Lee Min-ho in 'The King Eternal Monarch'
Cover Lee Min-ho in 'The King Eternal Monarch'

K dramas will never be complete without the charm of these versatile leading men.

You only need to give them one look and you're hooked forever! Throughout the years, these top-tier actors have largely contributed to the growth and boom of the Hallyu wave across the world. Their versatility in acting, charm and on-screen personas have captivated the hearts of many over and over again.

In this article, Tatler lists down some of the most popular male leads you've surely encountered during your foray into K Drama land. Read on to find out if your favourite 'oppa' makes it to our list: 

See also: 10 K Stars Who've Already Enlisted For Military Service: Gong Yoo, Lee Min-ho, Song Joong-ki, And More

1. Lee Min-ho

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BEIJING, CHINA - OCTOBER 03:  (CHINA OUT) Lee Min-Ho attends his 2014 Global Tour Beijing press conference on October 3, 2014 in Beijing, China.  (Photo by Visual China Group via Getty Images/Visual China Group via Getty Images)
Above BEIJING, CHINA - OCTOBER 03: (CHINA OUT) Lee Min-Ho attends his 2014 Global Tour Beijing press conference on October 3, 2014 in Beijing, China. (Photo by Visual China Group via Getty Images/Visual China Group via Getty Images)

Lee Min-ho's role as Gu Jun-pyo in the popular F4 remake, Boys Over Flowers, has defined a whole generation of Korean leading men. The show's high viewership ratings across South Korea landed him several modelling and acting stints that made his career flourish until the present time. As of this post, he is among Korea's highest-paid actors and endorsers.

Where you've probably seen him: The Heirs, The King: Eternal Monarch, City Hunter, Legend Of The Blue Sea, and Personal Taste.

See also: 7 Lee Min-ho Movies and Shows You Need To Watch This 2021: The Heirs, TKEM, And More

2. Song Joong-ki

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HONG KONG, HONG KONG - DECEMBER 01:  Actor Song Joong-ki attends 2017 Mnet Asian Music Awards at Asia World-Expo on December 1, 2017 in Hong Kong, Hong Kong.  (Photo by Visual China Group via Getty Images/Visual China Group via Getty Images)
Above HONG KONG, HONG KONG - DECEMBER 01: Actor Song Joong-ki attends 2017 Mnet Asian Music Awards at Asia World-Expo on December 1, 2017 in Hong Kong, Hong Kong. (Photo by Visual China Group via Getty Images/Visual China Group via Getty Images)

Song Joong-ki rose to fame in the historical coming-of-age drama Sungkyunkwan Scandal (2010) and Korea's longest-running variety show Running Man (2010–2011) as one of its original cast members. Song was awarded two prestigious Gallup Korea's Television Actor of the Year awards in 2012 and 2017.

As one of Korea's highest-paid leading men, Song has entered Forbes Korea's Power Celebrity list thrice. He placed seventh on the list in 2013, 2017, and 2018.

Where you've probably seen him: Vincenzo, Descendants Of The Sun, The Innocent Man, and My Fair Lady.

See also: 9 Of The Highest Paid K-Drama Actors This 2021: Kim Soo-hyun, Jun Ji-hyun, And More

3. Hyun bin

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SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA - SEPTEMBER 09: South Korean actor Hyun Bin attends the photocall for OMEGA Speedmaster Apollo 11 - 50th Anniversary Moon Landing on September 09, 2019 in Seoul, South Korea. (Photo by Han Myung-Gu/WireImage)
Above SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA - SEPTEMBER 09: South Korean actor Hyun Bin attends the photocall for OMEGA Speedmaster Apollo 11 - 50th Anniversary Moon Landing on September 09, 2019 in Seoul, South Korea. (Photo by Han Myung-Gu/WireImage)

A lot of Hyun bin's fans have probably fallen head over heels for him through his role as Captain Ri in the popular K series Crash Landing On You, but his long-time supporters know that one of his biggest breaks happened in 2005 when he starred in the rom-com drama My Name is Kim Sam-soon.

Since then, the actor's popularity has widened and he continued to appear in box office movies like the action thriller Confidential Assignment (2017), The Swindlers (2017), and The Negotiation.

