Top 10 South Korean Actresses Born in 1981 - 1982 - Talented and Famous

Wang Ji-hyun, born on October 30, 1981, known as Jeon Ji-hyun or Gianna Jun, is a South Korean actress and model. Wang Ji-hyun grew up in Seoul, South Korea. Her childhood dream was to become a flight attendant, but at the age of 16, she was discovered by a fashion editor while walking on the street, leading her to a career in modeling. Under the name Jeon Ji-hyun, she became a model for Ecole Magazine in 1997.

She gained fame as a model, TV actress, and notably for her role in the highest-grossing romantic comedy film of 2001, My Sassy Girl.

Other notable films include Windstruck (2004), The Thieves (2012), The Berlin File (2013), along with the popular TV dramas You Who Came from the Stars and Legend of the Blue Sea alongside actor Lee Min Ho.

Song Hye Kyo, born on November 22, 1981, is an acclaimed actress known for her roles in Autumn in My Heart, One for All, Full House, Worlds Within, That Winter, the Wind Blows, and most recently, Descendants of the Sun. In 2017, she ranked 7th in Forbes' 'Korea Power Celebrity' list.

The TV series Autumn in My Heart in 2000 marked her rise to fame in South Korea and across Asia. The show was a major success, pioneering the Korean wave in music and establishing Song Hye Kyo as a Hallyu star. In 2003, her popularity continued to soar. The following year, she teamed up with singer Bi Rain in the sitcom Full House, which quickly gained acclaim and solidified Song Hye Kyo's status as one of the most famous Korean actresses in Asia.

Han Ji Min was born on November 5, 1982. She embarked on her career with the lead role in the film Good Person (2003), and it seems the film industry favored her as subsequent productions left a lasting impression on audiences.

Her talent shone through roles in Dae Jang Geum (2003), All In (2003), Wolf (2006), Padam Padam (2011), Cain and Abel (2009), Yi San (2007), Rooftop Prince (2012). Han Ji Min undoubtedly deserved the top spot among the most famous Korean actresses in 2013! While many know her from Yi San, Rooftop Prince, Lee San, Chosun Dynasty, Jewel in the Palace, Padam Padam, One for All... her innovative performance in Rooftop Prince earned praise from fans and film experts alike. Her roles exude joy, naturalness, and that's why she receives admiration from the public as well as numerous film offers.

Over the years, she has demonstrated a solid and steady career, not only through acclaimed roles but also through the positive image she has cultivated. Starting as a beautiful, innocent girl and evolving into a mature, strong, confident, and alluring woman.

Han Ye Seul, born on September 18, 1981, is a Korean-American actress known for her roles in TV dramas like Snow Falls on Christmas Night?

Han Ye Seul began her career as a model after winning the supermodel competition in 2001. She appeared in various advertisements in South Korea, ranging from health drinks to women's fashion, Venus, Pizza Hut, Samsung, and commercials for Motorola phones. She also voiced the character Susan Murphy in the Korean version of DreamWorks Animation's Monsters vs. Aliens (2009). She featured in the music video for Bi Rain's 'Love Song.' In September 2014, Han Ye Seul signed an exclusive contract with her new management agency, KeyEast.

Son Ye-jin, born on January 11, 1982, is an actress known for her romantic films like My Wife Got Married, Classic, Aroma of Summer, Lonely in Love...

Son Ye-jin made her debut with a supporting role in the film Secret Tears in 2000, followed by lead roles in TV dramas such as Delicious Proposal, Sunhee Jinhee, and Daemang: Great Ambition. Her first notable attention came with a film directed by Im Kwon-taek, winning Best Director at the 2002 Cannes Film Festival.

Son Ye Jin achieved early success with two films, Love's Concerto and Classic. These films earned her the Best New Actress awards at the 39th Baeksang Arts Awards and the 24th Grand Bell Awards, propelling her to stardom in the Korean wave in 2003. In the following years, she also found significant success in Japan and China.

Jang Na Ra, born in 1981, graduated from Chung Ang University with a major in acting. Raised in an artistic family, her father is a stage actor in the national theater, and her mother is a graduate of the 11th Acting Academy. Her brother, Jang Sung Won, is also an actor active on MBC entertainment programs.

In 2002, Jang Na Ra took her first leading role in the acting career in the film Smart Girl. The film was a massive success with a rating of 42.6%, and Jang Na Ra and her co-star Jang Hyuk were considered the most beautiful on-screen couple in Korea at that time. The success opened up many opportunities for her in various fields, from acting, singing to endorsing products. In 2005, Jang Na Ra expanded her career to China and continued to succeed with popular films like 'Mischievous Princess,' 'Hello Shanghai,' 'Rebellious Good Physician,' 'Sky and Ocean'...

