Hallyu is very experimental when it comes to pairings to the point that they sometimes don't consider the age of the lead stars. Whether the male lead is much younger than the female star, it seems like the focus is on the duo's chemistry and how they deliver heartfelt and emotional scenes that would entertain the viewers.
Although K-dramas are notorious for their "noona romance," or a love story between a young man who falls in love with a woman older than him, these 5 Korean stars get paired with younger leads for their chemistry.
Kim Rae Ri and Nam Joo Hyuk (Twenty Five, Twenty One)
There's no denying that one of the most hyped K-dramas this first quarter of 2022 is the coming of age series "Twenty Five, Twenty One." It stars Kim Tae Ri as the high school fencing prodigy Na Hee Do, and Nam Joo Hyuk as her friend Baek Yi Jin.
People were stunned to hear that Kim Tae Ri's actual age is actually 31, while his male lead is 28-years-old.
Lee Sung Kyung and Kim Young Dae (Shooting Stars)
Lee Sung Kyung starred in the recently-concluded "Shooting Stars." The 31-year-old actress, who plays PR team leader Oh Han Byul, is paired with 26-year-old Kim Young Dae as he transforms into celebrity heartthrob Gong Tae Sung.
Song Hye Kyo and Jang Ki Young (Now, We Are Breaking Up)
After her 2018 K-drama "Encounter," Song Hye Kyo returned with a major comeback after headlining the hit series "Now We Are Breaking Up." Prior to the K-drama debut, fans were looking forward to her chemistry with the 29-year-old actor.
Interestingly, fans witnessed spectacular chemistry between Jang Ki Yong and the 40-year-old Hallyu star despite their 11-year-difference.
Gong Hyo Jin and Kang Ha Neul (When the Camellia Blooms)
Another K-drama couple with a huge age gap is Gong Hyo Jin and Kang Ha Neul in "When the Camellia Blooms."
The award-winning actress played the single mother Oh Dong Baek, who moved to a small town called Ongsan to live a simple and peaceful life with her son.
Meanwhile, local police officer Hwang Yong Shik, played by Kang ha Neul, fell head over heels with her stunning beauty.
41-year-old Gong Hyo Jin was paired up with the 32-year-old Kang Ha Neul; however, despite a 9-year age gap, they showed the audience unique chemistry, making the viewers fall in love with their characters.
Son Ye Jin and Jung Hae In (Something in the Rain)
The 2018 K-drama gained a positive response after viewers saw the synergy between lead stars Son Ye Jin and Jung Hae In.
"Something in the Rain" depicts the romantic relationship between 35-year-old Yoon Jin A, played by the Hallyu actress and 20-something-year-old Seo Jun Hui, portrayed by Jung Hae In.
At the time of the filming, Son Ye Jin was 36-years-old while the "Snowdrop" star was 30, which totally fit their respective characters.
Park Min Young and Song Kang (Forecasting Love and Weather)
Park Min Young, 36, starred alongside Song Kang, 28, in the hit Netflix romance drama "Forecasting Love and Weather."
Here, the actress stars as Jin Ha Kyung, the general forecaster at the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA). Song Kang, on the other hand, stars as Lee Si Woo who's free-spirited and adept at forecasting weather and who's 8 years Ha Kyung's junior. The two eventually fall in love amid being colleagues with their past loves.
Which K-drama pair is your favorite?
