6 K-Drama Male Leads Who Need To Make A Comeback

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K-dramas often succeed or fail based on the strength of their male lead actor, but there’s a lot of talent waiting for a chance to shine. Whether a drama is a sweet romance, an exciting thriller, a fantastical adventure, or something else entirely, the leading man is crucial. A truly captivating actor can even bring a Korean drama worldwide recognition all on their own.

A great male lead can make an ordinary show feel like a classic K-drama, but sometimes actors who become famous in one role suddenly disappear from the spotlight. There are many reasons why this happens – they might be fulfilling their mandatory military service in South Korea, or simply waiting for the right project. Still, there are several well-known actors who are due for a comeback soon.

Kim Min-kyu

Known For: Business Proposal, Because This Is My First Life, Snowdrop

Kim Min-kyu began his acting career in 2013 and first starred as a lead in the 2019 historical drama Queen: Love and War, where he played King Lee Kyung. He’s also appeared in popular series like Because This Is My First Life, Backstreet Rookie, and Business Proposal, often in memorable supporting roles. Most recently, he captivated audiences as part of a beloved on-screen couple.

It’s been a while since Kim Min-kyu last appeared in a K-drama – his last one was in 2023. Early in 2024, his agency announced he had begun his mandatory military service. He’s now completed his service, along with popular actor Song Kang, and a return to K-dramas seems very likely. While he’s been great in supporting roles, Kim Min-kyu truly deserves to lead a drama himself.

Yoo Seung-ho

Known For: I Miss You, Memorist, I’m Not a Robot

Yoo Seung-ho began his acting career at just six years old with a 1999 commercial. He quickly became a well-known child actor in both TV and movies. By the early 2000s, he was affectionately known as “Nation’s Little Brother,” a title given to young actors who were seen as positive representatives of South Korean culture.

Yoo Seung-ho became even more popular thanks to his leading roles in dramas like My Strange Hero and The Deal, but he stopped appearing in TV series after switching agencies in early 2025. He’s recently focused on stage acting, receiving praise for his work in productions such as Angels in America and Killing Caesar. Despite his success on stage, fans definitely miss seeing him in dramas.

Kim Min-jae

Known For: Dr. Romantic, Dali and the Cocky Prince, Do You Like Brahms?

While many K-pop stars have transitioned into acting, Kim Min-jae began his career as a rapper known as Real.be back in 2014. After small roles in shows like Goblin and a three-season run as nurse Park Eun-tak in Dr. Romantic, he quickly became a popular K-drama actor.

Kim Min-jae was gaining momentum after starring in popular shows like Do You Like Brahms? and Dali and the Cocky Prince. However, his military service put a pause on his career, and he hasn’t played a main character since Poong, the Joseon Psychiatrist in 2022. Now that he’s finished his service, fans can expect to see him back on television in the next few years.

Nam Joo-hyuk

Known For: Twenty-Five Twenty-One, Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-Joo, Start-Up

Nam Joo-hyuk started his career as a model, but he became widely known after appearing in the popular drama Who Are You: School 2015. He then built on that success with several supporting roles before landing his first leading role in Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-Joo in 2016. He continued to find success with roles, most recently in the 2023 drama Vigilante.

Just before his most recent TV series aired, Nam Joo-hyuk began his mandatory military service, where he worked as a trainer and in riot control. He was discharged in 2024 and has since attended several Dior fashion shows. However, he hasn’t announced what he’ll be working on next. Although he could return to modeling, fans of his K-dramas are eager to see him act again.

Lee Joon-gi

Known For: Flower of Evil, Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo, Iljimae

Lee Joon-gi first became hugely popular after starring in the 2005 film The King and the Clown, and he’s continued to improve as an actor for the last two decades. He seamlessly transforms for every role, whether he’s playing a romantic lead or a frightening villain, always delivering exactly what the story needs.

Lee Joon-gi recently played an older version of his character Eun-seom in season 2 of Arthdal Chronicles, but he hasn’t taken on any new roles since late 2023. Considering he successfully relaunched his career in 2012 and rumors suggest he’ll be in a future historical drama, it’s likely we’ll see another peak in his acting career soon.

Won Bin

Known For: Autumn in My Heart, Mother, The Man from Nowhere

Won Bin is widely considered one of the greatest K-drama actors ever, and many fans eagerly await his return to acting. He first gained immense popularity across Asia with dramas like Kkokji and Autumn in My Heart, playing a significant role in the rise of the “hallyu” (Korean wave) in the late 1990s.

Won Bin hasn’t appeared in a drama or film since the 2010 movie The Man from Nowhere, but he remains a popular figure, sometimes appearing in commercials. He’s largely stayed out of the public eye for the last 15 years, dedicating his time to farming chokeberries. Fans of Korean dramas around the world would be thrilled to see him act again, even if it was just a brief appearance.

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2025-11-23 20:40