Top 5 stars leading the Hallyu wave: Song Hye Kyo outranks ex-husband Song Joong Ki

Every year, the Korean Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism conducts a survey and makes a list of the stars leading the Hallyu wave. This 2022 is no exception, with a base of 8500 people from 18 different countries around the world, the hottest and most beloved names in the Korean film industry have been revealed. Let’s review the top 5 of this list.

Top 5: Song Joong Ki

Song Joong Ki had a strong breakthrough when entering the top 5 of the chart in early 2022, because at the same time last year, his name did not appear here. This result is thought to be well deserved because in the past 2021, Mr. Song has made remarkable achievements.

The first is his return to acting in dramas after 2 years of absence. Song Joong Ki definitely made it with the new and different Vincenzo role. With just this one role, Song has proven that there’s no limit to his performance, it only gets higher and higher. 

Compared with others in the past year, many S-listed superstars re-appeared on the small screen, but those who succeeded were not many. Even famous names like Lee Young Ae, Jun Ji Hyun, Song Hye Kyo… also didn’t get the desired results, from which we can see how big of a boom Song Joong Ki has had. 

In terms of abilities, beauty, reputation or any other aspect, this top 5 position is a good fit for Song Joong Ki. Let’s hope that this actor continues to get better and climb even higher in his career.

Top 4: Song Hye Kyo

We can say that Song Hye Kyo is old, not renewed and is going backwards in terms of acting or script selection, but no one can deny the reputation and influence of this goddess actress. The proof is that in 2021, Song Hye Kyo reappeared with Now We Are Breaking Up unsuccessfully, belonging to the S-listed star lineup that had a disappointing comeback in the year, but her status in the beautiful Hallyu stars did not move at all when she is still the only female star to be in the top 5, just like last year.

The fact that her project lost its attraction happened not only last year but also 2 years ago. Her most recent hit work, Descendants of the Sun, was 6 years ago.

With more than 20 years in the Korean film industry with a long history of achievements and a stable reputation, it is difficult for anyone to dislodge the beautiful actress’s position in the top stars. But it’s the divorce that has greatly affected the name of Ms. Song, if everything is still peaceful, her status and image can be much greater than this.

Top 3: Gong Yoo

Now is the era of Gen Z, even 9x stars are gradually losing their “youngest” status in the film industry, but there is a 7x “uncle” who keeps taking the spotlight of all young people, it’s no one but Gong Yoo! 

Gong Yoo is not a flower boy type, he does not have the student and handsome features like many other Kbiz actors, instead, he exudes his own masculinity, charm, and maturity. That’s what female fans love about this actor.

But only mentioning Gong Yoo’s aura, charisma or beauty is a big mistake. From the big screen to the small screen, Gong Yoo is very careful in choosing the script, so once the movie is accepted, the success rate is very high. 

In recent years, he has held a position in the top 5 of the Hallyu star chart. That is enough to prove that his performance is always stable even though famous representative products like Goblin or Train To Busan were also 6 years ago.

Top 2: Hyun Bin

The same as last year, the 2nd place of this year’s Hallyu ranking still belongs to Hyun Bin. With a flawlessly handsome face and great acting, Hyun Bin quickly rose to fame and has maintained his impact as one of the top A-listers for years. 

Whenever Hyun Bin is mentioned, aside from his perfect looks and impressive talent, his good and clean image is also what makes him so attractive. 

Hyun Bin is also a hard working actor who is always willing to challenge himself in challenging roles, especially on the big screen. Not every movie led by Hyun Bin became a box office hit, but his acting and transformation of image always draw positive reviews. 

Currently, he is having a dreamlike relationship with Son Ye Jin. They will be getting married this March. 

Top 1: Lee Min Ho

1st place is Lee Min Ho, who has occupied No.1 for many years, even when he was serving in the military. To describe his impact, we believe that even those who are not fans of K-dramas, have at least heard of Lee Min Ho.

Outstanding appearance and being the star of many hit dramas are the reasons why Lee Min Ho is so famous. His on-screen performance may not be excellent, his dramas may draw mixed reviews, but their popularity can never be denied. An actor who guarantees the success of every project he takes part in like Lee Min Ho is not easy to find. 

His acting skills are not considered to be among the top, but Lee Min Ho always fulfills his role and successfully shows his charm that attracts the viewers. That’s more than enough. 

In recent years, Lee Min Ho has also shown changes in the way he picks scripts, slowly going in a different direction. In 2022, Lee Min Ho will return with a completely different image from his previous roles by transforming into a villain for the first time ever. Let’s wait and see if he can nail an antagonist character.