A boy with a charismatic personality can make you feel carried away. And in Korea, all the girls are infatuated by this boy, Kim Soo-Hyun. One would often fall short in describing his special features—smile, acting, or eyes. Due to this, his name is etched in their hearts forever. Since he entered the film industry, his name has echoed through fans’ voices and continues to traverse time. Kim’s contribution to the Korean film industry is huge. Before entering the mainstream media, his theatrical performances helped him to gain valuable insights. 

Kim made his television debut in 2007 on the family sitcom “Kimchi Cheese Smile.” He later took on similarly intriguing roles, which helped him establish himself as a leading actor. Today, let us view his exceptional works, which changed the Korean film industry. 

Queen of Tears

Ever thine, ever mine, ever ours is a poetic expression that implies a profound commitment in marriage. This nuanced theme led to the development of the “Queen of Tears” TV series. Directed by Jang Young-woo and Kim Hee-won, it reached an audience for its strong star cast—Kim Soo-hyun, Kim Ji-won, Park Sung-hoon, Kwak Dong-yeon, and Lee Joo-bin—gripping plot, and drama. The main story is about married couples: Kim Soo-hyun as Baek Hyun-woo, a lawyer, and Kim Ji-won as Hong Hae-in, an heiress.

The series sheds light on a couple on the brink of divorce due to emotional disconnection and miscommunication. The story gains its momentum when shocking news is unveiled—Hae-in’s brain cancer. Now, as a couple, they must rekindle their love amidst the chaos of her disease and overcome the challenges in this journey. The series premiered on March 9, 2024, and extended until April 28, 2024, on Netflix. However, it garnered appreciation for its characteristic performances and storyline. 

It’s Okay to Not Be Okay

A romantic genre series that focuses on three characters: Moon Gang-tae, played by Kim Soo-hyun; Ko Moon-young, played by Seo Yea-ji; and Moon Sang-tae, played by Oh Jung-se. This series, directed by Park Shin-woo, was considered a hit because of the star cast’s performances and a refreshing plot. The story follows Moon Gang-tae, a caregiver in a psychiatric ward; apart from his job, his sole responsibility is to take care of his brother, who is suffering from autism.

His meeting with a writer, Ko Moon-young, who suffers from antisocial personality disorder, intensifies the storyline by adding emotional depth. Moreover, throughout the series, Moon Gang-tae’s journey explores the theme of emotional well-being and personal growth. His character’s involvement highlights the importance of confronting past distress and embracing sensitivity. The series was released on June 20 and continued till August 9, 2020, on Netflix. 

Dream High

A simple teenage story in Kirin High School. A group of six young students aspires to become writers, songwriters, singers, and dancers, all while undergoing personal growth. However, they must confront their strengths and weaknesses while navigating their love life.

This series was extremely popular among youth, since they could connect with the story, and was directed by Lee Eung-bok and Kim Seong-yoon, and stars Bae Suzy, Kim Soo-hyun, Ok Taec-yeon, Hahm Eun-jung, Jang Wooyoung, and Lee Ji-eun in the lead roles. Released on January 3 and continued to air till February 28, 2011, on Netflix. Its success paved the way for the sequel as well, but with different actors. 

One Ordinary Day

A drastic situation arises when a brilliant student, Kim Hyun-soo, played by Kim Soo-hyun, is accused of murdering a girl. As the story continues, the suspense creates tension among the audience, leaving them wondering what led Kim to arrive at this situation. Whether his carefree life or his encounter with an unknown girl led to the accusation remains the central hook point in the series.

However, a plot twist gradually unravels the conspiracy behind his being framed for murder. In the end, the uncovered truth shocks the audience. One Ordinary Day was based on the British television series “Criminal Justice,” written by Peter Moffat. Every actor has done justice to their roles, especially Kim Soo-hyun. Released on November 27, 2021, on Viu, with eight episodes, it offers a gripping portrayal of the criminal justice system.

Written By: Tejaswini Prasad