In recent years, returning to Korea for acting activities, Jang Na Ra has appeared in many highly-rated and widely acclaimed dramas such as The Last Empress, VIP, Oh My Baby, and Sell Your Haunted House. Particularly noteworthy is her ageless beauty, and the Korean media often refers to Jang Na Ra as the 'Timeless Beauty' for this unique trait.

Eugene, born in 1981, is a South Korean actress, singer, and TV host who was once a member of the girl group S.E.S., debuting in 1997 under the leading entertainment company SM Entertainment.

Throughout her over 24 years in the entertainment industry, Eugene has taken lead roles in numerous South Korean TV dramas, most of which achieved high viewership ratings. Notable works include the popular drama series Bread, Love and Dreams, known for its immense popularity and the title of a 'national drama,' and the weekend family drama in 2013, Hundred Year Inheritance, with over 30% viewership ratings. She has also starred in other dramas such as The Last Dance, Wonderful Life, Loving You, My Mother's Story,...

In late 2020, she surprised audiences with the lead role in the TV series titled Penthouse, a drama that gained immense popularity with the presence of well-known names in the industry like Lee Ji-ah, Kim So-yeon, Um Ki-joon, Yoon Jong-hoon, and Park Eun-seok. The series revolves around the real estate battle and educational competition, the desire to become number one. The drama secured the 8th position among the top 50 TV dramas based on nationwide viewership (South Korea).

Han Hye Jin is known as a South Korean actress and model born in 1981 into a well-off family. She gained prominence with the lead role in the television series Be Strong, Geum-soon!, and portrayed Princess Soseono in the classic historical drama Jumong. Additionally, Han Hye-jin hosted the popular talk show Healing Camp from 2011 to 2013.

During her school days, she was often praised for her pure and elegant appearance. Leveraging her looks, Hye Jin became a sought-after face for advertisements, representing numerous major brands, and her photos graced many beauty magazines. Particularly, the success of the historical TV series 'Jumong' helped her name resonate across Asia. However, subsequent projects she participated in failed to surpass the shadow cast by this iconic show.

Throughout her acting career, Han Hye Jin has received numerous prestigious awards, including the Best Actress accolade at the MBC Drama Awards for two consecutive years.

Song Ji Hyo is recognized as a South Korean film actress, model, and television host born in 1981. She is known for various roles and gained international fame across Asia and beyond as the only female member of the popular variety show Running Man for a continuous 10 years.

In 2001, Song Ji-hyo began her career by acting in two music videos, 'And I Love You' by Lee Soo Young and 'Just Say Goodbye' by jtL. In 2003, Ji-hyo joined the third installment of the Whispering Corridors film series titled Wishing Stairs, playing the lead role of Yoon Jin-sung. With this role, she was nominated for Best New Actress at the 24th Blue Dragon Film Awards, showcasing her true acting prowess. Three years later, she appeared in the historical TV series Jumong and received a nomination for 'Best New Actress in a TV Drama' at the 43rd Baeksang Arts Awards.

Beyond her outstanding acting skills, Song Ji Hyo also serves as the face of numerous brands and major events such as the Grand Han People's National Defense (2007), Ministry of Education, Science and Technology of Korea (2011), Seoul International Youth Film Festival (2013), Samsung - This Is Living (2014), Celderma (2019), and more.

Han Ga-in, born Kim Hyun-joo on February 2, 1982, is a renowned South Korean actress and model. During her senior year in high school, Han Ga-in participated in KBS1's Golden Bell Challenge, showcasing her talent by reaching the 34th round. This caught the attention of both the audience and entertainment companies, leading to immediate contract offers.

The KBS drama series Sunshine Hunting marked her debut on television, earning her the Best New Actress award at the 2003 KBS Drama Awards for her role in Yellow Handkerchief and the Best Actress award in Terms of Endearment in 2004.

In 2012, Han Ga In made waves in the popular historical drama The Moon Embracing the Sun, portraying the beautiful female shaman Yeon-woo. The series concluded with an impressive viewership rating near 40% for its final episode. Subsequently, she starred in the film Architecture 101, receiving positive feedback and achieving the highest box office revenue in the melodrama genre. In her role as Seo-yeon, Han Ga In portrayed a character with traits similar to her real-life persona.