Meet new faces powering K-dramas' 2026 global surge

As Korean TV dramas continue to captivate audiences around the world, a new generation of actors is stepping into the spotlight.

The first half of 2026 has introduced breakout performers who have led some of the year's biggest series — and are already lining up major projects that could define the next chapter of Korean television.

Here are six rising K-drama stars to watch, and what's next for them.

Rom-com "Sold Out on You," a rural-set series that aired from April to May, delivered one of the ...