wow, the level of talent on this list is through the roof.

Son Seok Koo

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My number one, without a doubt. 

First saw him in Be Melodramatic, was obsessed and rewatched all of his scenes about 2-3 times.  I felt frustrated that he wasn't the main character, since to me; he was so much more interesting, and there my love started. 

Since then he has only grown as an actor, at this time (2024) I've watched all of his works, and am in awe at his character work. He always seems to welcome a new challenge in his acting and therefore his works are very broad in genre and feel. I won't lie and deny that I find him incredibly suave, both in his acting but also in interviews.  He feels natural, funny, masculine (in a non-"testoboosted" way.)  and humble, which are qualities most of my favorites seem to share. 

My favorite of his acting is in D.P, The Roundup and My Liberation Notes, three drastically different works.Can't wait to see more, and hopefully he will do more interviews since I can't seem to help myself but watching previous ones over and over. 

Jung Kyung Ho

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Jung Kyung Ho is a god among men, at least in the world of acting. I don't think I need to write very much more since everyone probably already knows about the power of this man. If you haven't checked out Life on Mars or Cruel City; do it right now (you won't regret it).

Edit 2024: Prison Playbook and now Hospital Playlist, what great performances. Jung Kyung Ho seems to be a dream team with Shin Won Ho, hope they do more projects together. 

Choi Min Shik

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I would go as far as saying that he is the best actor in korean movies. He really goes into the roles that he takes on and makes it hard to remember that he is just an actor and not a gangster or a general. He is acting in a lot of the korean movies of cult status, like Old Boy, Nameless Gangster, The Admiral, Tae Guk Gi, and I Saw The Devil. 

It's not a coincidence that they were the ones that got to superstar status, Choi Min Shik is just that good.

Was excited to see him in Casino (Big Bet), he fit perfectly for the role and surprisingly was my favorite part about the series. Did not expect it since he played against Son Suk Ku, my absolute favorite. 

Nam Goong Min

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One of my favorite actors hands down (Which may not come as a surprise since he is on this list, but he really is at the top 5 of all of these). He is intense in whatever he does and really gives the role his all to the point that you can't see him outside of the role. This could be an actors demise, since they would forever be connected to just one role, but not this guy! Namgoong Min is a chameleon of an actor and I love him for it!

Lee Jung Eun

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This woman gets so much respect from me! Her acting is wonderful, I've loved her in so many projects and I'm so happy that she is getting the praise that she is worth of after her performance in 'Parasite'. My personal favorite of hers is the older woman in Strangers from Hell where  her character goes from sweet to her giving you a terrifying feeling with just a change of facial-expression. 

Song Kang Ho

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Song Kang Ho has continued to impress me over the years, his acting seems to only get better with age like a good wine. He has been a part of some of my favorite movies of all time: Memories of Murder, Snowpiercer,  A Taxi Driver and Parasite (and that's just some of his projects that are of the A level). 

I feel like he gives a role his all and really becomes the person he acts (if that makes sense?). 

Jeun Mi Do

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Jeon Mi Do is so refreshing in all of her works, it feels like she chooses projects with care and really try to get to know her character.  The tone of her voice is lovely, it's very clear, maybe it's due to her being in theatrical productions? I wish there was a way to see her stage acting, but as a non korean speaker, I'll have to stick to her on screen acting. 

All in all, I really like her and feel like she brings life into productions, hope to see her more in the near future.

Jung Woo Sung

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A legend among Korean actors, he is everything. The man that formed what a Korean leading man should be in the modern day and age. And what a man he is? So charming, funny and seems to genuinely care for the people he works with. Not only that, he is a charismatic actor with intense eyes that demands attention in every work he is in.  Loved him in The King, Innocent Witness and most recently Tell Me That You Love Me.

I would love to see him act more vulnerable and perhaps something boundary breaking in the future, rather than another political role. Although, I shall not complain and I will take whatever I get. Don't get me wrong, I loved The Hunt and 12.12 The Day, but I want to explore more in his acting. 

Lee Sun Kyun

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Wow my dad. 

Lee Sun Kyu is an actor that chooses his projects with care, this gives him an extra star in my eyes. His roles are complex and he continues to show that a person can't be cannot be just good or evil with his acting. He feels very realistic and I sometimes forget that he isn't his characters and that the dramas that he has acted in are a mere production. I hope to continue seeing him on both the big and small screen in the future. 

