Top 7 Most Beautiful Korean Actresses of the Late 90s

Chae Rim, born in 1979, emerged as an early idol of the Hallyu wave in Vietnam. Despite starting acting at the age of 15, it was her role in the film 'Pure Love' that truly garnered attention. The sweet chemistry between Chae Rim and actor Jang Dong Gun in 'Pure Love' sparked a sensation across Asia. Her round face, adorable charm, and smiling eyes made Chae Rim the most beloved actress in Korea for many years.

Chae Rim also co-hosted the MBC program Music Camp from 1999 to 2000. In 2010, she made a small-screen comeback with Oh! My Lady, co-starring with Super Junior's Siwon. In March 2014, she admitted to dating Chinese actor Cao Yuqi. Chae Rim and Cao Yuqi tied the knot in China in October of the same year. Some of the films Chae Rim participated in include Warm River (1994), Journey (1994), Pair (1995), A Daughter's Choice (1996), Ban Buhl Ee (1997), My Mother's Daughters (1998),...

After marriage, Chae Rim shifted her focus mainly to activities in China and achieved great success, especially when paired with actor To Huy Bang in various films like 'Love in the Sea of Love', 'Yang Men Tiger General'... Currently, despite not being involved in many films, Chae Rim still captures media attention with impressive roles and a happy life in her second marriage with actor Cao Yuqi. Chae Rim has received several awards in her career, including Best New Actress at the MBC Drama Awards in 1998, Baeksang Arts Awards in 1999, and the China TVS Golden Annual Awards in 2006 for Favorite International Star,...

Those who grew up in the 80s and 90s will surely be familiar with Choi Ji Woo - the actress who left a mark in iconic films such as 'Stairway to Heaven,' 'Winter Sonata'... Her delicate beauty, innocence, and dramatic roles on screen earned Choi Ji Woo the love of audiences and brought her fame throughout Asia. Despite being in her forties, Choi Ji Woo remains a truly beautiful and charming single lady.

Choi Ji Woo is considered one of the most beautiful women in South Korea. Her acting prowess has received high praise from critics through the films Beautiful Days (2001), Winter Sonata (2002), Stairway to Heaven (2003), The Suspicious Housekeeper (2013), and Temptation (2014). Through the widely popular Winter Sonata across Asia, Choi Ji Woo gained a massive fan following in various countries.

After the success of Stairway to Heaven, Choi Ji Woo ventured into the film industry. With roles in Now and Forever and Everybody Has Secrets. While not receiving warm reception at home, she achieved great success in Japanese cinemas. Choi Ji Woo also participated in the drama Crash Landing on You in 2019 as a guest star, gaining widespread popularity across Asia and securing remake rights in many countries.

Born in 1968, Choi Jin Sil was one of the most talented actresses in the 'flower girl' era of Korean cinema in the early 2000s. Her name became synonymous with her role in the film 'Dreaming of a Star,' co-starring Ahn Jae Wook. Choi Jin Sil's pure and saintly beauty won the hearts of millions of viewers. Throughout a decade, Choi Jin Sil maintained her status as a famous actress in both Korean television and cinema.

For a long time, Choi Jin Sil was regarded as the 'Romantic Comedy Queen' in the hearts of the Korean public. The image of an adorable girl next door was completely erased when Choi Jin Sil took on the role of a housewife in her 30s in the film 'Mayonnaise.' In her career, she participated in many famous films such as Gingko Bed 2 (2000), Mayonnaise (1999), the Letter (1997), Baby Sale (1997), Holiday in Seoul (1997),... She also received the 28th Blue Dragon Film Awards for the Most Beloved Character.

Unfortunately, amidst her successful career, the tragic mysteries of her married life with a martial arts husband led Choi Jin Sil to seek death as an escape. Her departure left behind much sorrow among her fans. Nearly a decade has passed, but the beautiful images of Choi Jin Sil still live on in the hearts of those who once admired her.

Ko So Young captivated audiences across Asia with her innocent and pure beauty in the film 'Love Wind Love Song.' The movie also became the fateful encounter that led her to her life's 'destiny' - actor Jang Dong Gun. The two tied the knot in 2010 after years of courtship. Ko So Young made her debut in the TV drama Love Tomorrow in 1993 and quickly asserted herself as one of the iconic stars at that time. Her debut film with Jung Woo Sung, The Fox with Nine Tails, in 1994 did not receive much attention.

