The latest Korean drama actor buzz rankings for May 2026 have officially been released by GOODDATA, highlighting the stars currently generating the biggest online discussion among viewers.
As expected, IU and Byeon Woo Seok once again dominated the rankings thanks to the explosive popularity of Perfect Crown, while several rising stars and critically praised actors also gained major attention this month.
No. 10 — Lee Hee Joon (Scarecrow)
Veteran actor Lee Hee Joon earned praise for his chilling performance in the crime thriller Scarecrow, inspired by Korea’s infamous Hwaseong serial murder case.
His portrayal of morally ambiguous prosecutor Cha Si Young reportedly left many viewers disturbed, with audiences praising the tense chemistry between him and co-star Park Hae Joon.
No. 9 — Park Bo Young (Gold Rush)
Park Bo Young shocked viewers by abandoning her usual sweet image for a darker and emotionally intense role in Gold Rush.
The actress received praise for portraying a desperate woman caught in a dangerous chase involving mysterious gold bars. Many viewers highlighted her commitment to the role after reports revealed she survived mainly on salads during filming to maintain the character’s exhausted appearance.
No. 8 — Gong Myung (Secret Romance Audit)
Gong Myung’s comedic acting unexpectedly became one of the biggest surprises of the month.
Viewers praised his natural comedic timing and expressive reactions in Secret Romance Audit, with many fans admitting they developed a new appreciation for the actor after the drama aired.
No. 7 — Go Youn Jung (Overcoming Our Inferiority)
Go Youn Jung continued proving her dramatic growth through her emotionally heavy performance in Overcoming Our Inferiority.
Many viewers praised her restrained acting style and ability to portray deep psychological pain, calling it one of the actress’ strongest performances to date.
No. 6 — Kim Go Eun (Yumi’s Cells 3)
After years of success, Yumi’s Cells 3 continued attracting massive love from audiences.
Kim Go Eun received praise for portraying Yumi’s emotional maturity and personal growth throughout the final season, with many fans becoming emotional over the series’ conclusion.
No. 5 — Shin Hye Sun (Secret Romance Audit)
One of the month’s biggest breakout performances belonged to Shin Hye Sun.
Her sharp comedic acting and charismatic portrayal of workplace genius Joo In Ah quickly became one of the hottest discussion topics online. Many viewers described her as the main reason behind the drama’s explosive popularity.
No. 4 — Koo Kyo Hwan (Overcoming Our Inferiority)
Koo Kyo Hwan once again impressed audiences with his deeply layered acting.
Viewers particularly praised how naturally he portrayed insecurity, loneliness, and emotional instability without making the character feel exaggerated.
No. 3 — Kim Jae Won (Yumi’s Cells 3)
Rising actor Kim Jae Won became one of the biggest breakout stars of the season through his role as Shin Reindeer in Yumi’s Cells 3.
Although some viewers initially doubted the casting, his natural charm and strong chemistry with Kim Go Eun quickly changed public opinion.
No. 2 — Byeon Woo Seok (Perfect Crown)
Byeon Woo Seok maintained his massive momentum through Perfect Crown, especially after several emotionally explosive scenes in recent episodes went viral online.
His intense confrontation scenes and romantic chemistry with IU reportedly elevated him into “top-tier leading man” territory among viewers.
No. 1 — IU (Perfect Crown)
Claiming the No. 1 spot once again, IU’s emotional acting in Perfect Crown became one of the hottest Korean drama topics of the month.
Her recent crying scenes — particularly moments involving divorce discussions and emotional confrontations with her father — reportedly generated huge praise across Korean online communities.
Many viewers who had previously been skeptical of IU’s acting admitted they were impressed by the emotional depth and intensity she displayed in the drama’s later episodes.
Sources: Yahoo News
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