Rising Gen Z Actors Bring Fresh Energy to K-Dramas with Compelling Performances

Young male actors from Generation Z, born in the late 1990s, are injecting fresh energy into the world of K-dramas. Their dynamic chemistry with older actresses not only enhances the immersion of the dramas but also fuels the fantasy of younger men in real life.

Choo Young-woo, starring as the male lead in 'The Tale of Mrs. Ok', is achieving remarkable success. The drama, which premiered last November, features Im Ji-yeon, who gained recognition for her acting prowess in 'The Glory'. While Im Ji-yeon's stable performance was expected, Choo Young-woo has unexpectedly captured the audience's attention.

Born in 1999, Choo Young-woo is nine years younger than Im Ji-yeon and is a graduate of the Korea National University of Arts. He made his debut in the 2021 BL drama 'You Make Me Dance' and has been actively working on various projects since. This year alone, he is set to appear in more than three productions, including 'Trauma Center', 'Square', and 'Gyeonwoo and Seonnyeo'.

In 'The Tale of Mrs. Ok', Choo Young-woo takes on the challenging role of playing dual characters, delicately expressing complex emotions, including themes of homosexuality. His calm tone, deep gaze, and striking visuals have met the expectations of both viewers and directors, firmly establishing his name in the industry.

Ryeoun, born in 1998 and a year older than Choo Young-woo, is gaining attention through 'Namib', which premiered on the 23rd of last month. Since his debut in the 2017 drama 'Temperature of Love', he has honed his acting skills through various web dramas.

Ryeoun's recognition soared with the 2020 drama '18 Again', solidifying his presence across TV and OTT platforms. His portrayal of a musically talented character in last year's 'Shining Watermelon' earned him critical acclaim, leading to his casting in 'Namib'.

In 'Namib', Ryeoun reunites with Yoon Sang-hyun after four years since '18 Again'. Yoon Sang-hyun praised Ryeoun's maturity, noting his impressive growth. His on-screen chemistry with Go Hyun-jung has been a major talking point, as he convincingly portrays a tense relationship despite their age and experience gap, further deepening his acting skills.

Bae In-hyuk, also born in 1998, is actively making his mark. In 'Check-in Hanyang', which premiered on the 21st of last month, he portrays a romantic storyline with Kim Ji-eun, who is five years his senior, adding vibrancy to the drama.

Bae In-hyuk debuted in the 2019 web movie 'Love Buzz' and has grown through roles in 'My Roommate is a Gumiho', 'Why Oh Soo-jae?', and 'Cheer Up'. His popularity surged with 'The Contract Marriage of Mrs. Park' last year, solidifying his status as an actor. 'Check-in Hanyang', airing on Channel A, is expanding his fan base beyond the younger audience to include middle-aged viewers.

Bae In-hyuk received the New Actor Award at the 'SBS Drama Awards' in 2022 for 'Why Oh Soo-jae?' and 'Cheer Up', and last year he won the Excellence Award at the 'MBC Drama Awards'. In 'Check-in Hanyang', he is praised for his warm visuals and stable acting, naturally portraying chemistry with Kim Ji-eun.

K-dramas have often faced criticism for a lack of fresh male actors, leading to older, well-known actors playing high school characters, creating a sense of disconnect. However, the emergence of young male actors with fresh visuals and excellent acting skills is revitalizing the drama scene. Their continuous growth is highly anticipated.

Lee So-jung, TenAsia Reporter forusojung@tenasia.co.kr