Korean actors who ventured into Hollywood

The Korean entertainment industry is enjoying massive global appeal. Squid Game, Crash Landing on You, Train To Busan and Parasite have earned them much recognition and popularity. Several actors have even crossed over to Hollywood, making a mark in the global arena… take a look at talents who have bagged major international projects.

Park Seo-Joon has charmed the audience with his performance in Fight for My Way (2017), What's Wrong with Secretary Kim (2018), and Itaewon Class (2020). Interestingly, his performance in these series earned him the role in The Marvels (2023). He essayed the role of Prince Yan in this superhero saga and was cast opposite Brie Larson.

Jun Ji-hyun marked her Hollywood debut in 2009 with Blood: The Last Vampire, wherein she played the lead role Saya Otonashi - a half human-half vampire. Being fluent in English, Jun Ji-hyun went on to star in Assassination (2015). When she ventured into Hollywood, the actress adopted the name Gianna Jun, reportedly to make it easier to pronounce her name.

In 2016, Lee Joon Gi debuted in Hollywood with 'Resident Evil: The Final Chapter'. Legend as it that the actor was offered the role after director Paul Anderson saw him perform his an action scene on YouTube. Lee Joon Gi reportedly turned the role down due to his busy schedule but eventually ended up essaying the Commander Chu in the series.

Youn Yuh-jung made her country proud when she emerged as the first Korean actress to win an Academy Award. It was her performance in Minari (2020) which earned her this acclaim. This American movie narrated the journey of a family of South Korean immigrants who try to earn a living in US in the 1908s. She also essayed a pivotal role in American TV series Pachinko.