Top 5 Korean Idols Dominating TV Ratings and the Box Office

Top Korean idols leading drama ratings and box office hits.
Suzy, IU, Yoona, Junho, and D.O. at their acting peak.
A quick look at their biggest achievements.

Not all Kpop idols manage to leave behind their “singer” label when stepping into acting. However, the five stars below prove that a music career is only a doorway to greater achievements. Bae Suzy, IU, Im Yoona, Lee Junho, and Do Kyungsoo (D.O.) have carved out impressive careers on both the small and big screens; their dramas break rating records, their films dominate the box office, and audiences eagerly await their next projects. This article summarizes their journeys and achievements in acting, complete with rating data, box office numbers, and netizen comments.

The rise of idols turned actors didn’t happen overnight. Public skepticism was initially high, but years of refined acting skills, strong script selections, and relentless hard work have placed these idols among South Korea’s top actors. They balance music and acting careers, win major awards, and consistently become rating and box office magnets. Here’s a closer look at their stories.

Suzy – The “Nation’s First Love” and a Global Star

Suzy began her acting career with the youth drama “Dream High” in 2011. The series became a local hit, scoring strong ratings and gaining popularity abroad. Her film debut, “Architecture 101” (2012), elevated her status even further; the film drew more than 4.1 million viewers in nine weeks and broke box office records for Korean melodramas. Its success earned her the title “Nation’s First Love,” showcasing how an idol could capture the public’s heart through acting.

More than a decade later, Suzy remains relevant. In 2023 she portrayed a former idol living with a college student in the series “Doona!”. According to Koreaboo, shortly after its premiere, the drama topped Netflix Korea, placing number 2 on the “Top 10 TV Shows in Korea” chart and projected to hit number 8 globally. Although reviews were mixed, netizens on theqoo showed strong enthusiasm:

“I think this is the best show I watched on Netflix in 2023… Suzy and Yang Sejong’s chemistry is insane,” wrote one user.

Another encouraged others to check the drama out:

“Please watch it. I’m telling you it’s really good.”

Even if not everyone loved the character Doona, global buzz proved Suzy’s lasting OTT appeal.

Beyond her popular romance and melodrama roles, Suzy also surprised audiences with her chilling transformation in the short film “Genie Make a Wish,” where she played a character with unsettling, borderline psychopathic tendencies. Her cold gaze, measured dialogue delivery, and eerie emotional detachment showcased a darker side of her acting range. Fans and critics praised her for breaking away from her “sweet image,” proving she could dive into psychologically complex, morally ambiguous roles with impressive control.

Suzy also starred in the disaster thriller “Ashfall” and the fantasy film “Wonderland” (2024), though recent box office figures are harder to access. Still, her track record from “Architecture 101,” “Dream High,” and “Doona!” clearly demonstrates her powerful screen presence.

IU – From Singer to Award-Winning Actress

Lee Jieun, better known as IU, has proven she is more than a music diva. In the drama “My Mister” (tvN, 2018), she delivered a deeply moving performance as Lee Jian. The final episode recorded 7.35 percent nationwide and 8.17 percent in Seoul, with a season average of 4.98 percent, high numbers for a cable drama with a realistic theme. In 2019, IU captivated audiences again through the fantasy drama “Hotel Del Luna.” Hellokpop noted that the series earned 8.8 percent ratings and mesmerized viewers with its emotional storytelling and glamorous wardrobe. Netizens were no less enthusiastic, with Allkpop quoting comments such as:

“One of my favorite dramas of 2019… the outfits were on point and I loved every episode,”

and another admitting,

“I watched from start to finish. Hotel Del Luna made me discover IU.”

IU’s film career also surged. In “Dream” (2023), she starred alongside Park Seojoon. Gulf News reported the film sold 93,417 tickets on its first day and grossed 555,830 US dollars, reaching 101,277 viewers including pre screenings. Koreaboo added that it became the first Korean film in 50 days to top the box office, even beating the debut of “The Super Mario Bros Movie.” In 2025, IU won Best Actress at the Blue Dragon Series Awards for “When Life Gives You Tangerines,” which the media called a “major hit across Asia.” These milestones solidify her transformation from singer to decorated actress.

Yoona – Queen of the Box Office and Netflix

Im Yoona of Girls’ Generation is one of the most successful idol actresses in Korean cinema. She starred in the action comedy film “Exit” (2019), which recorded 9,428,172 viewers and ranked number 26 among Korea’s highest grossing films of all time. Two years earlier, she appeared in “Confidential Assignment,” which attracted 7,817,654 moviegoers. These achievements place Yoona among the top box office idols.

