Koreans Picked Their 10 Favorite K-Drama Actors of 2019, Here Are The Results
Updating its last survey completed in 2014, Gallup Korea — which is the South Korean partner of the Gallup International Association of polling — completed and released the 2019 version of “Koreans’ Favorites”. For the “Favorite K-Drama Actors” portion of the survey, 1,700 Koreans over the age of 13 shared their favorite actors to see in different K-Dramas. Here are the results!
10. Jun Ji Hyun
Jun Ji Hyun, whose last K-Drama appearance was in Legend of the Blue Sea which aired 2016-2017, ranked at #10 despite her prolonged hiatus from the screen. Since her rise to stardom in 2001 with the movie “My Sassy Girl”, Jun Ji Hyun has not once disappointed the viewers with her pure talent at acting, unrivaled and undying beauty, as well as her excellent choices of comical characters! There isn’t any active talks of Jun Ji Hyun returning to screens yet, but K-Drama and movie fans can’t wait to find out what she has planned ahead.
9. Song Joong Ki
Song Joong Ki won 9th place on the list of Koreans’ favorite drama actors of 2019. While he and his ex-wife Song Hye Kyo went through quite an abrupt and rather scandalous divorce in the summer of 2019, Song Joong Ki remained unshaken and likewise, his fans continue to support him regardless of his marital status! Since July 2019, shortly after his divorce news, Song Joong Ki began shooting a Sci-Fi blockbuster movie called “Seungri-ho”, estimated to be released some time in 2020.
8. Choi Soo Jong
Veteran actor Choi Soo Jong came in at #8 on the list. With his recent and active appearances on TV programs — especially Same Bed, Different Dreams 2: You Are My Destiny in which he boasted his happily married life to actress Ha Hee Ra — Choi Soo Jong managed to remain in the spotlight all the while his latest K-Drama ended in March 2019. As Korea’s “Sweetest Husband”, and as a talented actor, Choi Soo Jong continues to remain a highly-preferred star to see on screens.
7. Go Doo Shim
Go Doo Shim, who is best known among the Korean audience for her current role as actor Kang Ha Neul‘s mother in When the Camellia Blooms, won 7th place on the list. Korean viewers would all agree, her soulful acting is more than enough to put her on the list. Over the years, Go Doo Shim became the sole actress in the industry to hold a total of 6 wins at the year-end awards ceremonies. She is also the only actress to have won the “Best Actor” award from all three major Korean broadcasting companies (SBS, KBS, and MBC), as well as from the Baeksang Arts Awards.
6. Lee Soon Jae
Super sunbae Lee Soon Jae is, as one of the most influential figures in the industry, at #6 on the list. Aside from his mastery of acting, and the many roles that he has taken on over the years since his debut in 1956, Lee Soon Jae is well received by the Korean viewers for his righteousness. He has never been shy to speak what is on his mind, criticizing when necessary and praising when deserved. Thus, he has become well respected among Koreans not only as a veteran actor, but also as a mentor to all industry juniors! Korean viewers look forward to seeing more of him in the currently airing drama Pegasus Market, alongisde MOMOLAND‘s Yeonwoo.
5. Song Hye Kyo
Song Hye Kyo ranked #5 on the list of Koreans’ favorite K-Drama actors of 2019! Song Hye Kyo has built herself an incredible filmography as one of the most successful actresses in the industry alongside the “Trifecta”, Kim Tae Hee and Jun Ji Hyun. Most, if not all, of her K-Dramas have been hit productions winning high viewer ratings and selling well overseas as well. Despite the recent and relatively scandalous divorce, Song Hye Kyo has Korean viewers looking forward to her return.
4. Gong Yoo
Gong Yoo, currently promoting with his latest movie “Kim Ji Young, Born 1982” team, won 4th place on the list. Between 2014 and now, Gong Yoo has claimed the throne as Korea’s best-selling actor with his biggest hits like “Train to Busan” and Goblin. He has been one of the most active in the industry for the past five years, which explains his high ranking and preference among the Korean viewers. Not only is his acting flawless, he is godly gorgeous — winning the hearts of female voters in their 20-50s.
3. Park Bo Gum
Debuting for the first time on the list, Park Bo Gum ranked #3! Picked as the top choice among all actors for both male and female Koreans in their teens, Park Bo Gum is truly a star among the younger generation! He and Gong Yoo have been announced to be shooting a movie together in 2020 and are expected to be returning to the big screen, blessing the viewers some heavenly visuals.
2. Kim Hye Ja
Actress Kim Hye Ja came in at second place on the list. Over the years, she has earned herself the nickname “Korea’s Favorite Mother” — being that she has taken on several roles as a mother of countless hoobae actors, with her unique style of acting. Most likely thanks to her “motherly” characters, Korean viewers — especially in their 40s-60s — find Kim Hye Ja pleasant to watch on screens!
1. Choi Bool Am
Stepping up from second place in 2014, veteran actor Choi Bool Am ranked first place on the list Koreans’ favorite drama actors in 2019! He has not appeared in any K-Dramas since 2014, but he has been active in hosting a TV show called Korean Food Table. Leading a strong fan base in the older generation Korean viewer group, Choi Bool Am continues to be highly preferred. Alongside Kim Hye Ja, Choi Bool Am has been titled “Korea’s Favorite Father”, as a well respected mentor in the industry.
