Lee Byung-hun
Lee Byung-hun has been working in the Korean and American entertainment landscapes since 2009, garnering global fame with his acting stints in both industries. Some of his best Korean projects include Inside Men, I Saw the Devil, and A Bittersweet Life as well as his recent appearance in Squid Game
He forayed into Hollywood with the 2009 film G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra, starring as the villain Storm Shadow. With his debut in such a popular franchise, he has also appeared in several other English-language movies. The still above shows him in 'The Magnificent 7'
Jun Ji-hyun
South Korean actress Jun Ji-hyun, also known as Gianna Jun, is a prominent figure in Asia with a career spanning 24 years. Her stardom and relevance continue to soar, making her the highest-paid South Korean celebrity this year. Jun became a household name after her groundbreaking role in 'My Sassy Girl,' a film that challenged gender norms in Asia
She also starred in films directed by other Asian directors. With her pan-Asia status firmly cemented, Jun forayed into Hollywood with the movie, Blood: The Last Vampire. For her role as a half-human, half-vampire hunter, the actress trained in sword-fighting for three months
Youn Yuh-jung
Renowned South Korean actress Youn Yuh-jung, with a career spanning over fifty years, holds a distinguished place in the industry. She made history by becoming the first South Korean star to win the Best Supporting Actress Oscar for her role in 'Minari'
Her English movie debut as Soon-ja in 'Minari' received widespread critical acclaim. She was also awarded the Golden Crown Order of Cultural Merit from the South Korean government for bring home the country's first ever acting Oscar and for outstanding contribution to the arts and culture
Han Hyo-joo
South Korean actress Han Hyo-joo, known for her versatility across various genres in TV and film, is highly in demand. She won two Best New Actress awards despite making her lead debut in the low-budget independent film, 'Ad-lib Night'
The actress successfully broke out of her 'fluffy' and 'girly' image when she took on a cutting-edge role in 'Treadstone,' an English TV series set in the same universe as the Bourne franchise. Even though the show was not renewed after the first season, producer Ben Smith called her "one of the most special actresses" he's ever worked with
Bae Doona
Bae Doona, who started her journey starring in Bong Joon-ho's (yes, the director of Parasite!) directorial debut 'Barking Dogs Never Bite,' is now one of the most coveted stars of her generation. She solidified her acting prowess with significant roles in Park Chan-wook's 'Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance' and another Bong film, 'The Host', thus collaborating with two of South Korea's most celebrated directors
Her peformance in 'Sense 8' has been widely acclaimed. She has also worked in other movies like Cloud Atlas and Jupiter Ascending
Han Ye-ri
Han Ye-ri’s acting career started off with short films and independent film projects to. She rose to fame in the sports drama, 'As One' where she learned the Hamgyong dialect authentically depict North Korean table tennis player, Yu Sun-bok. Talk about dedication!
From playing roles in supporting projects, Ye-ri eventually starred as Monica in Oscar-winning Minari, for which she earned several Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress nominations and awards
Rain
Renowned artist Rain, born Jung Ji-hoon, is a pivotal figure from the early generation of K-pop and Korean dramas. As a multifaceted talent, he has many feathers in his cap including singer, songwriter, dancer, actor, and record producer. Rain has been an international icon since the early days of the Hallyu Wave
Capitalizing on his popularity in Asia, Rain made his Hollywood debut as Racer Taejo Togokahn in the Wachowskis' 'Speed Racer.' He subsequently clinched his first leading role in a Hollywood film with 'Ninja Assassin'
Lee Joon-gi
Lee Joon-gi continues to captivate South Korea, with his consistent selection as the leading man in numerous projects. His acting prowess was first highlighted in his debut film 'The King and the Clown,' which brought in impressive box office numbers and catapulted him to fame. For his performance, he bagged numerous awards from prestigious institutions such as the Korean Film Awards, Grand Bell Awards, and Baeksang Art Awards. He recently appeared in 'Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo'
Joon-gi a talented action figure, and rarely uses stunt doubles. In 'Resident Evil: The Final Chapter,' Lee Joon-gi made his Hollywood debut, demonstrating his martial arts skills. Despite receiving mixed reviews, the film went on to become the highest-grossing entry in the entire franchise
Ma Dong-seok
Ma Dong-seok, also known as Don Lee is a highly successful South Korean actor recognized globally for his performances in movies such as 'Train To Busan,' 'Derailed,' and 'The Bros'
He ventured into the Hollywood industry with the 2019 Marvel hit Eternals, playing the role of Gilgamesh. The film’s ensemble cast included several top Hollywood celebrities including Angelina Jolie, Salma Hayek as well as Kit Harington
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