The year 2021 has been filled with many top notch K-Dramas ranging from different genres-like romance, mystery, thriller, action, comedy and more.
But what made these series mesmerizing and engrossing? It's mostly because of the brilliant actors who lent their talents and skills to the production.
Here are the breakout actors who shone brightly in 2021! Keep on reading to see what they have in store for us!
1. Song Kang
Started off with smaller roles, Song Kang climbed his way to the top and claimed his well-deserved breakthrough role.
He appeared in many popular Netflix series like "Love Alarm," "Sweet Home" and "Nevertheless," which kick started his career. He also earned the nickname "the Son of Netflix" as a rookie actor.
With his promising acting career, he diversified his roles from a high school student, to a suicidal boy trying to survive an apocalypse and even a handsome playboy. Not only did he steal Netflix's trust and attention, he also stole many girls' hearts.
At the moment, Song Kang is gearing up to return to the small screen with JTBC's romance workplace comedy drama "Korean Meteorological Romance" with Park Min Young. With this, his popularity is expected to skyrocket as soon as the drama is released.
2. Wi Ha Joon
Actor Wi Ha Joon broke the internet and made every woman's heart flutter as he portrayed the role of the courageous and tactical police officer in the hit thriller series "Squid Game."
With his charisma and bravado, Wi Ha Joon simply generated a lot of buzz in the year 2021. His return in the worldwide acclaimed Netflix show's second season is highly anticipated, curious about what happened to his character.
Meanwhile, Wi Ha Joon is starring in the mystery comedy series "Bad and Crazy" with Lee Dong Wook. It airs every Friday and Saturday on tvN at 10:40 p.m. KST.
He is also set to appear in the 2022 forthcoming dramas "K Project" with Han So Hee and tvN's drama "Little Women" with Kim Go Eun, Nam Ji Hyun and Park Ji Hoo.
3. Lee Do Hyun
After two hit dramas "18 Again" and "Sweet Home," where he showed off his acting prowess, Lee Do Hyun jumped from being the "Prince of Supporting Roles" to a lead actor.
Lee Do Hyun claimed the year 2021 and decorated it diversely with two fantastic dramas, medical romance series "Youth of May" and coming-of-age melodrama "Melancholia."
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: ChaCenzo, IkSong, SikHye and More: 7 KDrama Ships That Sailed This 2021
In the same year, he brought home the rookie award at the Asia Artist Awards. Now, he is one of the most sought-after names in the industry.
The actor is set to return to the small screen this 2022 with the highly anticipated Netflix series "The Glory" with Song Hye Kyo, which follows the revenge-seeking story of a high school student who dreamed of being an architect, but dropped out of school due to being unceasingly ostracized.
4. Jung Ho Yeon
Without a doubt, Jung Ho Yeon is 2021's brightest star, receiving worldwide acclaim overnight with her blockbuster television debut series "Squid Game."
Prior to acting, Jung Ho Yeon walked the runway for luxurious brands like Chanel, Fendi and Louis Vuitton.
Her portrayal of the badass Squid Game player, No. 67 Kang Sae Byeok, a North Korean defector who dreamed to reunite her family, gained attention for the rookie star's acting skills.
Because of this, she became Instagram's most followed star with approximately 24 million followers, superseding Song Hye Kyo.
Brands like Adidas and Calvin Klein are trying to win her heart. In 2021, the model and actress became Louis Vuitton's Global House Ambassador. She also signed with an American agency, hinting at her possible Hollywood debut.
5. Han So Hee
Another model-turned-actress, Han So Hee started her career as the sly mistress in the hit television series "The World of Married" in 2020. Because of her brilliant performance, her career skyrocketed and landed her major acting roles in upcoming heavyweight series.
In 2021, she delivered a remarkable acting with Netflix's "Nevertheless" and "My Name," showing off her diversity from being the naive and clueless Yoo Na Bi to the enraged avenger Yoon Ji Woo.
READ MORE: 6 Best Actresses Who Shone Brightly This 2021 According to Experts
Because of her beauty and talent, brands like L'Oréal Paris, Lanvin, Gucci, Celine and Charlotte Tilbury lined up for her grace.
2022 will be hotter as Han So Hee partners up with another breakout actor Wi Ha Joon for the upcoming thriller drama "K Project," which is scheduled to be released in the first half of 2022.
6. Jeon Yeo Bin
While she made her acting debut rather late, Jeon Yeo Bin received her much-deserved attention in the 2021 blockbuster series "Vincenzo" with Song Joong Ki, where she portrayed the haughty lawyer, Hong Cha Young.
She didn't realize her immense popularity not until she went out and was recognized as Hong Cha Young, her character in the hit series.
Along with her fame, she also bagged the title of "Face of the 2021 Spring/Summer Collection of Discovery Expedition" and Giorgio Armani Beauty.
The actress is now gearing up to decorate 2022 with another Netflix series "Glitch," which depicts the story of a woman who longs for her missing boyfriend, after UFO watchers witness his abduction.
"Glitch" is written by "Extracurricular" writer Jin Han Sae, and also stars After School Nana, Lee Dong Hwi and Ryu Kyung Soo.
Follow KDramaStars for more KMovie, KDrama, and celebrity updates!
KDramaStars owns this article.
Written by Elijah Mully.
