Welcome everyone!

It's time to understand Korean and Korean culture through the names of our favorite stars.

In today's content, we're going to meet the top 3 hottest and most famous male actors in Korea that you need to know about!

Let's get started!

🖐 Important Korean Name Culture 🖐

Every Korean name is unique and has its own special story. Even if names look and sound the same, they can have completely different meanings.

김수현 / Kim Soo-hyun

The superstar who turns every drama into a huge hit, including the latest sensation "Queen's Tears!"

If you're learning Korean, one of the top actors you should know about is Kim Soo-hyun. His name is very common in Korea, so it's good to remember it.

Let's start with Kim Soo-hyun's name. The surname Kim(김) is the most common surname in Korea. About 22% of the population has this surname, which means that about 20 out of every 100 people you meet have the surname Kim.

The name Soo-hyun(수현) is currently the 41st most common name in Korea in 2024. What's interesting is that this name suits both men and women, with 53% of people named Soo-hyun being male and 47% female. Although it started out as a male name, it has become popular with both genders over time. Kim Soo-hyun(김수현) is easy to remember and pronounce, so you'll get the hang of it quickly.

If you're learning Korean, make sure you remember the name Kim Soo-hyun!

Although many people in Korea share the name Kim Soo-hyun (김수현), the meanings behind the name can vary greatly.  

💎 For example, the name of the male actor Soo-hyun means Soo(수: outstanding) and Hyun(현: virtuous), a name given to him by his father. 

To explain the meaning, it means a person with a noble character and excellent talents who acts with wisdom and virtue. This person is highly respected for their artistic talents and contributions that benefit the world. 

It is often said that names have an invisible power because we use them often, and perhaps that's why the name Soo-hyun is so popular among celebrities in the entertainment industry. Besides the male actor Kim Soo-hyun, there's also a world-famous female actor named Soo-hyun, a top Korean drama writer, several movie actors, and even news anchors with the name. Many successful people in the arts have the name Soo-hyun.

변우석 / Byeon Woo-seok

Had a life-changing breakthrough with the drama, Lovely Runner!

His name, which is unique from surname to first name, may not be the easiest to remember. Especially since Woo-seok(우석) is a very masculine and powerful name, with 99% of its users being male. 

💎 The surname Byeon(변) means a place far from the center, Woo(우) means to help, and Seok(석) means wealth, resources, and high status. Therefore, Byeon Woo-seok's name conveys the idea of a person who helps and shares with those in distant places and lives a life blessed by heaven, earth, and the divine. 

While the pronunciation of Byeon Woo-seok's name may give a strong, masculine impression, it carries a warm meaning of loving and helping others. This combination of strength and compassion has probably contributed to his rise as a major actor. 

His recent global fan meeting sold out instantly, with merchandise and events snapped up in just five minutes. Byeon Woo-seok's popularity is going global, spreading far and wide, just like the meaning of his name! 

We hope this gives you more insight into Byeon Woo-seok! We're excited to see his talent continue to shine in TV and movies. 

차은우(Cha Eun-woo) / 이동민 / Lee Dong-min

The All-Round Superstar

If you don't know Cha Eun-woo yet, you definitely need to remember his name. Not knowing Cha Eun-woo might make it harder to chat with Koreans, as he's a hot topic among everyone. Thanks to him, many new slang words have emerged, and both men and women are captivated by his charm. 

He debuted with the boy group Astro, but Cha Eun-woo's fame grew rapidly due to his outstanding looks, physical strength as a former soccer player, excellent academic performance and high intelligence. 

Cha Eun-woo's real name is Lee Dong-min(이동민). 

The name Dong-min is almost exclusively male, giving a strong masculine impression. It was given to him by his grandfather, who named him after a respected acquaintance named Dong-min, hoping that he would inherit the same good qualities. This name tends to evoke a mature and grown-up image rather than a young and trendy one, which may be why he chose the name Eun-woo instead. 

The Dong(동) in Dong-min means 'east', and Min(민) means 'quick and agile'. The east often symbolizes Korea. So, the name Dong-min(동민) can be interpreted to mean someone outstanding enough to achieve great goals or dreams, with a reputation that quickly spreads far and wide, even internationally. Isn't it fascinating that his grandfather named him after an acquaintance with good character, but it also implies a name destined to become famous worldwide? 

By using the name Cha Eun-woo, he has gained worldwide popularity. His charm and talent are now recognized beyond Korea, reaching all corners of the world. Remembering Cha Eun-woo will make people talk. 

당신의 한국 이름은 무엇인가요?

What is your Korean name?