The next Lee Min-ho? From Start-Up’s Kim Seon-ho and Nam Joo-hyuk, to Do You Like Brahms?’ Kim Min-jae – these Korean actors get better with every K-drama they’re in

Nov 28 , 2020

Lee Do-hyun famously takes his roles very seriously – luckily it’s starting to pay off. Photos: Zapzee

More than Bae Suzy’s love interest in Start-Up, Nam Joo-hyuk leads the pack of actors that go from strength to strength with each new project: here are 5 of K-drama’s rising stars we can’t wait to see more of

Some actors just have it – the ability to grow in front of our very eyes. It’s not just the entrepreneurial characters in Start-Up raising their game with each episode, but the stars who play them, too. So starting with Nam Joo-hyuk and Kim Seon-ho, we take a look at five actors whose great performances in past dramas won them a spot in our hearts, and how their newest projects only serve to demonstrate their skills further, naturally turning us into even bigger fans.

Let’s hear it for the boys!

Nam Joo-hyuk – Start-Up and Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-joo

From hurting surfer to ambitious coder, Nam Joo-hyuk is always youthful and electric. Photo: Zapzee

Nam Joo-hyuk plays Nam Do-san in Start-Up, and has been treating viewers to more than a few heart-fluttering moments. He may seem naive, but Joo-hyuk effortlessly portrays the passion that burns beneath Do-san’s surface as he shows his bravery in love and as he works towards his goals with his killer coding skills.

Fans will remember his similarly sparkling youthfulness in Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-joo. Playing the part of Jung Joon-hyung, a swimmer suffering the pain of family trauma, Nam faithfully depicted a character able to overcome painful wounds and move forward in his life. It was a role that garnered him a lot of sympathy and kudos among viewers. His believable romance with Lee Sung-kyung in Weightlifting Fairy was also extremely well received.

Kim Seon-ho – Start-Up and 100 Days My Prince

The former theatre actor with the killer dimples, Kim Seon-ho. Photo: Zapzee

Kim Seon-ho, also known as the “Daehakro Idol” for his background in Seoul’s theatre district, seems to have “second lead syndrome,” but it can’t be long before he plays a main role. He is currently appearing in Start-Up as Han Ji-pyeong, the sharp-tongued head of the venture capital team in the drama, and manages to portray a person who’s both a cool-headed businessman and a warm-hearted romantic still connected to his roots.

Online, he’s being dubbed the “best second lead of all time” by fans, since in 100 Days My Prince, Kim used his dimples and charm to full effect as the main supporting cast member, too. He played the role of Jung Jae-yoon, a character with equal amounts of smarts and sex appeal. His on-screen bromance with crown prince Lee Yul and love for Hong Sim also went down well with fans of the show.