Chloe Peterson
From Goblin to Squid Game: 15 K-Drama Characters Everyone Knows
Korean dramas have taken the world by storm, creating unforgettable characters that stay with us long after the final episode.
These heroes, villains, and everything in between have sparked countless conversations, inspired fan art, and made us laugh, cry, and fall in love with their stories.
Whether you’re a longtime K-drama fan or just getting started, these 15 characters have left their mark on television history and continue to shape how we think about storytelling today.
1. Kim Shin from Goblin (2016–2017)
Cursed to live forever after being betrayed in battle, Kim Shin walks through centuries searching for the one person who can end his immortality.
His tragic backstory and poetic dialogue made viewers feel every moment of his loneliness.
The chemistry between him and his Goblin Bride became legendary across the globe.
What made this character unforgettable was how he balanced humor with heartbreak.
One moment he’s teasing his roommate, the next he’s contemplating the weight of endless life.
His iconic red scarf and buckwheat field scenes became symbols of romance in K-drama culture.
Fans still quote his philosophical lines and recreate his famous poses years after the show ended.
The show’s massive success proved that fantasy elements could blend beautifully with emotional depth in Korean television.
2. Yoon Se-ri from Crash Landing on You (2019–2020)
Born into wealth and running a successful beauty company, Se-ri seemed to have everything figured out until a paragliding accident changed her life completely.
Landing in North Korea put this fearless CEO in a situation money couldn’t fix.
Her resourcefulness and determination shone through even in the most dangerous circumstances.
What viewers loved was watching her adapt without losing herself.
She maintained her sass and style while learning to survive in a completely foreign environment.
Her relationship with a certain North Korean officer became one of television’s most beloved romances.
The character broke stereotypes about wealthy women in dramas.
She was tough, vulnerable, funny, and brave all at once, proving that complex female leads make the best stories.
3. Seong Gi-hun from Squid Game (2021–2025)
A gambling addict drowning in debt, Gi-hun enters a deadly competition hoping to solve his financial problems.
His journey from desperate father to reluctant survivor captured something raw about human nature.
Viewers watched him make impossible choices that revealed both his flaws and his compassion.
Unlike typical heroes, he doesn’t always make the right decision.
He’s selfish sometimes, scared often, and completely relatable because of it.
His transformation throughout the games showed how extreme circumstances can change a person forever.
The character became a cultural phenomenon, with his green tracksuit recognized worldwide.
His story sparked conversations about inequality, morality, and what people will do when pushed to their limits.
4. Ri Jeong-hyeok from Crash Landing on You (2019–2020)
A talented pianist who gave up music to serve his country, Jeong-hyeok lives by strict rules and unwavering principles.
Finding a South Korean woman in his village forced him to choose between duty and humanity.
His quiet strength and hidden kindness made hearts flutter around the world.
He doesn’t say much, but when he does speak, every word carries weight.
The way he protects without asking for anything in return showed a different kind of masculinity.
His small gestures meant everything because they came from someone who rarely showed emotion.
Fans adored how he played piano to express feelings he couldn’t say aloud.
The character proved that sometimes the quietest people leave the loudest impact on our hearts.
5. Vincenzo Cassano from Vincenzo (2021)
Adopted by an Italian mafia family as a child, Vincenzo returns to Korea as a consigliere with unfinished business.
His methods are brutal, his style is impeccable, and his sense of justice operates outside any legal system.
Watching him take down corrupt villains with creative schemes became wildly entertaining.
The character worked because he never pretended to be a good guy.
He’s a criminal with his own moral code, which somehow made him more honest than the lawyers and businessmen he fought against.
His dark humor and unexpected partnerships kept every episode unpredictable.
From his love of expensive wine to his elaborate revenge plots, everything about Vincenzo screamed charisma.
The show became a massive hit because this antihero felt refreshingly different from typical K-drama leads.
6. Park Sae-ro-yi from Itaewon Class (2020)
Expelled from school for standing up to a bully, Sae-ro-yi spends years in prison before opening a tiny bar in Itaewon.
His stubbornness becomes his superpower as he refuses to compromise his values for anyone.
That signature haircut and unwavering determination made him impossible to forget.
Unlike characters who succeed through talent or luck, he wins through pure persistence.
Every setback makes him work harder instead of giving up.
His journey from ex-convict to successful businessman inspired viewers facing their own struggles.
The character sparked conversations about forgiveness, revenge, and staying true to yourself.
His found family of misfits showed that loyalty and principle matter more than blood or money.
7. Woo Young-woo from Extraordinary Attorney Woo (2022)
Graduating top of her law school class, Young-woo faces a legal world not designed for someone with autism.
Her brilliant mind sees patterns others miss, while her honesty sometimes creates challenges in a profession built on persuasion.
Watching her navigate courtrooms and social situations felt groundbreaking.
The show treated her autism as part of who she is, not her entire identity.
Her love of whales, specific food preferences, and unique perspective made her beautifully three-dimensional.
She won cases through intelligence and empathy, proving different doesn’t mean less capable.
The character changed how many viewers understood autism and representation.
Her story reminded everyone that the legal system needs all kinds of minds to truly serve justice.
8. Do Bong-soon from Strong Woman Do Bong-soon (2017)
Born with superhuman strength passed down through generations of women, Bong-soon tries to hide her power while dreaming of creating video games.