In 2001, in collaboration with actor Lee Sung Jae in A Day, Ko So Young received much praise and quickly won the Best Actress award from the Grand Bell Awards. However, her career was continuously interrupted until her return to the screen with other films like Double Agent, APT, Project Makeover, none of which achieved the expected success.

Currently, Ko So Young remains the ideal woman for Korean men with a truly happy family and still maintains youthful beauty despite entering her 40s. While not actively participating in acting, Ko So Young's name is still a 'guarantee' for many famous advertising brands. Her appearance is still preserved over the years, affirming her position as the most beautiful actress in Korea alongside other beauty legends.

Lee Young Ae was born in 1971 and is a beloved actress known for her roles in 'Doctor Brothers,' 'Jewel in the Palace,' and more. Impressing audiences with her pure, gentle, and charming appearance, she earned the nickname 'oxygen beauty.' Lee Young Ae, one of Korea's sweetest actresses, set aside her usual gentle image to portray Lee Geum-ja, a mysterious avenging angel, in Sympathy for Lady Vengeance.

Her first significant role was in 2000, starring in Park Chan Wook's JSA: Joint Security Area. The young actress, with an elegant and gentle appearance, brought an unexpected suitability to the role of a Swiss army lieutenant (of Korean origin) investigating a threat to peace on the border between North and South Korea. Lee Young Ae gained fame across Asia when she played the lead role in Hur Jin-ho's One Fine Spring Day.

In 2003, she portrayed the cheerful and strong Jang Geum in the popular TV series 'The Jewel in the Palace,' which attracted the highest viewer ratings of the year on Korean television and continued to be a successful show internationally. Currently, Lee Young Ae enjoys a happy family life with a Korean-American businessman and recently welcomed their first child. Despite fewer film appearances, Lee Young Ae continues to astonish fans with her youthful, flawless beauty and maintains her position as the 'queen of advertising' in Korea.

Kim Hyun Joo possesses an incredibly beautiful appearance and is known as a renowned actress in South Korea. Famous as an actress, few know that Hyun Joo started her artistic career as a teen magazine model while in the third year of high school. In 1996, she took the lead role in a music video for Kim Hyun Chul and began her acting career in 1997 with 'The Reason I Live.'

Starting as a newcomer but with a bright outlook, Kim Hyun Joo secured the lead role in the 1998 film 'If It Snows On Christmas' alongside Park Yong Ha. Her next film, 'Calla,' paired her with Song Seung Heon, one of Korea's famous actors. In 1999, she had the opportunity to co-star with Jang Dong Gun in the film 'Youth.'

Kim Hyun Joo's career skyrocketed and became a famous star in 2002 when she took the lead role in the film 'Glass Slippers.' The film achieved over 30% viewer ratings, becoming the hottest film of that time and earning her an award at the SBS Drama Awards. The film not only succeeded domestically but also gained popularity in many Asian countries such as China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Vietnam. Born in 1977, now over 40 years old, her beauty is still preserved, making her one of the famous actresses in Korean cinema.

Ha Ji Won stepped into the entertainment industry when a talent management company proposed a contract with her. Ha Ji-Won considered the offer with her mother and eventually agreed. The contract also required Ha Ji Won to attend college with a major in theater. In 1997, Ha Ji Won first appeared in a KBS TV series and continued to play small supporting roles in several other TV dramas. With the KBS drama 'School 2' in 1999, Ha Ji-Won began to attract the attention of TV drama fans.

In 2000, Ha Ji Won acted in the film 'Truth Game' as the president of a fan club. This role helped Ha Ji Won win the Best New Actress award at the 2000 Grand Bell Awards. Two years later, Ha Ji Won would take the lead role in a highly successful box office film, 'Sex Is Zero,' which sold 4.2 million tickets during its release.

In 2003, Ha Ji Won took on the lead role in the MBC TV drama 'Damo: The Legendary Police Woman.' This outstanding action drama was set in the Joseon Dynasty and became so popular in Korea that a new term, 'Damo Pain,' was coined to refer to all the fervent fans of the lengthy TV series. Ha Ji Won's next role in the 2004 SBS TV drama 'Something Happened in Bali' became one of her most famous works. Despite being over 40 years old, Ha Ji Won still maintains her radiant beauty, not giving way to the new generation of actresses.