Lifestyle | Entertainment
By Maritess Garcia Reyes
May 22, 2024
Cover Kim Soo-hyun as Baek Hyun-woo in ‘Queen of Tears’ (Photo: tvN)
Kim Soo-hyun as Baek Hyun-woo in ‘Queen of Tears’ (Photo: tvN)
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Get to know these swoon-worthy Korean dramas and movies where Kim Soo-hyun has starred in
Reported as the highest-paid K-drama actor of 2021, South Korean heartthrob Kim Soo-hyun has proven he deserves every cent written on his paycheques. And why not? This Best Actor nominee at the 57th Baeksang Arts Awards has starred in shows like Moon Embracing the Sun and My Love From The Star, which reached peak ratings of 42.2 per cent and 28.1 per cent, respectively, all over South Korea. The former earned the moniker “national drama” and was subsequently exported across several Asian countries.
Though glitz and glamour envelope this 36-year-old actor, he is one of those few who never fails to give back. It was reported that he and his fans have been donating tons of rice annually since 2012 to help people in need. He also extended help to the victims of the MV Sewol ferry tragedy in 2014. In 2020, he gave 100 million won to Covid-19 initiatives that support low-income families.
Are you curious about what other characters Kim Soo-hyun has played on both big and small screens? We list down some of them for you to stream and enjoy.
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1. ‘Queen of Tears’
Above ‘Queen of Tears’ official trailer
Kim Soo-hyun once again boasted his acting skills in Queen of Tears, delivering a top-notch performance with fellow lead Kim Ji-won. The actor plays Baek Hyun-woo, who was born in the rural area of Yongdu-ri and a lawyer who graduated from Seoul National University. He is also the husband of Hae-in, portrayed by Kim Ji-won, and the legal director of Queens Group.
Watch it on Netflix
2. ‘It’s Okay to Not Be Okay’
Above ‘It’s Okay to Not Be Okay’ official trailer
Having eight nominations at the 2021 Baeksang Arts Awards, it is quite impossible not to be intrigued by this television series written by Jo Yong and directed by Park Shin-woo. Its unique theme revolves around mental health issues, putting the spotlight on female lead Ko Moon-young (Seo Ye-ji), a children’s book author with antisocial personality disorder and Moon Gang-tae (Kim Soo-hyun), an orphaned caregiver at OK Psychiatric Hospital who refrains from having close relationships with anyone other than his older brother, Moon Sang-tae (Oh Jung-se), who has autism. The three have different struggles rooted in their past, entangled throughout 16 episodes.
Besides the twists and turns of the story, It’s Okay to Not Be Okay also uses beautiful visuals that will stir your imagination. Most of the filming locations were created using computer-generated imagery (CGI), including Ko Moon-young’s Cursed Castle, a charming café in Wonju City, about an hour and a half away from Seoul.
Watch it on Netflix
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3. ‘My Love From The Star’
Above ‘My Love From The Star’ clip
This romantic fantasy series written by Park Ji-eun (whose works include another blockbuster, Crash Landing On You 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. Four centuries later, he fell in love with strong-willed 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 per cent, according to AGB Nielsen Korea. It also garnered accolades, including the Grand Prize at the 50th Baeksang Arts Awards in 2014, which Jun Ji-hyun won. Culture-wise, it is reported to have started the chicken-and-beer craze in South Korea and China.
Watch it on Netflix and Viu.
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4. ‘Moon Embracing the Sun’
Above ‘Moon Embracing the Sun’ scene compilation
One of Kim Soo-hyun’s most successful television series to date is 2012’s Moon Embracing the Sun, which won him the Best Actor award and Best Drama at the Baeksang Arts Awards that same year. Adapted from the eponymous novel by Jung Eun-gwol, it tells of a secret, poignant love story between a fictional king of the Joseon Dynasty and a lady shaman.
