It’s no secret that Korean dramas often pair female leads who are older than their male counterparts, often referred to as “noona.” The age gap can range from less than 5 years to over 10 years.
Many actresses have starred opposite younger actors, including big names like Shin Hae Sun, Kim Go Eun, Park Min Young, and more. But there are still some Korean actresses who consistently act opposite older actors, never playing the role of “noona.” Who are they?
1. Kim Ji Won, with over a decade-long career, always acts opposite older actors. Most recently, she starred alongside Kim Soo Hyun, who is 4 years her senior.
Kim Ji Won (instagram.com/geewonii)2. Kim Hye Yoon’s co-stars, including Rowoon, Taecyeon, and Byeon Woo Seok, are all older than her. They also tower over her in height.
Kim Hye Yoon (instagram.com/hye_yoon1110)3. Han So Hee, gaining fame from The World of the Married (2020), has never been paired with a younger actor.
Han So Hee (instagram.com/xeesoxee)4. Bae Suzy’s on-screen partners are consistently older actors, such as Kim Woo Bin and Lee Jong Suk. She’s also acted opposite actors her own age, like Nam Joo Hyuk.
Bae Suzy (instagram.com/skuukzky)5. From Jang Geun Suk to Lee Junho, Yoona’s K-drama partners have always been older than her.
Yoona (instagram.com/yoona__lim)6. In The Heirs (2013), Krystal played Kang Min Hyuk’s girlfriend, who was 3 years older than him. Krystal has consistently been younger than her co-stars.
Krystal (instagram.com/vousmevoyez)7. Kim Da Mi has never been paired with a younger actor. Most recently, she’ll co-star with Son Suk Ku, who is 12 years older.
Kim Da Mi (instagram.com/d_a___m_i)8. Throughout her career, Jeon Mi Do has acted alongside actors born in 1980. Interestingly, she herself was born in 1982.
Jeon Mi Do (instagram.com/mido_ring)9. Kim Ok Vin, born in the 1980s, has never played an older sister in her drama romances.
Kim Ok Vin (instagram.com/kimokvin)Characters’ ages in dramas don’t always match the ages of the actors playing them. For example, in the drama Dona! (2023), Suzy’s character is older than Yang Se Jong’s character, though in real life, Yang Se Jong is older than Suzy. Hence, age isn’t always a determining factor in casting. Instead, acting skills and visual compatibility are given more weight. What are your thoughts?