future of the entertainment industry:
Sorry about the long paragraphs in advance. While I’m not an expert, I believe these talented individuals should be the future faces of the entertainment industry due to their talent and growth in each project. I’ll update this list whenever I discover new talent, especially among the young generation of promising actors and actresses who have caught my attention. I’ve included actors and actresses I’ve watched in at least 2-3 works who made an impression on me by either embodying their characters well or showcasing their versatility(which is very important to me). This doesn’t mean I love all their works, but regardless of the story or production quality, they did well in with what they were given. I also included those I believe are underrated and whose future works I genuinely look forward to because of their undeniable acting skills.
If someone is missing from this list, it doesn’t mean they aren’t good; it may simply be that I haven’t seen them in anything yet(like Lee Do Hyun is not here, which is a crime, but I haven’t had the time to watch his dramas). I would appreciate recommendations for the best works of those not on my list.
I’ve listed works that showcase either their best acting to date or their versatility. Additionally, I included projects I look forward to seeing from them in the future. The order reflects my personal favorites, and there’s no real comparison among them. I didn’t include anyone I don’t genuinely believe is talented and has potential, even if they need more experience or time to hone their skills.
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Park Jin Young
South Korean
he's so into characters who either have a miserable life or end up miserable and he does them sooooo well. like exceptionally well. the happiest ending he has given ppl is that one time he goes into sunset with his pet lizard. there are some scenes in the Christmas carol and devil judge that he breaks your heart even though he doesn't speak a word.(if you knew me, you'd know I reallllly like it when the eyes speak for the character)
Christmas Carol: just watch this one and you'd get him in two completely opposite characters where even portraying one of them counts as challenging. but it has a lot of trigger warnings so pay attention to that.
The Devil Judge + He is Psychometric/Yumi's Cells : if you can't watch the first one, then watch these two.
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Zhang Ling He
Chinese
if I didn't know, I would never believe that he studied electrical engineering just HOW? and he debuted in 2020? which means he's crazy talented tbh. I think ppl underestimate him sometimes just because of how pretty he is ,based on the very outdated assumption that very pretty ppl are just there for their visuals. but I didn't know the guy and purely watched his drama because of one scene of his drama I saw in twitter.
Story Of Kunning Palace + My Journey to You : have you noticed how in a span of one second the look in his eyes completely changes? like one moment he looks like he could kill you and then the next thing you know is he looks like the most miserable person ever. he also has a very wide range of expressions.
I would say watch the princess royal but the plot could really irritate ppl(I am ppl) or you can watch love's rebellion too.(but the editing and censorship did them dirty even though his character here is really likable)
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Zhao Lu Si
Chinese
she simply lives her characters. I've seen her slay all sort of characterizations all the same.
The Long Ballad: her transformation was so convincing from a weak girl to someone who's in a position of power but still didn't lost the kindness and empathy within her.
Love like the Galaxy + Hidden Love : these are her good shows for me.
I still haven't watched who rules the world but I think that also will be a very strong showcase of her acting.
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Jang Dong Yoon
South Korean
he's so underrated like how can u not be impressed by his acting skills?
Tale Of Nokdu + Daily Dose Of Sunshine : the way he served both comedy and misery in tale of nokdu?I loved him sm. I will never forget his feminine voice and the way I laughed at those scenes and then I got to the sad part and I was like omg what is this level of heartbreak? he ate.
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Kim Hye Yoon
South Korean
she really won over me in lovely runner. not only because how well she portrayed sol, but because then i watched her in the girl on a bulldozer and there is not one trace of that lovely sunshine girl.
The Girl On a Bulldozer + Lovely Runner : total opposite vibes? she served both so well.
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Zhao Jin Mai
Chinese
she's like 22 and the way she is going, she is and will be incredible. she has already worked on so many different genres.
Amidst a Snowstorm of Love\The Princess Royal + Reset : she did reallllly well in the princess royal but then again as I've said I have a problem with the way the story goes downhill. (I still have not finished reset)
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Chen Zhe Yuan
Chinese
I've been waiting for the white olive tree so badly. his sad scenes get me so well, I still can't over that one scene in hidden love when he's saying he's okay but then ends up crying and says the most heartbreaking thing ever?(I'm trying not to spoil what happened)
Hidden Love + Mr Bad : he slayed in hidden love. those scenes where he looks like he's this emotionally tormented person hunted by the past?! I was not okay.
