Park Bo Gum has been recognized as the top talent who shone brightly in 2025, according to a survey by Korean Gallup.
The research company polled 1,700 individuals nationwide aged 13 and older between November 11th and 28th, asking them to name up to two celebrities who stood out the most this year. The results, announced on December 17th, revealed Park Bo Gum securing the top spot with 13.3% of the vote.
Close behind him was IU, who earned second place with 11.3%. IU starred alongside Park Bo Gum in the popular Netflix series When Life Gives You Tangerines. She continues to captivate audiences with her versatility.
Park Bo Gum first gained widespread recognition with his debut role in the 2011 film Blind. His breakthrough came through his portrayal of the genius Go player Choi Taek in Reply 1988 and the charming Crown Prince Lee Young in Love in the Moonlight. His performances sparked what became known as the “Park Bo Gum Syndrome,” and he was named Talent of the Year in 2016. Although his recent projects have been fewer, Park Bo Gum remains a beloved figure, constantly taking on new and diverse roles.
IU, who debuted in 2008, is a multi-talented artist known for both her music and acting. She has built a strong presence in dramas, including her portrayal of the eccentric CEO Jang Man Wol in Hotel Del Luna, which earned her a spot as the 7th Talent of the Year in 2019. In When Life Gives You Tangerines, IU took on challenging roles as both mother and daughter and further showcased her acting range.
When Life Gives You Tangerines, which aired from March 7th, was a huge success, with four episodes released every Friday over four weeks. The show tells the story of a couple from Jeju Island, spanning several decades from the 1950s to the present. It also gained popularity for its nostalgic portrayal of life in Seoul, capturing the public’s attention for three months straight, topping Korean Gallup’s preferred broadcast video program survey.
Kim Ji Won rounded out the top three, securing 4.4% of the vote. She first debuted in a commercial in 2010 and has since expanded her career with memorable roles in shows like Descendants of the Sun (2016), Fight for My Way (2017) and My Liberation Notes (2022). Her recent role as Hong Hae In in Queen of Tears also helped cement her standing as one of Korea’s top actresses.
YoonA ranked fourth with 3.9% of the vote for her role in Bon Appétit, Your Majesty, followed by Choo Young Woo in fifth place with 3.3%. Lee Jung Jae, the breakout star of Squid Game, secured sixth place with 3.1%. In a close race for seventh, Namkoong Min from Our Movie, Han Ji Min from Heavenly Ever After, Byun Woo Seok from Lovely Runner and Kim Tae Ri from Jeongnyeon: The Star is Born all tied with 2.9%.
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