Saving our planet, lifting people out of poverty, advancing economic growth ... these are one and the same fight.
Ban Ki-moon, Former UN Secretary-General
South Korea has produced many globally recognized figures. Whether it's chart-topping musicians, famous actors, athletes, or leaders, here are just 20 of the most famous Koreans you should know.
| Name | Year Born | Birthplace | Profession | Famous For | More Information |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ryu Hyun-jin | 1987 | Incheon, South Korea | Baseball Player | First South Korean to start an MLB postseason game | MLB All-Star (2019); Played for Dodgers & Blue Jays |
| CL (Lee Chae-rin) | 1991 | Seoul, South Korea | Singer, Rapper | Leader of 2NE1; solo artist | Fusion of hip-hop, pop & fashion; broke into U.S. market |
| Choi Woo-shik | 1990 | Seoul, South Korea | Actor | Parasite, Train to Busan | Known for emotionally deep roles; appeared in Jinny's Kitchen |
| Han So-hee | 1994 | Ulsan, South Korea | Actress | The World of the Married | Versatile screen presence; rising star |
| Lee Jung-jae | 1972 | Seoul, South Korea | Actor | Squid Game | Also starred in New World, The Housemaid |
| Jennie Kim | 1996 | Seoul, South Korea | Singer, Rapper | Member of Blackpink | Solo debut with 'SOLO' in 2018 |
| Jungkook (Jeon Jung-kook) | 1997 | Busan, South Korea | Singer | Youngest member of BTS | Hits like Euphoria; social media icon |
| Kim Soo-hyun | 1988 | Seoul, South Korea | Actor | Dream High, Moon Embracing the Sun | One of Korea's highest-paid TV actors |
| Park Bo-gum | 1993 | Seoul, South Korea | Actor, Host | Reply 1988, Love in the Moonlight | Popular among youth; music show host |
| Youn Yuh-jung | 1947 | Kaesong, Korea (now North Korea) | Actress | Oscar-winning role in Minari | Over 50 years in film and TV |
| Hyun Bin | 1982 | Seoul, South Korea | Actor | Crash Landing on You | Also starred in Secret Garden, Confidential Assignment |
| Song Hye-kyo | 1981 | Daegu, South Korea | Actress | Full House, Descendants of the Sun | Appeared in dramas aired globally |
| Jun Ji-hyun | 1981 | Seoul, South Korea | Actress, Model | My Sassy Girl, My Love from the Star | Also known as Gianna Jun |
| Kim Tae-hyung (V) | 1995 | Daegu, South Korea | Singer, Actor | Member of BTS | Known for deep vocals; appeared in Hwarang |
| Park Seo-joon | 1988 | Seoul, South Korea | Actor | Itaewon Class, What's Wrong with Secretary Kim | Cast in Marvel's The Marvels |
| IU (Lee Ji-eun) | 1993 | Seongnam, South Korea | Singer, Actress | Good Day, Palette | Also known for My Mister, Hotel Del Luna |
| Lee Min-ho | 1987 | Seoul, South Korea | Actor | Boys Over Flowers | Starred in Pachinko; major Hallyu figure |
| Son Heung-min | 1992 | Chuncheon, South Korea | Footballer | Tottenham Hotspur, South Korea captain | Won 2025 UEFA Europa League |
| Gong Yoo | 1979 | Busan, South Korea | Actor | Train to Busan, Goblin | Appeared in Squid Game cameo |
| Ban Ki-moon | 1944 | Eumseong, South Korea | Diplomat | UN Secretary-General (2007–2016) | Promoted Paris Agreement & global diplomacy |
20. Ryu Hyun-jin
Ryu Hyun-jin is a baseball player. He's the first South Korean pitcher to start a Major League Baseball postseason game.
As a player, he's precise and calm, having played for MLB teams such as the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Toronto Blue Jays.
In the 2019 season, he got an MLB All-Star nod and remains a Korean sporting icon.
19. CL (Lee Chae-rin)
CL is the leader of 2NE1. She helped redefine K-pop with her stage presence and bold style.
Her solo tracks, such as Lifted, helped her break into the American music scene. Her music fuses hip-hop, pop, and fashion.
18. Choi Woo-shik
Choi Woo-shik rose to fame with his role in the Oscar-winning movie Parasite. Before that, he was in indie dramas and the cult zombie hit Train to Busan.
Charming with emotional depth, Choi is one of the most respected actors in South Korea and often picks roles that push the boundaries and challenge stereotypes.
He also appeared on the show "Jinny's Kitchen", showing off his love for Korean food.
17. Han So-hee
Han So-hee is a South Korean actress. Her breakout role was in The World of The Married. She's versatile with a magnetic screen presence and one of the most exciting talents in Korean entertainment.
16. Lee Jung-jae
Lee Jung-jae is an experienced South Korean actor, but his global fame came as Seong Gi-hun in Netflix's Squid Game.
His career has spanned decades, and he's known for titles like New World and The Housemaid.
As an actor, his complex and emotionally driven characters have helped him gain both national and international fame.
15. Jennie Kim
Jennie Kim is a South Korean singer, rapper, and member of the girl group Blackpink. In addition to Blackpink, she also showcased her music as a solo artist in 2018 with the aptly titled SOLO.
14. Jungkook (Jeon Jung-kook)
Jungkook is a South Korean singer. He's the youngest member of the K-pop group BTS (though age in Korea is a bit different). He's known for his vocals, dancing, and all-around talent.
His solo hits, such as Euphoria and Still With You, have been streamed millions of times, and he was one of the most-followed Korean celebrities on social media before deleting his accounts, but creating one for his dog.
on Instagram before deleting his account.
