This Actor Ranked No.1 in Global Hallyu for 12 Years—And Yes, Kim Soo-hyun Made the Top 5

Lee Min-ho has once again proven his unrivaled global star power.

According to the latest '2025 Global Hallyu Survey' released by South Korea’s Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Foundation for International Cultural Exchange, Lee topped the list of most beloved Korean actors among international audiences—for the 12th consecutive year.

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (Minister Yoo In-chon) and the Korea Foundation for International Cultural Exchange (President Park Chang-sik) announced the results of the 2025 Global Hallyu Survey (based on 2024 data) on April 7. The survey examined the usage and perception of Korean cultural content across major countries and was conducted with 26,400 respondents from 28 countries worldwide. The survey, conducted from November 29 to December 27, 2024,

In actor rankings, Lee Min-ho maintained a commanding lead with 7.0% of respondents naming him their favorite. His influence extended across all five continents surveyed, with notable popularity not only in Asia but also in North America, Europe, and the Middle East. Gong Yoo followed in second place (2.4%), rising from 4th last year, while Song Hye-kyo (2.4%) held strong in third. Kim Soo-hyun (2.3%) ranked fourth, and Lee Jong-suk remained in fifth for the third year running.

It’s worth noting that the data reflects preferences before the controversy involving Kim Soo-hyun and the late Kim Sae-ron, which emerged after the survey period had ended.

The study also revealed that Korean dramas remain a pillar of the Hallyu wave. 'Squid Game' led the list of most popular Korean dramas overseas for 2024. Close behind was 'Queen of Tears' (6.5%), which significantly narrowed the gap with 'Squid Game'. 'Crash Landing on You' (2.2%) continued its five-year streak in the top tier, while 'True Beauty' (2.1%) and 'Lovely Runner' (1.8%) rounded out the top five.

With Korean content continuing to captivate audiences worldwide, Lee Min-ho and other star’s enduring popularity signals more than just fame—it reflects the staying power of K-drama stars in shaping global pop culture.

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