The Korean Wave: Major K-Drama Stars in Hollywood

The entertainment landscape has been transformed by the Korean Wave or Hallyu around the world, with K-dramas, K-pop, and Korean films tapping into mass traction across the world. With Korean content being adopted as mainstream in different parts of the globe, the leading stars in K-dramas are transitioning remarkably into Hollywood and other Western productions. These actors are not confined to a cameo appearance or to a typecast any longer; rather, K-drama stars in Hollywood are being selected in a complex, leading, and franchise-level project. Korean actors are being seen like never before, in volumes of Marvel and Star Wars, as well as in the award-winning indie films. This transformation is a milestone, as Hollywood has realized that there is talent worldwide and there is an increasing need to come up with different stories based on Korean creativity.

Korean Actors Join Major Hollywood Franchises

A number of Korean actors have made a remarkable step into Hollywood blockbusters and franchise-based releases.

• Don Lee (Ma Dong-seok), who starred in Train to Busan, impressed with a strong performance as an Eternal character Gilgamesh in Marvel (2021). His appearance marked the beginning of the acceptance of Korean actors in heroic main characters.
• Lee Byung-hun, one of the most versatile actors in Korea, has created a strong Hollywood resume, including Storm Shadow in the G.I. Joe films, villainous parts in Red 2 and Terminator Genisys, and a major role in The Magnificent Seven. His presence is huge in Korea as the ominous Front Man in Squid Game.
• As a famous star of such hits as Itaewon Class, Park Seo-joon became a member of the Marvel Cinematic Universe in The Marvels (2023), playing the charismatic Prince Yan.
• Lee Jung-jae, who has achieved global superstardom due to Squid Game, has entered another franchise, Star Wars: The Acolyte, with a leading part.

These big castings portray how the Korean actors have become part of the cinematic worlds that are becoming universally acceptable.

Creative Roles and Growing Talent Award Winner.

It is not only the Korean stars that are sweeping in the West, whose fame is connected to action franchises, but many of them are adding artistic value to Hollywood.

• Youn Yuh-jung became the first Korean actor to win an Academy Award in her role in Minari (2020), which opened opportunities for older Korean actors.
• Bae Doona is one of the first Korean actors to act internationally, who has worked with the Wachowski Brothers in Cloud Atlas (2012) and Sense8, impacting the genre of sci-fi and fantasy.
• Jung Ho-yeon, whose acting in Squid Game enthralled millions of fans, did not take long to appear in the Hollywood productions The Governesses and Disclaimer by Alfonso Cuaron.
• The movie K-pop: Lost in America is the Hollywood debut of Cha Eun-woo, a new star and a member of the group ASTRO.
• The American series Treadstone, which is related to the Bourne universe, brought Han Hyo-joo recognition in the world arena.

These casts indicate that Korean actors are becoming increasingly popular as multi-dimensional actors, and Hollywood is becoming more and more open and worldwide in storytelling.