Korean actresses aren’t just lighting up screens they’re shaping global culture. From captivating K-dramas to red carpets at Cannes, these women are redefining what it means to be a modern-day icon.
In this Hallyu Star Ranking 2024–2025, we’ve combined global fan enthusiasm, industry credibility, and K-drama buzz to spotlight the top 50 Korean actresses who are commanding attention worldwide.
Whether you’re a longtime fan or new to the K-entertainment world, these names deserve your radar.
Who’s Stealing the Spotlight in 2024?
1. IU (Lee Ji-eun)
From pop queen to acting powerhouse, IU continues to stun viewers with layered performances in Hotel Del Luna and My Mister. Her ability to convey raw emotion keeps her firmly in the #1 spot and in fans’ hearts.
2. Han So-hee
Fearless and fierce, Han So-hee turned heads in My Name and kept us hooked in Gyeongseong Creature. Her edgy charisma and acting depth make her a breakout favorite.
3. Kim Ji-won
After her compelling role in Queen of Tears, Kim Ji-won is experiencing a major glow-up earning love from both critics and global audiences.
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Rising Korean Actresses You Need to Know
These fast-rising stars are lighting up the screen and the internet:
Go Youn-jung – With standout roles in Moving and Alchemy of Souls, she’s quickly becoming a K-drama fan favorite.
Ahn Eun-jin – Her layered portrayal in My Dearest earned her elite status in just one season.
Park Ji-hoo – From All of Us Are Dead to emotionally charged roles, she’s becoming the voice of Gen Z drama.
Legendary Leading Ladies Who Still Rule
Some talents never fade they evolve. These established queens remain as relevant and beloved as ever:
Son Ye-jin, Song Hye-kyo, and Jun Ji-hyun continue to headline global favorites like Crash Landing on You, The Glory, and My Love From the Star.
Kim Hye-soo and Ha Ji-won are proving that veteran status comes with unmatched versatility and depth.
Why This List Isn’t Just a Popularity Contest?
This isn’t just about who’s trending it’s about who’s shaping the future of Korean entertainment. Our Hallyu Star Ranking considers:
- 🎭 Range and acting skill
- 🌐 Global reach and impact
- ❤️ Fan devotion and cultural influence
- 🏆 Relevance in the ongoing Hallyu wave
These actresses aren’t just stars they’re forces of change, storytelling, and style.
Top 50 Hallyu Star Ranking Korean Actress
| No. | Actress Name (Romanized / Hangul) | Known For |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | IU (Lee Ji-eun / 이지은) | Hotel Del Luna, My Mister |
| 2 | Han So-hee (한소희) | My Name, Nevertheless, Gyeongseong Creature |
| 3 | Kim Ji-won (김지원) | Queen of Tears, Descendants of the Sun |
| 4 | Bae Suzy (배수지) | Start-Up, While You Were Sleeping |
| 5 | Park Eun-bin (박은빈) | Extraordinary Attorney Woo |
| 6 | Son Ye-jin (손예진) | Crash Landing on You, Something in the Rain |
| 7 | Song Hye-kyo (송혜교) | The Glory, Descendants of the Sun |
| 8 | Jeon Jong-seo (전종서) | Burning, Ballerina, Money Heist: Korea |
| 9 | Kim Tae-ri (김태리) | Twenty-Five Twenty-One, Mr. Sunshine |
| 10 | Go Youn-jung (고윤정) | Alchemy of Souls, Moving |
| 11 | Park Min-young (박민영) | What’s Wrong with Secretary Kim |
| 12 | Moon Ga-young (문가영) | True Beauty |
| 13 | Kim Yoo-jung (김유정) | Lovers of the Red Sky, Love in the Moonlight |
| 14 | Jung So-min (정소민) | Because This Is My First Life |
| 15 | Shin Hye-sun (신혜선) | Mr. Queen, See You in My 19th Life |
| 16 | Kim Go-eun (김고은) | Goblin, Yumi’s Cells |
| 17 | Lee Sung-kyung (이성경) | Dr. Romantic, Weightlifting Fairy |
| 18 | Park Bo-young (박보영) | Strong Woman Do Bong-soon, Daily Dose of Sunshine |
| 19 | Seo Ye-ji (서예지) | It’s Okay to Not Be Okay |
| 20 | Jun Ji-hyun (전지현) | My Love from the Star, Kingdom: Ashin of the North |
| 21 | Lee Se-young (이세영) | The Red Sleeve |
| 22 | Uhm Jung-hwa (엄정화) | Doctor Cha, You Are Too Much |
| 23 | Lee Da-hee (이다희) | Search: WWW, Love is for Suckers |
| 24 | Seo Hyun-jin (서현진) | Beauty Inside, Another Miss Oh |
| 25 | Chae Soo-bin (채수빈) | Rookie Cops, I’m Not a Robot |
| 26 | Kim Hye-soo (김혜수) | Juvenile Justice, Hyena |
| 27 | Hwang Jung-eum (황정음) | She Was Pretty, Kill Me, Heal Me |
| 28 | YoonA (Im Yoon-ah / 임윤아) | Big Mouth, King the Land |
| 29 | Ku Hye-sun (구혜선) | Boys Over Flowers |
| 30 | Lee Bo-young (이보영) | Mine, Mother |
| 31 | Ha Ji-won (하지원) | Secret Garden, Empress Ki |
| 32 | Kang Han-na (강한나) | Start-Up, Bloody Heart |
| 33 | Park Hye-su (박혜수) | Hello, My Twenties!, Introverted Boss |
| 34 | Kim Sae-ron (김새론) | The Man from Nowhere, Secret Healer |
| 35 | Nam Ji-hyun (남지현) | Suspicious Partner, Little Women |
| 36 | Kim Hyun-joo (김현주) | Hellbound, Undercover |
| 37 | Kim So-hyun (김소현) | River Where the Moon Rises, Love Alarm |
| 38 | Jang Na-ra (장나라) | VIP, The Last Empress |
| 39 | Kim Se-jeong (김세정) | Business Proposal, Uncanny Counter |
| 40 | Ahn Eun-jin (안은진) | My Dearest, Hospital Playlist |
| 41 | Park Ji-hoo (박지후) | All of Us Are Dead, House of Hummingbird |
| 42 | Jo Bo-ah (조보아) | Tale of the Nine Tailed, Destined with You |
| 43 | Ryu Hye-young (류혜영) | Reply 1988, Law School |
| 44 | Kim Bo-ra (김보라) | SKY Castle, Her Private Life |
| 45 | Lee Joo-young (이주영) | Itaewon Class, Baseball Girl |
| 46 | Kim So-eun (김소은) | Boys Over Flowers, Our Gab Soon |
| 47 | Baek Jin-hee (백진희) | Empress Ki, Feel Good to Die |
| 48 | Gong Hyo-jin (공효진) | When the Camellia Blooms, Master’s Sun |
| 49 | Lee Yeon-hee (이연희) | East of Eden, Miss Korea |
| 50 | Lee Ji-eun (이지은)* | Singer identity duplicate – kept for distinction |
Let us know who’s your favorite on the list? Did we miss someone who should’ve made the cut?
👉 Share your thoughts in the comments or on social media using #HallyuStarRanking2025
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