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[Ishani's Picks] Top 10 Idol Actors Who Shone In 2021

Idols transitioning into acting is rather commonplace in the Korean entertainment industry and over the years, some of the finest actors we've known have been idols or in some cases, are still active in the music industry. Here are 10 idol actors (ranked in no particular order) who truly shone in 2021.

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Ok Taecyeon

n 2021, Taecyeon gave us two diametrically opposed characters: Jang Joon-woo in "Vincenzo" and Ra Yi-eon in "Secret Royal Inspector Joy" and won viewers' hearts with both of them. His unbelievable range and duality truly grabbed the spotlight this year and we cannot wait for more of his works.

Rowoon

f there's any idol who totally dominated the industry this year, it is Rowoon. From the suave and dreamy Chae Hyeon-seung in "She Would Never Know" to the quirky and sensible Jeong Ji-woon in "The King's Affection", Rowoon might as well be hailed as the best romance protagonist of the year.

Lee Jun-young

Action, romance, mystery or makjang, Lee Jun-young is an actor who can do it all. Over the years, he has established his name as one of the most expressive and talented actors in the industry and in 2021, the world bore witness to the same through dramas like "D.P", "Imitation" and now, "Let Me Be Your Knight".

Cha Eun-woo

The muse and face of global luxury brands, singer-songwriter and actor Cha Eun-woo is a force to be reckoned with. His drama "True Beauty" was easily one of the most highly talked about and beloved dramas of 2021 (the drama ended in February of 2021). With a number of projects underway, 2022 is going to be an even greater year for Cha Eun-woo.

Park Jinyoung

Taking on perhaps one of the most challenging roles of his acting career, Park Jinyoung was a masterful actor playing Kim Ga-on in "The Devil Judge". No one, if not Park Jinyoung, could have expressed the emotional vulnerability and moral oscillation of Kim Ga-on. In the second half of the year, Park Jinyoung also appeared in "Yumi's Cells", giving us just enough of a sneak peek into his role as Yoo Babi, who we'll see more of in Season 2 of the show. We cannot wait to see him on screen again.

Yeri

Yeri made her acting debut in 2021 with "Drama Stage 2021 - Mint Condition", making a strong impression from the very start. However, she truly proved her mettle as an actor in the web drama "Blue Birthday" where she played a complex and multidimensional character going through time and space, Oh Ha-rin. Yeri is most definitely an actress to look out for.

Lee Hyeri

One of South Korea's most beloved artists, both as a singer and an actor, Lee Hyeri once again stole the show as Lee Dam in "My Roommate Is a Gumiho", giving us yet another memorable character. Her innate ability to endear herself to her audience is magical. Lee Hyeri's charms and talent are truly endless.

Kwon Yuri

Kwon Yuri has always been an actress worthy of high praise but the way she executed the role of Soo-kyeong in "Bossam: Steal the Fate", imbuing her with layers of meaning and depth, was unbelievably nuanced and brilliant, to say the least. It wasn't surprising therefore, that she made television history with the drama.

Jung Soo-jung

The passion and sincerity with which Jung Soo-jung works on her art, perfectly reflects her unmatched talent. From "Sweet and Sour" to "Police University", in 2021, we saw two completely different characters played by the actress with perfection. Jung Soo-jung is truly a rare gem whose shine keeps getting brighter and brighter with time.

Jung Eun-ji

Jung Eun-ji's return to the acting scene was truly a blessing for all K-Drama lovers in the world. Her character Kang Ji-goo in "Work Later, Drink Now" is unbelievably impassive and dead-pan yet assertive and hilarious at the same time. Jung Eun-ji knocked it out of the park with how flawlessly she played her role and we simply can't get enough of Kang Ji-goo or Jung Eun-ji. Actress Eun-ji for the win!

By Ishani Sarkar

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