The breakout stars of ‘Weak Hero Class': Meet the next generation of K-drama talent

Tatler Asia

06-05-2025

Choi Hyun-wook as Ahn Su-ho
Above You can catch Choi Hyun-wook in the K-drama 'My Dearest Nemesis'. (Photo: IMDb)
Choi Hyun-wook is one of South Korea's fastest rising young stars, first making his mark as Na Woo-chan in the heartwarming sports K-drama Racket Boys , and later stealing hearts as the charming second lead in the hit coming-of-age series Twenty Five Twenty One . In Weak Hero Class 1 , he plays Ahn Su-ho, an underachieving but physically formidable student at Byeoksan High School who befriends Si-eun and Beom-seok and protects them from bullies. Choi Hyun-wook's natural charisma is what makes Su-ho such a beloved character and his fate in Season 1 all the more tragic.
In his role as Shin A-hwi in D.P. Season 2, he proved his range by playing a psychologically troubled young soldier who loses his moral compass. As one of the young leads in Twinkling Watermelon , he once again exuded the lovable boyish charm he has become known for, and cemented his reputation as an actor to watch. His most recent role, before returning as Su-ho in Weak Hero Class 2 , saw him paired with Moon Ga-young in the romantic comedy My Dearest Nemesis . Hong Kyung as Oh Beom-seok
Above Hong Kyung plays the complex Beom-seok. (Photo: IMDb)
Hong Kyung's portrayal of Oh Beom-seok, who goes from bullied and withdrawn to conflicted and dangerous in Weak Hero Class 1, is layered and haunting. Once part of Si-eun and Su-ho's inner circle, his desperate need for acceptance and belonging slowly leads him down the dark path of betrayal and revenge.
It's to Hong Kyung's credit that he plays Beom-seok's downward spiral with nuance, making the character both menacing and tragic, unforgivable and sympathetic. This is not surprising given he's won the Baeksang for Best New Actor for his portrayal of a young man with autism in the movie Innocence .
Don't miss: Baeksang Arts Awards 2025: Winners, history and why it's Korea's most prestigious night Cha Woo-min as Kang Woo-young
Above Cha Woo-min has appeared in three K-dramas in 2025 so far. (Photo: screencap from 'Weak Hero Class 1', Netflix)
Another young actor who is steadily making a name for himself is Cha Woo-min. In the first quarter of 2025 alone, he has starred in three back-to-back-to-back K-dramas— Study Group , Melo Movie and Buried Hearts .
In Weak Hero Class 1 , he plays Kang Woo-young, a young MMA fighter harbouring a deep grudge against rival Su-ho. While not a central character, his role is significant and pivotal in driving the story forward and ultimately contributes to the season's gripping cliffhanger. Having also played antagonists in Study Group and Buried Hearts , fans are eager to see him branch out to playing lead roles in future K-dramas.
Don't miss: 6 cliffhangers that make K-drama viewers impatient for the second season of 'Study Group' Ryeoun as Park Hu-min/Baku
Above Ryeoun stars as the formidable Baku. (Photo: IMDb)
Physically imposing and impossibly strong, yet jolly and good-natured, Ryeoun's Baku keeps everyone at Eunjang High in check in Weak Hero Class 2 . He is the school's walking anti-bullying campaign. Alongside his varsity pal Go Hyeon-tak, he becomes an unexpected ally and friend to Si-eun.
The role is a far cry from the K-drama characters Ryeoun is best known for, such as the sensitive, angsty teen in 18 Again , or the artistic and introspective Ha Eun-gyeol in Twinkling Watermelon , further showcasing his range and potential as an actor. You can also catch him in Death's Game , Namib and A History of Losers . Choi Min-young as Seo Jun-tae
Above Choi Min-young of 'XO, Kitty' stars in 'Weak Hero Class 2'. (Photo: IMDb)
Choi Min-young has starred in Mr Sunshine and Itaewon Class , but his breakthrough role came in Twenty Five Twenty One , where he played Baek Ye-jin's (Nam Joo-hyuk) younger brother. International fans may also recognise him as Kim Dae-heon (Dae) in the Netflix series XO, Kitty . In addition to his screen work, Choi has a strong background in musical theatre, having performed in Empress Myeongseong and the South Korean production of Kinky Boots .
