The list of the 10 most popular Korean actresses in the first half of 2025 is compiled based on their prominence on screen and in the entertainment industry.
1. Chae Soo-bin
With over 153,000 votes on KingChoice, Chae Soo-bin remains at the top of the beauty rankings. Beyond her visuals, she earned praise for her performance in When the Phone Rings. Although the drama’s ratings hovered around 5–6% (Nielsen), her character generated lively discussions on Naver forums. Compared to 2024, her vote count remains steady, and many Naver users note that she is “one of the least controversial” actresses.
2. Park Bo-young
Rising from 5th place in 2024 to 2nd with 82,000 votes, Park Bo-young became the center of attention thanks to Melo Movie and Our Unwritten Seoul. Notably, Our Unwritten Seoul premiered with a 6.1% rating and was praised by Korean media as one of the most stable openings of Q1 2025. Viewers believe her strong script choices and youthful image keep her popularity high.
3. Go Yoon-jung
After ranking third in 2024 on the strength of Alchemy of Souls, Go Yoon-jung holds her position despite a nearly 20% drop in votes. Resident Playbook—a spin-off of the Hospital Playlist series—recorded an average rating of 8%, outperforming many contemporaneous releases and keeping her frequently discussed on Korean forums.
4. Song Hye-kyo
Even without a new project in early 2025, Song Hye-kyo stays near the top thanks to the enduring impact of The Glory, which earned her the Daesang (Grand Prize) for Best Actress at the 2023 Baeksang Arts Awards. Her name consistently ranks in Naver’s top 10 most-searched actresses, reflecting sustained public interest.
5. Lee Se-young
Lee Se-young continues to earn acclaim for her strong acting skills. Her elegance in historical dramas is particularly praised. The Story of Park’s Marriage Contract, which premiered at the end of 2024, has maintained solid ratings of 7–8% into 2025, helping her remain firmly in the top tier.
6. IU (Lee Ji Eun)
IU tops K-DramaStars’ list of “Top Korean Actresses Who Dominated the K-Drama Scene.” In When Life Gives You Tangerines, she plays both a mother and a daughter—an uncommon dual role in K-dramas. While the series averaged a modest 5% rating, critics hailed IU’s performance as “the most groundbreaking of her career.”
7. Kim Ji-won
Kim Ji-won has entered a career peak with Queen of Tears, which achieved a stunning 20.7% peak rating (Nielsen) and became one of 2025’s television phenomena. This propelled her from 9th place in 2024 to 7th, marking a clear breakthrough.
8. Park Eun-bin
Following global success with Extraordinary Attorney Woo (2022), Park Eun-bin returned to the small screen in Hyper Knife (2025) as Seo Hye-jin, a young, sharp, and determined attorney.
The role required both analytical prowess and emotional depth under intense pressure. Despite average ratings of 4–5%, the project reinforced her image as “the nation’s leading lady” and kept her active in Naver and Daum discussions.
9. Kim Da-mi
After a three-year hiatus, Kim Da-mi impressed audiences as Yoon Yi-na in the crime thriller Nine Puzzles. Averaging a 6.3% rating, the drama drew considerable attention, with many viewers noting her growth in acting since Itaewon Class (2020).
10. Hyeri (Lee Hye-ri)
Hyeri’s inclusion is a surprise. Long criticized for limited range, she showed clear improvement in Friendly Rivalry. Although the show averaged only 3–4% in ratings, her refreshed performance earned positive feedback on Daum Cafe and TheQoo, signaling a pivotal moment in her career.
📊 2024–2025 Comparison
- Major Climbers: Park Bo-young, Kim Ji-won, Hyeri
- Consistent Leaders: Chae Soo-bin, Song Hye-kyo
- Notable Comeback: Kim Da-mi
- Facing Competition: Go Yoon-jung, with a drop in votes
