Guide to the Most Imp. Veteran/Ahjussi Actors in the Industry (Personal Pick)

[GirlCrush:Joy]

Warning: This is very detailed, It is sort of made as archive/reference material for amateur film enthusiast or lovers.

I had to limit myself so I picked my top personal favorites but if you want you can just add a post here with a short intro and some recommendations

Lee Jung Jae (42)

CJES

LJJ is actually one of the most, if not the most NATURAL Korean actor I have come across, yes, I'm referring to the "character actors" that Korean's love and overrate. Fresh off the success of Assassination, LJJ now holds two movies in the top ten Highest Grossing Korean Movies list: Assassination and The thieves with Jun Ji Hyun.

Must see:

New World

The Housemaid

The Face Reader

Hwang Jung Min(45)

SEM COMPANY

HJM marks the kind of character actors that Koreans might be right in admiring. But HJM's awe comes in his superb project choices. Holding number two AND three in the Highest Grossing Korean Movies list with Ode To My father the 2014 mega hit and Veteran the 2015 Mega hit, overrunning the competition for two consecutive years.

One thing must be added is that Hwang Jung Min is certainly one of those extremely (and I mean it) charming and suave like individuals, his interviews are a delight.

Must See:

Ode To my Father

Man in Love

New World

Five Senses of Eros

You are My sunshine

Ha Jung Woo(37)

FANTAGIO

Ahh, let's get to the jack of both trades mentioned above, good movie choices and solid acting approaches that match the character at hand. HJW who is known as the korean man's actor, constantly ranking 1st as the all time Korean male favorite for his genre choices and above all his real life character. Owning anecdotes that include chasing down a hit and run driver, a perception of a non-celebrity like attitude and a sense of humor loved by the likes of Jun Ji Hyun and Kim Yoon Seok.

Although he has been in the business for a while, In HJW case it almost seems like he is just getting started. After his domination of the 2013 acting awards HJW is now sharing his recent success' with LJJ in the film Assassination.

As of 2015, Ha Jung Woo is the actor with the most upcoming line up of movies after being recently noted as the most sought out actor of the upcoming year by directors.

Must see:

The Chaser

Nameless gangster

The Terror live

The Yellow Sea

Chronicles of a blood merchant (Starring and directing)

The Berlin file

The Client

The Holy Tetrat

These are the actors that the aforementioned look up to and aim to work with at any chance they get. They are mostly characterized by their bold choices during the growing stages of the Korean film industry which ultimately allowed for less constriction in plot and characters.

These are the true director actors.

Kim Yoon Seok(47)

SIM ENTERTAINMENT

Originally a theater actor; KYS is not actually recognized as part of the trilogy below as his activity began to take shape much later, a late bloomer that began to reach recognition in the beginning of his 40's.

Make no mistake though he is here for the stature of his work as well as an unapologetic approach to his acting. In addition to being regarded as an honorable co-star to act alongside.

Must see:

Tazza: the High Rollers

The Chaser

The Yellow Sea

Punch

Hwayi: A Monster Boy

Choi Min Sik(53)

CJES

Choi Min Sik together with Song Kang-ho and Han Suk kyu, is considered both domestically and on the global scene as among the very top echelon of South Korean actors in terms of presence and talent

CMS is holder of the number one grossing Korean film ever, The Admiral: Roaring Currents and perhaps the most critically acclaimed Korean movie ever, Old Boy.

Perhaps less importantly, CMS is known for his eccentric personality and his lack of conformity to Korean society standards, only done so in a very friendly approach and manner. This man of contrast is also known for his undying love for Korea's number one girl group SNSD. Often sighting that he would like to be born as SNSD's driver or manager and that he does not do favorites and would like to be seen as a protective presence in all of their lives (lol...).

Must See:

Old Boy

The Admiral: Roaring Currents

I Saw the Devil

Sympathy for Lady Vengeance

Nameless gangster

New world

Shiri

Song Kang Ho(48)

HODU ENTERTAINMENT

Arguably Korea's present most loved actor, ranking as the most trusted actor in terms of work and the first of the trilogy to acknowledge their influence. SKH is mostly known for his box office friendly choices but has released critical movies such as The Thirst which boasts an intense scale of violence, sexual and dark matter.

He has worked most with Han Suk Kyu out of the three and sees almost 3/4th of his discography as box office hits, the most recent of which The Attorney.

Song Kang Ho is also the most looked up to actor on this list

Must See:

The Foul King

The Host

The attorney

Memories of a murdere

Secret Sunchine

Sympathy for Lady Vengence

Shiri

Green Fish

No.3

[GirlCrush:Joy]

Han Suk Kyu(50)

KM CULTURE

Regarded by Choi Min Sik as his dearest freind and known for his intellectual image . An actor that Song Kang Ho maintains can not be ranked. Although he is considered CMS' junior, Han Suk Kyu was actually heavily active alongside him for the beginning part of their careers after which they drifted as actors although they remained extremely close to this day.

Han Suk Kyu is perhaps the actor that most contributed to the change and development in the Korean Film Industry (through movies like Green fish, Siri and then later The Scarlet Letter) but HSK suffered the most to get accustom to it's consequences.

After a string of highly successful projects Han Suk Kyu took time off the film industry for health reasons after which he was unable to gain the favour of the public again. This followed the release of the movie: The Scralet Letter which is regarded as a turning point in the Korean Film industry in terms of noir/ero genres. The film had disturbing scenes that eventually lead to the suicide of the main actress from lack of adjustment post shooting and release. This caused a public uproar and set back HSK emotionally and professionally.

The Scarlet Ltter was later revisited and hailed for it's quality and it's iconic place in Korean film history.

HSK continues to work but limits himself to supporting roles due to physical health reasons and his notorious House Dad tendency.

He of course is still looked up to by the younger generation, including Hwang Jung Min, Lee Sung Jae, Ryu Sung Bum, Lee Jin wook and Kim Joo Hyuk.

Must See:

Shiri

The Scarlet Letter

Tell me Something

Green Fish

No.3

The Contact

[twinky]

no Cha Seung Won?

 

i also like Lee Sung Jae ( 45 years old)

he's awesome

 

[xoSARANGHAE]

thanks for this.

i see these actors everywhere!

[GirlCrush:Joy]

no Cha Seung Won?

 

i also like Lee Sung Jae ( 45 years old)

he's awesome

 

 

I had to limit myself so I picked my top personal favorites but if you want you can just add a post here with a short intro and some recommendations

[Thigh-high feminist]

I love LJJ, HJW, KYS, CMS, and SKH. I would also add Lee Byung hun. Yes, he's a cheating bastard but he's still a great actor (IMO). Actually, SKH and LBH got me into Korean cinema.

[L'enfant terrible]

Song KangHo