ARTICLE
Top 10 Korean Oppa Heartthrobs + a Bonus Legend
By Chen Shun / 08 Jun 2020 (Monday)
When people mention K-dramas and K-films, there will always be one aspect that stands out among the rest— popular actors and actresses. In this listicle, we will focus on the actors that have made girls around the world swoon over them. Do bear in mind that this listicle is based on our writer’s opinion and should you have any opposition towards it, feel free to let us know in the comment section below.
Now without further ado, here’s our Top 10 Korean Oppa Actors currently active in the industry!
#10 Gong Yoo
Gong Yoo shot to international stardom with his hit Korean film Train to Busan in 2016. With his manly looks, it’s no surprise that he has been affectionately nicknamed by fans as 'Daddy' and ‘Papi’.
His next project is an upcoming film titled Wonderland, that was scheduled for pre-production earlier this year but there’s yet to be any updates on it. While we wait on news regarding the film, Gong Yoo can be seen in the titular role in Guardian: The Lonely and Great God (aka Goblin), currently available on Netflix.
#9 Cha Eun-woo
The 23-year-old multi-hyphenated entertainer had fangirls going crazy when he acted as the cold-looking, but warm-hearted Do Kyung-seok in My ID is Gangnam Beauty. With a face like his, it's no surprise why the nation gave him the title of ‘face-genius'!
If you can’t get enough of him, Netflix has both his series Gangnam Beauty and Rookie Historian Goo Hae-ryung available for your viewing.
#8 Lee Jong-suk
Lee Jong-suk is probably the most versatile amongst all the other actors on this list. The model/actor has so many memorable dramas under his belt that it is hard to choose his best. School 2013 or Pinocchio, anyone?
He even has a Chinese-dubbed drama, Jade Lover that was announced almost 4 years ago but have yet to see the light of day. While we can only hope for the series to finally air someday, we can get a dose of Lee Jong-suk as Cha Eun-ho, a successful author in Romance Is a Bonus Book, available for streaming on Netflix.
#7 Lee Dong-wook
Lee Dong-wook became internationally renowned when he portrayed the role of a cynical yet humorous Grim Reaper in Guardian: The Lonely and Great God (aka Goblin). The actor’s sunken eyes look has also become his trademark over the years.
Last December, the actor was confirmed to be starring in Tale of Gumiho, the first drama to feature a male gumiho (a mythological nine-tailed fox) in the lead role. The series is scheduled to air sometime in 2020 but in the meantime, you may binge another rom-com drama he stars in, Touch Your Heart, on Netflix.
#6 Ji Chang-wook
Ji Chang-wook's breakthrough came in 2013 when he portrayed the role of a young king in Empress Ki. Since then, he has filmed dramas in other parts of Asia, namely season 2 of The Whirlwind Girl in China. Due to his bright and lovable image, fans have given him the nickname 'Jinergizer' out of adoration.
You can catch Ji Chang-wook in his new rom-com drama series, Backstreet Rookie, set to air on SBS TV at the 22:00 (KST) time slot every Friday and Saturday, starting from June 19. SBS content is available on One (Starhub TV: Channel 124).
#5 Kim Soo-hyun
If you are a K-drama fan, then you will be familiar with Kim Soo-hyun and his chiselled jawline. Dream High, Moon Embracing the Sun and My Love from the Star are some of the actors most renowned works that have fans coming back for more. You may have even seen him in a cameo role in tvN’s highest-rated drama, Crash Landing on You.
Kim Soo-hyun can be seen next in upcoming romantic drama It's Okay to Not Be Okay, set to premiere on tvN on June 20. The series will also be streamed worldwide on Netflix.
#4 Hyun Bin
The Secret Garden star has once again affirmed his position in the industry with his recent hit drama Crash Landing on You. What’s more, the actor won the Popularity Poll for the '56th Baeksang Arts Awards’ with a whopping 1.51 million votes!
Crash Landing on You is still available for your viewing pleasure on Netflix.
#3 Park Seo-joon
Park Seo-joon has risen as the king of romantic-comedy dramas in recent years. Dramas such as She Was Pretty, Fight for My Way and What's Wrong with Secretary Kim?, are some of his most memorable work that has garnered a massive following for the actor. He even had a minor role in Academy Award-winning film, Parasite.
The latest drama series the actor was in, Itaewon Class, is currently available on Netflix. If you’ve already seen it and would like to see more of him then you’d love to know that the actor has recently started a YouTube channel where fans can glimpse into the actor's personal life when he isn't in front of all the glitz and glamour. You can watch his videos here.
#2 Lee Min-ho
At the mention of Lee Min-ho's name, the first thing that comes to mind is the iconic teen drama from 2009, Boys Over Flowers. The actor's role as Gu Jun-pyo in the rom-com drama series made waves all over Asia.
Lee Min-ho continued his career with starring roles in dramas such as City Hunter and The Heirs. The international success of Lee's television series established him as a top Hallyu star. His most recent work, The King: Eternal Monarch, is currently rated at #15 on the list of TOP 100 on Netflix Worldwide in 2020 as of June 2020.
#1 Song Joong-ki
The nation's ‘flower boy', Song Joong-ki needs no further introduction. His rising popularity started when he first joined the Korean hit variety show, Running Man. He later skyrocketed to become a global phenomenon with his biggest series yet, Descendants of the Sun. The Hallyu star's charm is so undeniable that he’s even been given the title of 'Korea's DiCaprio’.
Season 2 of Song Joong-ki’s series Arthdal Chronicles is currently in the works with the first season being available for streaming on Netflix. He also has an upcoming space opera film dubbed ‘the first Korean space blockbuster’, Space Sweepers, that is set to be released in cinemas late 2020.
Honourable Mention: Bae Yong-joon
To the younger audience, Bae Yong-joon might be an unfamiliar name, but he is the OG heartthrob of the Hallyu wave and it would have been a crime if we’d left him out of our list. The Korean drama and music scene were relatively unknown in the early 2000s, with Japan and Taiwan dominating the industry in Asia. This all changed when romantic drama series Winter Sonata was released in 2002. The series is widely considered to be the Korean drama that launched the Korean Wave throughout Asia and worldwide and had garnered Bae Yong-joon a huge middle-age fan base who dubbed him Yon-sama (Emperor Yon).
Unfortunately, Bae Yong-joon has retired from acting after 2007 but still remains active as the chairman of management agency KeyEast.
Did we miss out some of your favourites in our list? Let us know in the comments below. Also, you may drop us some suggestions on other Top10s you’d like to see us do next.