7 Korean actors who got their big break thanks to Netflix (ft. Jung Ho Yeon, Han So Hee, and more)

Netflix plays an important role in introducing these actors to more viewers in the world. 

The success of Netflix’s sensation Squid Game is unprecedented as the series drew 111 million views, became Netflix’s most watched show ever, bringing the streaming giant and the production crew huge profits. Squid Game was recently nominated in two categories at the 2021 Gotham Awards scheduled to take place on November 29: Breakthrough Series – Long Format (over 40 minutes) and Outstanding Performance in a New Series for the male lead Lee Jung Jae. 

In particular, Lee Jung Jae was nominated along with other prominent Hollywood actors such as Ethan Hawke of The Good Lord Bird and Anya Taylor-Joy of The Queen’s Gambit, making a new leap as a global star.

Besides, Kim Seon Ho, who was recently involved in a personal life scandal, also successfully boosted his popularity overseas after Start-Up and Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha were released to global viewers through Netflix. Netflix is significantly ​​contributing to the success of many Korean actors. Let’s find out which actors who achieved the most fame after starring in movies and dramas that are either produced or distributed by Netflix!

1. Hyun Bin – Crash Landing On You

Hyun Bin soon shot to fame thanks to My Lovely Sam Soon (2005). Since then, he has been considered one of the most outstanding rom-com actors with the success of Worlds Within (2008) and Secret Garden (2010-2011). Having a stable career path without many ups and downs, Hyun Bin continued to hit big with Crash Landing on You (2019).

Crash Landing On You earned the highest viewership ratings in the history of tvN dramas, surpassing even the hit The Guardian: The Lonely and Great God (2016). Although Hyun Bin was already a famous Hallyu star before the series, Crash Landing on You is still believed to take his career to the next level when the series was broadcast worldwide through Netflix.

2. Song Joong Ki – Vicenzo, Space Sweepers

2021 has been a busy year for Song Joong Ki. In particular, the two successful productions starring Song Joong Ki that were released to the world via Netflix have strengthened his impact more than ever. 

In the sci-fi film Space Sweepers, he plays a snobby and sarcastic pilot who harbors guilt and a father’s love for his lost child. In Vincenzo, the actor transforms into a charming Italian lawyer and mafia consigliere.

3. Park Seo Joon – Itaewon Class

Park Seo Joon became more well-known thanks to his iconic role in the Netflix series Itaewon Class (2020). Prior to Itaewon Class, he rose to stardom by starring in famous rom-com dramas such as She Was Pretty (2015), Fight for My Way (2017) and What’s Wrong with Secretary Kim (2018).

Playing Park Sae Royi in Itaewon Class helped Park Seo Joon increase his global popularity by a large amount. He was offered to join the cast of an upcoming MCU movie, The Marvels. Although Park Seo Joon‘s role has yet to be revealed, he attracted great attention when he was spotted heading to the UK back in September to start shooting for The Marvels.

4. Seo Ye Ji – It’s Okay to Not Be Okay

After an impressive performance in the mystical thriller Save Me (2017) in 2017, Seo Ye Ji took an impressive turn in her career after Netflix’s drama It’s Okay to Not Be Okay (2020), which she co-starred with Kim Soo Hyun.

In the drama, she plays a fairy tale writer named Ko Moon Young.  With this role, she has become one of the top stars when perfectly portraying the unique personality of a character that can hardly exist in the real world.

The public thought that Seo Ye Ji‘s career would develop further, but the scandal with Kim Jung Hyun made all her efforts in vain.

5. Song Kang – Love Alarm, Sweet Home, Nevertheless

Song Kang has gained a huge fan base after starring in two Netflix original dramas.  The actor left a lasting impression in the audience’s mind thanks to the lead role in Love Alarm (2019-2021).  

In 2020, Song Kang became more popular after starring in Sweet Home (2020), the second highest-grossing Korean Netflix series released before Squid Game.  It was around that time that fans started calling him the “son of Netflix”.

Song Kang‘s other works such as Navillera and Nevertheless were also released on Netflix.  Among them, the drama that he co-starred with Han So Hee called “Nevertheless” became a hit at the time of its release

6. Han So Hee – My Name, Nevertheless

Along with Song Kang, Han So Hee has been greatly supported by Netflix.  She rose to fame after The World of Marriage (2017) and then received leading roles in Nevertheless and My Name.

Starring In the Netflix original series – My Name, Han So Hee succeeded in getting rid of the image of a beautiful actress.  She was also praised for her improved acting skills.

7. Jung Ho Yeon – Squid Game

To date, Squid Game‘s Jung Ho Yeon is probably the most successful actor thanks to Netflix’s support.  After winning second place at Korea’s Next Top Model (2013) and working as a fashion model, she achieved resounding success at the very beginning of her acting career.

Thanks to the Squid Game craze, Jung Ho Yeon‘s Instagram followers increased from 400,000 to 20 million, and the beauty was also chosen by Louis Vuitton as its global ambassador.