Industry experts from leading entertainment companies have voted for this year’s top 6 excellent male idol actors
Korean media outlet Star News recently conducted a survey involving 31 entertainment industry experts from major entertainment companies, including SM Entertainment, Starship Entertainment, P Nation, and KQ Entertainment, to identify the most outstanding male idol-turned-actors of 2023.
4. SF9’s Rowoon and ZE:A’s Park Hyungsik
Tied for fourth place are SF9’s Rowoon and ZE:A’s Park Hyungsik with 2 votes each.
SF9’s Rowoon
Rowoon made his debut with SF9 in 2016 as a vocalist, dancer, and visual of the group. With his model-worthy physique, standing at 1.92 meters tall, and a perfectly handsome face, Rowoon quickly caught the attention of producers and directors and soon made his acting debut.
Rowoon won the hearts of the public with notable dramas such as “School 2017,” “About Time,” “Where Stars Land,” and especially “Extraordinary You,” which elevated his acting career to the next level.
Subsequently, he continued to take on lead roles in well-received dramas such as “She Would Never Know,” “The King’s Affection,” “Tomorrow,” and “Destined To Be With You”.
ZE:A’s Park Hyungsik
Park Hyungsik debuted as a member of ZE:A in 2010. While initially an idol, he later transitioned into musical theater and embarked on an acting career with a supporting role in the drama “I Remember You.”
Thanks to his talent, Park Hyungsik continued to make waves with memorable roles in “The Heirs,” “High Society,” “Hwarang,” “Strong Woman Do Bong Soon,” and “Happiness.”
Earlier this year, he played the main character in the historical drama “Our Blooming Youth,” showcasing his diverse acting and receiving high praise from viewers and critics alike.
3. ASTRO’s Cha Eunwoo
“Face Genius” Cha Eunwoo secured the third position with 4 votes from industry experts. With his exceptionally perfect appearance and enviable physique, it’s no wonder that Cha Eunwoo is highly sought after by casting directors.
Cha Eunwoo began his acting career in 2014 before debuting with ASTRO in 2016. Despite facing divided opinions over his acting skills, his works have consistently gained widespread attention. Notable dramas led by Cha Eunwoo include “My ID Is Gangnam Beauty,” “Rookie Historian Goo Hae Ryung,” and “True Beauty.” His most recent role was as a minister in the supernatural drama “Island.”
2. ZE:A’s Im Siwan and EXO’s D.O.
Tied for second place are ZE:A’s Im Siwan and EXO’s D.O., both receiving 11 votes from industry experts.
ZE:A’s Im Siwan
Im Siwan debuted as a member of ZE:A in 2010 and later made guest appearances in various dramas, especially in the legendary historical drama “The Moon Embracing The Sun.”
He gained recognition for his versatility and ability to transform himself, not only in dramas but also in movies. Some notable works that helped him break free from the idol actor label include “Misaeng,” “One Line,” “The Merciless,” and “Strangers From Hell.” Im Siwan also excellently won “Best New Actor” at the Baeksang Arts Awards.
EXO’s D.O.
D.O. debuted as a main vocalist of the top 3rd gen boy group EXO in 2012. He began his acting career with supporting roles in “Cart” and “It’s Okay, That’s Love.”
With his diverse acting and a willingness to challenge himself across different genres, D.O. has earned much praise for his works on both the small and large screen, including “My Annoying Brother,” “Hello Monster,” and “100 Days My Prince.”
His most recent work is the space-themed film “The Moon,” which received widespread global recognition.
1. 2PM’s Lee Junho
With his impressive achievements as an actor, it’s not surprising that Lee Junho takes the crown with an overwhelming 21 votes. With a charming voice and great dancing, Lee Junho has been a fan favorite since 2PM’s debut in 2008.
With his formidable acting skills, particularly his expressive eyes, Lee Junho has got himself a remarkable acting career. Starting with small roles, he has starred in numerous dramas and films, including “Homme Fatale,” “Wok of Love,” and “Good Manager.”
The success of the historical drama “The Red Sleeve” marked a turning point in Lee Junho’s acting career. Not only did it achieve high viewership ratings, but it also earned critical acclaim, resulting in Lee Junho winning the prestigious “Best Actor” award at the Baeksang Awards.
His most recent drama, “King the Land,” co-starring with YoonA, created a summer sensation with numerous record-breaking achievements on Netflix.
Source: K14
