kim Hye-soo, steadily building a prestigious profile in Korean entertainment. While she may not yet have the same A-list notoriety as some other stars, her consistent involvement in high-quality, artistically significant projects is building her a solid prestige profile.

Notable roles:

• Goblin 2016 (drama)
• Little Women 2022 (drama)
• Tune in for Love 2019 (film)
• The King: Eternal Monarch 2020 (drama)
• Canola 2016 (film)
• Coin Locker Girl 2015 (film)
• Cheese in the Trap 2016 (drama)

Notable Roles:

• Masquerade 2012 (film)
• Moving 2023 (drama)
• The Beauty Inside 2015 (film)
• Happiness 2021 (drama)
• W 2016 (drama)
• Always 2011 (film)

A respected actress known for her earlier work with auteur filmmakers, though her more recent projects haven’t been as high-profile.

IU is an increasingly respected actress known for her emotional depth in both film and television. Starting as a singer, she has shown significant growth as an actress, steadily building a prestigious career. Her performance in My Mister (2018) was widely praised for its maturity and complexity, marking a turning point in her transition to serious acting. IU has since been involved in high-caliber projects, including Broker (2022), where she worked alongside elite actors like Song Kang-ho and Bae Doo-na, under the direction of renowned filmmaker Hirokazu Kore-eda. These collaborations have bolstered her reputation and solidified her association with high-quality, critically acclaimed work. Additionally, her role in Persona (2019), an artistically ambitious anthology featuring stories directed by different filmmakers, showcases her versatility and ambition as an actress.

Notable Roles: 

• Broker 2022 (film)
• My Mister 2018 (drama)
•  Hotel Del Luna 2019 (drama)
•  Scarlet Heart: Ryeo 2016 (drama)
•  Persona 2019 (drama)

A Bittersweet Life 2005

Gyeongju 2014 경주 Directed by Zhang Lu

A popular actress known for her heartwarming roles, though not yet associated with many prestigious projects.

Most Potential 

Park Ji-hu gained attention for her performance in House of Hummingbird (2018), where she won the Best Actress award at the Tribeca Film Festival. Her portrayal of a young girl dealing with emotional turmoil was praised for its subtlety and emotional depth, showcasing her natural talent. She has been recognized by critics early in her career, positioning her well to build a reputation for choosing meaningful, artistically significant projects. Despite her young age, Park Ji-hu has already shown impressive range, moving between indie films like House of Hummingbird to more mainstream roles, such as in the Netflix series All of Us Are Dead (2022). This shows her ability to tackle both emotionally complex roles and high-budget commercial projects, a key trait for actors aiming for prestige status. If she continues to make smart role choices, balancing both critically acclaimed films and high-profile projects, she has the potential to rise to the level of an elite actress in the Korean film industry.

Notable Roles:

• House of Hummingbird 2018
• Little Women 2022
• All of us are dead 2022
• Concrete Utopia 2023