Getting popular in another country usually takes one mega hit project and for K-actresses it’s being in a K-drama that happens to be super popular in that country for whatever reason, sometimes even more popular that domestically. But staying on top needs continuous string of good projects after that and for actress-singer IU she’s a double threat with her acting projects and music so in the 2023 poll of Japan audiences’ favorite K-actress she takes the top spot. Apparently the reason she vaulted from 3 last year to 1 this year is also because she went public with dating Lee Jong Seok who is himself super popular in Japan. Good to know for once dating helps with popularity lol. Second place is perennial top 3 in any J-list Park Min Young, with Song Hye Kyo rounding out in the 3rd spot. Then comes Park Eun Bin who has the legs to stay high over here with Kim Yoo Jung in the 5th position. After that it’s Son Ye Jin, Kim Ji Won, Seo Hyun Jin, Lee Sung Kyung, and Yoona.