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[HanCinema's News] Top 10 Male Rising Stars in K-Dramas That You Need to Look Out for

The spotlight never stays still and keeps moving from person to person, especially in the film and television industry. In the last year, these 10 talented actors finally proved their mettle, paving the way for lasting success in their field and receiving the title of rising stars.

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Every year, new actors get highlighted and finally receive they recognition that they have worked hard for, for years. Sometimes, they make a striking impression with their debut project and other times, they get recognised through their breakthrough drama after years of struggle. Either way, they deserve all the appreciation and applause for their hard work. Here are the top 10 male K-Drama actors who have recently earned huge praise along with the title of "rising stars" that you need to keep an eye out for.

Ahn Bo-hyun

Ahn Bo-hyun shot to fame with his spectacular portrayal of the antagonist Jang Geun-won in "Itaewon Class". While this was not his first project, it was the first drama that truly allowed him to showcase his range and versatility, solidifying his position as a talented and acclaimed actor in the industry.

Kim Young-dae

Kim Young-dae is a rising star in the truest sense of the word. He has consistently delivered in dramas such as "Extraordinary You" and "The Penthouse" and is both a fan favourite as well as critically appreciated for his talent.

Lee Do-hyun

2020 was an incredible year for Lee Do-hyun, landing major roles in two of the year's biggest productions, "18 Again" and "Sweet Home". He exhibited amazing range through taking on unusual characters and experimenting with genres which is not common for new artists or even established artists for that matter.

Hwang In-youp

2020 was finally the year that the world recognised Hwang In-youp for his talent just as much as for his charm. His exceptional performance in "True Beauty" has truly opened up a whole new avenue of opportunities for him and we can expect to see a lot more of him in the future.

Jang Dong-yoon

Within the short span of his career so far, Jang Dong Yoon has already cemented his place as a top star in Korean entertainment. Much like Lee Do-hyun, Jang Dong-yoon isn't afraid to take on roles that are different from the norm and he has truly shown his potential through his works.

Lee Jae-wook

Lee Jae-wook has had one of the steadiest career progressions in the industry. He has worked hard over the years without a rest and finally in 2020, Lee Jae-wook received his first offer for the leading role in a drama. "Do Do Sol Sol La La Sol" was a breakthrough success and it only heightened fans' expectation for his future projects.

Byeon Woo-seok

A strong majority of fans who watched "Record of Youth" were undeniably rooting for Byeon Woo-seok's character throughout the drama and for good reason too. Byeon Woo-seok showed incredible charisma, sincerity and chemistry in "Record of Youth" which was truly commendable and fans cannot wait for his next drama or film where he will hopefully, have the lead role.

Kim Kyung-nam

In another severe case of second lead syndrome, fans of "The King: Eternal Monarch" could connect with Kim Kyung-nam's character owing to his artful delivery and brilliant acting skills. In particular, the actor has a penchant for being highly expressive while saying less and that really shows how well he has mastered his techniques and how much soul he puts into his work.

Seo Ji-hoon

Seo Ji-hoon has been consistently stealing hearts with his characters and fans unanimously believe that it is time for him to finally get a lead role. Regardless of who he's playing, Seo Ji-hoon does it with self-assurance and elan. From playing playful side-kicks to tsundere second leads hopelessly in love, Seo Ji-hoon has shown his ability time and time again and is finally getting the recognition he deserves.

Song Kang

Finally, not much needs to be said for the official superstar of 2020, Song Kang. His performance in "Sweet Home" was so unbelievably poignant, filled to the brim with emotion and yet subtly indifferent that it put his and his talent in a whole new light. Props are definitely due to him for choosing such a unique project which is once again, uncommon for K-Drama actors as horror is a tricky genre to get right. However, Song Kang does it and he does it brilliantly, to the point where fans are signing petitions for a second season of the show. Considering the scale of his talent, this is only the beginning for the actor.

By Ishani Sarkar

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