Kim Soo Hyun
Notable role: Do Min-Joon, a real-life E.T. in “My Love From The Star.”
Why it’s good: Yes, the chemistry between Kim Soo-Hyun and his co-star Jeon Ji-Hyun (who plays spoiled movie star Cheon Song-Yi) is out of this world. But the series explores so much more: friendship, loyalty and sacrifice. This K-Drama does a beautiful job of transporting viewers back in time to the Joseon era. This is offset by modern-day Seoul, in all its glitz and glamour. Kim was just 25 when he tackled the role of the enigmatic Do Min-Joon, who has been patiently waiting to return to his planet for more than 400 years. It was a career-defining role that catapulted the young actor to international stardom. The role could’ve been robotic left in the hands of a less-skilled actor, but Kim effortlessly straddles the line between drama and comedy. There also are some awesome meta moments. The best is a cameo appearance by the adorable Bae Su Ji (Suzy), who tells him he looks just like her high school boyfriend, Sam-Dong. (Sam-Dong was Kim’s character in “Dream High,” where he starred opposite Bae.) The open-ended series finale is bittersweet and not quite the happily-ever-after ending some fans had hoped for. But I felt it rang true to the story arc.
Ji Chang Wook
Notable role: The titular role in “Healer.”
Why it’s good: The interactions between Ji Chang Wook and Park Min Young is insanely good in this fast-paced, clever series that is equal parts espionage, action, and romance. It doesn’t hurt that Ji exudes smoldering sexuality, even when he’s disguised as a dweebish nerd. “Healer” is one of those rare dramas where the plot ramps up as the episodes progress. There is no downtime in this sterling series, so viewers are expected to keep up. One of the things I love about K-Dramas is that they touch on topics not often addressed in mainstream Korea. For instance, the issue of child abandonment and adoption are recurring storylines, where children are expected to forgive their parents’ choices. Both Ji and Park exhibit heartbreaking restraint portraying characters who refuse to be broken. On the action front, many actors can go through the motions and do a passable job at playing a hero. But like fellow actor Lee Joon-Gi, Ji really sells it and makes viewers believe that he is Healer. I loved the ending, which gave ownership to the characters played by both Ji and Park. If their characters were to have children, you just know their progeny will be badass!
Lee Min Ho
Notable role: Kim Tan in “The Heirs.”
Why it’s good: Though he initially won fame as a flower boy, Lee stands apart from many of his colleagues because he has a knack for lending gravitas even to lighter moments. “The Heirs” is a great example of this. I view Kim Tan as a continuation of Gu Jun Pyo, the morally ambiguous character Lee portrayed in “Boys Over Flowers.” Once again, Lee plays a rich, handsome son of a chaebol who isn’t above bullying others. But here, his character has a conscience and a sense of right and wrong. When he asks new peers if he had ever bullied them in the past, you get the idea that Kim truly feels shame for having behaved like his other privileged classmates. Lee is one of South Korea’s biggest stars and “The Heirs” shows why he’s so beloved. Besides the obvious looks, he has a knack for making unrelatable characters relatable. Paired with Park Shin Hye (who portrays his love interest Cha Eun Sang), Lee adds subtle nuances to the rich boy/poor girl cliche that make his character compelling. And not for nothing, but I may or may not have hoarded a few coffee sleeves from Seoul’s A Twosome Place, because Lee’s face was plastered on them.
It’s always fun to see which projects actors choose after their time in the military. Song Joong Ki became more popular than ever with “Descendants of the Sun,” his first post-military series. What kind of roles would you like to see Kim Soo Hyun, Ji Chang Wook and Lee Min Ho tackle next?
You can watch all of my K-Drama picks on KOCOWA.
Be sure to follow @GoAwayWithJae, where I tweet about all things Korean.🇰🇷
46 Comments
Hello. Do you allow guest posts on kocowa.com ?