2024 edit: Rest in peace, sorry for everything you had to go through during your final days.

Yoo Ah In

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Yoo Ah In is a versatile and a convincing actor that seem to work just as good on the small screen as in the big shot movies. His work in Six Flying Dragons, Veteran, Chicago Typewriter and Burning shows that he can take on any role.

I admire his choices of projects, always thinking about the role and plot more than the amount he gets payed (unusual these days I'm afraid). He continues to surprise me with his filmography and I hope that he continues to act in independent movies. 

2024 edit: I wish him the best and a well recovery from his drug use. I'm fairly certain that we will never see him on screen again, so I'll treasure the works we got but still hoping that he will be able to come back. 

Han Ye Ri

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What I like most about Han Ye Ri is that her roles always feels complex, they have depth and feels like real people which female characters often lack in Korean dramas. 

Kim Woo Bin

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How I've missed Kim Woo Bin, so happy to hear that he is feeling better and healthier now. I remember watching my first drama and seeing him as the 'mean/ hurt badboy'  Choi Young Do and just loving his character. Woo Bin has the looks and is the amount of charm that you can't seem to hate him even if he plays a character that is beyond slimy, like the ones he did in The Heirs and Twenty. His acting works in action, drama and comedy, and because of this he continues to show his own color through every role he gets no matter how different they are. 

Choi Woo Shik

Canadien

He has become someone that I'm looking forward to see in the future of Korean television and cinema. Would love to see him in something made by Shin Won Ho, I feel like they could develop a really interesting character together!

I really found him funny in the webdrama "Boy Next Door" and checked out a lot more of his works after that. I like that he doesn't have the "conventional" handsome looks according to the korean standards and thatmakes him able to play more realistic roles like the one he plays in "The Package" and most recently "Parasite". 

Exited to see what roles he will play in the future, would like to see him as a obsessed person, maybe a person connected to a destructive cult or a stalker? 

2024 Edit: So fun to see him in A Killers Paradox, feels like I got exactly what I wanted. Our Beloved Summer was also a great watch, such good chemistry with Kim Da Mi.

Jeon Yeo Bin

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A female lead I never mind and I feel excited about. She might be a bit stale at times, but I feel like that has thankfully fitted with her characters. Seeing her in Be Melodramatic cemented her on this list, her acting of a person in  grief felt so realistic that it brought me to tears several times. I also liked her in A Time Called You, she completely changed depending on which of the two women she played, and made me look at them as completely different people, which I often have a hard time doing if theyre played by the same actress. 

Good at depicting somber characters, a big plus! 

Woo Do Hwan

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He's very hot, what a face. I would have to rank him in the 10's of the best faces in Korea, such a beautiful guy. Okay he is not only beautiful so I will stop objectify him at this instant. He is a great actor, but has made some bad choices regarding projects. I wish that we didn't have to see him in The Great Seducer, I think that it really put some canes in the wheel for him. I hope that he will be offered more in depth roles in the future and not be put aside due to a bad script. 

I believe that he should take on more dramatic roles like the ones in Save Me since it seemed to fit him quite well! 

2024 Edit:  Feels like he has moved up in his career, more interesting projects and main roles. Knew he could do it. 

Kim Won Hae

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This guy has made me laugh so much, one of the best supporting guys! His roles may be similar but that seems to be what he does the best. Whenever I feel down I usually put on clips of him in Strong Woman Do Bong Soon for some slapstick humor, never fails to brighten my mood.

Jo Jae Yoon

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I would have to say that Jo Jae Yoon is in my top 10 favorite actors. He isn't the most popular one by a mile but his acting skills are on another level. He has taken a lot of different and difficult roles during his career, which I admire him for.  He has showed that he can play everything from the concerned husband to a scary sociopathic priest, the acting range that I wish that more actors strived towards. His best works according to me would be in the thriller Save Me or in SKY Castle. 

Park Sung Hoon

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What a hidden gem for me? Why haven't I noticed that I've liked all of his works that I've seen (and theres been more than 5?)

Park Sung Hoon is versatile, detailed and brings so much charisma into his roles. I've seen him as a villain, supporting act and the main lead and all of them has been great! I like everyone else loved him in The Glory; narcissistic, funny and intimidating. But I also remember an earlier villainous role that I loved back in 2019, Psychopath Diary! Didn't like the main lead but kept watching because of Park Sung Hoons acting. 

