30+ Korean Last Names You Probably Heard In K-Dramas

Ever wondered why nearly every K-drama character seems to be a Kim, Lee, or Park? Unlike Western countries with thousands of surnames, Korean last names are incredibly concentrated—just these three represent nearly half of South Korea's population! This surprising fact reflects the unique historical development of Korean surnames, where clan identity often mattered more than individual family names.

So whether you're binging "Squid Game" or practicing Korean conversations, this guide to the 100 most popular Korean surnames will instantly boost your cultural fluency and connection to the characters you love.

Understanding Korean Last Names

Before jumping into our list, let's cover some basics about Korean surnames:

• Korean names are structured differently from Western names - the family name comes first, followed by the given name
• Most Korean surnames are just one syllable (with a few exceptions)
• A small number of surnames represent a large percentage of the population
• Korean last names often originated from clans or regions

When watching your favorite K-dramas like "Crash Landing on You" or "Goblin," you'll notice these patterns immediately. Now, let's explore the most common Korean last names you'll encounter.

10 Most Common Korean Surnames

1. Kim (김)

The most common Korean surname, Kim (김), literally means "gold" or "metal" and is held by roughly 20% of all Koreans! Originating from noble clans during the Silla Dynasty (57 BCE-935 CE), the Kim surname carries tremendous prestige in Korean society.

You'll encounter countless Kim characters in K-dramas, from the charming Kim Tan in "The Heirs" to the otherworldly Kim Shin in "Goblin," reflecting the real-life dominance of this ubiquitous family name.

2. Lee (이)

Lee (이), sometimes romanized as "Yi," is Korea's second most common surname. Originally meaning "plum tree," this surname traces back to the royal family of the ancient Joseon Dynasty, giving it a particularly distinguished heritage.

If you've been binge-watching Korean dramas, you'll instantly recognize this surname from beloved characters like Lee Gon in "The King: Eternal Monarch" and the many roles played by actor Lee Min-ho.

3. Choi (최)

Choi (최), pronounced "cheh," means "pinnacle" or "peak" and is held by approximately 5% of Koreans. This surname gained prominence during the Goryeo Dynasty (918-1392) when the Choi clan briefly controlled the royal court behind the scenes.

In popular K-dramas, memorable Choi characters include the arrogant but complex Choi Young-do in "The Heirs" and the charismatic Choi Han-kyul in "Coffee Prince," highlighting the surname's continued cultural significance.

4. Park (박)

Park (박), sometimes spelled "Pak," means "gourd" and accounts for roughly 10% of Korean surnames, making it the third most common in the country. The Park clans trace their lineage to ancient nobility, with some claiming royal connections to the Silla Dynasty.

Korean movie enthusiasts will recognize this surname from iconic characters like Park Sae-ro-yi in "Itaewon Class" and Park Dong-hoon in "My Mister," reflecting its widespread presence in Korean entertainment and society.

5. Jeong (정)

Jeong (정), often romanized as "Jung," means "righteous" or "upright" and is the fifth most common Korean surname, representing about 5% of the population. The Jeong clans historically produced many scholars and government officials during the Joseon era, contributing to the surname's respected status.

In the K-drama world, this surname appears frequently with characters like Jeong Tae-eul in "The King: Eternal Monarch" and actor Jung Hae-in, whose real name has helped popularize this surname internationally.

6. Cho/Jo (조)

Cho or Jo (조), meaning "melody" or "dynasty," is the sixth most common Korean surname and has historical connections to ancient Chinese kingdoms. The Cho clans were known for producing scholars and government officials throughout Korean history.

K-drama fans will recognize this surname from characters like Jo Yi-seo in "Itaewon Class" and Jo Jung-suk, a popular actor whose real name features this distinctive surname that adds musical connotations to character identities.

