Most Talented Korean Actresses

A list of Korean actresses I find most talented. This is a list of how I objectively rank my favorite actresses based on acting skills. Note that if an actress is at the bottom of the list, it doesn't mean that I find her acting bad, just that I think the ones above her acts and performs better (in my opinion).

The first roles are the first roles I've seen the actor in, the representative role is the first character and drama that I think of when the actor is mentioned. There is only representative role for each actor except Kim Yoo Jung and Kim So Hyun (have to put their Moon Embracing the Sun characters too since I will always see them as a quartet with Yeo Jin Goo and Lee Tae Ri ).

*Disclaimer: This is just my opinion. This list doesn't mean it's real. This is only real for me

Sageuk Lover May 1, 2020

14 People 2 Loves Report

Sort By: Author's Order

Seo Shin Ae

South Korean

First Role: Cho Ok in Grudge the Revolt of Gumiho (2010)
Representative Role: Cho Ok in Grudge the Revolt of Gumiho (2010)
=> tops the list because of her crazy acting skills in Grudge the Revolt of Gumiho even if she was only 11-12 years old.
Ha Ji Won

South Korean

First Role: Chae Ok in Damo (2003)
Representative Role: Hwang Ji Ni in Hwang Ji Ni (2006)
=> she rocks in almost all genres, sageuk romcom, action, comedy
Moon Geun Young

South Korean

First Role: Seo Bo Eun in My Little Bride (2004)
Representative Role: Shin Yun Bok in Painter of the Wind (2008)
=> the best actress that can really act as a man, in my opinion. she's so convincing people shipped her with the gisaeng who likes her than the two men who are in love with her.
Go Hyun Jung

South Korean

First Role: Mi Shil in Queen Seon Deok (2009)
Representative Role: Mi Shil in Queen Seon Deok (2009)
=> Mishil is iconic, period.
Kim So Hyun

South Korean

First Role: Young Goo Ja Rim in Bread Love and Dreams/Baker King (2010)
Representative Role: Young Yoon Bo Kyung in Moon Embracing the Sun (2012) and Young Lee Soo Yeon in I Miss You (2012)
=>crazy acting skills, can act as both villain and pitiful girl/rape victim all when she was 12, versatile in sageuk too, works hard in completing her role despite having to redo her scenes (River where the Moon Rises).
Kim You Jung

South Korean

First Role: Young Shin Yun Bok/Seo Yun in Painter of the Wind (2008)
Representative Role: Young Heo Yeon Woo in Moon Embracing the Sun (2012) and Yeon Yi in Grudge the Revolt of Gumiho (2010)
=> very talented since she was small, all her roles are great but the most impressive is Grudge the Revolt of Gumiho where she had to act as a pitiful girl doomed to be slaughtered + beast/gumiho in the same show.
Moon Chae Won

South Korean

First Role: Jeong Hyang in Painter of the Wind (2008)
Representative Role: Lee Se Ryung in The Princess's Man (2011)
=> has chemistry with all partners, male or female. just the way she acts, speaks or cries, you can feel how much love she has for her partners. she acts very calm and gentle, but can act tough situations her characters face too. also has strong sageuk presence.
Nam Ji Hyun

South Korean

First Role: Kim Ji Hyun in East of Eden (2008)
Representative Role: Young Queen Seon Deok/Deok Man in Queen Seon Deok (2009)
Hong Soo Hyun

South Korean

First Role: Princess Kyeonghye in The Princess Man
Representative Role: Princess Kyeonghye in The Princess Man
Lee Yo Won

South Korean

First Role: Queen Seon Deok/Deok Man in Queen Seon Deok (2009)
Representative Role: Queen Seon Deok/Deok Man in Queen Seon Deok (2009)
Han Hye Jin

South Korean

First Role: So Seo No in Jumong (2006)
Representative Role: So Seo No in Jumong (2006)
Han Ji Min

South Korean

First Role: Shin Bi in Jewel in the Palace (2003)
Representative Role: Sung Song Yeon in Yi San (2007)
Park Eun Hye

South Korean

First Role: Lee Yeon Saeng in Dae Jang Geum/Jewel in the Palace (2003)
Representative Role: Lee Yeon Saeng in Dae Jang Geum/Jewel in the Palace (2003)
Song Ji Hyo

South Korean

First Role: Ye Soya in Jumong
Representative Role: Ye Soya in Jumong