Lim Young Woong, Kim Soo Hyun, Yoo Jae Suk: Korea's top stars revealed

Singer Lim Young Woong, actor Kim Soo Hyun, and MC Yoo Jae Suk have each taken the top spot in their respective fields as the most loved stars by Koreans.

According to a survey conducted by Gallup Korea from March 22 to April 5 with 1,777 respondents aged 13 and older across the nation (excluding Jeju Island), Lim Young Woong (10.3%) was ranked as the most popular singer.

Following him were IU (9.0%), BTS (4.9%), Na Hoon A (4.0%), NewJeans (3.5%), Jang Yoon Jung (3.4%), Jin Sung (2.7%), Young Tak, Song Ga In (both 2.4%), and BLACKPINK (2.2%), making up the top 10.

Debuting in 2016, Lim Young Woong gained significant popularity after winning TV Chosun’s audition program ‘Mister Trot’ in 2020 and has since become a prominent star in performances, broadcasts, and advertisements. IU, who debuted in 2008, is a singer-songwriter who also consistently appears in movies, dramas, and entertainment programs. Lim Young Woong received strong support from women and middle-aged to older adults, while IU was favored by men, people in their 10s to 30s, and women in their 20s to 30s.

The singer with the shortest career in the top 10 is the multinational girl group NewJeans, which debuted in 2022, while the longest-serving singer is Na Hoon A, who debuted in 1966. N

a Hoon A, the only singer to be in the top 10 in all four surveys over the past 20 years, announced his retirement with his last national tour this spring.

Other singers who received over 1% of responses include Lee Chan Won (2.0%), Sung Si Kyung (1.9%), Kim Yeon Ja (1.6%), Kim Ho Joong, Cho Yong Pil (both 1.5%), Lee Hyo Ri (1.3%), Lyn (1.2%), Jeon Yu Jin, IVE (both 1.1%), Jang Min Ho, Lee Seung Chul, Lee Moon Sae, and Lee Mi Ja (all 1.0%).

Kim Soo Hyun (6.4%) topped the list of favorite actors. He was followed by Nam Goong Min, Kim Ji Won (both 2.9%), Cha Eun Woo, Kim Nam Joo (both 2.7%), Choi Soo Jong (2.5%), Song Joong Ki (2.3%), Choi Bool Am (2.2%), Go Doo Shim (2.0%), and Kim Go Eun (1.8%) rounding out the top 10. Preferences for actors were less skewed compared to other fields, with the total preference for the top 10 actors not exceeding 30% (responses under 1% amounted to around 290 people, totaling 50%). Additionally, preferences for actors tend to be more influenced by recent appearances and roles. This trend has been consistent in past surveys.

Kim Soo Hyun and Kim Ji Won recently appeared as Baek Hyun Woo and Hong Hae In, respectively, in tvN’s ‘The Queen of Tears’ (March 9 – April 28, weekends), while Cha Eun Woo and Kim Nam Joo appeared as Kwon Sun Yul and Eun Soo Hyun, respectively, in MBC’s ‘Wonderful World’ around the same time. Choi Soo Jong played General Gang Gam Chan in KBS2’s ‘Goryeo-Khitan War’ at the end of last year and the beginning of this year, and Nam Goong Min appeared as Lee Jang Hyun in MBC’s ‘Lovers’ in the second half of last year.

Other actors who received over 1% of responses include Han So Hee, Kim Hye Ja, Park Eun Bin (all 1.7%), Park Seo Joon (1.6%), Son Ye Jin (1.5%), Song Hye Kyo, Kim Yoo Jung (both 1.2%), Jun Ji Hyun, Kim Hye Soo (both 1.1%), Cho Jung Seok, Lee Bo Young, and Gong Yoo (all 1.0%).

Among film actors, Choi Min Sik (8.1%) was the favorite. He was followed by Ma Dong Seok (7.1%), Song Kang Ho (7.0%), Lee Byung Hun (4.7%), Jung Woo Sung (4.2%), Lee Jung Jae, Hwang Jung Min (both 3.7%), Kim Hye Soo, Kim Go Eun (both 3.4%), and Son Seok Koo (3.1%) in the top 10.

Choi Min Sik met over ten million viewers with the occult-themed film ‘Exhuma’ earlier this year and also topped the list in 2014 with his portrayal of Admiral Yi Sun Shin in the highest-grossing Korean film of all time, ‘The Admiral: Roaring Currents.’

Ma Dong Seok has established a unique position through the ‘The Roundup’ series, which he produced, planned, and starred in, and he enjoys significant support from people in their 10s and 20s. Song Kang Ho, who gained international fame with ‘Parasite’ and ‘Broker,’ has been the top choice in Gallup Korea’s Actor of the Year survey five times since 2007 and maintains a top position even in years without new releases, indicating strong fan trust. Notably, both Song Kang Ho and Jung Woo Sung have appeared in the top 10 in all four surveys over the past 20 years.

Other actors with over 1% of responses include Yoo Hae Jin (2.9%), Youn Yuh Jung, Gong Yoo (both 2.1%), Han Suk Kyu (1.6%), Hyun Bin (1.5%), Song Joong Ki (1.4%), Ahn Sung Ki, Jun Ji Hyun (both 1.3%), and Ha Jung Woo (1.0%).

Among comedians and variety show hosts, Yoo Jae Suk (35%) was the favorite. He was followed by Shin Dong Yup (8%), Kang Ho Dong (7%), Park Na Rae (4.3%), Lee Kyung Kyu (4.1%), Jang Do Yeon (3.1%), Lee Soo Geun (3.0%), Tak Jae Hoon, Jun Hyun Moo (both 2.3%), and Kim Jun Ho (2.2%) making up the top 10. Others with over 1% of responses included Seo Jang Hoon (1.8%), Park Myung Soo (1.5%), Lee Yong Sik (1.2%), Lee Young Ja, and Ha Ha (both 1.1%).

Yoo Jae Suk, who topped the list for the third time following 2014 and 2019, is the most beloved comedian and variety show host across all age groups, and the preference gap between him and the second-place holder has widened, solidifying his unparalleled position. He has also been the top choice in Gallup Korea’s Comedian and Variety Show Host of the Year survey for 12 consecutive years until last year. Yoo Jae Suk, Shin Dong Yup, Kang Ho Dong, and Lee Kyung Kyu have all appeared in the top 10 in all four surveys over the past 20 years, while Jang Do Yeon and Tak Jae Hoon made their first appearances in the rankings this year.

Among cartoonists and webtoon artists, Kian84 topped the list with 30%, followed by Heo Young Man, Lee Hyun Se, Park Tae Joon, Joo Ho Min, Lee Dong Gun, Lee Mal Nyeon, and Jo Seok. Although Kian84 has not released a webtoon since 2022, his high recognition as a celebrity who originally started as a webtoon artist has likely influenced his ranking.

Lastly, among YouTubers, Tzuyang topped the list with 5.2%, followed by Kwaktube, Hamzy, Heebab, Pani Bottle, Kim Chang Ok, and Baek Jong Won.