10 K-Drama Actors Making A Comeback In 2026

Even highly skilled K-drama actors sometimes take breaks, but several popular stars will be back on screen in 2026. A strong lead actor can make a K-drama really compelling, particularly when the role suits their talents. The most talented actors, though, are incredibly versatile and can convincingly play almost any character.

The most talented K-drama actors truly become their characters, delivering such believable and captivating performances that viewers are completely drawn into the story. When these gifted actors take breaks, it’s always a letdown, but thankfully, they often return quickly, much to the delight of their fans.

Shin Hye-sun

Known For: Mr. Queen, Welcome to Samdal-ri, Still 17

I’ve been watching Shin Hye-sun for years, but it feels like everyone is finally noticing her incredible talent! She quietly built a reputation with some fantastic roles – always memorable, even if the shows themselves flew under the radar. But it was her breakout performance as Queen Cheorin in Mr. Queen that really put her on the map. Since then, she’s just kept delivering with shows like See You in My 19th Life and Welcome to Samdal-ri, proving she’s a force to be reckoned with.

Shin Hye-sun is a highly respected actor known for her impressive performances in K-dramas. After her last TV appearance in 2024’s Dear Hyeri, fans are excited for her upcoming projects in 2026. She’s confirmed to star in both The Art of Sarah and Secret Gratitude this year, and is also in talks to lead a new romantic series for Netflix.

Hwang Min-hyun

Known For: Alchemy of Souls, Live On, Study Group

Stars like Cha Eun-woo and IU are known for excelling in both singing and acting, and Hwang Min-hyun is a more recent K-pop idol who’s made the move into acting. He first became famous as a member of the boy band NU’EST, then competed on the reality show Produce 101 and briefly joined another group, Wanna One.

Hwang Min-hyun began acting in Korean dramas in 2020, and gained recognition for his performances in shows like Alchemy of Souls and My Lovely Liar. While he hasn’t appeared in a major drama since 2023, he’s returning to his role as Yoon Ga-min in the second season of the popular web series Study Group.

Jun Ji-hyun

Known For: The Legend of the Blue Sea, My Love from Another Star, Jirisan

I’ve been a fan of Jun Ji-hyun for years! She’s been acting since the late 90s, but I really discovered her amazing talent in the 2010s. She became super popular with two incredible fantasy dramas. One, My Love from Another Star, was a really sweet romance about an alien, and the other, The Legend of the Blue Sea, was all about a beautiful mermaid. They were so different, but she nailed both roles!

After appearing in the 2021 drama Jirisan, Jun Ji-hyun took a break from television, leaving fans eager for a new romantic role. Her return in 2025 with the spy thriller Tempest didn’t quite resonate with viewers outside of Korea. Now, she’s teaming up with popular actor Ji Chang-wook in Human X Gumiho, a fantasy romantic comedy that seems perfectly suited to her strengths.

Ahn Hyo-seop

Known For: Business Proposal, A Time Called You, KPop Demon Hunters

Ahn Hyo-seop began his career as a singer, but he’s become widely known for starring in the popular Netflix K-drama, Business Proposal. This romantic comedy, originally a webtoon, was a big hit in 2022. He followed that success with the 2023 drama A Time Called You, and has since taken on different types of roles.

Ahn Hyo-seop gained major recognition with his role in the popular 2025 series, KPop Demon Hunters. His character, Jinu, proved to be a hit with fans, and he’s continuing his career resurgence with another upcoming K-drama, Sold Out Again Today. He’ll star alongside rising star Chae Won-bin in the new romance series.

Kim Ji-won

Known For: Queen of Tears, Fight for My Way, Arthdal Chronicles

Kim Ji-won is celebrated for her ability to play complex and emotionally resonant female characters in K-dramas. She’s known for roles like the subtle Yeom Mi-jeong in My Liberation Notes, the captivating Tan-ya in Arthdal Chronicles, and the strong-willed Hong Hae-in in Queen of Tears. Although she received widespread praise for her performance in the popular 2024 drama Queen of Tears, it was her most recent K-drama appearance to date.

