In recent years, the Korean entertainment industry has become somewhat of a global phenomenon. Almost everyone has heard of Korean bands, musicians, and actresses. Even if far-flung parts of the world, many people enjoy Korean movies, TV shows, music, and games. As a result, Korean actresses have become well-known worldwide.
Keep reading to learn more about the most beautiful Korean actresses.
1. Song Hye-kyo
Net worth: US$20 million
Song Hye-kyo, whose English name is Loraine Song, is a South Korean actress who rose to prominence in 2000. She is one of the most well-known celebrities in Korea, with leading roles in various television dramas and films.
When Song was just fourteen, she debuted as a model in 1996. Soon after, she started appearing in minor roles, and only four years after her debut, she appeared in Autumn in My Heart (2000) and became well-known throughout Asia.
Song made her Hollywood debut in the indie film Make Yourself at Home (2008), which was different from her usual roles. Most recently, she starred in the Korean romantic drama Now, We Are Breaking Up (2021).
2. Bae Suzy
Net worth: US$25 million
Bae Su-ji, better known as Bae Suzy or simply Suzy, is a South Korean singer, actress, and model. She made her debut as part of the Korean girl group Miss A. After hosting various shows, Suzy’s popularity grew across Korea in 2011.
Additionally, she also ventured into acting and starred in the Korean teen drama Dream High (2011). She made her film debut in Architecture 101 (2012) and won the Best New Actress award for her performance at the renowned 48th Baeksang Arts Awards. She is one of the most well-known celebrities and pop culture icons in Korea.
3. Park Shin-hye
Net worth: US$8 million
Park Shin-hye is a South Koren actress and singer who gained media attention during her teenage years. After making her first appearance in two music videos for Lee Seung-hwan, she was formally trained as a singer, dancer, and actress.
Park first gained fame for her role in the television series Stairway to Heaven (2003) and went on to star in various supporting roles. Her first leading role was in Tree of Heaven (2006) which received critical acclaim.
One of the most successful young actresses in Korea, Park also appeared in various TV series such as The Heirs (2013), Pinocchio (2014–2015), and Sisyphus: The Myth (2021).
4. Han Hyo-joo
Net worth: US$2 million
Han Hyo-joo is a South Korean actress, model, and singer. During high school, she moved to Seoul and began studying film and theater at Dongukk University afterward.
Han began her career in 2003 after participating in a teenage beauty pageant. After starring in small roles and low-budget projects, Han had her breakthrough with Brilliant Legacy (2009) which led to recognition in Korea and many other parts of Asia. Most recently, she starred in the South Korean adventure film The Pirates: The Last Royal Treasure (2022).
5. Kim Tae-hee
Net worth: US$16 million
Kim Tae-hee is a South Korean actress who is often considered one of the most beautiful women in South Korea. She began her career during the 2000s, appearing in commercials and print advertisements.
She gained wider recognition for starring in Stairway to Heaven (2003), and later became one of South Korea’s most popular actresses with her role in Love Story in Harvard (2004). Kim’s recent popular shows include Yong-pal (2015) and Hi Bye, Mama! (2020).
6. Kim Yoo-jung
Net worth: US$6 million
Kim Yoo-jung is a South Korean actress who gained recognition as a child actress. She had her acting debut at four years of age and appeared in various films and TV shows during her early years, gaining critical acclaim for her performances.
Kim’s adult career began in 2012 with the South Korean drama series Moon Embracing the Sun. Her first leading role in Love in the Moonlight (2016) catapulted her fame to new heights. In 2022, Kim was selected to play the title role in the upcoming Netflix film 20th Century Girl.
7. Kim Go-eun
Net worth: US$5 million
Kim Go-eun is a South Korean actress who rose to prominence in 2012. As a child, she dreamed of becoming a filmmaker and studied drama at the renowned Korean National University of Arts.
When Go-eun appeared in A Muse (2012), she had no experience in film acting but received multiple Best New Actress awards. Her other popular roles include the thriller movie Monster (2014), and two of Korea’s most popular shows, Guardian: The Lonely and Great God (2016-2017) and The King: Eternal Monarch (2020).
8. Claudia Kim
Net worth: US$3 million
Claudia Kim is a South Korean actress known for her appearances in various Hollywood movies. Born in South Korea, Kim spent a large part of her childhood in the United States and then returned to South Korea.
Before her acting career started, she had a successful career as a reporter and announcer. In 2005, she won a Korea-China modeling competition and soon appeared in various shows and films, notably Queen of The Game (2005-2006), Marco Polo (2014-2016), Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015), and Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald (2018).
9. HoYeon Jung
Net worth: US$4 million
Ho-Yeon Jung is a South Korean model and actress best known for starring as Kang Sae-byeok in Squid Game (2021-Present). The role propelled her fame to new heights and made her a globally recognized Korean star.
Jung began her career as a model, walking several runways during the 2010 Seoul Fashion Week. In 2016, she moved to New York City to pursue a modeling career overseas.
Jung became a recognizable face when she walked the runway for several brands during New York and Paris Fashion Week due to her distinct and bright red hair.
10. Park So-dam
Net worth: US$3 million
Park So-dam is a South Korean actress who gained global recognition for her role in the critically acclaimed Korean film Parasite (2019). With a passion for acting that existed from a young age, So-dam is a renowned performer in Korea.