Hope he continues the hype! Baeksang next. 

Gong Hyo Jin

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Gong Hyo Jin feels like a real person and that's what so admirable about her. In this day and age women in Korean cinema and television is made out to be a perfect and fragile, this is seen in writing as well as casting.  It's refreshing to see her act in a way that's more alike the women of the real world, even though some of her characters has been "fragile" it's been to a tasteful degree. I don't know if her roles has been written that way or if she just doesn't follow the rules put out for her, anyways she has a star in my eyes. 

A strong independent woman who takes no shit, 100 points for Gong Hyo Jin!!! 

Bae Sung Woo

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I had a crush on this guy for a while, I seem to have a thing for supporting actors. Anyways he is great, always brings something dynamic to a drama and never gets "lost" in a scene. I really enjoyed his character work, every act has been different from one another while still having Bae Sung Woo's charm to it. It's always a good sign whenever I see him on a casting list. 

Kim Tae Ri

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Humorous, classy and chilling. I've seen Kim Tae Ri in almost all of her projects this far (2024) and I have to admit that she just keeps growing in my eyes. I loved her in The Handmaiden,  subtle acting feels like the hardest and she pulled it off. I didn't think she could do light hearted dramas since her acting had mainly based around melodramatic settings. But non the less she was great in Twenty-Five Twenty-One. 

I will continue to look forward to her projects, hope that she will be in more independent films since they are more genre breaking in my opinion. 

Jung Hae In

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He feels like a cute boy, I want this hype over him to last forever!  

Jung Hae In has made some great dramas although he hasn't really been noticed by the public until recently when he acted as the reliable policeman in While You Were Sleeping. But what made me put him on this list is his work in the drama Pretty Noona Buys Me Food/ Something in the Rain. He made one of the most convincing acts in a romantic kdrama in the history of dramas which is no little feat! Whenever he was on screen you really couldn't see whether he was an actor or a real person filmed in a real scenario. He felt connected to his role at a level that is beyond a "newcomer" to the game and delivered an emotional and real performance that brought me to tears at times. He has continued with choosing his projects wisely and I have enjoyed everything he has been in this far!

2020 edit: I really liked him in Prison Playbook but now I feel like he maybe is getting the typecast curse as the cute boy in a relationship with an older woman. Hopefully not, wanna see him in something "new".

2024 edit: He got out of the typecast, and I couldn't be happier with his works. D.P was a masterly character work by Mr Jung Hae In. Kudos to him. 

Kim Go Eun

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Kim Go Eun is in my opinion one of the best actresses in Korea at this time. She has had a successful career filled with movies and dramas that holds up to a higher standard than the norm. I've loved everything she's been in (that I have watched) and I just hope that she will keep up this good work and everything will be smooth sailing from here on out.

Jo Sung Ha

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I saw him as the pastor of the destructive cult in 'Save Me' and nothing has been the same ever since. Jo Sung Ha's performance as a man on the edge of madness gave me chills every time hewas on screen! When I saw him in interviews after me seeing the drama I couldn't believe that he seemed so normal. He has some great acting abilities! I haven't seen him in much but he really scared me as the villain in 'Save Me'. I feel like it wasn't what he said rather than how he said it which shows that it was his delivery and not the script that gave the character is strange eerie feeling. 

Kang Ha Neul

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I love him when he is acting, I love him when he isn't acting. Kang Ha Neul seems to be one of those people that really tries to lift the people around him which makes him shine all the brighter. Of course I cannot be sure that it's just a part of his image, but I would like to think that the talented and versatile actor is a great person. 

Kim Dong Wook

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Okay Kim Dong Wook has been a favorite of mine hiding in the shadows. He hasn't really gotten that much hype or publicity from people on this site at least. I feel like he is quite underrated, I've really enjoyed him in the dramas I've seen him in this far. Maybe my love for him roots inhis charm and underdog-characteristics? Anyway I feel like he should be able to climb into the top tier with Namgoong Min and Jung Kyung Ho if he took on a role that would bring him fame.

Exited to see his next works! He was great in 'The Guest' and he reminds me a lot of Jung Kyung Ho both in acting and in looks which only is a plus. 

