Top 10 Best Korean Male Actors as MOST Charismatic Kings in Historical Drama (Sageuk) – With A SPECIAL TRIBUTE!

These top 10 best Korean male actors have especially created the most charismatic Kings in the historical drama (sageuk). Check out the following names and please tell us which one is the best in your opinion. You can vote at the end of the article.

The Rising Popularity of Korean Historical Drama is All Thanks to These Incredible Actors

The rising popularity of Korean historical drama (sageuk) has become great assistance for South Korea in promoting their history and culture. Likewise, the help of the best Korean actors and actresses who managed to portray all the characters wonderfully helps us build a particular connection and admiration to the sageuk genre.

One of the most challenging characters to portray in the Korean historical dramas is the royal family, especially the King himself. In addition to the charismatic traits that follow the royal dragon robe, every Korean King has their own unique personality and feature that make them famous during their reign.

Besides, there are no real-life references that the actors can use as research for sageuk drama. Supposedly the King’s character is based on the real history of South Korea. Then, the actors can only learn about them from textbooks and public references. At the same time, if the character is based on fiction, the actor must be able to create his own version of the King based on the South Korean history references.

Since taking the role of the King is a scarce opportunity, only those who have the charisma and elegance of the royal family are worthy of having the red dragon robe weighed on their shoulders.

There is no detailed guide about what kind of person a King in the best Korean historical drama really is. However, these top 10 best Korean male actors have gone a long way with their endless efforts to become the best and most charismatic Kings in historical drama (sageuk).

Top 10 Best Korean Male Actors Who Have Become the MOST Charismatic Kings in Historical Drama (Sageuk)

1. Yeo Jin Goo as MANY Kings

Former child actor Yeo Jin Goo is among the rarest Korean actors who have become the King since he was young. Throughout his career, Yeo Jin Goo has played many child versions of the Kings and historical drama, starting from the young version of Kim Soo Hyun’s King Lee Hwon in “The Moon Embracing the Sun”.

Furthermore, his outstanding portrayal as the Joseon King does not end just like that. At only the age of 19, Yeo Jin Goo has worn the royal red dragon robe for the first time in his role as King Yeongjo alongside Jang Geun Suk in “The Royal Gambler”.

And most importantly, his unrivaled portrayal of two different Kings in “The Crowned Clown” has stunned the audience with entirely opposite traits and charisma. Truly, when discussing the best Korean actors who played the most charismatic King in a historical drama, nobody can beat Yeo Jin Goo.

2. Lee Joon Gi as Wang So in “Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo”

Vicious but tenderhearted at the same time, there is no rival for one of the best Korean male actors and King of historical drama, Lee Joon Gi.

With his incredible character spectrum and years of experience, Lee Joon Gi has managed to emanate the most charismatic vibe and create the perfect blend of brutality and humanity in one character as King Wang So. Born with brutal childhood and raised with hatred from the royal family, Lee Joon Gi helps the viewers understand the pain Wang So felt as a son and the prince of Goryeo, as well as how much Hae Soo’s love has showered his heart with the love he’d been desperately longing all his life.

3. Kim Soo Hyun as Lee Hwon in “The Moon Embracing the Sun”

Talking about the best Korean male actors in historical sageuk drama, we could never ignore Kim Soo Hyun, Korea’s richest and highest-paid actor. Portraying the fictional King Lee Hwon in “The Moon Embracing the Sun”, Kim Soo Hyun brings out not only the charismatic side of King Lee Hwon but also the romantic side, especially when Lee Hwon is still devoted to his long-lost crown princess, Yeon Woo.

Kim Soo Hyung makes the viewers believe that even in the crazy and cruel politics of the royal family, there is still one King who’s always ready to protect both his country and his love.

4. Kim Jung Hyun as Cheoljong in “Mr. Queen”

Most Korean historical dramas are full of serious political issues. “Mr. Queen” was the only historical sageuk drama that entertained us with just an adequate amount of humor in the battle for the throne. And we cannot deny that it was all thanks to Kim Jung Hyun, who played the comical King Cheoljong.

Nobody can beat Kim Jung Hyun in his duality as the hilarious King with a mysterious secret in “Mr. Queen.” His stern and dumbfounded looks when interacting and responding to all his issues had brought the fans to love the character deepely.

5. Lee Junho as Lee San in “The Red Sleeve”

Do we really need an explanation why Lee Junho is on this list? His strong gaze, graceful strides, and powerful speech seemed to have blended with the royal dragon robe he’s worn as Lee San since the first episode of “The Red Sleeve”. Lee Junho was one of the best actors who played the Joseon King in historical sageuk drama, and nobody can deny this fact.