The South Korean entertainment industry is brimming with fresh faces, but few have made the leap from “rising star” to “trusted actor” as convincingly as Kim Tae-ri , Lee Do-hyun , and Park Gyu-young . These three talents have not only showcased remarkable growth but also carved out unique paths through genre diversity, emotional depth, and global appeal.
Kim Tae-ri: A Genre of Her Own
Since her striking debut in Park Chan-wook’s The Handmaiden (2016), Kim Tae-ri has redefined what it means to be a versatile actor. From portraying a fierce female soldier in Mr. Sunshine (tvN), to a spirited fencer in Twenty-Five Twenty-One (tvN), and delivering dual roles in Revenant (SBS), Kim Tae-ri has displayed an unmatched emotional range.
In 2024, she starred in Jeong Nyeon (tvN) as Yoon Jeong-nyeon, a post-war pansori performer. Her performance, complete with dialects and traditional singing, earned her the prestigious Baeksang Best Actress Award. She continued to push boundaries in 2025 by lending her voice to Netflix’s animated feature What This Star Needs , captivating audiences with voice acting alone.
Kim Tae-ri’s accolades from the Blue Dragon New Actress Award to the SBS Drama Awards Grand Prize are a testament to her reputation as a “one-woman genre.”
Lee Do-hyun: Building a ‘Trustworthy’ Reputation
Lee Do-hyun began turning heads with his debut in Prison Playbook (tvN) and quickly rose to fame through hits like Hotel Del Luna and 18 Again (JTBC). The latter, where he played both a teenage and adult version of the same character, showcased his emotional agility and acting maturity.
In 2023, he took on a deeper role in Netflix’s The Glory as Joo Yeo-jeong, drawing praise from writer Kim Eun-sook and director Ahn Gil-ho . Follow-up roles in The Good Bad Mother (JTBC) and the blockbuster film Exhuma further cemented his status.
Lee Do-hyun is known for exploring five emotional interpretations of a single character, demonstrating intense preparation and passion. This relentless pursuit of excellence has earned him the nickname “믿보배” — short for “an actor you can trust.”
Park Gyu-young: A Global Force in the Making
Park Gyu-young has steadily grown her presence across domestic and global platforms. After turning heads in It’s Okay to Not Be Okay (tvN) and Sweet Home (Netflix), she continued with strong performances in The Devil Judge (tvN), Celebrity (Netflix), and A Good Day to Be a Dog (MBC).
Celebrity became a sensation in Southeast Asia, while A Good Day to Be a Dog charted in over 110 countries including the U.S., Europe, and the Middle East. Her global reach was further solidified when she became an international ambassador for a luxury Italian brand, extending her influence beyond acting.
With roles in major projects like Sweet Home 3 and Squid Game , Park Gyu-young has positioned herself as not just a local talent, but a global rising star.
Kim Tae-ri , Lee Do-hyun , and Park Gyu-young embody what it means to evolve in the entertainment industry. Through consistent performances, bold artistic choices, and unwavering dedication, these once “rising stars” are now some of Korea’s most trusted and bankable actors.
Sources: Daum
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