South Korean Celebrities Born In January

Regarded as one of the most versatile actresses of South Korea, Son Ye-jin is also one of the highest-paid Korean actresses. She gained international recognition after playing prominent roles in films like The Truth Beneath and The Last Princess and in the popular TV series Crash Landing on You. She is also one of the most decorated South Korean actresses.

Lee Seung-gi is a South Korean actor, host, and singer. Dubbed the Triple Treat entertainer, Seung-gi was named in Forbes' Korea Power Celebrity list in 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2015. One of the top Hallyu stars, Lee Seung-gi is also one of the most popular celebrity endorsers and commercial models in South Korea. 

Kim Jong-in, better known as Kai, soared to stardom as part of the South Korean-Chinese boy band EXO. A trained dancer, he won the S.M. Youth Best Contest at 13. He later began performing as part of the K-pop supergroup SuperM. He also went solo with a mini-album later.

South Korean singer and actor, Do Kyung-soo, is best known for his association with the South Korean-Chinese boy group, Exo. Interested in singing from primary school, he joined Exo in 2012. As an actor, he has appeared in many TV shows and films. In 2019, he enlisted as an active duty soldier for his mandatory military service.

Moon Jae-in is a South Korean politician and the current president of South Korea. Although he was raised in poverty, Moon worked hard during his early years and went on to become a prominent politician. In 2018, he was named in Time magazine's 100 Most Influential People list.

Lee Bo-young is a South Korean actress best known for playing Jang Hye-sung in the popular television series I Can Hear Your Voice, for which she received several awards, including three SBS Drama Awards. Also known for her charity work, Lee Bo-young frequently donates to charitable causes along with her husband Ji Sung. She is also active in environmental causes.

Hwang Jung-eum is a South Korean actress and singer. From 2002 to 2006, she was the lead vocalist of the now-defunct girl group, Sugar. Over the course of her career, Hwang has won several prestigious awards, such as MBC Drama Awards, SBS Drama Awards, and KBS Drama Awards. She also serves as a goodwill ambassador for several events and programs.

Lee Young-ae soared to fame with the series Jewel in The Palace and the Park Chan-wook thriller Sympathy For Lady Vengeance. However, after marrying businessman Jeong Ho-young, she quit films, while enjoying her stint as a stay-at-home mom for her twins. She later returned, playing artist Shin Saimdang in Saimdang.

Son of a farmer, Kim Dae Jung later took over a company that he had initially joined as a clerk. He escaped from the clutches of death during the Korean War. The Nobel Peace Prize-winning politician also became the first opposition leader to be elected as the South Korean president.

In 2020, Kim Jae-joong was named South Korea’s richest K-pop star. The former member of TVXQ later joined JYJ. He also soared to fame with K-dramas such as Manhole and Triangle. He loves splurging on luxury cars and owns lavish apartments, malls, and restaurants in Korea and Japan.

Lee Yeon-hee is a South Korean actress known for playing important roles in TV series like East of Eden, Miss Korea, Phantom, and The Package. Over the years, Lee Yeon-hee's work in the South Korean entertainment industry has earned her several prestigious awards, such as MBC Drama Awards, a Korean Film Actors' Guild Award, and Golden Cinematography Award.

Park Jin-young is a South Korean singer, record producer, songwriter, reality television show judge, and record executive. He is credited with founding one of South Korea's most profitable entertainment agencies JYP Entertainment, for which he also serves as co-CEO. Park Jin-young is also credited with managing successful K-pop artists like Wonder Girls, Stray Kids, Miss A, Rain, Twice, and 2PM.

Park Sung-woong is a South Korean actor best known for playing a gangster named Lee Joong-gu in the crime drama film New World, for which he received nominations at prestigious award ceremonies, such as the Baeksang Arts Awards and Grand Bell Awards. He is the recipient of an SBS Drama Award, which he won for playing Park Dong-ho in Remember.

South Korean actor Song Kang-ho soared to international fame with his roles of Kim Ki-taek in the Academy Award-winning film Parasite and Namgoong Minsu in Snowpiercer. Fans also loved him in No. 3 and Joint Security Area. He has won honors such as the Blue Dragon Film Awards.

South Korean actor Kang Hye-jung gained fame with her impactful Blue Dragon Film Award-winning roles in films such as Oldboy and Welcome to Dongmakgol. A former model, she has also been part of the Korean version of the Pulitzer-winning American play Proof. She is married to Korean-Canadian hip-hop artist Tablo.

South Korean actress, Lee Yoo-ri, is best known for her role as the antagonist in the TV drama series Twinkle Twinkle. Making her debut in 2001, she gained much popularity for appearing in the teen drama series School 4. Although better known as a TV actress, she has also acted in a couple of films. 

South Korean singer and rapper, Jennie, became popular as a member of the girl group Blackpink. She decided to pursue a career in music when she was a teenager. After being active in the music industry for a few years, she gained international fame after being selected for Blackpink. She has since embarked on a solo career as well.

South Korean actress Jang Ja-yeon was active in the entertainment industry for hardly three years before her untimely death. After making her debut in a TV commercial, she began appearing in the TV drama series Boys Over Flowers. On 7 March 2009, she was found hanging in her home. Her death was ruled a suicide.

Kangin is a South Korean actor, singer, radio personality, and television host. He is best known for his association with the popular boy band Super Junior, although he is no longer part of the band. Over the years, Kangin has won prestigious awards, such as an MBC Entertainment Award, MBC Drama Award, and Seoul Webfest Award.

Seung-Hui Cho killed 32 people and injured 29 others in the infamous Virginia Tech shooting on April 16, 2007. He was a South Korean-born immigrant who studied at the university and had been known to suffer from mental issues. He committed suicide before the police could reach him.