Maybe it’s the fabled Korean skincare or we can chalk it up to genetics, but there must be something in the water that made some Hallyu actors ageless! If you’ve binged quite a number of dramas, then you’d know that there are some who looked like they bathed in the Fountain of Youth. Need proof? Here are 10 actors who looked like they remained untouched by time!
Ji Chang Wook (34)
Having started in musical theater, Ji Chang Wook has come a long way since his on-screen debut in 2006. His first series was a 159-episode daily drama called Smile Again in which he played the role of a Korean-American short-track speed skater. His performance was not so bad for a first-timer after bagging the Best Actor in a Daily Drama award at the KBS Drama awards of 2010. Time and again he has proven that he is a formidable performer. But aside from his undeniable talent for acting, the 34-year-old actor is also one of Hallyu’s most recognizable actors. With looks that kill, he still sends fans swooning over his chiseled looks that sway from the usual Korean male standards of beauty. Some of his latest work includes the 2022 web series The Sound of Magic and the webtoon adaptation of Backstreet Rookie.
Lee Dong Wook (40)
Even in his forties, Lee Dong Wook remains to be one of the hottest male leads today. His unique and well-pronounced features make him fatally attractive, which he pairs with that brooding and mysterious demeanor. He was everyone’s favorite grim reaper in Guardian: The Lonely and Great God, and this role is also one of the reasons why so many people fell in love with this drama so much. Who could forget his hilarious bromance with Gong Yoo and his star-crossed romance with Yoo In Na’s Sunny? Since his debut in 2009, the actor has starred in quite a number of series and bagged several acting awards. Beyond that, he is also widely recognized as one of the most handsome K-drama actors today, that in 2021, he won the I-Magazine Fashion Face Award for Asian Male. Some of Lee Dong Wook’s recent dramas include Hell Is Other People, Tale of the Nine-Tailed, and Bad & Crazy.
Lee Joon Gi (40)
Lee Joon Gi started out as a commercial model in 2001 before he landed his first leading role in the critically acclaimed film, The King and the Clown in 2005. He was dubbed the original “flower boy” due to his portrayal of an effeminate clown, which soon became a trend for male stars in the mid-2000s. But he rose to international fame due to his role in the 2016 drama, Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo where he played the troubled prince alongside K-Pop superstar, IU. But as a testament to his versatility, his chilling performance in Flower of Evil also left viewers at the edge of their seats.
Jo In Sung (40)
Another award-winning K-drama actor to hit forty but doesn’t seem to age is Jo In Sung. He is best known for his lead roles in dramas such as Spring Day, That Winter the Wind Blows, and It’s Okay That’s Love. He has been one of the most coveted actors in Korea and has been a household name since his breakthrough drama, Memories of Bali. But international fans first came across this baby-faced actor for his role in The Classic, where he starred alongside Son Ye Jin. It has been years since his last TV drama and fans are eagerly waiting for his return. But outside his small-screen projects, he remains busy lately promoting his movies.
Kim Woo Bin (32)
Best known for his roles in shows like A Gentleman’s Dignity, School 2013, and The Heirs, Kim Woo Bin rose to stardom in the early 2000s. He is easily recognizable for his facial expressions and quirky eyebrows. A nasopharyngeal cancer diagnosis in 2017 pushed him to take a hiatus from his career to focus on his treatment. He announced his recovery in 2019, and he recently starred in series such as Our Blues and Black Knight. For his comeback, it is evident that the 32-year-old still has his boyish charm.
Lee Seung Gi (35)
We all know Lee Seung Gi from My Girlfriend is a Gumiho, but the very first series he headlined was 2009’s Brilliant Legacy. He played the antagonist which was a totally different role from the young and immature Dae Woong. From that the talented actor went on to star in other popular K-dramas such as Gu Family Book, You’re All Surrounded, A Korean Odyssey, and Vagabond. However, besides acting, Seung Gi is also a singer and host, which are talents that earned him the title “Triple Threat” entertainer. That is why even as he nears his forties he continues to be a bankable star both on the small and big screen!
Hyun Bin (39)
Captain Ri is one of the most iconic K-drama characters that spurned a large following worldwide. The 2019 tvN drama Crash Landing On You hoisted the 39-year-old actor to superstar status. But it took years for him to get there since his first TV debut in 2003 in the series titled, Bodyguard. However, even then he was already catching everyone’s attention. Then in 2005, his role in My Lovely Sam Soon made Hyun Bin a household name. While he was experimental in the roles he chose, the fantasy romantic drama, Secret Garden brought him another round of success domestically and internationally. On top of his list of TV dramas, Hyun Bin also has a number of popular movies under his belt. Overall, his charisma and strong visuals make Hyun Bin age like fine wine, and that’s why fans are still holding their breath for his upcoming projects!
Song Joong Ki (36)
Song Joong Ki rose to international fame in 2016 due to the phenomenal success of his KBS2 drama, Descendants of the Sun. However, the handsome actor was already famous in South Korea as a result of his role in Sungkyunkwan Scandal in 2010. He recently starred as a merciless Italian consigliere in Vincenzo which showed fans that the 36-year-old actor still retains his fresh-faced charm. He even co-wrote a book with beauty editor Hwang Min Young titled, Beautiful Skin Project For Men and he has the notoriety to do so because he has always been known to have such flawless skin. Fans are dying to know his skincare secrets which is also the reason the book shot to number one on the bestsellers list at that time.
Lee Min Ho (34)
The success of 2009’s Boys Over Flowers made Lee Min Ho a household name and it was nowhere but up for the 34-year-old actor. This newfound fame brought endorsement deals and created a new Korean wave across Asia, which made Lee Min Ho a Hallyu superstar. His role in City Hunter contributed to his growing popularity in countries like Japan, China, the Philippines, and France. Even after his mandatory military service, fans were eagerly waiting for his TV comeback, and when he did he served looks that only got better in time! At his age, Lee Min Ho remains to be one of the most dashing male leads of his generation.
Gong Yoo (42)
Gong Yoo charmed his way into the hearts of viewers as the rich cafe owner who fell in love with his employee in the Coffee Prince. However, Gong Yoo nailed his dreamiest role yet in Goblin, for which he bagged the Best Actor award at the prestigious Baeksang Arts Awards (South Korea’s Golden Globes). However, beyond the small screen, he also forayed into different movie projects where one is the popular 2016 zombie thriller, Train to Busan. It’s undeniable that Gong Yoo has the ability to make a global sensation with just a mere cameo in the 2021 hit, Squid Game. Even then, he still looked cool and dapper!
Do you agree with our list? Who else do you think we missed? We would like to hear your thoughts in the comments!
