Two years ago actors Ahn Sung Ki and Lee Byung Hun became the first Korean actors to press their handprints into a cement block that would be placed in front of Grauman's Chinese Theater in Hollywood. But they are not likely to be the last Korean actors to take part in the 90-year-old Hollywood tradition for rising stars.
Hollywood's interest in Hallyu actors has only grown in the last few years as more Korean actors appear in international and American productions.
Choi Min Sik, who stars in the Korean film "Roaring Currents," starred in the English-language film "Lucy" with Scarlett Johanssen and Morgan Freeman. Rain appeared in the film "The Prince" with Bruce Willis.
Lee Byung Hun had roles in two Hollywood films, "G.I. Joe: Reconciliation" and "Red 2."
Both Rain and Lee Byung Hun are reportedly in talks to star in future Hollywood productions.
Actress Park So Yeon and Ahn Sung Ki recently worked on the film "The Last Knights" with Clive Owen and Morgan Freeman.
Bae Doona has become a favorite actress of "The Matrix" producers Lana and Andy Wachowski. She is working on a third production for them, having appeared in "Cloud Atlas" and "Jupiter Ascending." The as-yet-untitled film begins production this month. Working with both an American and Korean production team, the film will be shot partly in Korea.
Singer and actress BoA appears in the 3D dance film "Make Your Move."
Other actors that received love calls from Hollywood include Ha Ji Won and MBLAQ's Lee Joon.
Ha Ji Won met with Twentieth Century Fox producers this past spring to discuss possible future projects. She already declined one Hollywood film offer to appear in the 51-episode "Empress Ki." But she has signed with the Hollywood-based United Talent Agency, which also represents Gwyneth Paltrow, Daniel Radcliffe and James McAvoy. She is the first Korean star to sign with them and hoped one day to do an action movie like Angelina Jolie.
A few stars have managed to successfully work on both sides of the Pacific Ocean. Yunjin Kim, who appeared in "Lost" and "Mistresses," also has a few k-drama roles on her resume. Now she is busy trying to adapt the k-drama "Nine: Nine Time Travels" for American television.
Daniel Henney acquired a loyal k-drama following after he played a Korean-American doctor in "My Lovely Kim Sam Soon" but he's also landed some impressive roles in the U.S., including "X-Men Origins: Wolverine" and "The Last Stand."
As the international interest in k-dramas and k-movies rises, there will likely be more Hollywood interest in the stars that contribute to their success.
