2o24 has been an exceptional year for K-Drama lovers. The array of good K-dramas was enough to keep us occupied each month. With all these dramas, fans had many characters to fall in love with. 2024 was the year of losers in love boyfriends. FYI, this is a compliment and refers to men who love unconditionally with no regrets whatsoever.
From Sun-jae to Baek Sa-eon, our year was filled with men who gave their partners all the love in the world. Once again, fictional men in K-dramas raised the standards too high!
Byeon Woo-seok as Sun-jae
In April, almost all K-Drama lovers had Sun-jae fever. Like a sudden shower, Sun-jae came to us, and we couldn’t get enough. Whether it was on TikTok, X or Instagram, Byeon Woo Seok was the hot topic. A TikTok edit of his character as Sun-jae garnered over 5 million within the first month.
It might have been his pure like oxygen charms, voice, and the fact that he loved Im Sol in every reality that had us praying for a man like Sun-jae.
Kim Soo Hyun as Baek Hyun-woo
Kim Soo Hyun as Baek Hyun-wooOur boy Hyun-woo’s cuteness gave him trouble sometimes, but he was born cute. What could he do? There is a lot to love about Hyun Woo’s character. He tries to toughen his heart against his wife, but still finds ways to love and take care of her. His sweet jealousy and possessiveness when it comes to Hae-in melted our hearts. The way he protected her and was willing to endure to be with her was heart-warming. He was no saint, but he certainly did his best to stand by the woman he loved.
Ji Chang Wook as King Ko Nam-moo
Ji Chang Wook as King Ko Nam-mooJi Chang Wook is one fine-looking man, and he makes almost everything he does look cool. He has that natural-born rizz that never seems to end. Although he dies in the first episode of Queen Woo, his charismatic portrayal of King Nam-moo lingers on. The scene where he walks into the palace after coming from war and puts his haters in their lane is proof enough that his unmatched star power is indisputable.
Na In Woo as Yoo Ji Hyuk
Na In Woo as Yoo Ji HyukNa In-woo is known to be a happy, goofy giant, and many fans had a hard time seeing him as the serious CEO Ji Hyuk. If you watch the variety show 2 Days,1 Night, you will understand how good an actor Na In Woo is. His portrayal of Ji-hyuk as Ji-won’s prince charming had fans swooning over him. His visuals and how well he looked in a suit were a bonus.
Kim Jae Young as Han Da-on
Kim Jae Young as Han Da-onKim Jae-young deserves his flowers for his exemplary performance in the hit K-Drama, Judge from Hell. His romantic tension with Bit-na and his complex character touched a lot of viewers. There is something about a man with a strong sense of justice that is just wildly attractive. Of course, Jae Young’s easy-on-the-eye visuals only added to the fans’ attraction to his character.
Chae Jong Hyeo as Kang Hoo-hyung
Chae Jong Hyeo as Kang Hoo-hyungThere was a time we used to call him the potato guy thanks to his amazing performance in Nevertheless. However, in Serendipity Embrace, Chae Jong Hyeo proved his acting has only got better. Maybe it was the cheesy, flirtatious lines, the iconic kiss, or the fact that this was a second-chance romance story. All we know is that we were hooked!
Uhm Tae goo and Kim Hyu-jin
Uhm Tae goo and Kim Hyu-jinUhm Tae-goo’s return to TV was one of the best things that happened in 2024. This shy man has that deep voice that makes our knees buckle! However, his portrayal of a former gangster, Ji-hwan, in Sweet Mobster, is the reason we couldn’t stop watching this show. His cute and introverted demeanour throughout the show’s promotion had us smiling and wondering how soft-spoken he naturally is.
Another reason we watched the show is Hyu-jin’s portrayal of II-yeong. His intellect, and how well he treated Mi-ho once he got past his commitment phobia, were some of the few reasons why fans loved his character.
Hwang In Youp and Bae Hyeon Seong
Hwang In Youp and Bae Hyeon SeongHwang In-youp has always been a heartthrob, and it is no secret why fans loved him as the cold yet secretly warm-hearted Kim San-ha in Family by Choice. His long-time crush on Ju-won and how he slowly won her heart had fans giggling and smiling in excitement.
On the other hand, we have Bae Hyeon Seong, who plays the role of Hae-jun. His bright personality, love for his family and sense of responsibility touched many fans. The banter between San-ha and Hae-jun only made us fall harder.
Yoo Yoon Seok as Baek Sa-eon
Yoo Yoon Seok as Baek Sa-eonThis is strictly about Baek Sa-eon and not the actor himself. Baek Sa-eon might appear cold, but he is undying love for his wife is unmatched. This is one of the main reasons why fans have fallen head over heels with his character. He is intelligent, well-spoken and cultured. He shows his love through actions instead of words. However, as the show progresses and he gets close to Hee-joo, he can’t stop himself anymore.
Song Kang as Jung Koo Won
Song Kang as Jung Koo WonMy Demon ended in January 2024 and we will use this as justification to add Song Kang to this list. He was a menacing demon, but that didn’t stop viewers from crushing on him. What we love about his character is his dedication to Do-hee. His sense of fashion, humour and his supernatural powers made him more alluring.
Woo Do Hwan as Hae Jo
Woo Do Hwan as Hae JoHae Jo was a walking red flag, but we were blind. Also, don’t get us started on the abs! Once in a while, a bad boy is just what the heart wants. And you know what they say about bad boys taking you to heaven! Well, in this case, Hae Jo went to heaven alone, but still! Even with all his flaws, Hae-jo loved Jae-mi the best way he knew how. Eu Heung may have been the better man, but Hae Jo and Jae-mi had that kind of history that never goes away.
So there we have it! Our list of the hottest male K-drama actors that starred in dramas last year! Do you agree with our picks? Think another should have made the list? Let us know in the comments below!