2024 has been a banner year for Korean entertainment, with many female stars making great strides. These actresses have contributed significantly to the success of Korean dramas and films, both domestically and internationally. Here are the top 4 most outstanding Korean actresses of the year.
4. Kim Tae-ri
Kim Tae-ri comes in fourth place. The 34-year-old actress captivated audiences with her outstanding performance as the lead character in the drama “Jeong Nyeon.” Although the series did not gain much traction in Vietnam, it was warmly received in Korea, finishing with an impressive 16.458% rating.
Kim Tae-ri flawlessly portrayed Jeong Nyeon, a strong-willed young woman from a poor background who relentlessly pursues her dreams. His journey, brought to life by Kim Tae-ri, has not only evoked a wealth of emotions, but has also been a source of inspiration for many.
However, his film efforts in 2024 have been less fruitful. “Alienoid 2: Back to the Future,” despite having a talented cast and solid performances, including that of Kim Tae-ri, only managed to earn a modest $10.8 million in box office revenue.
3. Lee Ha-nee
In third place is Lee Ha-nee, who had a stellar start to the year with “Knight Flower.” Initially, the series was not highly anticipated, but its unexpectedly captivating narrative and Lee Ha-nee’s exceptional portrayal of the main character, Cho Yeo-hwa, won her the prestigious Best Actress Award at the Baeksang Arts Awards.
Currently, Lee Ha-nee continues to generate interest with the second season of “The Fiery Priest”. The first season was a huge success and the latest installment is proving equally popular, with the most recent episode achieving a rating of 11.3%, the highest in its timeslot.
In addition to her television success, Lee Ha-nee also appeared in “Alienoid 2: Back to the Future”, sharing the screen with Kim Tae-ri.
2. Kim Ji-won
Securing second place was Kim Ji-won, who emerged as the “goddess of Korean romantic dramas” in 2024. Her flawless performance in “Queen of Tears” earned her widespread acclaim. The drama achieved record ratings, with a peak of 24.85% in the finale and an average of 15.671%.
“Queen of Tears” dethroned “Crash Landing on You” to become tvN’s highest-rated drama series and now ranks third among all cable dramas in Korean history.
In addition to Korea, the show also created a buzz globally, at one point ranking first on Netflix in 68 countries. Major media outlets, including Time Magazine, have praised the series for its fresh take on the romance genre, describing it as a must-watch film that breaks traditional molds.
Kim Ji-won’s growing popularity following the success of “Queen of Tears” is evident, with her fan encounters attracting enormous attention and generating widespread discussion on social media.
1. Kim Go-eun
At the top is Kim Go-eun, who shone brightly in the blockbuster film “Exhuma,” one of Korea’s most outstanding cinematic successes in 2024. The film, which garnered critical acclaim and enormous admiration by audiences, it grossed an impressive $98 million globally.
Kim Go-eun played Lee Hwa-rim, a shaman who battles malevolent forces, delivering a performance so extraordinary that she won Best Actress at both the Baeksang Arts Awards and the Blue Dragon Film Awards, Korea’s two most prestigious awards .
At the 2024 Blue Dragon Film Awards, Kim Go-eun received unanimous votes (9/9) for Best Film Actress. Sports Chosun praised “Exhuma” as showing the pinnacle of his career, while the judges described his performance as “unmatched”. Both fans and critics agree that the accolades are deserved.
In addition to “Exhuma,” Kim Go-eun also starred in “Love in the Big City,” a small-scale project praised for its compelling narrative despite modest box office receipts.