On television, Yoona continues to prove her rating power. “King the Land” (JTBC, 2023), where she starred opposite Lee Junho, reached a peak national rating of 13.8 percent. In 2022, she led the suspense drama “Big Mouth” with Lee Jongsuk; Kpopmap noted it achieved 13.7 percent and became a major hit. Netizens expressed strong praise in Allkpop’s comment section:

“The plot is exciting and full of lessons… Yoona and Junho were amazing, their chemistry was realistic.”

Another comment called King the Land a “global hit” and noted it entered Netflix’s Top 10 of 2023, proof of Yoona’s worldwide appeal. Yoona also went viral for the iconic line “Bon Appétit Your Majesty,” which became a cultural moment among fans and casual viewers alike. The phrase, delivered with her signature charm, sparked countless memes, edits, and social media reenactments, further cementing Yoona’s pop culture influence beyond ratings and box office numbers.

Yoona continues to expand her portfolio with upcoming films and new TV roles, signaling the consistency of her acting career.

Junho – The King of Historical Dramas and Romantic Comedies

Lee Junho from 2PM proved his acting prowess through the historical drama “The Red Sleeve” (MBC, 2021). Kpopmap described the series as “phenomenal,” achieving a 17.4 percent rating and becoming MBC’s highest rated drama between 2020 and 2023. This success placed Junho firmly among top tier actors; he even kept his promise to appear on a talk show after the ratings surpassed 15 percent.

His collaboration with Yoona in “King the Land” showcased his romantic comedy charm, with the final episode hitting 13.8 percent. Junho’s acting range, from historical dramas to modern romcoms, highlights his versatility. Netizens praised him on Allkpop:

“Junho and Yoona are the best couple, their chemistry is natural… KTL deserves many awards.”

Junho further expanded his filmography through the movie “Typhoon Family,” where he delivered a grounded and emotionally layered performance as a son entangled in family conflict after the disappearance of his father. The film allowed Junho to explore a more understated, human side of his acting, balancing tension, vulnerability, and quiet resilience. Critics noted that Junho’s portrayal added depth to the chaotic, black-comedy narrative, proving once again that he excels beyond romance and period dramas.

Beyond dramas, Junho remains active in films and musical theater, but his achievements in “The Red Sleeve” and “King the Land”, and now "Typhoon Family" already demonstrate his dominance in TV ratings.

D.O. – Master of Historical Dramas and the Big Screen

Do Kyungsoo (D.O.) of EXO has shown an impressively smooth transition into acting. The sageuk drama “100 Days My Prince” (tvN, 2018) achieved remarkable numbers: Soompi reported its finale marked a 14.1 percent average and a 16.7 percent peak, making it the fourth highest rated drama in tvN history. Allkpop confirmed the same Nielsen Korea data and noted that the 16.7 percent peak dominated Monday Tuesday dramas during its run. Viewers left glowing reviews, saying:

“Such a great drama! D.O. is an amazing actor and I enjoyed every episode,”

while another wrote:

“This drama deserves its ratings; I never got bored watching it.”

His film career is equally strong. “My Annoying Brother” (2016) topped the local box office, surpassing one million viewers within four days and reaching three million viewers by mid December, earning 20.6 million US dollars. He then appeared in the fantasy blockbuster “Along with the Gods The Two Worlds,” which drew 13,542,327 viewers by January 2018, becoming the third highest grossing Korean film at the time. In the musical film “Swing Kids” (2018), D.O. played a tap dancing soldier, with the movie earning 10.9 million US dollars.

D.O. further broadened his portfolio with the mystery film “The Manipulated,” where he took on a more restrained and psychologically complex role. In the movie, he portrays a young man caught in a web of deceit and hidden motives after a suspicious death triggers a series of unsettling discoveries. His performance was praised for its quiet intensity, internal conflict, and the subtle emotional shifts that kept viewers questioning the truth behind every scene. The role reaffirmed D.O.’s ability to handle darker, character driven narratives beyond his mainstream hits. These projects highlight his ability to drive both TV ratings and movie ticket sales.

These five idol actors prove that transitioning from the music stage to dramas and films is far from impossible. Suzy broke box office records with “Architecture 101” and continues drawing global attention with “Doona!”. IU achieved high ratings and major awards, while Yoona conquered the box office and led dramas that hit global Top 10 charts. Junho excelled in both historical dramas and romcoms with impressive ratings, and D.O. consistently set records in both television and film. With ever growing acting abilities and dedicated audience support, they have and will continue to dominate South Korea’s rating charts and box office scene.

Source: Koreaboo, Allkpop, Kpopmap, Soompi, Hellokpop, Gulf News, Nielsen Korea.