Park’s role in Parasite (2019) did make her world-famous, but she was already a well-established actress in her homecountry. She has been part of various popular films and shows, like Veteran (2015), The Priests (2015), and Special Cargo (2022).
11. Cho Yeo-Jeong
Net worth: US$3 million
Cho Yeo-Jeong is South Korean actress who rose to prominence after starring in Parasite (2019). Born in Seoul, South Korea, Yeo-Jeong started her career as a model but didn’t experience much success with her earlier roles.
She first rose to prominence with her role in The Servant (2010). Often regarded as one of Korea’s sex symbols, Yeo-Jeong’s best-known movies include The Servant (2012), Casa Amor: Exclusive for Ladies (2015), and the show Cheat on Me If You Can (2020).
12. Song Ji-hyo
Net worth: US$12 million
Song Ji-hyo, whose actual name is Cheon Soo-yeon, is a South Korean model and actress best known for her role in the South Korean reality show Running Man (2010-2013). Although Ji-hyo has a degree in accounting, she dreamt of being an actress since her teenage years.
She made her film debut in Wishing Stairs (2003) and was nominated for the Best New Actress Award for her performance. Most recently, Song Ji-hyo played the lead character in the Korean dark fantasy series The Witch’s Diner (2021).
13. Jung So-min
Net worth: US$5 million
Jung So-min is a South Korean actress who debuted in the Korean TV series Bad Guy (2010). Soon after, she was cast in Playful Kiss (2010) which increased her popularity in other parts of Asia.
So-min’s next notable success came with her role in the TV series The Sound of Your Heart (2016) which was highly successful in China. Most recently, she starred in the popular South Korean TV series Alchemy of Souls (2022-Present) which garnered millions of views in Korea.
14. Jo Bo-ah
Net worth: US$3 million
Jo Bo-ah is a South Korean model, host, and actress who debuted in 2011. As a child, Bo-ah dreamed of becoming a flight attendant but majored in performing arts to begin her acting career.
Soon after, she appeared in the series Shut Up Flower Boy Band (2012) in a lead role for the first time. Jo has appeared in many versatile films, including erotic thrillers, family dramas, and romantic comedies.
Most recently, she appeared in Military Prosecutor Doberman (2022-Present) which was one of the highest-rated TV series in Korea during its runtime.
15. Kim Hee-sun
Net worth: US$2.5 million
Kim Hee-sun is a South Korean actress who gained popularity during the 1990s. She began modeling while still in high school and rose to fame soon after. She was one of Korea’s most popular actresses during the 1990s, appearing in many popular K-dramas of her time like Propose (1997), Mr. Q (1998), and Tomato (1999).
When Hee-sun starred in Bichunmoo (2000), she gained an audience in many parts of Asia, notably China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong. Most recently, Kim appeared in two popular K-dramas: Alice (2020) and Tomorrow (2022-Present).
16. Jun Ji-hyun
Net worth: US$6 million
Jun Ji-hyun, also known as Gianna Jun, is a South Korean actress and model. Jun started her career as a TV actress and appeared in various commercials. She had little success at the start of her career, but her role in II Mare (2000) gained her significant recognition and fame.
In 2001, Ji-hyun’s performance in My Sassy Girl made her a household name across Korea. She also appeared in various Hollywood films and became the first Korean actress to appear in Vogue.
17. Park Min-young
Net worth: US$5 million
Park Min-young is a South Korean actress who rose to prominence due to her role in Sungkyunkwan Scandal (2010). She began her career appearing in commercials and soon shifted to TV dramas. Min-young had important roles early on in her career in TV series such as I Am Sam (2007) and Ja Myung Go (2009).
With a career spanning nearly three decades, Min-young has enjoyed her fair share of successes. She has appeared in films of different genres, ranging from romantic comedies to historical dramas. Most recently, she appeared in the TV series Forecasting Love and Weather (2022).
18. Bae Doona
Net worth: US$20 million
Bae Doona is a South Korean actress and photographer best known for her performances in Korean thriller films, such as Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance (2002) and The Host (2006).
Doona has also worked in Hollywood, notably with the Wachowskis. She has starred in several of the duo’s projects, including Cloud Atlas (2012), Jupiter Ascending (2015), and Sense8 (2015-2018). Most recently, she appeared in the Netflix series The Silent Sea (2021).
19. Moon Chae-won
Net worth: US$1 million
Moon Chae-won is a South Korean actress who first gained media attention with her role in Painter of The Wind (2008). Her role in the film, and her chemistry with co-star Moon Geun-young, received praise and attention. With a career spanning two and a half decades, Moon was one of the most well-known Korean actresses during the 2000s.
Soon after, she established herself as an in-demand actress with her role in Brilliant Legacy (2009), which was one of the most popular K-dramas of the year. Chae-won’s future roles also garnered fame and critical acclaim, notably in War of the Arrows (2011), The Innocent Man (2012), Awaiting (2014), and Love Forecast (2015).
20. Kim Ji-won
Net worth: US$5 million
Kim Ji-won is a South Korean actress who first gained recognition for appearing in commercials and due to her resemblance to renowned Korean actress Kim Tae-hee. Ji-won began her acting career in 2011 and became widely recognized after her role in the series The Heirs (2013).
Her leading era began in 2017 with Fight for My Way, which cemented her status as a great Korean actress. Since then, Kim Ji-won has appeared in Detective K: Secret of the Living Dead (2018), Descendants of the Sun (2016), and My Liberation Notes (2022).
