This year, fans were treated to a plethora of delightful dramas ranging from heartbreaking emotional pieces to unforgettable thrillers. While each drama’s cast showcased an array of memorable characters with versatile stories and expressions, three particular actresses had such an explosive impact on fans of K-dramas.
From veteran performers to stars that continuously shine in the spotlight, talented stars have emerged in the Korean entertainment scene, and these three people are being recognized for their global success as well. See the list of this year’s top three actresses.
IU (23 Votes)
Without a doubt, IU is a powerhouse talent who not only mastered her vocals but also perfected her acting abilities. Six years later after Hotel Del Luna, IU returned with When Life Gives You Tangerines. More so than Park Bo Young who was applauded for playing her twin roles this year, IU was praised for her dynamic dual roles in different time periods. The relatable life-like character Ae Soon, a grumpy, book-wormish girl from Jeju, chasing love with Park Bo Gum’s country boy character Gwan Sik, and Geum Myung, Ae Soon’s charming and matured eldest daughter.
The enthusiastic response from viewers regarding the complex romance with Park Bo Gum led IU to win the Best Actress Award at the ‘Blue Dragon Series Awards’ this year, the Actress OTT category at the Brand of the Year Awards, and the Female Performer Award in the K-Drama category at the Seoul Drama Awards.
Yeom Hye Ran (19 Votes)
The experienced actress with memorable roles that tug at our hearts, Yeom Hye Ran doesn’t go unnoticed. She brought viewers to tears with her powerful performance in When Life Gives You Tangerines and proved to be a scene stealer with her sincere love covered by a bitter mother’s attitude needed for survival. She also revealed her diverse acting skills and appeared in a plethora of shows and movies, such as Netflix’s Wall To Wall. Yeom Hye Ran won the Best Supporting Actress Award in the broadcasting category at the Baeksang Arts Awards this year, the Best Supporting Actress Award at the Blue Dragon Series Awards, and the Best Supporting Actress Award at the Global OTT Awards.
YoonA (11 Votes)
Like any good chef’s recipe, romance, comedy and cooking were combined into one with YoonA’s breakthrough drama Bon Appétit, Your Majesty. YoonA played the role of a young French-trained chef who traveled back in time to the Joseon Dynasty, capturing various aspects of comedy, romance, and the chef’s tenacity and growth. The on-screen chemistry, in particular with Lee Chae Min, resulted in fans falling in love as if it were this year’s Queen of Tears.
YoonA’s performance achieved the highest viewership rating for a tvN drama in 2025 after just four episodes, and the final episode recorded 17.1% nationwide, according to Nielsen Korea. This is the highest viewership rating among all channel miniseries aired this year. It also ranked first in Netflix’s global TOP 10 non-English show category.
Outside of these top three beloved stars, other notable stars won awards and truly entertained viewers throughout this stressful year with their impactful stories. As mentioned, Park Bo Young was complimented for her powerful performance and story in tvN’s Our Unwritten Seoul, coming in 4th place with 9 votes. Han Suk Kyu earned 5th place for Shin’s Project with 6 votes. Other stars on the list include Ju Ji Hoon, Choo Young Woo, Lee Chae Min and Park Bo Gum
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What did you think of this year’s K-Dramas and the list of notable stars? Did any of your favorite actors snag a spot in the rankings? Share your thoughts in the comments.
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