As K-Drama fans, the more we watch, the more we collect and fall in love with the leading men on our screens. Of course, there are the classic heartthrobs like Lee Min Ho, Lee Jong Suk, and Song Joong Ki. But lately, fresh faces like Jang Dong Yoon and Lee Chae Min have been stealing the spotlight — and our hearts — with their new dramas!
Jang Dong Yoon
Currently starring in one of the most talked-about and interesting ongoing K-Dramas, “Queen Mantis,” Jang Dong Yoon plays the son of a notorious serial killer who murdered five men 20 years ago. Now a detective himself, his character is caught in a chilling and complex relationship with his mother, the killer.
Jang Dong Yoon has been one of our favorite K-Drama leading men for years now. We first watched him in drama specials like the “2017 KBS Drama Special- If We Were A Season,” where he starred together with Chae Soo Bin as two high school seniors who have been next-door neighbors and friends since birth. After that, we get to see him as the second male lead in the popular KBS school series “School 2017,” where he portrayed the seemingly perfect student president who always ranks first place despite coming from a poor family.
Since then, Jang Dong Yoon has stepped up as a full-fledged male lead in a variety of dramas. He starred in “Just Dance“, a youth drama inspired by a true story about six high school girls in Geoje who form a dance sports club as they face life’s challenges. Jang Dong Yoon played a determined yet kind-hearted student who grows close to the female lead, played by Park Se Wan, as they chase their dreams and navigate the uncertainties of youth. He then went on to star in the highly praised historical rom-com “The Tale of Nokdu“, which completely solidified his status as a leading man. In this drama, he played a young man who disguises himself as a woman to infiltrate a mysterious all-women village — a unique and daring role that showcased his range.
Now, we have no doubt that Jang Dong Yoon is one of today’s best actors. He continues to show his versatility by taking on dramas across different genres, proving time and time again that he can portray unique and challenging characters with ease.
Lee Chae Min
Lee Chae Min is another rising leading man we can’t help but notice these days. He’s currently winning hearts as the tyrant king in a historical fusion fantasy K-Drama alongside Im Yoon A, showing off his intense screen presence in a larger-than-life role. Earlier this year, he also played a charming yet relatable college student in “Crushology 101,” where he perfectly captured the ups and downs of first love and friendship. In this coming-of-age romance, Lee Chae Min showed his boy-next-door appeal and tsundere personality as the department representative of the visual design department. The drama focused on modern dating, crushes, and all the awkward yet heart-fluttering moments that come with it!
Aside from his dramas, Lee Chae Min has also proven he’s a versatile entertainer by showcasing his hosting skills as one of the MCs of KBS “Music Bank K-Chart.” Week after week, he charmed us with his bright smile, quick wit, and natural chemistry with his co-hosts, particularly IVE’s Wonyoung. His time on Music Bank helped him connect with a wider audience, allowing K-pop fans to see his playful and approachable side beyond acting.
Now, Lee Chae Min is becoming one of today’s most exciting young actors. His acting range, hosting experience, and undeniable charm are attracting not only K-Drama fans but also K-pop fans, proving that he’s a rising star we’ll be seeing much more of in the years to come.
Song Joong Ki
Currently starring in an ongoing romance K-Drama alongside Chun Woo Hee, Song Joong Ki continues to prove why he’s one of today’s most exciting leading men. For years, he’s been one of our favorite K-Drama actors, steadily growing from small supporting roles into one of the biggest stars in Asia. We first got to know him through heartwarming and emotional projects like “Will It Snow For Christmas?,” where he played the female lead’s younger brother, and “Tree With Deep Roots,” where he portrayed the young counterpart of Han Suk Kyu. Even in these earlier roles, his acting and natural charm stood out and hinted at the star he would become.
He then stepped fully into the spotlight as the male lead in “The Innocent Man, “a dark romantic melodrama where he starred opposite Moon Chae Won. In this series, he played a man betrayed by the woman he loved, leading him to plot revenge but unexpectedly finding love again. The role showed a new, more complex side of Song Joong Ki and proved he could carry a drama with intensity and emotion.
Song Joong Ki became everyone’s favorite with “Descendants of the Sun“, where he portrayed Captain Yoo Si Jin, a brave and charming soldier who falls in love with a skilled doctor played by Song Hye Kyo. This drama became a worldwide sensation and turned Song Joong Ki into a Hallyu star. Since then, he has continued to expand his range, taking on unique and challenging projects that showcase his versatility and depth as an actor.
Aside from these three, we know there are plenty of other K-Drama favorites out there. But for now, did you know you can watch even more of them on KOCOWA+? The streaming platform offers hundreds of titles — not just K-Dramas but also films, reality shows, and music programs — all available with multiple subtitles!