7. Yoon/Yun (윤)

Yoon or Yun (윤), meaning "shining" or "glossy," represents a smaller but still significant portion of Korean society. Historically, the Yoon clans included many accomplished scholars and artists during the Joseon Dynasty. This surname gained international recognition through K-dramas with memorable characters like Yoon Se-ri, the strong-willed businesswoman in "Crash Landing on You," and Yoon Jin-ah in "Something in the Rain.".

8. Jang (장)

Jang (장), meaning "chief" or "chapter," has ancient origins with connections to Chinese military leaders who migrated to Korea. The Jang surname is associated with strength and leadership in Korean culture. K-drama enthusiasts will recognize this surname from unforgettable characters like the immortal hotel owner Jang Man-wol in "Hotel Del Luna" and Jang Geu-rae in "Misaeng."

9. Im (임)

Im (임), sometimes romanized as "Lim" or "Yim," means "forest" or "woods" and has deep roots in Korean history, with clan origins dating back to the Goryeo Dynasty. The surname is less common than Kim or Lee but still features prominently in Korean society. K-drama fans will recognize this surname from characters like Im Ju-kyung in "True Beauty" and Im Eun-seob in "When the Weather Is Fine.".

10. Shin (신)

Shin (신), meaning "trust," "faith," or "belief," is a distinctive Korean surname with historical connections to high-ranking officials during the Joseon Dynasty. While less common than Kim or Lee, the Shin surname carries significant cultural weight in Korean society.

K-drama lovers probably heard this surname from memorable characters like the goblin's bride Shin Ji-eun in "Goblin" and the complex antagonist Shin Sung-rok in "The Last Empress," often portraying characters with strong convictions that mirror the name's meaning of unwavering belief.

Other Popular Korean Last Names

Many Korean language learners find that recognizing surnames makes dialogue easier to follow, especially when characters are introduced or referred to formally. As you explore more K-dramas, you'll naturally absorb these surnames through context, enhancing both your cultural knowledge and language skills.

To help you out, I sorted all the most popular Korean surnames based on the naming category.

Chinese-Influenced Korean Surnames

Many Korean surnames have origins in ancient Chinese characters and concepts, reflecting the historical cultural exchange between Korea and China. These surnames often maintain their original meanings from Chinese but have evolved distinctly Korean pronunciations and clan histories over centuries.

Noble and Warrior Korean Last Names

These surnames often belonged to prominent military families or aristocratic clans throughout Korean history. Many of these names carry connotations of strength, leadership, and political influence, and their bearers frequently held significant positions in historical Korean kingdoms.

Korean Surnames Based on Colors

Color-based surnames reflect Korean culture's traditional emphasis on colors and their symbolic meanings. These names often relate to the five elements of philosophy that influenced Korean thought, where colors represented natural forces and directional energy.

Korean Last Names Based on Personal Attributes

These surnames often describe physical characteristics, personality traits, or aspirations that became associated with specific family lines. Such naming practices reflect the traditional Korean belief that names influence destiny and personal development.

What Are The Rarest Korean Last Names?

While K-dramas typically feature characters with common surnames like Kim and Lee, Korea actually has hundreds of unique last names that appear so rarely you might never encounter them on screen. Here are some of our favorites:

1. Sam (삼) literally means "three" and is among Korea's rarest family names
2. Jeup (즙) means "juice" or "extract"
3. Noe (뇌) means "thunder" or "brain"
4. Kwog (곽) or Gwak (곽) means "outer coffin" or "shrine box" and has ancient connections to funeral directors and craftsmen
5. Geun (근) meaning "tendon" or "sinew," represents strength and resilience in its Chinese character origin

Ready To Take The Next Step?

Now that you're familiar with the most common Korean surnames, you're already one step ahead in your Korean language journey!

Want to take your Korean learning to the next level? Lingopie offers an immersive way to learn Korean through the very K-dramas you already love. By watching authentic Korean content with interactive subtitles, vocabulary tools, and context-based learning, you'll quickly pick up not just surnames but everyday expressions, slang, and cultural nuances that textbooks simply can't teach.

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