Park Bo-gum and IU ranked first and second in a survey for the most active actors in Korea, with their roles in 'Thank You' highlighted.
December/31/2025 18:16Related Groups & Members
From November 11 to 28, 2025, Gallup Korea surveyed 1,700 people aged 13 and older across South Korea, excluding Jeju Island, asking them to name up to two actors who were most active in the past year (open-ended responses). As a result, Park Bo-gum (13.3%) and IU (11.3%), who played Yang Kwang-sik and Oh Esun in this year's popular Netflix series 'Thank You,' ranked first and second, respectively. Park Bo-gum has created a buzz with roles in 'Reply 1988' and 'Moonlight Drawn by Clouds.' He was also ranked first as 'Talent of the Year' in 2016. He has challenged himself with various roles, solidifying his status as a top actor. IU is an actress and singer-songwriter who continues to be active in dramas, films, and variety shows. In 'Thank You,' she played both a mother and daughter (Gummyeong), further expanding her acting range. 'Thank You' depicts the generational story of a couple born and raised in Jeju Island, spanning from the 1950s to the present, evoking nostalgia for the not-so-distant past through the life of their eldest daughter, Gummyeong, in Seoul. In a survey conducted by Gallup Korea on 'Favorite Programs and Video Content,' 'Thank You' ranked first for three consecutive months from March to May this year. Kim Ji-won (4.4%) ranked third, known for her diverse roles in 'Descendants of the Sun,' 'Fight for My Way,' and 'My Liberation Notes.' In the first half of last year, she established a unique presence as Hong Hae-in in 'Queen of Tears.' Fourth place went to Girls' Generation's YoonA (3.9%) for her role as Yong Ji-young in 'The Chef of the Tyrant,' while fifth was Choo Young-woo (3.3%), active in many works including 'The Shaman and the Cowherd.' Sixth place was Lee Jung-jae (3.1%) from 'Squid Game.' Following them, Namgoong Min from 'Our Movie,' Han Ji-min from 'You Are Beautiful in Heaven,' Byung Woo-seok from 'Run with Songjae,' and Kim Tae-ri from 'Jongnyun: Star is Born' (each 2.9%) tied for seventh place. YoonA, Choo Young-woo, and Han Ji-min entered the top 10 for the first time this year. Other actors receiving over 1.0% include Han Suk-kyu and Joo Ji-hoon (each 2.8%), Kim Woo-bin, and 2PM's Junho (each 2.7%), Song Hye-kyo, ASTRO's Cha Eun-woo, and Kim Hye-soo (each 2.6%), Song Joong-ki (2.3%), Lee Je-hoon (2.1%), Bae Suzy, and Jang Nara (each 2.0%), Kim Go-eun, Jo Jung-suk, and Park Eun-bin (each 1.9%), Ryu Seung-ryong (1.8%), Hyun Bin (1.7%), Jung Il (1.6%), Park Seo-joon, Lee Byung-hun, and Kim Hee-sun (each 1.5%), Lee Seung-jae (1.4%), Kang Ha-neul, Ji Chang-wook, Yeom Hae-ran, and Son Ye-jin (each 1.3%), Choi Woo-shik, Shin Min-a, Park Bo-young, and Kim Hae-ja (each 1.2%), and Jung Ho-jin and Lee Young-ae (each 1.0%), totaling 31 actors. Previously announced, in the variety talent and comedian categories, Yoo Jae-suk ranked first for 14 consecutive years, while athlete Son Heung-min ranked first for nine consecutive years. However, the top talent position has changed every year during the same period. From 2007 to this year, only Ko Hyun-jung, Song Joong-ki, and Park Bo-gum have won first place twice, with all other top spots going to different actors. Given the nature of dramas that air for a limited time, it can be said that the influence of appearances in works broadcast just before the survey is significant. Unlike the past, which was centered around terrestrial broadcasting, the current landscape has diversified into non-terrestrial and OTT (video streaming services), broadening the range of themes and genres, leading to a tendency for viewer interest in featured actors to be dispersed. Compared to the previously announced sports and variety talent fields, the difference in favorability among the top 10 is not large, and the number of individuals receiving over 1.0% is also high, indicating a diversification of viewer preferences. From 2007 to 2017, all actors who ranked first as 'Talent of the Year' appeared in terrestrial dramas. However, since 2018, the presence of non-terrestrial dramas has rapidly increased, and for the first time, a top rank has emerged from an OTT drama.
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