Entertainment
10 Most Iconic K-Drama TV Characters Everyone Knows
We always talk about K-dramas as a whole: the best, the most romantic, the most thrilling, and the like, but we never talk about specific characters in those iconic shows. A lot of the time, the characters are the reasons we stick around to watch a show, and with K-dramas, which often feature ensembles, it’s easy to relate to and become fond of more than just one character.
No matter which genre of K-drama you prefer, each has a person that stands out among the rest; whether it’s an immortal god, a financially ruined mortal, a super-strong girl, or a woman with a vengeance, these characters are memorable and representatives of the genres their K-dramas belong to. If we’re talking about global, instant recognition, here are the ten most iconic K-drama characters everyone knows and loves.
10
Park Sae-ro-yi
‘Itaewon Class’ (2020)
One of the most well-known K-drama heroes of the 2020s is Park Sae-ro-yi (Park Seo-joon) from Itaewon Class. Sae-ro-yi is famous because he represents rebellion, principle, and stubbornness, and his appeal stems from the fact that he embodies perseverance in the face of systemic injustice. He and his ragtag crew of coworkers are all representatives of the struggle against the powerful people who run society, but Sae-ro-yi was such an iconic role that it brought Park Seo-joon a Marvel role.
Itaewon Class follows Sae-ro-yi from high school until adulthood; during high school, his life takes a wild turn when he defies the influential CEO of Jangga Group, leading to his father’s death and his own imprisonment. After release, he opens a small bar-restaurant in Itaewon, wishing to overpower the corporation that ruined his family and get revenge. As the story moves forward, Sae-ro-yi forms a new family of misfits and outsiders, while also learning about leadership, compromise, and being emotionally open; his journey is relatable and quite realistic, despite moments of melodrama.
9
Do Bong-soon
‘Strong Woman Do Bong-soon’ (2017)
Strong Woman Do Bong-soon features a soft-spoken woman named Do Bong-soon (Park Bo-young), but her secret is that she possesses incredible physical strength. Bong-soon quickly gained popularity for defying expectations and being a unique combination of an adorable rom-com lead and a superhero figure. The drama quite openly celebrates her strength, and helps her be the one to make all the decisions for herself; this is what makes her so appealing. Among K-drama fans, Bong-soon is one of the best representations of female empowerment.
Strong Woman Do Bong-soon follows Bong-soon, whose strength is hereditary, passed down through the women in her family. Despite her abilities, she dreams of becoming a video game designer and struggles with insecurity about appearing “too strong” for societal expectations. Her life changes when she becomes the bodyguard of the quirky CEO Ahn Min-hyuk (Park Hyung-sik), while another series of crimes happens in her neighborhood. Bong-soon balances romance, strength, and self-discovery, and learns to embrace her power, showing off greatly relatable qualities.
8
Woo Young-woo
Extraordinary Attorney Woo‘s titular character, Woo Young-woo (Park Eun-bin), became a fan favorite almost overnight. People remember her for her precise speech patterns, whale metaphors, and fascination with palindromes; as an autistic attorney navigating a high-pressure world of law, she stands out for bringing neurodivergent representation into mainstream K-drama in a thoughtful way. Young-woo’s iconic status stems from the show depicting her as a brilliant and emotional person, helping audiences connect with her and relate to her rather than observe her as an outsider.
Extraordinary Attorney Woo follows Woo Young-woo, a rookie lawyer with a photographic memory and exceptional analytical skills who gets a job at Seoul’s top law firm. At work, however, she faces social and professional barriers because of her autism. Each case challenges her understanding of human behavior, ethics, and justice, while also pushing her colleagues to confront their own biases. Besides work, the story also focuses on Young-woo’s personal growth, friendships, and romance, giving her a chance to claim space and independence.
7
Healer
‘Healer’ (2014–2015)
Healer is one of the most popular K-dramas of all time, and features Ji Chang-wook as the character known simply as Healer at first. Healer became iconic for being the ultimately perfect lone operative: mysterious, highly-skilled, and morally correct. He’s instantly recognizable among K-drama fans as the prototype of the modern action-romance hero, even helping Ji become one of the most popular actors overseas. Because of him, Healer became the example of a perfect thriller with heart and soul.
Healer follows the titular character, who is a night courier-for-hire taking on illegal jobs while adhering to a strict personal code. His life changes when he gets hired to protect a journalist, Chae Young-shin (Park Min-young), and the two of them become involved in an investigation of a decades-old political conspiracy. Disguising himself as a shy intern, Healer balances several identities while uncovering the truth about his past. The story blends action, romance, and political intrigue, with Healer’s character arc becoming a journey to reclaim his identity and stay around people instead of isolating himself.
6
Moon Dong-eun
‘The Glory’ (2022–2023)
The Glory is quite a fresh K-drama, considering it came out in 2022, but the protagonist, Moon Dong-eun (Song Hye-kyo) is already well-known as one of the greatest revenge protagonists in K-drama history. Her determination, focus, and seriousness make her iconic and dangerous, and she represents a new wave of darker, more psychologically grounded leads. Dong-eun is interesting because she embodies the results of uninhibited cruelty, abuse, and evil, depicting long-plotted revenge as a survival mechanism.
The Glory follows Moon Dong-eun, a woman whose life was destroyed by extreme school bullying. After years of living away from home and dropping out of high school, she reenters the lives of her abusers, coming up with an elaborate plan to destroy their social, professional, and emotional lives. The Glory follows her pursuit of justice, exploring themes of pain, complicity, and healing, and it attracted massive attention because it depicts unflinching school violence ignored by the higher-ups.
