Even top K-drama actors sometimes take a break from acting. But in 2026, many well-loved stars are expected to return. A strong cast can instantly make a drama feel โmust-watch,โ especially when an actor takes a role that fits their talent. The best actors also surprise viewers by transforming completely for each character.
After a quiet period for some big names, 2026 is shaping up to be an exciting year packed with long-awaited comebacks.
1) Shin Hye-sun
Known for: Mr. Queen, Welcome to Samdal-ri, Still 17
Shin Hye-sun has been acting since the early 2010s, but she became widely famous through her powerful performances in recent years. She gained global attention as Queen Cheorin in Mr. Queen, then continued with major roles in See You in My 19th Life and Welcome to Samdal-ri.
Her last TV drama was Dear Hyeri in 2024. In 2026, she is expected to have a big year, with The Art of Sarah and Secret Gratitude confirmed to air. She has also been approached for another Netflix romance.
2) Hwang Min-hyun
Known for: Alchemy of Souls, Live On, Study Group
Hwang Min-hyun is one of the newer K-pop idols who successfully moved into acting. He first became popular as a member of NUโEST, then joined the survival show Produce 101 and re-debuted in Wanna One for a short time.
He began acting in K-dramas in 2020 and built credibility through shows like Alchemy of Souls and My Lovely Liar. He has not been in major mainstream dramas since 2023, but he will return in 2026 by starring in Study Group Season 2, again playing Yoon Ga-min.
3) Jun Ji-hyun
Known for: The Legend of the Blue Sea, My Love from Another Star, Jirisan
Jun Ji-hyun has been acting since the late 1990s and became a major icon in the 2010s. Her biggest drama hits include the fantasy romance My Love from Another Star and the mermaid drama The Legend of the Blue Sea.
After Jirisan (2021), she disappeared from TV for a while. She returned in 2025 with the spy thriller Tempest, but it did not strongly impress international viewers. In 2026, she is expected to return in a more fitting genre with Human X Gumiho, a fantasy rom-com where she will star alongside Ji Chang-wook.
4) Ahn Hyo-seop
Known for: Business Proposal, A Time Called You, KPop Demon Hunters
Ahn Hyo-seop started as a singer, but he became a huge drama star through Business Proposal, one of Netflixโs biggest romance hits in 2022. He followed that success with A Time Called You in 2023, then took a short break.
In 2025, he gained fresh attention with a breakthrough role in KPop Demon Hunters, playing fan-favorite character Jinu. In 2026, his momentum continues as he will play Matthew Lee in the romance drama Sold Out Again Today, co-starring Chae Won-bin.
5) Kim Ji-won
Known for: Queen of Tears, Fight for My Way, Arthdal Chronicles
Kim Ji-won is respected for emotionally deep roles. Her performances range from Yeom Mi-jeong in My Liberation Notes to Tan-ya in Arthdal Chronicles, and most recently the unforgettable Hong Hae-in in Queen of Tears. That 2024 hit was her last drama so far.
She is confirmed to return in 2026 as Gye Su-jeong in Doctor X: Age of the White Mafia, a dark comedy medical drama. She plays a famous surgeon known as โmad dogโ because she fights corruption and unfair hospital systems.
6) Lee Joon-gi
Known for: Flower of Evil, Lawless Lawyer, Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo
Lee Joon-gi has been a star since the early 2000s, famous for works like The King and the Clown (2005) and Iljimae (2008). His popularity grew again with Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo, and later he focused on crime dramas such as Criminal Minds, Lawless Lawyer, and Flower of Evil.
His comeback slowed after he replaced the role of Eun-seom in Arthdal Chronicles Season 2 (2023). Now, after more than two years, he is set to return in 2026 with Gyeongbokgung Detective Agency, a humorous historical drama where he will play Joseon-era King Hyejong, the detective at the center of the story.
7) Han So-hee
Known for: My Name, Gyeongseong Creature, Nevertheless
Han So-hee rose quickly with dramas like The World of the Married, Abyss, and Nevertheless, showing both romantic and intense acting skills. She proved her range even more with the revenge action drama My Name and the historical mystery Gyeongseong Creature.
After trying film projects in 2025, she will return in 2026 in a major new project: Solo Leveling, the highly anticipated adaptation of the popular web novel. She will play Cha Hae-in, an elite hunter and the only woman with an โS-rank,โ known for her sword skills.
8) Nam Joo-hyuk
Known for: Twenty-Five Twenty-One, Start-Up, Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-Joo
Nam Joo-hyuk became a fan favorite through romance and youth dramas like Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-joo and Twenty-Five Twenty-One. But he also showed a darker, action-focused side in Vigilante (2023), where he played a police academy student who hunts criminals and delivers his own justice.
He enlisted for mandatory military service in 2023. He is expected to return to K-dramas in 2026 with East Palace, a supernatural historical drama in which he will play Gu Cheon, a powerful ghost hunter.
9) Kim Tae-ri
Known for: Mr. Sunshine, Twenty-Five Twenty-One, Jeongnyeon: The Star Is Born
Kim Tae-ri is known for unforgettable characters and is often seen as one of the strongest actresses in period dramas. Her major roles include Na Hee-do (Twenty-Five Twenty-One), Go Ae-shin (Mr. Sunshine), and Yoon Jeong-nyeon (Jeongnyeon: The Star Is Born).
In 2025, she tried something new by doing voice acting for the animated film Lost in Starlight. In 2026, she will take another new direction by hosting a variety show called After School Theater Club. Itโs not a drama return yet, but it still marks a major comeback to the public spotlight.
10) Song Kang
Known for: Sweet Home, Love Alarm, My Demon
Song Kang became a global star around 2020 through Love Alarm (as Hwang Sun-oh) and Sweet Home (as Cha Hyun-soo). After that, he became one of the most popular male leads in dramas like Forecasting Love and Weather, My Demon, and Nevertheless.
He enlisted for military service in 2024. After his discharge in October 2025, he was rumored to return in 2026 as the lead in Four Hands, a coming-of-age K-drama with a musical theme. If confirmed, it could become one of the most anticipated K-dramas of the year.
