YG STAGE
K-Dramaland is always bustling with charming men, who keep raising our romantic expectations. They aren't reserved in expressing their deepest sentiments and much less in following them with actions. Among these leading men is the heartthrob, Lee SooHyuk, a model-turned actor with over a decade long experience.
Ever since 2006, he has been bringing a distinct flair to his characters and turning them into a key element of the series. Whether he is portraying a detective chasing criminals, a guide to the afterlife, or a vampire, Lee's diversity has made him a force in redefining masculinity in K-Dramas.
YG STAGE
Historically, the personalities of K-Dramas’ leading men has remained limited and within the boundaries of gender norms. Much of them can easily be divided between sang namja (stereotypical men) or kkonminam (flower boys), with occasional sub-archetypes: naeng-on-nam (tsundere) and byeollan-nam (eccentrics).
To elaborate— the sang namja typically feature stoic, authoritative men who embody traditional masculine traits like dominance and protectiveness. Kkonminam, in contrast, highlights emotional intelligence, empathy, and nurturing qualities. Naeng-on-nam are characters who appear cold and aloof but reveal a warmer, softer side over time. Byeollan-nam are quirky and unconventional, often bringing humour to their roles.
To better understand how Lee SooHyuk fits into the broader trends of masculinity in K-Dramas, let us first examine various archetypes that have dominated the industry so far.
Masculinity Trends in K-Dramas From 1994-2024
Kpopmap
K-Drama leads of
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