13. Kim Soo-hyun
Kim Soo-hyun is a South Korean actor. His most famous roles include Dream High, Moon Embracing the Sun, and My Love from the Star.
He's one of South Korea's highest-paid TV actors and is an ambassador for several brands across Asia.
12. Park Bo-gum
Park Bo-gum is a South Korean actor and music show host. He gained fame from Reply 1988, Love in the Moonlight, and Record of Youth.
He's considered one of the most influential Korean actors of his generation.
11. Youn Yuh-jung
Youn Yuh-jung is a legendary Korean actress. With a career spanning over five decades, she made history when she won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress in Minari in 2021, becoming the first Korean actor to ever win an Oscar.
She chooses fearless and unconventional roles, and she's been respected in Korean cinema and television for years.
10. Hyun Bin
Hyun Bin is another South Korean actor. He rose to fame with the romantic comedy My Lovely Sam Soon. Later roles in dramas like Secret Garden and Crash Landing on You made him a household name.
In addition to drama and romantic roles, Hyun Bin has also played roles in action and thriller dramas, such as Confidential Assignment.
9. Song Hye-kyo
Song Hye-kyo is an actress who rose to prominence in the early 2000s in Autumn in My Heart. Appearances in beloved series like Full House, That Winter, the Wind Blows, and Descendants of the Sun helped make her even more popular.
In fact, Descendants of the Sun aired in over 30 countries, significantly increasing her international popularity.
8. Jun Ji-hyun
Jun Ji-hyun is a South Korean actress who's known internationally as Gianna Jun. She was in the 2001 romantic comedy My Sassy Girl, which was one of the highest-grossing Korean films of all time.
She enjoyed further success with blockbuster dramas like My Love from the Star and Legend of the Blue Sea, bringing elegance and eccentricity.
Rarely appearing in public and being very selective with projects, Jun is also a top-tier model and brand ambassador with enduring star power.
7. Kim Tae-hyung (V)
Kim Tae-hyung is better known by his stage name V. This South Korean singer, songwriter, and actor is one of the most beloved members of the K-pop phenomenon BTS.
His distinct vocal tone was put to good use on BTS's discography, including Stigma and Singularity, as well as in his solo music, such as Scenery and Love Me Again.
He appeared in the historical drama Hwarang and is known for his fashion sense, creative flair, and being the “visual” of BTS.
6. Park Seo-joon
Park Seo-joon is a South Korean actor who first gained fame from romantic comedies like She Was Pretty and What's Wrong with Secretary Kim. Though initially the "Rom-Com King", his career changed directions with intense roles in Taewon Class and Kill Me, Heal Me, roles with more emotional depth and dramatic range.
Outside of Korean dramas, Park Seo-joon has had roles in more international productions like Marvel Studios' The Marvels.
5. IU (Lee Ji-eun)
IU, or Lee Ji-eun, is one of the most famous singer-songwriters and actresses in South Korea. Debuting at just 15, she quickly gained attention for her vocals and lyrics.
UI would transform into a complete artist over the years, writing and composing much of her music. Hits like Good Day, Palette, and Celebrity topped the charts.
Beyond music, she has also starred in dramas such as My Mister and Hotel Del Luna, where she was praised for her nuanced performances.
4. Lee Min-ho
Lee Min-ho is often credited with helping to spread the Korean Wave (Hallyu) and Korean culture globally. He shot to stardom in 2009 in the role of Gu Jun-pyo in Boys Over Flowers. This cultural phenomenon made him a household name across Asia and worldwide.
He was then in major K-dramas like City Hunter, The Heirs, Legend of the Blue Sea, and The King: Eternal Monarch. Tall, refined, and calm, Lee Min-ho is a staple of drama and advertising, particularly for brands like Fendi and Boss. He was in the Apple TV+ series Pachinko, which was based on the bestselling novel. With this, he gained even more international recognition.
3. Son Heung-min
Son Heung-min is South Korea's most celebrated soccer player and one of the most successful Asian athletes in history.
The captain of the South Korean National team and the Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur.
As a global ambassador for the sport of soccer, his country, and his club, he was the most expensive Asian player in 2015 and went on to become one of the league's top scorers, winning the Golden Boot in the 2021-22 season.
Known for his speed, finesse, and work ethic, he's a consummate sportsman both on and off the field. He's earned respect from fans, analysts, and other players.
In May 2025, he became a legend of European soccer as he helped Tottenham Hotspur, a team that had waited over 17 years for a major trophy, win the UEFA Europa League against Manchester United.
Needless to say, Son Heung-min was emotional.
2. Gong Yoo
Gong Yoo, born Gong Ji-cheol in Busan in 1979, is a South Korean actor. He was in the 2007 romantic comedy Coffee Prince, which helped cement his status as a leading man in Korean dramas.
He's also appeared in Korean movies, notably in Silenced (2011) and Train to Busan (2016), gaining international acclaim and recognition for his diverse range of roles.
He also had a cameo in the Netflix series Squid Game, playing an enigmatic recruiter.
1. Ban Ki-moon
Ban Ki-moon is a South Korean diplomat. He's most famous for being the former Secretary-General of the United Nations and one of the most influential South Koreans on the world stage.
He was born in 1944 and worked in the South Korean foreign service, rising through the ranks thanks to his calm diplomacy and commitment to international cooperation.
From 2007 to 2016, he served as the 8th Secretary-General of the United Nations, championing global action on climate change, gender equality, and sustainable development. During his leadership, he helped launch the Paris Agreement and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
After leaving the UN, Ban Ki-moon continued to be active in diplomacy, education, and environmental causes. A symbol of integrity, diplomacy, and responsibility, Ban Ki-moon represented South Korea through leadership and service.
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