Many K-drama actresses started off with minor roles but became female leads.

In K-drama, several actresses began with a lead part. Not always; some had to start from the bottom. Below are 8 Korean actresses who had big breaks and currently play leading roles:

Han So Hee

Han So Hee made her acting debut 6 years ago and gained popularity after playing the female villain in "The World Of The Married". She landed her first main part in 2021 with "Nevertheless." Since then, all Koreans have heard of the actress.

Han So Hee compares to Song Hye Kyo, Kim Tae Hee, Son Ye Jin, Jun Ji Hyun, and Han Ga In.

Han So Hee's images were out of this world, and she never feared trying new roles. She's played the female lead in "Nevertheless," "My Name," and "Soundtrack #1," but they're all different.

Han So Hee is being likened to Song Hye Kyo, Kim Tae Hee, Son Ye Jin, Jun Ji Hyun, and Han Ga In, among others.

Kim Ji Won

Kim Ji Won never hesitated to test herself, starring in commercial K-dramas like "The Heirs" and "Descendants of the Sun" but also performing well in philosophical series and challenging roles.

Kim Ji Won's abilities were recognized, even if not all her ventures were successful.

Her newest K-drama, "My Liberation Notes", won over audiences and established Kim Ji Won's acting career. 

Lee Sung Kyung

Lee Sung Kyung shined in minor roles throughout her career. Lee Sung Kyung gained to fame with roles in "Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok Joo", "Dr. Romantic 2," "Doctors," and "Cheese in the Trap."

The actress is struggling, though.

Lee Sung Kyung's recent work "Shooting Stars" received mixed reviews and poor ratings.

Shin Hye Sun

Shin Hye Sun, who isn't usually gorgeous in Korea, rose slowly to fame.

She played minor and second-lead parts before landing a lead.

Shin Hye Sun became a household celebrity in Korea with her appearance in "My Golden Life."

Shin Hye Sun's celebrity skyrocketed after "Mr. Queen"

Shin Hye Sun's varied, humorous, and "shameless" acting wowed foreign audiences in "Mr. Queen." 

Moon Ga Young

Moon Ga Young has years of acting expertise and an extremely seductive appearance, yet she struggled in K-drama.

The actress originally played female leads, then second leads in "Tempted" and "Don't Dare To Dream," before bursting with "True Beauty."

After "True Beauty," the actress became famous.

Moon Ga Young is finally receiving her due. Her series "Link" with Yeo Jin Goo is promising.

Seo Ji Hye

Seo Ji Hye, one of the most beautiful Korean actresses born in the 1980s, primarily played second leads and small roles.

Seo Ji Hye eventually gained popularity in 2019 with "Crash Landing On You."

After "Crash Landing On You," the actress gained notoriety.

In 2020, Seo Ji Hye starred in "Dinner Mate" with Song Seung Hun.

She also starred in the new Disney+ drama "Kiss Sixth Sense." Neither series became viral.

Lee Da Hee

Lee Da Hee, a fashion model, gave series like "I Hear Your Voice", "Secret Love", and "Search: WWW" an unequaled aura.

Lee Da Hee finally became the female lead of "LUCA: The Beginning" in 2019, but failed.

She will soon star with Kim Nam Gil and Cha Eun Woo in the Netflix series "Island," which has huge popularity potential. 

Kang Han Na

Kang Han Na has appeared in "Moon Lovers," "Start Up," and "My Roommate Is a Gumiho." Her imagery and acting impressed onlookers.

Kang Han Na finally landed a main role in "Bloody Heart" after years of portraying lesser characters, which might be her breakthrough.

Kang Han Na will hopefully get more prominent roles after this historical K-drama.

Source[1]

Choi Si Hoon, known from Single’s Inferno and newlywed husband of singer Ailee, is facing backlash after being linked to a controversy from Wavve’s queer reality show ToGetHer.

Fans discovered that Choi is allegedly the CEO of the influencer agency representing Ri Won, a cast member now at the center of a growing scandal.

The situation started when castmate Han Gyeol spoke up, claiming Ri Won once suggested an overseas trip that felt more like a shady meeting than a casual hangout.

“I thought it was a fun vacation invite at first,” Han Gyeol said, “but when they started talking about meals and date-like things, I realized something was wrong. It felt like an inappropriate setup.”
Han Gyeol added, “Using someone’s sexuality as a shield for suspicious actions is not okay in this industry.”

Ri Won responded by saying it was all a misunderstanding and that the trip was mentioned casually during a conversation about food. “We joked about going to that country after talking about food,” Ri Won said.

However, things got more intense when Ri Won admitted to having a past as a 'beotbang' (adult streaming) BJ. “I know I’m not trustworthy right now, and I appeared on TV while hiding my past. That’s why I shared some proof—I was desperate,” Ri Won explained.

Ri Won also shared a blurred message from another cast member that accused them of fake dating and lying about knowing someone from Billboard. “You said you’d introduce me to a Billboard contact. Then give me their name and title,” the message read. “You just keep switching your targets.”

Ri Won replied, “He’s the team leader at Billboard Korea and also my influencer agency CEO.”
This comment led online users to dig deeper—and some claimed the CEO Ri Won mentioned is none other than Choi Si Hoon, Ailee’s husband.

Currently on his honeymoon with Ailee, Choi is now getting unwanted attention. Some netizens brought up his alleged past as an adult BJ and now, his possible involvement in this controversy.

On Ailee’s Instagram post from April 30, one fan wrote, “Unnie, sorry to bother you during your honeymoon, but please search Choi Si Hoon’s name. A female BJ said she’s signed to his company, and he supposedly arranged a meeting for her with a just-turned 19-year-old girl.”

As the issue grew, Ri Won spoke out again on May 1 to calm things down. “The person I mentioned in the messages was just someone who gave me advice,” Ri Won clarified. “He’s not my agency CEO, like some people assumed. I thought he could help with music, but he never made any business offer.”

Ri Won ended by saying, “I’m sorry for causing any confusion and discomfort to others with my personal remarks.”

So far, Choi Si Hoon and Ailee have not made public statements about the situation.

Source: [1]