5 breakout Korean actors set to take center stage
Five breakout Korean actors under Kakao Entertainment are set to take center stage in the second half of the year.
Choo Young-woo, Shin Seung-ho, Jung Chae-yeon, Joo Jong-hyuk and Bae Hyeon-seong are rapidly rising in the K-content scene.
These stars will not only appear in a variety of films and dramas but also hold fan events to connect with audiences.
Choo Young-woo
Cho Young-woo has raised his acting profile this year. In 2025 alone, he made waves in four works: the Netflix series “The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call” and “Mercy for None,” JTBC’s “The Tale of Lady Ok,” and tvN and Prime Video’s “Head Over Heels.”
He played diverse characters with distinct personalities, skillfully bringing each to life in his own unique style. From a pure-hearted romantic to a mischievous coming-of-age character to a charismatic villain, Choo captivated viewers around the world with his versatility.
Cho Young-woo will meet his global fans through his first Asia fan meeting tour “Choo Young Woo Asia Fanmeeting Tour: ‘Who (is) Choo?” The event, which will kick off in Seoul on Sept. 6, will be held in major Asian cities including Bangkok, Taipei, Osaka and Tokyo, offering fans a glimpse into the actor’s many sides.
Shin Seung-ho
Shin Seung-ho is another breakout actor in the spotlight, who is currently making headlines for playing a charismatic soldier in the movie “Omniscient Reader: The Prophecy.” The film is a fantasy action based on a novel serialized for more than 10 years, in which its fictional world suddenly becomes reality on the day it concludes.
In the film, Shin plays Lee Hyun-sung, a character known for his strong strength and defensive abilities. The film was pre-sold to 113 countries and premiered in Taiwan on July 23, where it achieved the highest opening-day box office revenue among Korean films released there since 2021.
He is also poised to appear in the upcoming movie “Only God Knows Everything,” which will hit Korean theaters in August. In the mystery thriller, he stars as the newly ordained priest Dowoon, who unravels secrets amid a dilemma between revenge and faith after hearing a confession linked to his missing mother’s death.
With this project, Shin has already won best actor awards at multiple international film festivals including the 2025 Kyoto Independent Film Festival, 2025 Montreal Independent Film Festival, 2024 Cinematography and Photography Awards, and the 2024 Hollywood International Diversity Film Festival.
Jung Chae-yeon
Jung Chae-yeon, known for her role in the 2024 JTBC drama “Family By Choice,” is slated to make a bold transformation from a bright youth to a rookie lawyer in the upcoming JTBC drama “Beyond the Bar.”
Premiering on Aug. 2, the drama features Jung as Kang Hyo-min, a righteous and confident lawyer unfamiliar with corporate life. It captures Kang’s growth as she encounters Yoon Seok-hoon, a sharp and highly skilled partner attorney played by Lee Jin-wook.
Joo Jong-hyuk
Joo Jong-hyuk, who amplified his acting presence in the Disney+ original series “Trigger,” Japan’s TBS drama “Slow Train,” and the Channel A’s “The Witch,” will return with two new dramas in September: “Tempest” and “The Confidence Man KR” (aka “Confidence Queen”).
Disney+ original series “Tempest” is set for premiere on Sept. 10. The story revolves around Munju, who gained international acclaim as a UN ambassador, as she investigates the forces behind an assassination attempt on a presidential candidate. Alongside her is Sanho, an enigmatic special agent with no official nationality, who should protect her as they face the massive truth threatening the Korean peninsula. In the series, he is expected to create compelling chemistry with veteran actors including Gianna Jun and Gang Dong-won.
The drama “The Confidence Man KR” is a caper comedy following three con artists with extraordinary skills who take revenge on the villains of this era. He plays Myung Gu-ho, a quirky, lovable, clumsy con man. The drama will premiere on TV Chosun and Coupang Play on Sept. 6 and will be available in 240 countries/regions excluding Korea via Prime Video as “Confidence Queen.”
Bae Hyeon-seong
Bae Hyeon-seong, who recently made a cameo appearance in tvN’s “Resident Playbook,” will return in the second half of the year with the tvN drama “Mr. Shin’s Project” (working title.)
It follows Shin, “a master of negotiations,” who helps citizens resolve conflicts in an era of communication breakdown. Bae takes the role of Jo Philip, a rookie judge who sticks to the basics and principles.