Set against the backdrop of a charming yet conflict- and conspiracy-laden Korean traditional palace, Lee Hwon (Kim Soo-hyun) falls in love with Heo Yeon-woo (Kim Yoo-jung), who is later cheated out of her fate by the scheming of the Queen and Prime Minister Yoon. Heo Yeon-woo mysteriously dies, but a series of secrets unfold.
Watch it on Netflix
5. ‘The Producers’
Above ‘The Producers’ trailer
Described as the first-ever “variety drama” because of its subject and because it was produced by South Korean network SBS’s variety department instead of the drama department, this workplace series gives a sneak peek of what’s happening behind the scenes at a broadcasting company—from hectic filming to editing and all-night brainstorming.
Baek Seung-chan (Kim Soo-hyun) plays the role of an aspiring prosecutor who joins the network because of his secret crush on an employee. He becomes a rookie PD (producer-director) with the variety/entertainment division. The series also stars K-pop idol IU (Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo; My Mister; Persona; Hotel Del Luna), who plays the role of a popular singer and celebrity. Gong Hyo-jin (It’s Okay, That’s Love; Don’t Dare to Dream; When the Camellia Blooms) portrays the character of a smart, experienced PD named Tak Ye-jin who works for a long-time music programme.
Watch it on Netflix
6. ‘Dream High’
Above ‘Dream High’ trailer
With a powerhouse cast that includes Ok Taecyeon (Vincenzo; Save Me), Bae Suzy (Start Up; While You Were Sleeping), IU (My Mister, Hotel del Luna) and of course, Kim Soo-hyun, this television series became one of 2011’s most successful, 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 (Doctor Stranger) and Park Seo-joon (Itaewon Class; What's Wrong with Secretary Kim?; Fight For My Way).
Watch it on Netflix and Viu
7. ‘The Thieves’
Above ‘The Thieves’ trailer
The sixth highest-grossing film in Korean film history with over 12.9 million ticket sales, this action-comedy movie is about a cat burglar named Yenicall (Jun Ji-hyun) who seduces Leesung Gallery owner and steals an artefact with the help of three others: Popeye (Lee Jung-jae), Zampano (Kim Soo-hyun), and Chewing Gum (Kim Hae-sook). The film was shot in Seoul, Busan, Macau, and Hong Kong.
Watch it on Netflix
8. ‘Real’
Above ‘Real’ trailer
If you want to see a different side of Kim Soo-hyun, this movie revolves around the underworld of a dark fictional city, which gives viewers exactly that. Contrary to his sweet, boy-next-door roles in the past, in this 2017 film, Kim Soo-hyun’s role is of a successful problem solver and the owner of a large casino. Disturbed by an entirely different personality within himself, Jang Tae-young (Kim Soo-hyun) decides to seek medical help, which eventually leads to a series of unexpected consequences. Jang Tae-young then fought the battle between his real and fake self.
Watch it on Viu
9. ‘Crash Landing On You’
Above ‘Crash Landing On You’ video
Short but sweet, Kim Soo-hyun cameoed on episode 10 of the hit tvN and Netflix series Crash Landing On You, which stars now-real-life sweethearts Hyun Bin (Hyde, Jekyll, Me; Memories of Alhambra; Worlds Within) and Son Ye-jin (The Last Princess; Something in the Rain; The Negotiation).
Watch it on Netflix
Read more: It’s a Boy! K-Drama Superstars Hyun Bin and Son Ye-Jin Welcome First Child
10. ‘Hotel Del Luna’
Above Kim Soo-hyun in ‘Hotel Del Luna’
Fans of Kim Soo-hyun rejoiced when they spotted their favourite actor in the final episode of Hotel del Luna as the new owner of the Guest House of the Moon, which he renamed Hotel Blue Moon. His quick 60-second appearance on the series stirred speculations of having a second season for the 2019 drama, albeit, no confirmation as of writing. It is also reported that a musical of the same title will be released in 2022.
Watch it on Netflix and Viu
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(Additional) Angela Nicole Guiral
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