5
Go Ha-jin/Hae-soo
‘Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo’ (2016)
Go Ha-jin aka Hae-soo (IU) is one of the most emotional and unforgettable heroines in K-drama history, largely due to her tragic character arc in Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo. She isn’t just the icon of the 2010s because IU gives her a softness and gentleness that no other actress could achieve; she’s also iconic for being an idealist and a relentless romantic in a brutal historical environment. Ha-jin/Hae-soo’s tragedy continues to haunt viewers years after Moon Lovers ended, with many fans often naming this drama one of the best of all time.
Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo follows Go Ha-jin, a modern woman who time-travels to the Goryeo Dynasty and enters the body of a court lady, Hae-soo. Over time, she becomes entangled in royal court intrigue and forms bonds with multiple princes, in particular the emotionally (and physically) scarred Wang So (Lee Joon-gi). While we empathize with Wang So, Hae-soo is still the most important character, though both have to accept the cost of survival in a world where bloodlines and pristine reputations are crucial. Hae-soo’s tragic arc makes her even more likable and iconic, despite Moon Lovers being one of the saddest K-dramas ever.
4
Vincenzo Cassano
‘Vincenzo’ (2021)
Vincenzo is one of the biggest fan favorites of the past five years, with recommendations flying left and right for this crime drama. The protagonist of the show is Vincenzo Cassano (Song Joong-ki), who became instantly recognizable as the impeccably dressed consigliere of the Italian Mafia. Song Joong-ki, who portrays Vincenzo, effortlessly combines charm, brutality, and dark humor, giving us a rare antihero in a K-drama in a way only he can. Vincenzo embraces moral grayness, but he still makes audiences root for him.
Vincenzo follows the titular character, Vincenzo Cassano, who is a Korean-Italian mafia lawyer and consigliere. After trouble in Italy and the death of his Mafia boss, Vincenzo returns to Korea to find a large stash of cash, hidden under the foundations of a building which tenants don’t want to abandon. Vincenzo first tries to use them, but later befriends them, including a fearless attorney who clashes with a corrupt conglomerate. Although Vincenzo uses mafia tactics to deliver justice where the law fails, the drama explores belonging, identity, morals, and loyalty.
3
Yoon Se-ri and Ri Jeong-hyeok
‘Crash Landing on You’ (2019–2020)
Crash Landing on You is the greatest romantic K-drama of our time, and its protagonists, Yoon Se-ri (Son Ye-jin) and Ri Jeong-hyeok (Hyun Bin) became one of the most moving and emotional couples among domestic and international audiences. Se-ri embodies confidence, modern femininity, and vulnerability; Captain Ri embodies duty, bravery, and chivalry. Their combination is unique and touching, making them a couple that fights for each other equally rather than allowing one character to be the pursuer.
Crash Landing On You follows a chaebol heiress, Yoon Se-ri, who accidentally paraglides into North Korea, where she meets the stoic army captain Ri Jeong-hyeok. Stranded in unfamiliar territory, Captain Ri helps Se-ri hide in his home while he finds a solution to get her back into South Korea. This is her test of trust and communication, and his test of loyalty and questioning the status quo. The story follows their emotional journeys individually and together, showing the power of community, sacrifice, and love. It’s an incredibly romantic and emotional show, and it’s really hard to separate them from each other in this entry.
2
Kim Shin
‘Goblin’ (2016–2017)
Goblin is often considered the best K-drama ever made, and this is mostly because it was revolutionary in the way it incorporated fashion, settings, cinematography, music, and mood into the plot. Equally so, Kim Shin (Gong Yoo), or just Goblin, is one of the most visually and emotionally iconic characters in K-drama. Since fashion emphasizes the emotional states of the characters, Kim Shin floats through life in his long coat, embodying melancholy and loneliness. This role made Gong Yoo instantly recognizable, and since then, he’s been in some amazing dramas and movies.
Goblin follows Kim Shin, a Goryeo army general who was cursed with immortality, and the only way he can end the curse is by meeting the one human woman that could take out a sword from his soul. He meets Ji Eun-tak (Kim Go-eun), and their fates become intertwined after he realizes she’s the one that can end his curse. Goblin tackles themes of love, friendship, and guilt, and uses those themes to balance humor with some heavier, more existential and philosophical stuff.
1
Seong Gi-hun
‘Squid Game’ (2021–2025)
Squid Game is probably the first K-drama that went around the world in a commercial way, won awards at the Golden Globes and Emmys, and became a symbol of the fight against capitalism. The protagonist of Squid Game, Seong Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae), is instantly recognizable as the face of the series, embodying the desperation of people like him and their struggle to survive in a fixed, unjust system. Unlike traditional heroes, Gi-hun is flawed and emotionally scattered, but he’s still very relatable. Lee Jung-jae is a veteran actor with many great movies and shows behind him, but it’s very likely that the dedication he brought to portraying Gi-hun will always be the marker of his career (in a good way).
Squid Game follows Gi-hun as he enters a deadly competition after encountering a mysterious man in the subway. The man offers him participation in the competition, with a vast cash prize at the end; but, when Gi-hun arrives, he realizes the games aren’t just for a prize, but for literal survival. As the games progress, he finds kindness and empathy within himself, defying the ruthlessness of the games and showing what it means to stay human amid easy and cruel ways out. It can be a tough watch, but it’s very compelling, and there is a reason Squid Game became a fan favorite around the world.
Squid Game
- Release Date
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2021 – 2025
- Network
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Netflix
- Showrunner
-
Hwang Dong-hyuk
- Directors
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Hwang Dong-hyuk
-
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Wi Ha-jun
Detective Hwang Jun-ho
