There are multiple reasons to watch a K-drama: some folks look for engaging stories, some go for the visuals or screenplay, and some, like me, tap on it to watch familiar actors on screen. If we are talking about the real head-turning faces in K-drama, actor Kim Soo-Hyun tops almost everyone’s list. Kim Soo-hyun is one of the most highest-paid K-drama actors in the industry. His spectacular performance in his roles shows he is deserving of every cent of his hefty paycheck. (I mean, look at his face!)
And why not? This Beaksang Arts Awards nominee actor has starred in some of the most cult classic K-dramas, like Moon Embracing the Sun and My Love From the Star, whose viewership became a milestone in South Korea. His performances have always been eye-catching, be it his persona as a nurse in It’s Okay To Be Not Okay, his small but memorable cameo in Crash Landing On You, or his current role as a lawyer in the ongoing TVN drama Queen of Tears, alongside co-star Kim Ji-Won, he has always been one star the people love to see on screen.
We’ve compiled a selection of a few K-dramas starring this icon for you to binge on:
1. Queen of Tears
Queen of Tears is an ongoing TVN K-drama that follows the story of a married couple, chaebol heiress Hong Hae-In (Kim Ji-Won) and Baek Hyun-Woo (Kim Soo-Hyun). The duo faces a crisis in their third year of marriage, which leaves them on the verge of divorce. However, they slowly work their way through their issues and misunderstandings to fall in love all over again.
Stream on: Netflix
2. It’s Okay to Not Be Okay
This is one of the most popular K-dramas, receiving eight nominations at the 57th Baeksang Arts Awards. The series follows two individuals: Ko Moon-Young (Seo Ye-Ji), a children’s book author with antisocial personality disorder, and orphaned carer Moon Gang-Tae (Kim Soo-Hyun). While the former doesn’t know how to love, the latter denies it. The two cross paths and find love in each other.
Stream on: Netflix
3. My Love From The Star
This romantic fantasy series written by the impeccable Park Ji-eun tells the story of an extraterrestrial alien named Do Min-joon (Kim Soo-hyun), who landed in South Korea in 1609 during the Joseon Dynasty. And four centuries later, he falls in love with the strong-willed yet dramtic actress Cheong Song-yi (Jun Ji-hyun). My Love from the Star ended on a high note, with its finale hitting its highest nationwide rating of 28.1 percent.
Stream on: Viki
4. Moon Embracing the Sun
Moon Embracing the Sun is one of the most popular K-dramas by Kim Soo-Hyun. He plays Lee Hwon, King of Joseon, who falls in love with noblewoman Heo Yeon-Woo (Han Ga-In). However, the Dowager Queen secretly orders her stepson’s death. And, meanwhile, Yeon-Woo also mysteriously dies of an illness. Years later, Lee Hwon crosses paths with Yeon-Woo again, who has completely lost her memories. She returns to the palace and is trained as Lady Shaman Wol.
Stream on: Viki
5. The Producers
The Producers is a popular K-drama that gives viewers a glimpse of people working at a broadcasting station. Kim Soo-Hyun plays Baek Seung-Chan, a rookie producer in the Entertainment Department. He has a crush on fellow employee Tak Ye-Jin (Gong Ho-Jin), a veteran producer who works for a music program. The series also stars popular actor and singer IU.
Stream on: Netflix
6. Dream High
With a powerhouse cast that includes legends like Ok Taecyeon, Bae Suzy , IU. This K-drama is one of 2011’s most successful shows with rating at an average of 15.7 per cent throughout South Korea during its two-month run. Kim Soo-hyun plays the character of Song Sam-dong, an unsophisticated music prodigy with a rare disease who develops an unrequited crush on Hye-mi (Bae Suzy). The series was so popular that it led to a sequel which aired the following year, which featured a new cast including Kang So-ra and Park Seo-joon.
Stream on: Viki
Also, read: Enjoyed ‘Marry My Husband’? Here Are 6 More Webtoon Based K-Dramas Ready To Hit The Small Screen This Year
7 Visually Stunning K-Dramas Where Cinematography Was The Main Character
