Over the past decade, Korean actresses have played a decisive role in shaping Hallyu’s global ascent. From romance and melodrama to thrillers and social commentary, these performers delivered defining works that dominated ratings, influenced pop culture, and expanded Korean storytelling onto the world stage. Each year highlights two actresses whose performances captured the cultural moment and left a lasting imprint.
1. 2014 — Jun Ji-hyun & Gong Hyo-jin
Jun Ji-hyun
Defining Work: My Love from the Star (2013–14).
Other Notable Works: Il Mare (2000), Windstruck (2004), The Thieves (2012), Assassination (2015), Kingdom: Ashin of the North (2021).
Gong Hyo-jin
Defining Work: It’s Okay, That’s Love (2014).
Other Notable Works: Thank You (2007), Pasta (2010), The Greatest Love (2011), Master’s Sun (2013), When the Camellia Blooms (2019).
2. 2015 — Hwang Jung-eum & Kim Tae-hee
Hwang Jung-eum
Defining Work: Kill Me, Heal Me (2015).
Other Notable Works: Can You Hear My Heart (2011), Secret Love (2013), She Was Pretty (2015), Mystic Pop-Up Bar (2020).
Kim Tae-hee
Defining Work: Yong-pal (2015).
Other Notable Works: Stairway to Heaven (2003), Love Story in Harvard (2004), Iris (2009), Hi Bye, Mama! (2020).
3. 2016 — Song Hye-kyo & Kim Go-eun
Song Hye-kyo
Defining Work: Descendants of the Sun (2016).
Other Notable Works: Autumn in My Heart (2000), All In (2003), That Winter, The Wind Blows (2013), The Glory (2022–23).
Kim Go-eun
Defining Work: Guardian: The Lonely and Great God (Goblin) (2016–17).
Other Notable Works: A Muse (2012), Cheese in the Trap (2016), Yumi’s Cells (2021–22), Little Women (2022), Exhuma (2024).
4. 2017 — Park Bo-young & Kim Yoo-jung
Park Bo-young
Defining Work: (2017).
Other Notable Works: Scandal Makers (2008), Oh My Ghost (2015), Doom at Your Service (2021), Daily Dose of Sunshine (2023).
Kim Yoo-jung
Defining Work: Love in the Moonlight (2016–17).
Other Notable Works: Dong Yi (2010), Moon Embracing the Sun (2012), Backstreet Rookie (2020), My Demon (2023), Dear X (2025).
5. 2018 — Seo Hyun-jin & Kim Ji-won
Seo Hyun-jin
Defining Work: The Beauty Inside (2018).
Other Notable Works: Another Miss Oh (2016), Temperature of Love (2017), Dr. Romantic (2016), You Are My Spring (2021).
Park Min-young
Defining Work: What’s Wrong with Secretary Kim (2018).
Other Notable Works: Unstoppable High Kick (2006), I Am Sam (2007), Glory Jane (2011), City Hunter (2011), Dr. Jin (2012), A New Leaf (2014), Healer (2014–15), Remember: War of the Son (2015–16), Her Private Life (2019), Forecasting Love and Weather (2022).
6. 2019 — Son Ye-jin & Kim Hye-yoon
Son Ye-jin
Defining Work: Crash Landing on You (2019–20).
Other Notable Works: The Classic (2003), Something in the Rain (2018), Thirty-Nine (2022).
Kim Hye-yoon
Defining Work: Extraordinary You (2019).
Other Notable Works: SKY Castle (2018–19), Snowdrop (2021), Lovely Runner (2024).
7. 2020 — Kim Hee-ae & Seo Ye-ji
Kim Hee-ae
Defining Work: The World of the Married (2020).
Other Notable Works: A Wife’s Credentials (2012), Secret Affair (2014), Queenmaker (2023).
Seo Ye-ji
Defining Work: It’s Okay to Not Be Okay (2020).
Other Notable Works: Save Me (2017), Lawless Lawyer (2018), Eve (2022).
8. 2021 — Jung Ho-yeon & Shin Min-a
Jung Ho-yeon
Defining Work: Squid Game (2021).
Other Notable Works: Disclaimer (2024), The Governesses (2025).
Shin Min-a
Defining Work: Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha (2021).
Other Notable Works: My Girlfriend Is a Gumiho (2010), Tomorrow, With You (2017), Our Blues (2022).
9. 2022 — Kim Hye-soo & Han So-hee
Kim Hye-soo
Defining Work: Juvenile Justice (2022).
Other Notable Works: Tazza (2006), The Thieves (2012), Signal (2016), Under the Queen’s Umbrella (2022).
Han So-hee
Defining Work: My Name (2021–22).
Other Notable Works: The World of the Married (2020), Nevertheless (2021), Gyeongseong Creature (2023–24).
10. 2023 — Ahn Eun-jin & Bae Suzy
Ahn Eun-jin
Defining Work: My Dearest (2023).
Other Notable Works: Hospital Playlist (2020–21), The Good Bad Mother (2023).
Bae Suzy
Defining Work: Anna (2022–23).
Other Notable Works: While You Were Sleeping (2017), Start-Up (2020), Doona! (2023).
11. 2024 — Kim Ji-won, Jung So-min & Moon So Ri
Kim Ji-won
Defining Work: Queen of Tears (2024).
Other Notable Works: The Heirs 2013), Descendants of the Sun (2016), Fight for my Way (2017), Arthdal Chronicles (2019), Lovestruck in the City (2020-21), My Liberation Notes (2022).
Jung So-min
Defining Work: My Lovely Liar (2023–24).
Other Notable Works: Because This Is My First Life (2017), Alchemy of Souls (2022).
Moon So-ri
Defining Work: The Queen Who Crowns (2024).
Other Notable Works: Mom’s Dead Upset (2002), The Princess’s Man (2011), Jealousy Incarnate (2016), The Legend of the Blue Sea (2016–17), Life (2018).
12. 2025 — IU (Lee Ji-eun), Jang Na-ra & Kim Hye Ja
IU (Lee Ji-eun)
Defining Work: When Life Gives You Tangerines (2025).
Other Notable Works: Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo (2016), My Mister (2018), Hotel Del Luna (2019).
Park Eun-bin
Defining Work: Hyper Knife (2025).
Other Notable Works: Secret Door (2014), Age of Youth (2016–17), Hot Stove League (2019), Do You Like Brahms? (2020), The King’s Affection (2021), Extraordinary Attorney Woo (2022), Castaway Diva (2023).
Kim Hye-ja
Defining Work: Heavenly Ever After (2025)
Other Notable Works: Radiant – The Light in Your Eyes (2019) Country Diaries (전원일기) (1980–2002), What Is Love? (1991), Mother’s Sea (1993), The Queen of Office (2013), Dear My Friends (2016), Our Blues (2022).
— Karen Mwenda
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