Many K-drama actresses started off with minor roles but became female leads.

In K-drama, several actresses began with a lead part. Not always; some had to start from the bottom. Below are 8 Korean actresses who had big breaks and currently play leading roles:

Han So Hee

Han So Hee made her acting debut 6 years ago and gained popularity after playing the female villain in "The World Of The Married". She landed her first main part in 2021 with "Nevertheless." Since then, all Koreans have heard of the actress.

Han So Hee compares to Song Hye Kyo, Kim Tae Hee, Son Ye Jin, Jun Ji Hyun, and Han Ga In.

Han So Hee's images were out of this world, and she never feared trying new roles. She's played the female lead in "Nevertheless," "My Name," and "Soundtrack #1," but they're all different.

Han So Hee is being likened to Song Hye Kyo, Kim Tae Hee, Son Ye Jin, Jun Ji Hyun, and Han Ga In, among others.

Kim Ji Won

Kim Ji Won never hesitated to test herself, starring in commercial K-dramas like "The Heirs" and "Descendants of the Sun" but also performing well in philosophical series and challenging roles.

Kim Ji Won's abilities were recognized, even if not all her ventures were successful.

Her newest K-drama, "My Liberation Notes", won over audiences and established Kim Ji Won's acting career. 

Lee Sung Kyung

Lee Sung Kyung shined in minor roles throughout her career. Lee Sung Kyung gained to fame with roles in "Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok Joo", "Dr. Romantic 2," "Doctors," and "Cheese in the Trap."

The actress is struggling, though.

Lee Sung Kyung's recent work "Shooting Stars" received mixed reviews and poor ratings.

Shin Hye Sun

Shin Hye Sun, who isn't usually gorgeous in Korea, rose slowly to fame.

She played minor and second-lead parts before landing a lead.

Shin Hye Sun became a household celebrity in Korea with her appearance in "My Golden Life."

Shin Hye Sun's celebrity skyrocketed after "Mr. Queen"

Shin Hye Sun's varied, humorous, and "shameless" acting wowed foreign audiences in "Mr. Queen." 

Moon Ga Young

Moon Ga Young has years of acting expertise and an extremely seductive appearance, yet she struggled in K-drama.

The actress originally played female leads, then second leads in "Tempted" and "Don't Dare To Dream," before bursting with "True Beauty."

After "True Beauty," the actress became famous.

Moon Ga Young is finally receiving her due. Her series "Link" with Yeo Jin Goo is promising.

Seo Ji Hye

Seo Ji Hye, one of the most beautiful Korean actresses born in the 1980s, primarily played second leads and small roles.

Seo Ji Hye eventually gained popularity in 2019 with "Crash Landing On You."

After "Crash Landing On You," the actress gained notoriety.

In 2020, Seo Ji Hye starred in "Dinner Mate" with Song Seung Hun.

She also starred in the new Disney+ drama "Kiss Sixth Sense." Neither series became viral.

Lee Da Hee

Lee Da Hee, a fashion model, gave series like "I Hear Your Voice", "Secret Love", and "Search: WWW" an unequaled aura.

Lee Da Hee finally became the female lead of "LUCA: The Beginning" in 2019, but failed.

She will soon star with Kim Nam Gil and Cha Eun Woo in the Netflix series "Island," which has huge popularity potential. 

Kang Han Na

Kang Han Na has appeared in "Moon Lovers," "Start Up," and "My Roommate Is a Gumiho." Her imagery and acting impressed onlookers.

Kang Han Na finally landed a main role in "Bloody Heart" after years of portraying lesser characters, which might be her breakthrough.

Kang Han Na will hopefully get more prominent roles after this historical K-drama.

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Actress Jo Bo Ah, who recently married her long-time boyfriend, opened up about her thoughts on returning to acting after her wedding and a difficult private life controversy.

On May 13, a press conference for the Netflix series Tangeum was held at the Grand Ballroom of the Ramada Hotel Sindorim in Seoul. The event was attended by the main cast members, including Lee Jae Wook, Jo Bo Ah, Jung Ga Ram, Um Ji Won, Park Byung Eun, and the director Kim Hong Sun.

Tangeum is a historical mystery melodrama based on the novel Tangeum: Swallowing Gold by Jang Da Hye.

The story follows Hong Rang (played by Lee Jae Wook), a man who returns after 12 years with no memory and is revealed to be the long-lost son of a major merchant family in Joseon. His stepsister Jae Yi (played by Jo Bo Ah) is the only one who doubts his true identity, and the drama explores the emotional and mysterious bond between them. The series is directed by Kim Hong Sun, known for his work on Money Heist: Korea – Joint Economic Area, The Guest, and Voice, with Kim Jin A as the writer.

Jo Bo Ah married her longtime boyfriend in October 2023. She was originally set to return to the screen in April 2024 with the Disney+ series Knock Off. However, due to a private life controversy involving her co-star Kim Soo Hyun and his late ex-girlfriend Kim Sae Ron, the release of Knock Off was indefinitely postponed. This situation led to the delay of Jo Bo Ah's comeback, and some even called her the biggest victim of the controversy.

At the press conference for Tangeum, Jo Bo Ah shared her thoughts, saying:

“Tangeum was filmed over a long period of time. After a long time in post-production, we’re finally able to show it to everyone.”

Reflecting on the unexpected changes in her career, she continued:

“Since we worked on this project for a long time, I feel more nervous, more excited, and also more worried. But I hope many people will look forward to it and give it lots of love.”

Fans can look forward to watching Tangeum when it releases on Netflix in over 190 countries on May 16.

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