8 Korean Actors And Actresses Who Have Ventured Into Hollywood

Often times when a Korean celebrity hits famous status, they will consider going into Hollywood. The opportunity presents itself in the form of a movie, TV show, or even a cameo appearance, and eventually it gets a lot of buzz. There have been a fair share of these actors and actresses, but here are eight actors and actresses who have ventured into Hollywood.

Ma Dong Seok

Many will be surprised to discover that the famous “Train to Busan” actor actually lived in Ohio and has American citizenship. Despite having moved to South Korea to focus on evolving his acting career, Ma Dong Seok returned to the United States, joining the Marvel Cinematic Universe in the highly-anticipated “Eternals” as the rough Gilgamesh. Having made quite the impression in this particular role, he will undoubtedly have more opportunities in the future!

Lee Byung Hun

Lee Byung Hun’s diverse background and language abilities will impress many. Not only is the South Korean actor fluent in English, but he is also fluent in French! With his eclectic background, it was only a matter of time before Hollywood knocked on the actor’s door. He waited for the perfect role and finally accepted to star as Storm Shadow in the G.I. Joe franchise. But he didn’t stop here. He later starred in “Terminator Genisys,” “Misconduct,” “The Magnificent Seven,” “The Fortress,” and “Keys to the Heart.” It’s obvious that Lee Byung Hun’s Hollywood career is flourishing!

Han Hyo Joo

Han Hyo Joo is a household name in South Korea, known for her beauty and talent as an actress. Her Hollywood debut came in the form of a Jason Bourne spin-off series titled “Treadstone.” She was able to showcase her natural charm, English, and action scenes, which she worked so incredibly hard on. Her transformation was jaw-dropping, and there is no question that she gave it her all!

Rain

Rain’s international fame and debut in Hollywood was very natural. In his solo singing career, he performed at Madison Square Garden to a sold out crowd. From this stemmed endless opportunities for international fame and stardom including starring in various films like “Speed Racer,” “Ninja Assassin,” “The Prince,” and more. The popularity and power of Rain when it comes to music and acting is endless!

Park Seo Joon

Park Seo Joon is one of the newer faces on the list of Koreans who have decided to take on some Hollywood roles. As he is considered to be one of the biggest K-drama actors in the industry, it was only a matter of time before he caved into the relentless scripts and opportunities he received from Hollywood. When it was finally confirmed that Park Seo Joon would be joining the Marvel Universe, fans were ecstatic. He is set to star in the upcoming sequel to “Captain Marvel” sometime in 2023, and I’m so excited to see him shine in this role!

Yoo Teo

Yoo Teo has been acting forever, but he was only recognized more recently through various K-drama projects. Being born in Germany and being fluent in several languages has given Yoo Teo the opportunity to expand his acting horizons. He has been in several American films already and is most recently starring in the already critically-acclaimed film “Past Lives,” which was released at the Sundance Film Festival earlier this year. It seems as though Yoo Teo is able to excel no matter what industry he is in, and many are thrilled as his acting and charisma on screen is always something to look forward to!

Bae Doona

Having started her career as a model, Bae Doona quickly shifted to acting after graduating from university. Needless to say, her acting career took off quickly. She starred in Bong Joon Ho’s “Barking Dogs Never Bite” shortly after and has been in many classic films that have stood the test of time. She is truly an icon that many respect. With her career skyrocketing, it was not surprising when she took on the role of Sonmi in the movie “Cloud Atlas.” After starring in several other Hollywood flicks, Bae Doona has become a household name in the industry, and her career continues to flourish.

Son Suk Ku

Many are surprised to know that this famous actor was actually in the American sci-fi series “Sense8” alongside Bae Doona. His fluency in English is one to be noted as he had grown up in the United States, so it is only fitting that his acting resume includes some U.S. projects. Although he isn’t currently slated to have taken on any Hollywood roles, it is great to see that there are lots of opportunities for him out there! Hopefully we’ll be seeing him in his upcoming Korean projects this year.

Hey Soompiers, are there any other actors and actresses you know who have ventured into Hollywood? Let me know in the comments below!

binahearts is a Korean-Canadian published author, content creator, and influencer whose ultimate biases are Song Joong Ki and BIGBANG, but has lately been seen obsessing over Hwang In Yeop. Make sure you follow binahearts on IG as she journeys through her latest Korean crazes!