There's a reason that these actors/actresses are always snagging the big roles; they bring life to their characters with a certain style and flair. But as they grow older and move on to take on more mature roles, we have to ask, who will be the second generation acting royalty? Who are the up-and-coming actors/actresses that we can expect to reign in the future? Here are some of allkpop's choices for 7 K-Drama queens and their successors. Take a look!
The Quirky Princess
When it comes to acting naive, confused, yet cute like a Disney fairytale princess, Yoon Eun Hye ('Goong', 'Coffee Prince') is the best. Who could forget those princess hours days when she first fumbled into the K-Drama world, cutely declaring, "Oh-my-God-Jesus-Christ-superstar!" Yoon Eun Hye has a knack for pulling off clumsy, funny characters while maintaining a perma-horrified face for our lulzy satisfaction.
For her successor, we choose Han Groo ('Can We Get Married?', 'Marriage, Not Dating'). With her big, round eyes and slightly nasally voice, she definitely gives off Yoon Eun Hye vibes. But more importantly, she has what it takes to act as spastic as possible, making her the perfect candidate to be the next cute yet wildly funny princess of the K-Drama world.
The Doe-Eyed Diva
Son Ye Jin ('Summer Scent', 'Shark') and Han Ga In ('Yellow Handkerchief', 'The Moon that Embraces the Sun')--two doe-eyed ladies known for their innocent charm. Setting the standards of Korean conventional beauty, they have a pure, sweet, good-girl image that makes guys head over heels for them. They prove themselves to be versatile actors, however, who can sometimes turn the switch and play the good-girls-gone-bad.
The up-and-coming Kim So Hyun has a similar wide-eyed look, but is also known to play sassy diva roles. Like her predecessors, she can be just as versatile despite her young age. Don't let those innocent eyes fool you because there's an energy in them that can go from sweet to sinister in a second.
The One Who Can't Be Tamed
When I see Go Hyun Jung ('Sandglass', 'Daemul'), I remember the mishil in all her cackling glory. With her elegant beauty and chilling performance, Go Hyun Jung kept the K-Drama world hooked to her drama 'Queen Seondeok'. The lady is beautiful, talented, and can play an evil that crushes souls. She is a fire that refuses to be subdued, acting in hit after hit, and burning full force on the screen.
UEE ('You're Beautiful', 'Golden Rainbow') played Go Hyun Jung's younger version in 'Queen Seondeok', and for good reason. Not only does she have the same feisty look as her predecessor but she also impresses TV audiences for her energy and willingness to go all in. Whether it's being a cold-hearted witch, a silly drunkard, or an outspoken protagonist with a fire for justice, UEE's on-screen performances are often remembered because they're well done and full of passion.
And bam!
The Wild Fox
Kim Hye Soo ('Did We Really Love?', 'Queen of the Office') or 'Miss Kim' is a fierce woman who has hot talent as well as a hot, curvaceous body. In an entertainment industry that seems to only appreciate one body type (skinny), Kim Hye Soo offers something new to the table as a broad-shouldered, well-endowed, attractive woman with a sense of confidence that oozes all kinds of sexy, making all the boys go:
Go Eun Ah ('Golden Apple', 'Bad Guy'), MBLAQ Mir's affectionate older sister, has definitely caught our eye for her own sense of confidence evidenced by her awesome red carpet looks. Girl has the body and she knows how to work it, making her a candidate to be the next sexy femme fatale of the K-Pop scene as she channels her inner Kim Hye Soo.
The Black Sheep
Bae Doo Na ('The Host,' 'Look Back in Anger', 'God of Study') is known for her "exotic" looks as well as her unconventional roles. Among great talents, Bae Doo Na certainly sticks out, to the point that Hollywood directors The Wachowskis and Tom Tykwer called on her to act in their critically-acclaimed movie 'Cloud Atlas' as a clone and its Caucasian counterpart. She's the black sheep of Korea in that she doesn't fit the mold of cutesy roles and girl-next-door looks, but shines in her own way.
Kim Sae Ron ('Can You Hear My Heart?', 'The Queen's Classroom,' 'The Man From Nowhere') has a similar aura to her in that she looks just as unique, mysterious, and exotic. Already awarded for her talent as an up-and-coming actress, she is well on her way to snagging bigger roles, and has the perfect look and skill to play complex characters never seen before. Like Bae Doo Na, she really made a splash on the big screen.
The Classic Beauty
Kim Hee Sun ('Goodbye My Love', 'Wonderful Days') is known for her elegant, classy beauty all across Asia. With her almost elfish looks, she is especially lovely against a historical slash fantasy backdrop, as she's internationally famous for her role in martial arts movie 'Bichunmoo' and was even cast opposite Jackie Chan for Chinese movie 'The Myth'.
Moon Chae Won ('Painter of the Wind', 'Good Doctor') has a similar, regal look fit for traditional, historical roles. She rocked that big hair as a gisaeng in 'Painter of the Wind', a hanbok princess in 'The Princess' Man', and a badass with a bow and arrow in her film 'War of Arrows'. Still a young 'un in her 20s, there's nothing stopping Moon Chae Won from succeeding Queen Kim Hee Sun as the next classic beauty of our K-Drama era.
The Damsel in Distress
When it comes to a melodrama, there's no one who can look so beautifully sad quite like Song Hye Kyo ('Autumn Tale', 'Wind Blows in Winter'). Master of the frozen, pained look, Song Hye Gyo is known to act in tragic K-Drama masterpieces that make Korean audiences weep into puddles of feels.
Baek Jin Hee ('High Kick 3', 'Triangle') may not look like Song Hye Kyo, but like her predecessor, she also has what it takes to act out forlorn roles that breaks hearts. She especially gives off Song Hye Kyo vibes in her drama 'Triangle' in which she acts out a casino dealer, much like Song Hye Kyo did in her drama 'All In' (which was made by the same people). Although the young actress stated that she was nowhere near Song Hye Kyo's level, she definitely has what it takes to get there someday.
Additionally, the two can play some funny characters if they really wanted to as Song Hye Kyo and Baek Jin Hee grabbed attention with early productions in their careers such as 'Full House' and 'High Kick 3' respectively.
What do you guys think of our picks? Are there other young actresses that remind you of the veterans? Let us know in the comments below, and make sure to keep an eye out for our upcoming '7 K-Drama Kings and their Successors'!
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