Renowned South Korean actor Lee Min-ho once again secured first place as the 'Most Loved Korean Actor in the World' as per the '2024 Overseas Hallyu Survey.’ The survey list, featuring the top 5 Korean stars, was released by Korea’s Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism on Thursday, August 29.
Lee Min-ho has been recognized as the most favored celebrity on multiple occasions over the years. In 2024, the Pachinko actor has maintained his position as the number-one Korean actor for the 11th consecutive year.
Hyun Bin, Song Hye-kyo, Gong Yoo, and Lee Jong-suk, who are ranked right after Lee Min-ho, are all beloved Korean stars worldwide, according to the latest survey.
Lee Min-ho ranks #1 on the '2024 Overseas Hallyu Survey,' followed by Hyun Bin at #2
The '2024 Overseas Hallyu Survey,' published by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, examined the Hallyu stars who achieved the highest rank of success in the year, with the backing of global admirers. Here’s the rundown of the top 5 stars on the list:
- Lee Min-ho
- Hyun Bin
- Song Hye-kyo
- Gong Yoo
- Lee Jong-suk
Lee Jong-suk is the 5th most popular Korean actor who is greatly adored worldwide. In 2010, he embarked on his career as an actor and quickly established himself in both, dramas and movies, solidifying his status as a prominent figure in the acting industry.
In 2013, Lee Jong-suk was officially recognized as a prominent figure in the Hallyu star category. The drama I can hear your voice gained immense popularity, not only in Korea but in China as well. Lee Jong-suk’s commendable performances in dramas like Two Worlds, Romance is a Bonus Book, Big Mouth, Pinocchio, and more, have further added to his global fame.
The fourth widely adored Korean actor is Gong Yoo, who has been involved in both, television dramas and films, since 2001. He gained immense popularity and established himself as a leading actor with the drama Coffee Prince in 2007, which garnered widespread acclaim. Furthermore, this piece of work was broadcast across many regions of Japan, making a significant impact.
With this, Gong Yoo swiftly rose to prominence as a Hallyu star. Subsequently, in 2016, another significant endeavor titled Goblin sparked a frenzy among audiences internationally.
Song Hye-kyo achieved the third position in 2024, as a Korean actress adored globally. The actress has consistently held the highest ratings and captivated fans in her home country and beyond. She began to gain international fame in the 2000s, with her stunning performances in dramas like Autumn in My Heart, Full House, and All In.
In 2016, Song Hye-kyo further solidified her position with the worldwide hit drama Descendants of the Sun. Six years later, she showcased an unusual acting transformation in her revenge thriller series The Glory.
Hyun Bin has become the second most renowned Korean actor across the globe, as per the survey list. Hyun Bin achieved stardom with the drama My Name is Kim Sam-soon, which garnered over 50% of the top ratings back in 2005.
Subsequently, he encountered the magnum opus Secret Garden in 2010, which captivated the entire world with his astounding performance. Hyun Bin, renowned for his portrayal of a wealthy heir in the drama Secret Garden, received the prestigious TV category grand award at the Baeksang Arts Awards that year.
After the completion of his mandatory military service, Hyun-bin held fan gatherings across Asia to solidify his position as a rising star in the Hallyu wave. He encountered a fateful partner and gained further global recognition through the 2019 drama Crash Landing on You.
Finally, Lee Min-ho, the most renowned Hallyu star, has consistently held the top position for a remarkable consecutive 11 years. Lee Min-ho has achieved the highly anticipated top position in global popularity once again this year. He started his career as a child actor and achieved celebrity status after being chosen as the protagonist in the drama Boys Over Flowers.
He swiftly became a youth icon and garnered immense adoration from fans across Asia. Lee Min-ho, who had previously played the protagonist in domestic dramas, was then selected for Inheritors by screenwriter Kim Eun-sook, a renowned figure in the industry. The drama became a resounding success, earning over $1 million in the United States, surpassing its popularity in Asia.
Similarly, Lee Min-ho's subsequent drama Legend of the Blue Sea, with co-star Jeon Ji-hyun, garnered high ratings of over 20%. Following the completion of his mandatory military service, Min-ho was selected to be part of the OTT series Pachinko, an internationally acclaimed production featuring actors from Korea, the United States, and Japan.
Fans of Lee Min-ho can now stream the second season of Pachinko exclusively on Apple TV+.