Dong Ha

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I get sad whenever I think about Dong Ha. He is such a talented and under-appreciated actor, it's unusual to see someone doing the role of a villain as good as he did and getting no recognition for it. He works for different types of roles, his looks make him able to play major roles but he has shown that he is a perfect supporting cast as well in 'Chief Kim'. He was very cute in that and very intimidating in 'Suspicious Partner' he created a great memorable character in both dramas. 

I have a feeling that Dong Ha would've gotten a lot of praise if 'Suspicious Parter' would've been a great drama. It wasn't and his role remained unnoticed. Really sad, hopefully he will get another chance soon. 

Ryu Joon Yeol

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He just seems to be a wonderful person and actor. Really takes his craft seriously and doesn't take his roles for granted. I really enjoy his latest works and I feel like he always tries to choose different types of projects. Hopefully he will act in another drama again because I would be interested in seeing what he could do when having more screen time to develop a character. 

Park Ho San

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I really liked his character in My Mister, seen him around in other dramas as well and he always gives a nice performance. Most memorable work of his in my opinion is Prison Playbook, he gave the drama light and completely stole the scenes he was in. 

Ahn Nae Sang

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I don't know why or how he came to this list. I didn't expect it and I believe that whoever will view this will also feel just as surprised at his presence. But there's just something about him that makes me like him whatever role he takes on, Ahn Nae Sang usually plays the father of a character these days but I always seem to wonder about what a drama with him in the main role would look like in 2019. Would love to see it, he's a phenomenal actor in my eyes! 

Kim Chang Wan

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There isn't a lot of actors that can bring so much hate in me, he often plays characters that makes the viewer frustrated and angry. But I can't deny how much I enjoy and respect this actor, he always brings a believable performance and is a great addition to any cast. One of my favorite 'dad'-actors out there.

Sung Dong Il

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I have such a soft spot for Sung Dong Il, I seem to love every character he takes on and I believe that something has to do with the actor behind the role! I love his sense of humor and spunk that he has showed through his work! He is one of my favorite supporting actors and I will always check in on a movie or drama if I know that he's involved. 

Jin Kyung

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Jin Kyung has been a badass in korean dramas for over a decade. I appreciate her acting because it feels like she puts her soul into every role she plays. She is the mothers of mothers, teach me to be like you. 

Yoo Oh Sung

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Can deliver so much emotion which you can see in his movies. Not as good on the smallscreen, feels like he got typecast as the scary father or gangster like the one he plays in Friend :/ Hope he gets over it because he is great as a lot of different types of roles

Lee Jun Ho

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Just Between Lovers is beyond good, its an amazing drama. I thought that Junho would just be another K-POP star turned actor who actually sucks at acting, oh boy I was wrong. He has showed that he can play complex and difficult roles with his work in Memory and in Just Between Lovers. He can't just take on serious roles, comedy is also a common genre that he works in. His acting in Chief Kim, Twenty shows that he is capable of choosing roles that has different characteristics and doing it with ease; Humor or Melo, Lee Jun Ho works in all scenarios.

Heo Yool

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She is so good and so young! What a talent, I was blown away when I watched Mother, hope that she will continue if she still finds joy in the work. 

Kim Jae Wook

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Kim Jae Wook, he's good. I won't say that he is the best actor around but he can be very charming when he wants to! I would have hoped that he would have chosen another path with his acting, I feel that his acting would work wonderfully in movies which I feel like he hasn't focused on as much. He is a wonderful romance actor that brings a realistic touch to scenes which I applaud him for, but as I've said I wish he would play in dramas that had more 'serious' or dramatic themes. 

I've heard that he was good in theatrical production: Hedwig. 

Kim Sung Oh

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Not really in this list because of his acting rather than nostalgia reasons. I remember when he was the assistant in one of my first dramas Secret Garden, he always makes his roles rememberable and that is a good trait in an actor therefore this place in my list!

2024 edit: Kim Sung Oh has showed me that he is more than a comedic relief with several of his works since I originally put him on this list. 

Kim Sung Kyun

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I find him wonderful, his acting makes me care about his characters even though they often aren't in the center of a drama or film. 

D.P, Reply series, Moving. 

