Huh Yunjin and Ha Yerin Captivate Hollywood… Variety Names Them Among Its Next-Gen Four

K-culture pushes into global territory… four next-generation icons that captivated Hollywood

A quartet of Korea-based artists—LE SSERAFIM’s Huh Yunjin, actor Ha Yerin, KATSEYE and Cortis—fully won over the heart of the global entertainment industry: Hollywood. On the list for Young Hollywood Impact published by the U.S.’s most prestigious entertainment outlets, Variety, they made a prominent showing, proving their solid standing in the mainstream market.

On the 4th (local time), Variety unveiled the 2024 Young Hollywood Impact Report on its official website, spotlighting core talent aged 18 to 28 who will lead future industries. Released every year and spanning musicians, creators and actors around the world, the index is regarded as a key measure for gauging the direction of global popular culture.

The most striking part of this year’s lineup is the surge among artists affiliated with HYBE. Huh Yunjin, global girl group KATSEYE, and the rookies Cortis were all named in a remarkable sweep.

The outlet praised Huh Yunjin, saying she is the “creative linchpin” that leads the team’s musical direction beyond simply being a performer, and lauded her producing capabilities. It then hailed KATSEYE as “one of the best girl groups” that stands out most in today’s pop market, and for Cortis it said the company Big Hit Music—responsible for BTS—has introduced a “new K-pop star” and an overwhelming showcase of skill.

Alongside K-pop’s status, the global reach of K-acting also shone through. The spotlight falls on Ha Yerin, the granddaughter of veteran actor Son Sook and a Korean-Australian actress. Variety highlighted that she played Sophie Baek, the role that stole the heart of Benedict Bridgerton in the Netflix original Bridgerton Season 4 that sparked a worldwide craze, perfectly captivating global fandoms. It carries particular significance in that it presents a “new paradigm” in which an Asian actor leads the central narrative of a Hollywood major series.