The Korea Business Research Institute's latest brand reputation ranking for actors is out, showing a snapshot of who's winning hearts, headlines, and digital real estate across Korea and beyond. From Squid Game legends to rising Netflix darlings and cinema heavyweights returning to the small screen, July's Top 30 names reveal a map of connections, trends, and shifting industry dynamics that define 2025's Hallyu landscape.

Here's what the ranking really tells us, and why fans and producers alike should be paying close attention.

Netflix Still Reigns Supreme

You can't talk about today's Korean star power without naming the elephant in the room: Netflix. It's the global platform that turned local actors into international icons, and this month's chart proves that its reach isn't slowing down.

Topping the list is Lee Jung Jae, the Squid Game phenomenon whose Emmy-winning turn as Seong Gi Hun launched him into global superstardom. He's gearing up for Season 2 and juggling his crossover into Star Wars with The Acolyte, cementing his status as an East-meets-West force in the industry.

Just two spots behind him is Yim Si Wan, who has built a dual reputation: one for emotional depth in dramas like Misaeng, and another for his chilling portrayal in Netflix's Unlocked. The combination of critical acclaim and digital reach has proven powerful.

Also ranking high is Jung Hae In, whose work in D.P. Season 2 has only deepened his appeal with both local and international fans. His quiet intensity and boy-next-door charm have made him a streaming-era leading man.

Netflix alum Go Youn Jung made a strong showing this month after her roles in Alchemy of Souls and the upcoming Sweet Home Season 2. Her name signals a generational shift — fresh-faced talent commanding just as much attention as veteran stars.

K-Drama Chemistry Still Matters

The list is also a reunion tour of some of the best-loved on-screen pairings and ensemble casts.

Song Joong Ki and Jeon Yeo Been, who starred in Vincenzo, both appear in this month's rankings. The mafia-meets-romance drama became a pandemic-era hit that's still fueling fan nostalgia — and apparently, SEO.

Another beloved pairing making solo appearances: Kim Tae Ri and Kim Da Mi, two of the most critically respected actors of their generation. Though they haven't starred opposite each other, their stylistic choices, nuanced performances, and breakout dramas (Twenty-Five Twenty-One for Tae Ri and Our Beloved Summer for Da Mi) have frequently landed them in overlapping discussions online.

And don't overlook Park Bo Young, whose roles in Strong Girl Bong-soon and Daily Dose of Sunshine keep her in the conversation. Her relatable charm continues to connect with audiences, especially female viewers.

Movie Royalty Comes Home

What's particularly striking this month is how many traditionally cinema-focused actors are now center stage in the digital drama era.

Take Lee Byung Hun, the blockbuster veteran who has starred in everything from I Saw the Devil to Mr. Sunshine. He's now part of the Squid Game universe, and fans are eagerly awaiting his next move.

Gong Yoo, another film and TV hybrid star, continues to ride the wave of The Silent Sea and Train to Busan. He remains a fan favorite, versatile, charismatic, and still selective about his projects.

Meanwhile, Ma Dong Seok, long considered a box office king thanks to his action-packed roles, is rumored to be returning to K-dramas. His name in the ranking hints at anticipation, even without a current hit on air.

Agencies and Alliances: Behind-the-Scenes Influence

A closer look reveals how entertainment agencies are consolidating power. Many of these stars are represented by a few dominant labels, making certain agencies Hallyu kingmakers.

For example, BH Entertainment is behind Lee Byung Hun and Ma Dong Seok, while Management mmm counts Kim Da Mi and Kim Tae Ri among its rising stars. Their strategic casting across high-profile dramas and streaming projects helps them maintain buzz all year long.

The appearance of multiple actors from the same agency — or who've worked on the same platform — also hints at a kind of creative ecosystem. If you're casting a drama in 2025, chances are you're looking at someone from this very list.

Genre Trends Reflect Viewer Desires

Another takeaway from this month's list is how genre plays into popularity. It's not just romantic comedies anymore, fans are flocking to thrillers, survival dramas, legal sagas, and psychological mysteries.

From Son Suk Ku's layered performance in My Liberation Notes to Lee Je Hoon's action-hero turn in Taxi Driver, darker, more morally complex stories are winning viewers. At the same time, actors like Kim Hye Soo (Juvenile Justice) and Park Seo Joon (Itaewon Class, soon to appear in The Marvels) are proving that socially conscious roles have major staying power.

While newcomers like Lee Jae In and Gong Myoung reflect the industry's future, many of July's top actors are familiar names, suggesting that Korea's entertainment ecosystem values longevity, not just virality.

There's a balance between emerging talent and established icons. And it's this blend, of risk-taking with consistency, of emotional storytelling with global strategy, that continues to make Korean entertainment the envy of the world.

Here are the top 30 names with the higher reputation this July 2025

Lee Jung Jae
Lee Byung Hun
Yim Si Wan
Lee Sun Bin
Son Suk Ku
So Ji Sub
Kang Ha Neul
Gong Myoung
Lee Jun Hyuk
Song Joong Ki
Go Youn Jung
Gong Yoo
Lee Dong Wook
Kim Hye Soo
Park Bo Young
Jung Hae In
Han Ji Min
Lee Jae In
Yoo Hae Jin
Ma Dong Seok
Shim Eun Kyung
Lee Jong Suk
Jeon Yeo Been
Cha Seung Won
Go Soo
Lee Je Hoon
Park Seo Joon
Kim Tae Ri
Son Ye Jin
Kim Da Mi