There are many talented actors in the Korean entertainment industry, but not all of them have the talent of picking good scripts. Sometimes the brightest acting can be dulled by a flimsy plot, wooden dialogue, or a director with no vision. It’s even sadder when an actor falls into a vicious cycle of attaching themselves to dramas that don’t perform well due to quality.
But there are others with the opposite problem. Some actors just don’t miss. They consistently choose good dramas. And on the rare occasion, they choose a dud— all is forgiven because their track record is so good.
Below are three actors who are known to pick gems every time.
Lee Jong Suk (The Comeback Kid)
The first time I saw Lee Jong Suk, it was in a little drama called Secret Garden, which starred Hyun Bin and Ha Ji Won and became a smash hit. Lee Jong Suk had a small supporting role, and his bright red hair spoke volumes, which was good because he didn’t have a ton of lines. Fast-forward to present times, and he’s one of the most popular Korean actors in the world. Part of that is because he’s adorable, tall, and has shoulders that can be used as a bench. He’s also an emotive actor, but beyond that, almost every single one of his dramas is rated well.
Lee Jong Suk clearly has an eye for scripts and seems to gravitate to dramas with strong, unique plots that don’t usually revolve around him being a hot chaebol. Instead, the story is about a mind-reading teenager who helps a lawyer win cases or a comic book character who comes to life to confront his creator. Most of these fantastical dramas are written, acted, and directed well, so the critic and peer reviews tend to be good.
He started his mandatory military service in 2019, causing fans to mourn his presence and discover other actors while they waited. I’m sure it’s nerve-wracking for any Korean actor to go to the military, but if they’re at the height of popularity, it might be even more daunting. Momentum can be everything in the entertainment industry. People can rise and fall in the blink of an eye, so staying relevant is a challenge. But after almost two years out of the spotlight, Lee Jong Suk left the army and chose to star in a drama called Big Mouth. The viewership is high, and the mystery is keeping a lot of people on their toes.
If you want to confirm his track record for yourself, binge our Lee Jong Suk collection on KOCOWA, starting with I Hear Your Voice and ending with While You Were Sleeping.
Ji Sung (The King of Consistency)
It would be a crime to leave him off this list. Not only has Ji Sung been in the acting industry forever, he’s wildly talented. Whereas Lee Jong Suk consistently picks unique plots, Ji Sung picks unique characters. When you start one of his dramas, you know the character will be interesting and three-dimensional. He’s played everything from a man with Dissociative Identity Disorder to a ruthless judge trying to take out society’s elite from within.
Most of his dramas are rated well and go on to become K-Drama classics. He’s also won a ton of awards. At this point, the minute people hear Ji Sung’s in a new drama, their expectations shoot sky high. He is very rarely in a bad drama.
Check out Kill Me Heal Me (and grab a box of tissues) and Doctor John to see if the hype is deserved (it is). If you want to get so mad you get heartburn, binge Secret Love. But don’t say I didn’t warn you.
Kim Soo Hyun (The Valedictorian)
Kim Soo Hyun burst onto the scene in Dream High, and Korea fell in love with him when he played a tortured King in Moon Embracing the Sun. However, he didn’t become a household name in drama-watching households everywhere until he starred in My Love From The Star alongside Jun Ji Hyun.
The thing about Kim Soo Hyun is he picks interesting plots and characters. I don’t know what kind of sixth sense he has that allows him to read a script, look at the director attached, and know it’ll be a quality production, but it’s working for him. He didn’t let the army stop him, either. His first comeback drama was called It’s Okay To Not Be Okay, and it exploded in popularity, especially internationally. It went on to be nominated for an International Emmy and is one of the highest-rated K-Dramas on many TV and film review sites.
Sometimes the world can feel unstable, so it’s nice to know we can count on one thing: great dramas from Lee Jong, Ji Sung, and Kim Soo Hyun.
They’re not the only actors in Korea that pick good projects, though. Who would you have added to the list?
To connect with other K-Drama lovers about your favorite actors, tropes and topics, check out The KOCOWA Korner. A monthly discussion thread designed to give you the community you deserve.
2 Comments
I love all the kdramas and wish all the actors and idols whom have signed up to do their military service good luck. hope to see a serge of their acting once they have done their duty. xxx
So many actors are going to the military this year! I’ll miss them, but I’m looking forward to a lot of new dramas when they come back as well. Thank you for reading 🙂