Leading Men: 10 Asian actors making it big in Asian cinema

Karen GEORGE 13 Aug 2015 updated the 6 October 2015 à 22:53

1/10
Takeshi Kaneshiro
He’s been hailed as the Johnny Depp of Asia, but Japanese-Taiwanese actor Takeshi Kaneshiro got his first taste of stardom behind the mic and not a camera with his debut album Heartbreaking Night back in 1992. His popularity as a Mandarin and Cantonese crooner propelled him into an acting career, with his debut film Executioners. Takeshi has been on a roll since then, appearing in Japanese, Taiwanese and Hong Kong films, thanks to his multilingual skills, and of course, his chiselled good looks.
2/10
Salman Khan
If anyone can lay claim to being the face of Bollywood, it’s Salman Khan. The Indian film actor, producer and TV personality commonly referred to in the press as Blockbuster Khan has on average three films out a year, with his latest hit Bajrangi Bhaijan being a top draw in cinemas around the world. In addition to hosting reality TV show Big Boss, Bollywood’s highest paid actor also gives back to society with his charitable foundation Being Human which contributes to the poor and need.
3/10
Jackie Chan
The veteran Hong Kong and Hollywood actor may be 59 years old, but make no doubt that his acting prowess is just as strong as when he made his debut in Big and Little Wong Tin Bar at the tender age of 8. Acting talents aside, he is also a martial artist, director, producer, stunt performer, screenwriter and stunt director. The highest paid actor in Asia has since appeared in over 150 films, his most notable ones being Enter The Dragon, Forbidden Kingdom, The Karate Kid and Kung Fu Panda.
4/10
Godfrey Gao
Taiwanese born Godfrey Gao is one sexy actor and model. The highly-sought after hunky star has appeared in several Taiwanese dramas, with his most prominent movies being The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones, 101 Proposals and All About Women. In addition to a fast growing acting career, he is also credited as the first Asian male model to be the face of French label, Louis Vuitton.
5/10
Lee Byung-Hun
This handsome South Korean is one of the few Asian actors who has had the privilege to work both in Asian cinema and Hollywood films. His 1992 debut in KBS drama Asphalt My Hometown proved to be a hit with the ladies and he has since gone from small screen to big screen Korean films. On the Hollywood side of things, he’s had roles in G.I The Rise of Cobra, G.I Joe: Retaliation and Terminator Genisys. The 44 year-old also holds the honour for being one of the first Korean actors to imprint their foot and hand prints on the Grauman’s Chinese Theater forecourt in Hollywood.
6/10
Lee Min Ho
Korean looker Lee Min Ho first rose to stardom in the 2009 K-drama Boys Over Flowers where he played the lovable lead character. Since then, the sometime model and singer has gone on to play the lead in popular K-dramas like The Heirs, City Hunters and Personal Taste. He’s obviously a good actor because his stellar performances has seen him rack up 33 awards which include Best New Actor (TV), Popularity Award, Actor in MBC Drama Awards and more.
7/10
Akshay Kumar
The mark of a good actor lies in the roles he’s assigned and with his clean cut good looks and Taekwondo black belt, Akshay Kumar is one Bollywood star who has smoothly transitioned from action hero to romantic Romeo and even the comedic joker, keeping fans glued to their seats ever since his debut in Khiladi. With over 150 films to his name since 1992, Akshay fans have much to look forward to this year with his latest film offerings Baby, Gabbar is Back and Brothers.
8/10
Dennis Oh
Born Dennis Joseph O’Neil, Korean American actor Dennis Oh has been modelling since the age of 16, appearing in commercials across Hong Kong, Taiwan and Singapore before appearing in the MBC miniseries, Sweet Spy, where he plays a mysterious spy who falls in love with a female police officer. He may not know it yet, but Dennis Oh is definitely going to be big in Asia.
9/10
Daniel Henney
Korean American actor Daniel Henney has melted the hearts of many a K-drama fan with major appearances in Korean films and dramas like Seducing Mr. Perfect, My Lovely Sam Soon and The Fugitive: Plan B.
10/10
Ken Watanabe
Ken Watanabe is one of the rare Asian actors who’s made it both in Hollywood and Asian cinema. A household name in Asia, Ken is one of only eight Asian actors nominated for an Academy Award. Whether or not you’re a fan of Japanese films, you’re sure to have watched his sterling performances in The Last Samurai, Memoirs of a Geisha and Batman Begins. He may be pushing 56, but we can all agree that the actor who overcame acute myeloid leukemia in 1989 still has the looks to drive fans to the cinema!

We don’t need to look to Hollywood for eye candy when our own backyard is full of hunky Asian actors who are stealing our hearts with their leading roles in films.

It’s official: our very own Li Nanxing has made his Taiwanese debut in the Taiwan-made drama Justice Heroes. The actor, widely known as Singapore’s Chow Yun Fat slips into one of those bad-boy roles that have come to define his career, playing the stubborn and mysterious Xiu Jun Hong, a Singaporean undercover detective who fights crime in the popular TV series available on VV Drama on Demand.

While we certainly can’t wait to watch the 50 year-old star kick some serious ass on the show, Li Nanxing is just one of the growing crop of talented leading Asian actors vying for our on-screen attention with their hunky good looks and sterling performances.

If you don’t already know, allow us to introduce you to 10 of the hottest leading Asian actors of the moment – don’t be surprised if you already know some of them!

Karen George

Photos: Getty Images

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Leading Men: 10 Asian actors making it big in Asian cinema

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