This year has been eventful. If there is a setting sun, there is also a rising sun. In dramas, movies, and variety shows, new talents have emerged, signaling a fresh wave in the entertainment industry. We have selected the rising stars who captured the hearts of viewers in both the home theater and cinema this year.
The tvN drama ‘Seonjae Up and Fly’ is undoubtedly one of the most talked-about works of the year, instantly elevating Byun Woo-seok from a rising star to a global sensation.
‘Seonjae Up and Fly’ tells the story of Im Sol (played by Kim Hye-yoon), who loses her will to live after a major accident, and falls into despair over the death of the famous artist Ryu Seon-jae (played by Byun Woo-seok), who saved her life. In a time-slip romance, she travels back to 2008 to save her favorite. The romance between Byun Woo-seok and Kim Hye-yoon, dubbed the ‘Sol-Seon Couple,’ has excited viewers and even coined the term ‘Seon-Chinja’ (meaning ‘crazy for Seonjae Up and Fly’).
Following the success of the drama, Byun Woo-seok has solidified his status as a top star, receiving numerous advertising offers and reportedly earning over 10 billion won from advertisements alone. According to industry sources, before the airing of ‘Seonjae Up and Fly,’ he received less than 400 million won in advertising fees per year, but his value has skyrocketed to around 1 billion won since then.
There was some controversy as well. In July, while departing for an overseas fan meeting, Byun Woo-seok was embroiled in a ‘royal security’ scandal. The security company that protected him closed a gate at Incheon International Airport's Terminal 2 for 10 minutes and checked the passports and boarding passes of passengers using the Korean Air Prestige Class lounge. They also used a strong flash to prevent passengers from taking photos of Byun Woo-seok.
However, such controversies are unlikely to hinder his popularity. Byun Woo-seok has confirmed his next project, the MBC drama ‘21st Century Grand Prince’s Wife.’ This work depicts a romance between a wealthy chaebol who has everything but is merely a commoner, and a prince who has nothing and is sad. Byun Woo-seok will play the role of the second son of the king, Lee An-daegun, with IU as his co-star. ‘21st Century Grand Prince’s Wife’ is set to air in the second half of 2025.
Lee Do-hyun has also garnered attention for his debut on the big screen with the blockbuster film ‘Pamyo.’ In the film, he plays Bong-gil, a shaman who embarks on a journey to resolve his ancestors' burial issues alongside his mentor Hwa-rim (played by Kim Go-eun). Bong-gil, who dreamed of becoming a baseball player, faced a life-threatening situation due to a spiritual illness in his childhood but starts a new life as Hwa-rim's disciple after being saved by her.
Along with the film's engaging storyline, Lee Do-hyun's captivating performance truly stood out. He seamlessly embodied the character with tattoos all over his body, long hair, and mismatched items like a headset. His portrayal of a character who must show responsibility while also appearing light-hearted, as well as his efforts to confront fear and his chilling performance possessed by a ghost in the latter part of the film, earned him much praise from audiences.
Lee Do-hyun enlisted in the Air Force in August 2023 and is currently serving. Just before his enlistment, he appeared in the JTBC drama ‘Bad Mom,’ connecting with viewers. Even after enlisting, he has met fans through the release of the film ‘Pamyo,’ a special appearance in the TVING series ‘Lee Jae, Soon to Die,’ and the Netflix series ‘Sweet Home 3.’ He is expected to be discharged in May 2025, and fans are eagerly anticipating what he will show after his discharge.
Dex has firmly established himself as a top star from a rising star. This year, he has been active in various entertainment programs such as MBC Life’s ‘College Sports Festival: Youth Athlete Village,’ tvN’s ‘Sister’s Direct Delivery,’ Disney+’s ‘The Zone: Survival Mission 3,’ JTBC’s ‘My Name is Gabriel,’ and Netflix’s ‘Zombieverse: New Blood.’
Among them, the most attention-grabbing was his appearance in ‘Sister’s Direct Delivery’ (hereafter referred to as ‘Direct Delivery’). ‘Direct Delivery’ is a variety show that captures the diverse tasks and seasonal dishes that can only be tasted in places by the sea. Led by Yeom Jeong-ah, along with Park Jun-myeon, Ahn Eun-jin, and Dex, they work together, cook, and share food, showcasing a genuine family-like chemistry.
While everyone had great chemistry, the ‘real siblings’ chemistry between Dex and Ahn Eun-jin was exceptional. Dex has often been referred to as a ‘flirting expert,’ known for his sweet and kind remarks that make listeners’ hearts flutter. Every program he appeared on seemed to have a romantic atmosphere. However, it was different in ‘Direct Delivery.’
Whenever Dex tried to make a flirting remark, the three sisters quickly interrupted him. Ahn Eun-jin, in particular, humorously acted like a real older sister, making the audience laugh. She teased Dex with lines like, “You want to taste the bitter side of life?” and “A monster born from YouTube,” keeping him in check. Dex adapted to Ahn Eun-jin’s relaxed demeanor, and their playful sibling-like interactions, such as constantly betting on games like ‘Alkkagi’ and ‘Omok,’ captured the hearts of viewers.
He also challenged acting. In July, he took on the role of delivery rider Yoon Dong-in, who dreams of starting a delivery business, in the U+ Mobile TV original series ‘Tarot: Seven Stories.’ Dex acted alongside Jo Yeo-jeong, Park Ha-sun, Ko Gyu-pil, Seo Ji-hoon, and Lee Joo-bin.
He has been cast in the drama ‘I Shopping,’ based on the Kakao Webtoon of the same name, and is expected to meet viewers as an actor in 2025. Dex will portray Jeong-hyun, who is responsible for the actual operations of a secret organization. He is said to be working alongside Yeom Jeong-ah and Won Jin-ah. With Dex having conquered both variety shows and dramas, expectations are high for what new aspects he will showcase in the future.
[Kim So-yeon, Star Today Reporter]