Where else have you seen him? Secret Garden, Worlds Within, The Snow Queen, Memories Of The Alhambra, Hyde Jekyll, Me

See also: Hyun Bin Designs Special Pieces For Jewellery Brand Chow Tai Fook

4. Kim Soo-hyun

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LOS ANGELES, CA - AUGUST 02:  South Korean actor Kim Soo Hyun attends KCON 2015 at the Los Angeles Convention Center on August 2, 2015 in Los Angeles, California. KCON is an annual K-Pop convention held in the United States and Japan that celebrates the expansion of Korean pop culture known as "Hallyu" or "Korean Wave".  (Photo by Matthew Simmons/Getty Images)
Above LOS ANGELES, CA - AUGUST 02: South Korean actor Kim Soo Hyun attends KCON 2015 at the Los Angeles Convention Center on August 2, 2015 in Los Angeles, California. KCON is an annual K-Pop convention held in the United States and Japan that celebrates the expansion of Korean pop culture known as "Hallyu" or "Korean Wave". (Photo by Matthew Simmons/Getty Images)

Kim Soo-hyun is one of the highest-paid and most-awarded actors in Korea. Throughout his career, he's won four Baeksang Arts Awards, two Grand Bell Awards, and one Blue Dragon Film Award. His name has also appeared on the Forbes Korea Power Celebrity list from 2012 to 2016. He's quite well-known for his 'understated' acting style and diversity in the roles he pursues.

In 2016, Kim was also included in Forbes' 30 Under 30 list.

Where you've probably seen him: It's Okay To Not Be Okay, My Love From The Stars, The Moon Embracing The Sun, and Dream High.

See also: 9 Kim Soo-hyun Shows To Watch This 2021: It's Okay To Not Be Okay, My Love From The Star, Hotel Del Luna

5. Park Seo-joon

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SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA - JANUARY 30: Actor Park Seo-Joon during a press conference of JTBC drama 'Itaewon Class' at Conrad Seoul Hotel on January 30, 2020 in Seoul, South Korea. (Photo by THE FACT/Imazins via Getty Images)
Above SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA - JANUARY 30: Actor Park Seo-Joon during a press conference of JTBC drama 'Itaewon Class' at Conrad Seoul Hotel on January 30, 2020 in Seoul, South Korea. (Photo by THE FACT/Imazins via Getty Images)

Park Seo-joon is more than just an attractive face, his talent in acting has landed him awards such as 2015 Blue Dragon Film Award Popular Star Award - Male, 2019 AFA Rising Star of Asia Award, and 2017 Grand Bell Award for Best New Actor.

He's also been one of K Drama's rising stars with blockbuster hits like Fight for My Way and Itaewon Class. You may have also seen him in Peakboy's latest music video for Gyopo Hairstyle, where he stars alongside Wooga squadmates Choi Woo-shik (Parasite) and BTS' V (Kim Taehyung).

Where you've probably seen him: Kill Me, Heal Me, She Was Pretty,  Hwarang: The Poet Warrior Youth, and What's Wrong with Secretary Kim.

See also: 9 Movies And Shows That Prove PSJ Is A Versatile Actor

6. Gong Yoo

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PARIS, FRANCE - JUNE 20: Gong Yoo wears a black t-shirt,  black pants with a bow belt, outside Vuitton, during Paris Fashion Week - Menswear Spring/Summer 2020, on June 20, 2019 in Paris, France. (Photo by Edward Berthelot/Getty Images)
Above PARIS, FRANCE - JUNE 20: Gong Yoo wears a black t-shirt, black pants with a bow belt, outside Vuitton, during Paris Fashion Week - Menswear Spring/Summer 2020, on June 20, 2019 in Paris, France. (Photo by Edward Berthelot/Getty Images)

No one can deny the charm of Gong Yoo. His face is arguably the most recognisable in South Korea's showbiz industry due to the years of experience he's had as an actor; this includes a meteoric rise to global fame for the megahit zombie thriller, Train to Busan. Gong Yoo has been acting since he was in his early 20s, making his fan base grow exponentially over the years. 

Where you've probably seen him: Guardian: The Lonely and Great God (popularly known as Goblin), Coffee Prince, and One Fine Day.

See also: 7 Gong Yoo Movies And Shows To Watch This 2021

7. Ji Chang-wook

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SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA - DECEMBER 04:  South Korean actor Ji Chang-Wook attends the press conference of KBS Drama "Healer" at the Raum on December 4, 2014 in Seoul, South Korea. The drama will open on December 08, in South Korea.  (Photo by Han Myung-Gu/WireImage)
Above SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA - DECEMBER 04: South Korean actor Ji Chang-Wook attends the press conference of KBS Drama "Healer" at the Raum on December 4, 2014 in Seoul, South Korea. The drama will open on December 08, in South Korea. (Photo by Han Myung-Gu/WireImage)

There's a reason why fans can't get enough of Ji Chang-wook: besides his handsome looks, the actor is quite versatile when it comes to his performances. Audiences have already seen him play the roles of a lovestruck architect, a reluctant hired gun, a mischevious villain, a regular nice guy, a Joseon sword fighter—you name it!

Who can forget his iconic stint as a duty-bound bodyguard in The K2? Not to mention that now-iconic sauna action sequence.

Where you've probably seen him: Healer, Suspicious Partner, Empress Ki, Melting Me Softly, Backstreet Rookie, and Lovestruck in the City. 

See also: 30 Best New Korean Dramas To Binge-Watch In 2021

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