In Weak Hero Class 2 , he plays Seo Jun-tae, a shy and timid Eunjang High student who becomes the fourth member of Yeon Si-eun, Baku and Go Hyeon-tak's friend group. Like Season 1's Beom-seok, Seo Jun-tae starts off meek and vulnerable. But unlike Beom-seok, Jun-tae remains loyal to his friends and eventually finds the courage to stand up, not just for them, but also for himself. Lee Min-jae as Go Hyeon-tak/Gotak
Above Lee Min-jae makes the most of his role as Gotak. (Photo: IMDb)
Although Lee Min-jae has appeared in numerous K-dramas, fans may remember him best as Seo Geon-hoo in Crash Course in Romance , where he played a former athlete adjusting to life as a regular student after a career-ending injury. His character also finds himself in the middle of a love triangle with Nam Hae-yi (Roh Yoon-seo) and Lee Seon-jae (Lee Chae-min).
His role as the steadfast and no-nonsense Gotak in Weak Hero Class 2 marks his second major breakthrough role. Gotak is likeable, fiercely loyal and has a complicated history with Weak Hero Class 2 's main villain, Na Baek-jin. And much like his performance in Crash Course in Romance , Lee Min-jae makes the most of the character. Lee Jun-young as Geum Seong-jae
Above You may recognise Lee Jun-young from the recently concluded K-drama 'When Life Gives You Tangerines'. (Photo: IMDb)
This former member of the boy band U-KISS has also kept himself busy in 2025. Lee Jun-young's recent K-dramas include Melo Movie , When Life Gives You Tangerines , 24-Hour Health Club and Weak Hero Class 2 . You may also remember him from D.P. , The Impossible Heir and Love and Leashes .
His participation in When Life Gives You Tangerines , arguably the biggest K-drama of the year so far, as the sweet and earnest Park Yeong-Beom left a lasting impact on audiences. It's a sharp departure from his role as the conniving and villainous Geum Seong-jae in Weak Hero Class 2 . This contrast shows impressive range and further cements his status as one of his generation's most versatile rising actors.
See also: 5 life lessons from 'When Life Gives You Tangerines' Yoo Su-bin as Choi Hyo-man
Above Yoo Su-bin has come a long way from his 'Crash Landing on You' days. (Photo: IMDb)
Although he had already appeared in a handful of K-dramas, it's his role as the endearing and hilarious Kim Ju-Meok—one of Captain Ri Jeong-hyeok's (Hyun Bin) loyal sergeants and North Korea's biggest K-drama fan—in the global sensation Crash Landing on You that truly put him on the map. His follow-up role as the earnest and lovable Lee Chul-san in the equally popular Start-Up further cemented his status as a fan favourite.
In Weak Hero Class 2 , he initially plays against type as Eunjang High's resident bully Choi Hyo-man. However, his character later undergoes a significant redemption arc, ultimately teaming up with Yeon Si-eun and his friends to take down Na Baek-jin. Bae Na-ra as Na Baek-jin
Above Bae Na-ra turns in another compelling performance. (Photo: IMDb)
Weak Hero Class 2 's big bad is Na Baek-jin, the leader of Union—an organisation of school bullies—played with sinister grace by newcomer Bae Na-ra. His performance is a masterclass in restraint, exuding a quiet intensity that makes Na Baek-jin one of the most compelling K-drama antagonists in recent memory. It may come as a surprise to many, then, that Bae Na-ra has only three acting credits to his name so far.
His acting debut in the second season of D.P. , where he delivered a heartbreaking and deeply sensitive performance as Jang Sung-min, a military conscript bullied and mocked for defying traditional gender norms, won critical praise and signalled the arrival of a new talent capable of playing complex characters with emotional depth and range.
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