Than kyou. They are the Big Three indeed!
my loves! thank you for this awesome article! write more on them please!
I can’t wait for all of their comebacks!
KIM SOO HYUN!!!! my bias!
This is another great piece too! Thank you!
So glad you enjoyed reading it 🙂
This is a Big 3 I can get behind!
big three for life!!
AGREED!
lee min ho was my first bias!
Still your first bias?!?!?
They’re the real Big 3 alright! Waiting for Kim Soo Hyun to be discharged next! I hope you write about his release too! Don’t leave my bae out!
You know it! I already have Kim Soo-Hyun’s release date circled on my calendar. Thanks for your interest!
Definitely! We won’t leave your bae out 🙂
I have learned some points through your blog post post. Thank you for the updates about some of my favorite actors!
Thanks so much for providing individuals with an exceptionally memorable chance to read critical reviews from this website.
Great piece! Thank you!
the Big Three are the best! Thank you!
i love your articles. they are so much fun. Keep up the great work!!
Such a great piece about a great group of guys. Thankyou!
i love kdramas with all my heart. thank you thank you for this amazing blog!
I wanted to thank ｙou for this good read!! I absoⅼᥙtely enjoyed every
bit of it. I have you book marked to look at new stuff you post…
Dami Aug 23 2018 6:21 am Min Ho, I was introduced to Korean drama by a friend back in 2011. The title is “Boys Before Flowers” after that I got all the dramas and movies you featured in.
The Big Three are soooo good. They’re all so hot but they’re also really great actors. I can’t wait until they get out fo the Army!
Some really wonderful posts on this website, thank you for contribution. “The key to everything is patience. You get the chicken by hatching the egg, not by smashing it.” by Arnold Glasgow.
hello… I am a big fan of Boys over Flowers.. hopefully it has a part 2 and looking forward for it … I never stop watching again and again I love them and waiting for their comeback movie ahead
Hello. I have checked your kocowa.com and i see you’ve got
some duplicate content so probably it is the reason that you
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There is a tool that creates articles like human, just search
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Can you tell me what duplicated content you are seeing?
KimSoHyunIsPerfection Oct 27 2018 2:30 am Kim So Hyun is a perfect goddess. She is definitely the most beautiful young actress around, the future top beauty of Korea!
yes its true..
and ilove kimsoohyun sooo cute😍😉
Lee Min Ho Oppa!!!!
I love all of your dramas. My mission is to watch/ rewatch all of your dramas before you are released from military; so far so good🙈🙈🙈
Saranghae!!!!
Wishing you all the best and a successful comeback💚
I’m really looking forward to seeing what his first project will be once he is discharged, too! So many wonderful things to look forward to!
Ji Chang Wook oppaaa… Can’t wait to see your coming back and watch your acting again in new drama 😍😍 Miss u so so soo bad 😢💕💕
There are a LOT of fans waiting for his comeback!
Hey what are up your 기자 가수 최초로 해외
Lee min ho
Lee. Min. Ho!!! 💜
I love Him❤❤❤
“Dream High” was my first Kim Soo Hyun drama and I very quickly figured out the guy is the BEST UGLY CRYER on the planet! “Moon Embracing the Sun” damn-near dehydrated me!😭
😂
“Moon That Embraces the Sun” is one of my all-time favorite Korean dramas, too. Kim Soo-Hyun was phenomenal in it and the child actors were all so good in that one, too.
😂😂😂😂
My first was My Love from Another Star. When I saw Dream High I was like is that “Do Min Joon Oppa?”
I like your very objective & sagacious article about these 3 amazing KDrama stars!
Thank you so much, Maria! I’m really glad you enjoyed the piece!
Can’t wait to see JCW be discharge and do series again. Consistently praying for JCW’s good health and success.
Thankful for this blog. More power
Thank you for taking the time to leave this sweet comment. This blog is pretty cool, right? 👍 Have a great week, Geraldine!