Actors to watch

First saw him as the son of the main antagonist in Itaewon Class. He stole every scene, and WENT there. Such a damaged, vulnerable, self-hating, unhinged role, but I'm hooked. He's just a blast in everything he is in. Former golden gloves equivalent boxer in South Korea and you can tell. He's got a slightly drooping left eyelid from getting tagged. Doesn't hurt that he's drop dead. And from Busan to boot. Adorable.

Woof. This guy has RANGE. First saw him as the Marquis antagonist in The Rise of Ning and became...a little fixated, not gonna lie. Creepy character, but Sha has so much intensity and charisma you almost want him to win. Can't look away. Then in Condor Heroes as Guo Jin? Yep. This is the guy.

This girl is the real deal. A boxer, take-no-shit-from-anyone, occasionally inappropriate (but always for good reason) in real life, she breathes intensity into everything she touches. I automatically take a look if she's in something.

Good grief. This man is possibly perfect, like Li Yun Rui. Please stop taking your shirt off. I'll never get through an episode that way.

But all truth aside, another actor with total commitment to the emotional truth of a scene, no matter what. A keeper.

Hou Ming Hao is one of those actors with +5 to charisma. If he's onscreen, you can't look away. Part of the reason is that half of his face is his expressive eyes, but the other half is his total commitment to the role, whatever it is. There's a faintly aloof quality to him as well. I know he's intensely protective of his private life, and that comes across in bts vids and interviews. It just makes him more compelling. Doesn't hurt that he's shameless about his body. Ahem.

What else is there to say? Crash Landing was my first Hyun Bin drama and that was the end of it. It's no wonder he's a pinup in practically every Asian country, as was poked fun at in the Japanese drama The Makanai. When the closet of the elderly Makanai mother opens and there's a shrine to Hyun Bin, well. Yeah. We get it, Grandma. Yeah. Doesn't hurt that he's a practically drooling wife-guy/doting father in real life.

The Master. This man grew up as a highly awarded child actor and made a seamless transition into adult roles. Love Like the Galaxy is an absolute classic, and without his intensity and sheer obsessed drive, it wouldn't have been the same show (same goes for Lu Si). Will watch almost anything he's in.

So appealing! Not a fan of her cutesey roles, but still is watchable. She makes it so easy to be on her side in any role, though it would be interesting to see her as an antagonist. A bit of a scene chewer, but that's okay. Who doesn't get noshy from time to time.

First saw him in Galaxy and thought "this guy needs lead roles, stat." And I mean damn. Blossom was the best possible breakthrough into ml stardom. Totally watchable and, no lie, absolutely beautiful to boot. 

This man is among my top three of all time in C-dramas. I follow him in EVERYTHING HE DOES. An authentic human being that came up without the support of an agency. Self-made is rare, and he did it at a much older age. Fantastic person and utterly mesmerizing onscreen. A Journey to Love is what took him over the top for me.

First noticed her in Perfect Match and my goodness! This actress has some of the most natural acting I've seen, almost like she's a charming, witty friend we're watching. Honestly haven't seen her in anything where I haven't been half mesmerized.

Jesus effing Christ. What a scene chewer, but in the best possible way. I was OBSESSED with him in My Dearest and watched as many of his ml dramas as I could find. Absolutely deserved all those best actor awards. Also, is, no lie, utterly effing beautiful.

IU's best friend and absolutely ADORABLE. First saw her as a scene-stealer in Goblin, then started following her dramas. She's got a very South Korean kind of vulnerability powered by strength that is unique and...just...adorable.

I always thought of him as a lovely vase—fun to watch, occasionally compelling, but more like a nice piece of candy.

Yikes. Now he is an ACTOR.  Pursuit of Jade has taken him over the top for me. He's intense, compelling, and his facial expression and body language control is off the charts. Wow. Will watch in almost anything.

Our queen. Most decorated actress of her generation. Haven't watched everything she's done, but I'll watch 80% of it.

I will watch Zhao Lu Si in anything. And I mean anything. I'll watch all her dramas UNPAID.