Asia is increasingly feeling the phenomenon of hallyu, a newly coined term referring to the increase in popularity of South Korean culture that has been flooding other countries since turn of the century.

The first China felt of it was in 2000, when the TV series Autumn in My Heart aired.

This year, My Love from the Star boosted sales of fried chicken amid the bird flu crisis, because the female protagonist said she adored "beer and fried chicken" as her favorite food when the first winter snow began to fall.

Here's a list of the most popular South Korean celebrities.

1. Lee Min-ho

Korean actor Lee Min-ho, who starred in the mega-hit TV seriesThe Heirs, poses during a photoshoot for COSMOPOLITAN magazine. [Photo/Xinhua Ent]

Born: June 22, 1987

Best known for: Boys Over Flowers, City Hunter, The Heirs