Bae Doo Na

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I like her in most of her works, but what has placed her on this list is Matrimonal Chaos. The drama overall wasn't all too pleasant for me, since I have a hard time with Cha Tae Hyuns acting, but her performance was simply brilliant. Bae Doo Na moved me to tears with her monologues, and I think that is what makes a great actor. She stirs the emotions of the viewer while acting. I keep thinking about how her scenes made me feel and therefore she has a natural spot on this list. 

Jang Hyuk

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Okay, okay, okay. I'll admit it Jang Hyuk is on this list mainly due to his handsome looks. I haven't really seen him in much, yet, but I'll check most of it out sometime because his face is just that amazing. I feel a bit weird objectifying him like this on the internet, I'm sure he's a great person and has some good acting skills aswell. But I'm not gonna lie about my intentions with having him on this list, judge me for all you want, I'm a sinner. 

Kim Mu Yeol

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I haven't seen Kim Mu Yeol in much but whenever he is in something I just feel like he stands out! I love him in dark roles and I hope to see him in more 'a-class' movies with interesting directors that will give him more complex roles!

2024 edit: I got what I wanted! And I was right. He doesn't make a villain feel unnatural even though they usually are a tad exaggerated. Can't wait to see him in The Roundup: Punishment. 

Kim Kwang Gyu

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He always seems to put a smile on my face. His supporting acting hasn't been anything out of this world, but I believe he is more of a comedian than a serious actor. BUT and a big but that is; He's one of the supporting cast members that you always remember and he always steals the scene he is in with some slapstick joke. I like him.

Im Joo Hwan

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Skilled supporting actor that has worked up to the big dramas and movies. He is perfect as the nice brother, fiance or boss, with nice looks and a great delivery, but that is not all; He also is perfect for roles as the antagonist! I think that he could become one of the top actors in a few years if he continues his acting like this.

Jang Ki Yong

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Jang Ki Yong has a different tone to him than other actors, he really has that thriller type of feel to him which I adore. I feel like he was made for villain types of roles and this was shown in My Mister where he played a gangster. His career looks very promising and I feel exited to see what he acts in next. As long as is not another "Kill It" because honestly that sucked ass to say the least. I still have hope in him. I will continue to look forward to his future projects even though my views of him was dragged down quite a bit. 

 2020 edit: Maybe he is a bit stale? He feels like he can only show one facial expression, hope he works on his emotions because they feel fake at times.

2024 edit: I still can't move him away from the list even though he is a bit stale. Here he stays, this has been his home for over 4 years, making him leave now would be cruel. 

Park Seo Joon

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Hm,  Park Seo Joon. He is someone I'm thinking about removing from this list because of his last works (2020), but I understand that every actor has to climb on something that will give them "hype and recognition" to be able to work with the "great" directors.

Although his acting hasn't been the best I feel that he always brings cuteness and humor into a drama which I can appreciate at times, therefore he has stayed on the list! He seems to be a really good guy in real life but he hasn't been in projects that I've been liking very much so I'm torn about it. 

Seo Ye Ji

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She is one of my favorite actresses, I feel like she doesn't make me cringe (except in moorim but that was not her fault). She always makes a believable performance that stay's with you, especially the scenes that holds pent up emotions. Would have to say that her acting in Save Me was superb and I will remember it for a really long time! 

I would hope that her talents would get more recognition, would love to see her work with directors like Park Chan Wook or Bong Joon Ho. 

Edit September 2020: I didn't like her acting in It's Okay Not To Be Okay. It felt forced and cartoonish, but maybe that's what she was going for? 

Edit 2024: Down the list she goes, haven't really enjoyed her since Save Me. 

Lee Bo Young

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Mother!!!!!

Min Sung Wook

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LOVE HIM SO MUCH! (where r u btw miss u boo) 

Heo Joon Ho

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Come and Hug Me, Designated Survivor 60 Days

Lee Je Hoon

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Taxi Driver, Big Bet 2, Signal etc. 

Song Hye Kyo

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Kim Ji Won

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Ahn Eun Jin

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Shin Min Ah

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Gu Gyo Hwan

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Kim Ji Hoon

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Lee Dong Hwi

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Kim Joo Ryung

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Park Hae Soo

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Kim Sung Chul

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Jung Moon Sung

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Yeom Hye Ran

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Kim Hee Won

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Lee Hak Joo

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Yoon Se Ah

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