A new wave of generational change is sweeping through Korea’s entertainment industry, with emerging actresses stepping into leading roles across film, television, and OTT platforms. Among them, Won Ji-an, Shin Si-a, and Roh Jeong-eui are gaining strong attention for their recent box office and ratings success, earning recognition as a rising trio of actresses in their 20s.
Now approaching their late 20s, the three actresses have secured major roles across multiple genres, expanding their filmographies with stable acting skills and versatile performances. Although they started their careers through different paths, their consistent growth has positioned them as promising leading stars of their generation.
Won Ji-an Transitions to Leading Roles Following “Squid Game 2”
For Won Ji-an, 2025 marked a turning point in her career. Born in 1999, she first gained recognition in the 2021 Netflix series D.P., where she played Moon Young-ok, the girlfriend of a deserter soldier. Her popularity rose significantly after appearing as Semi in Squid Game Season 2 in 2024. Won Ji-an attracted viewers with her innocent visuals paired with a charismatic, low-toned voice, leading to multiple casting offers.
She solidified her status as a leading actress in JTBC’s romance drama Surely Tomorrow, released in December last year, where she starred alongside Park Seo-joon. Despite their 11-year age gap, Won Ji-an received praise for delivering natural emotional performances and strong on-screen chemistry.
More recently, she expanded her acting range through the Disney+ original series Made in Korea, portraying Yakuza power figure Ikeda Yuji. Her restrained yet intense performance highlighted her versatility, and she is set to return in the show’s second season later this year.
Shin Si-a Gains Momentum With Back-to-Back Successful Projects
Born in 1998, Shin Si-a has been steadily building her career across both film and television. She debuted in the 2022 film The Witch: Part 2. The Other One, gaining attention after being selected through a highly competitive 1,408-to-1 audition process.
Following a three-year hiatus, she resumed her acting activities last year with a special appearance in the film Pagwa and her television debut in tvN’s medical drama Resident Playbook. Portraying first-year obstetrics and gynecology resident Pyo Nam-kyung, Shin Si-a received positive reviews despite it being her first drama role.
She continued her successful run by starring in the romance film Even If This Love Disappears From the World Tonight, released in December 2025. The film surpassed its break-even point within two weeks, further strengthening her reputation as a rising box office draw.
Shin Si-a has since chosen Netflix’s upcoming series Grand Galaxy Hotel as her next project. The fantasy series tells the story of a mysterious hotel that comforts wandering souls, where she plays bold human hotel manager Go Sang-soon opposite Lee Do-hyun.
Roh Jeong-eui Transforms From Child Actress to Romantic Comedy Lead
Roh Jeong-eui, born in 2001, has also established a strong presence in the industry after transitioning from child actress roles. She began her acting career in 2010 with OCN’s God’s Quiz, steadily gaining experience through supporting roles in independent films and dramas.
Her popularity surged through JTBC’s 18 Again in 2020, followed by her breakthrough role in Our Beloved Summer in 2021. Playing top idol NJ in the series, Roh Jeong-eui won the Best New Actress award at the SBS Drama Awards, firmly establishing herself as a leading young actress.
Since then, she has expanded her career across OTT and broadcast platforms through projects such as Netflix’s Hierarchy, Channel A’s The Witch, and MBC’s Crushology 101, successfully tackling genres ranging from youth dramas to mystery thrills.
Roh Jeong-eui is currently starring in tvN’s romantic comedy Our Universe, alongside Bae In-hyuk. The drama follows two in-laws whose complicated first meeting leads them to unexpectedly raise a 20-month-old child together. The series airs every Wednesday and Thursday at 10:40 PM KST.
With distinct acting styles and expanding filmographies, Won Ji-an, Shin Si-a, and Roh Jeong-eui are emerging as key figures in Korea’s next generation of leading actresses. Their ability to adapt to diverse genres and media platforms reflects the ongoing evolution of the Korean entertainment landscape, drawing increasing attention to their future projects.
Sources: Daum