Good news for fans! Kim Ji-won is set to star as Gye Su-jeong in the upcoming medical comedy-drama, Doctor X: Age of the White Mafia. She’ll play a talented surgeon known as the “mad dog” for fearlessly challenging the corruption and red tape within the hospital system.

Lee Joon-gi

Known For: Flower of Evil, Lawless Lawyer, Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo

Lee Joon-gi first became a major star in the early 2000s with popular roles in dramas like The King and the Clown (2005) and Iljimae (2008). His career saw another boost in the 2010s with the historical romance Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo. Following that, he became known for his work in crime dramas, including Criminal Minds, Lawless Lawyer, and Flower of Evil.

Unfortunately, his acting return was cut short when another actor took over his role in Arthdal Chronicles season 2, which aired in 2023. Now, over two years later, Lee Joon-gi is returning to his acting roots with Gyeongbokgung Detective Agency, a funny historical Korean drama. In it, he’ll play King Hyejong of the Joseon dynasty, who also works as a detective.

Han So-hee

Known For: My Name, Gyeongseong Creature, Nevertheless,

I’ve been really impressed watching Han So-hee’s career blossom. It feels like just yesterday she was making waves in dramas like The World of the Married, Abyss, and Nevertheless, where she showed she could handle a lot of different emotions. But what’s really exciting is how she’s broken out of the typical romantic lead mold. She totally killed it in the action-packed revenge drama My Name, and then completely switched gears with the historical mystery Gyeongseong Creature. It just proves she can truly tackle any genre they throw at her.

Han So-hee initially considered acting in films in 2025, but she’s returning to screens in 2026 with the exciting adaptation of the popular web novel, Solo Leveling. She will play Cha Hae-in, a powerful hunter who’s the only woman to achieve the highest “S” rank, proving her exceptional swordsmanship.

Nam Joo-hyuk

Known For: Twenty-Five Twenty-One, Start-Up, Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-Joo

Nam Joo-hyuk became known as a popular romantic lead in K-dramas like Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-joo and Twenty-Five Twenty-One thanks to his charming performances. However, he’s a versatile actor, and his recent role in the 2023 drama Vigilante—where he played a law student taking the law into his own hands—showed off his range. He portrayed a character who hunted down criminals and delivered his own brand of justice.

After a well-received role in Vigilante, Nam Joo-hyuk paused his acting career to fulfill his military service. He’s now set to return to K-dramas in 2026 with East Palace, a historical fantasy where he’ll play Gu Cheon, a powerful ghost hunter.

Kim Tae-ri

Known For: Mr. Sunshine, Twenty-Five Twenty-One, Jeongnyeon: The Star Is Born

It’s interesting that Kim Tae-ri, who starred alongside Nam Joo-hyuk in Twenty-Five Twenty-One, is also preparing for a major new project in 2026. Known for memorable roles in historical K-dramas like Na Hee-do, Go Ae-shin (Mr. Sunshine), and Yoon Jeong-nyeon (Jeongnyeon: The Star Is Born), Kim Tae-ri has quickly become known as the queen of the genre, even though she’s only been in a few series.

In 2025, Kim Tae-ri surprised everyone by lending her voice to the animated film Lost in Starlight. Then, in 2026, she’ll be trying something new again as the host of the variety show After School Theater Club. While not the K-drama return many fans were hoping for, these projects are a promising sign of things to come.

Song Kang

Known For: Sweet Home, Love Alarm, My Demon

Song Kang became a popular actor around 2020 with leading roles in the hit series Love Alarm and Sweet Home. He quickly established himself as a K-drama heartthrob, going on to star in popular shows like Forecasting Love and Weather, My Demon, and Nevertheless.

Fans started eagerly awaiting Song Kang’s return as soon as he began his mandatory military service in 2024. After he finishes in October 2025, rumors suggest he’ll star in Four Hands, a new K-drama about growing up with a focus on music. If he does take the lead role, Four Hands could be the most popular K-drama of 2026.

2026-01-01 21:35