3 Hottest Actresses in Korean 18+ Dramas: The “First Time” of This Beloved Actress Took Social Media by Storm

When it comes to the queens of hot scenes in Korean cinema, viewers immediately think of Jeon Do Yeon, Cho Yeo Jung or Lim Ji Yeon. However, in recent years, several new actresses in the 18+ film genre have gained significant attention. Here are 3 names that every Korean drama enthusiast should know.

Park Ji Hyun

First on the list is Park Ji Hyun. Last year, she starred alongside Song Seung Hun and Cho Yeo Jung in the most provocative film of 2024, “Hidden Face”.

“Hidden Face” is a unique film about the renowned conductor Seong Jin, who searches for his missing fiancée Soo Yeon (Cho Yeo Jung). However, during his search, he meets and falls in love with Mi Joo (Park Ji Hyun). In reality, Soo Yeon is trapped in a secret room in their house, forced to watch as her fiancé has an affair with another woman.

In this film, Park Ji Hyun has numerous intimate and revealing scenes that set social media on fire, shocking many viewers. This is her boldest nude performance on the big screen, a stark contrast to her previous roles in dramas like “Do You Like Brahms?”, “Love All Play” and “Reborn Rich”.

Cha Joo Young

No discussion of Korean 18+ actresses is complete without Cha Joo Young. She rose to fame with her villainous role as Choi Hye Jung in the revenge drama “The Glory“, starring Song Hye Kyo. In this drama, she had intense and raw scenes, including moments where she tried to seduce Jeon Jae Jun (Park Sung Hoon) and engaged in fierce confrontations with Park Yeon Jin (Lim Ji Yeon).

Her stripping scene in front of Park Yeon Jin was particularly striking—it wasn’t just about nudity but also about the deep-seated insecurity and inferiority complex Choi Hye Jung felt towards her. Aside from her alluring figure, she had nothing else to rely on.

Beyond “The Glory”, Cha Joo Young also delivered a stunning performance in the 18+ historical drama “The Queen Who Crowns“. This early 2025 release drew significant attention for both its bold scenes and its gripping storyline, which brought a real historical figure to the screen.

Kang Hae Lim

The final name on the list is Kang Hae Lim, who caught the public’s eye with her role as Kim Sum in the psychological thriller “Somebody”. This 18+ series tells the story of the psychopathic killer Seong Yun O (Kim Young Kwang).

Despite his elegant and charming appearance, Seong Yun O uses a dating app to hunt his victims. Kim Sum becomes one of his targets, but instead of simply preying on her, he unexpectedly falls for her.

In “Somebody”, Kang Hae Lim captivated viewers with her stunning beauty and strong acting. However, her career hasn’t skyrocketed since, as she has been absent from screens for nearly three years. That’s about to change in April, when she will star in “Lobby”.

This film is a significant milestone for Kang Hae Lim, marking her first lead role in a major cinematic production. Moreover, she will be working alongside renowned actors such as Kim Eui Sung, Lee Dong Hwi, Park Byung Eun, and, most notably, box-office king Ha Jung Woo.