Her tiny frame makes the contrast hilarious when she accidentally breaks things or sends bad guys flying.
The mix of adorable and powerful created something totally fresh.
She struggles with wanting to be seen as feminine while having abilities that terrify people.
Her journey to accept herself and use her strength for good resonated with anyone who’s felt different.
The romance that develops shows someone finally appreciating her for exactly who she is.
The character launched a whole subgenre of strong female leads in rom-coms.
Her story proved that power and softness can exist in the same person beautifully.
9. Seo Jung-hoo (Healer) from Healer (2014–2015)
Working as a night courier who can deliver anything anywhere, Jung-hoo lives in the shadows using parkour and hacking skills.
His double life as a mild-mannered tabloid worker by day and skilled operative by night created constant tension.
The mystery surrounding his past kept viewers hooked from start to finish.
What made him special was how he slowly opened up to someone after years of isolation.
His relationship transformed him from a loner into someone willing to fight for others.
The action sequences combined with emotional depth made every episode exciting.
Fans still consider him one of the coolest action heroes in K-drama history.
The show proved that thriller elements and romance could blend perfectly when the character felt real.
10. Moon Dong-eun from The Glory (2022–2023)
Scarred physically and emotionally by brutal school bullying, Dong-eun spends years planning the perfect revenge against her tormentors.
Her patience is terrifying as she positions herself exactly where she needs to be.
Unlike explosive revenge stories, hers unfolds with cold precision that makes it even more chilling.
The character never asks for sympathy or tries to be likable.
She’s been broken and rebuilt herself into something harder, focused entirely on making her abusers suffer.
Her quiet intensity made every scene feel heavy with unspoken pain and determination.
Viewers debated whether her actions were justified or if revenge could ever truly heal.
The performance brought conversations about bullying and trauma into mainstream discussion worldwide.
11. Go Ha-jin / Hae-soo from Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo (2016)
Waking up in ancient Korea after a near-drowning, Ha-jin finds herself trapped in the body of Hae-soo during a dangerous time in history.
Knowing how events will unfold doesn’t help when she’s caught between princes fighting for the throne.
Her modern sensibilities clash with historical expectations constantly.
The impossible romance she develops becomes even more tragic because she knows how the story ends.
Watching her try to change fate while falling deeper into palace politics broke hearts everywhere.
Her struggle to belong in a time not her own felt deeply emotional.
The character’s tragic ending left fans devastated and demanding different resolutions.
Her story showed how love sometimes means letting go, even when every part of you wants to hold on.
12. Han Ji-pyeong from Start-Up (2020)
Growing up in an orphanage made Ji-pyeong self-reliant and emotionally guarded as he built his career as a successful investor.
His sharp tongue hides a soft heart that he protects fiercely.
When he mentors young entrepreneurs, his tough advice comes from genuine care, even if it sounds harsh.
What made viewers fall for him was discovering the secret kindness he’d been hiding for years.
His unrequited feelings and selfless actions turned him into one of K-drama’s most famous second leads.
The debate over who deserved the main character’s love became legendary.
The character sparked massive online discussions about second lead syndrome.
His story reminded everyone that sometimes the person who loves you most isn’t the one you choose, and that’s heartbreaking but real.
13. Kim Bok-joo from Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-joo (2016–2017)
A weightlifting athlete with Olympic dreams, Bok-joo navigates college life with humor and determination despite constant pressure about her body.
Her loud laugh, hearty appetite, and complete authenticity made her instantly lovable.
She doesn’t try to be anyone other than herself, which feels revolutionary in a world obsessed with image.
The coming-of-age story captured the awkwardness of first love and the pressure young athletes face.
Her friendship with teammates showed genuine female bonds without jealousy or competition.
Watching her grow confident in her own skin inspired countless viewers.
The character became beloved for representing real young women instead of impossible ideals.
Her story celebrated strength, both physical and emotional, in the most heartwarming way possible.
14. Cha Do-hyun from Kill Me, Heal Me (2015)
Inheriting a business empire while battling dissociative identity disorder, Do-hyun hides seven different personalities from everyone around him.
Each personality emerged to protect him from childhood trauma, creating a complex internal world.
The challenge of portraying multiple distinct characters in one body showcased incredible acting range.
Watching him struggle for control while his alternate personalities had their own agendas created constant drama.
Some personalities helped him, others caused chaos, but all existed for a reason.
His journey toward healing and integration felt emotionally powerful and surprisingly educational.
The show handled mental health with more sensitivity than most dramas of its time.
The character helped reduce stigma by showing that healing is possible with proper support and understanding.
15. Jang Man-wol from Hotel Del Luna (2019)
Cursed to run a hotel for ghosts for over a thousand years, Man-wol lives in luxury while trapped by her past sins.
Her sharp wit and gorgeous wardrobe contrast with the loneliness of her endless punishment.
Every outfit became a fashion moment, but beneath the glamour lived someone desperate for freedom.
Her prickly personality slowly revealed layers of pain and regret from centuries of isolation.
The way she transformed from selfish to caring showed that even immortals can change.
Her relationship with her human manager brought hope that redemption might finally be possible.
The character became a fashion icon while telling a deeply sad story about forgiveness.
Her journey proved that style and substance together create truly unforgettable characters.
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