Summary

• Kim Soo-hyun has starred in 15 k-dramas and 6 Korean movies, showcasing his immense talent and versatility in various genres.
• His standout performances in series like "It's Okay To Not Be Okay" and "My Love From The Star" have garnered critical acclaim and widespread popularity.
• Fans of Kim Soo-hyun should not miss his latest series "Queen of Tears," which has broken records and become a top favorite on Netflix worldwide.

In 2007, Korean actor Kim Soo-hyun appeared in his first k-drama, entitled Kimchi Cheese Smile, and in the intervening years, he has become one of the highest-paid actors in South Korea, with a filmography brimming with amazing series, eight of which are his absolute best. Before he became a k-drama star, Kim Soo-hyun was born and raised in the Gangnam district of Seoul, South Korea. During his school years, he took acting classes with his mother's support, and in 2007, finally earned his first role, which led to the amazing acting career he now boasts.

In all, Kim Soo-hyun has appeared in six Korean movies, 15 k-dramas, and 1 web series. Where some of these projects earned mixed reviews upon release and faded into the background of the k-drama scene, others have won awards and are incredibly beloved by critics and fans alike. A significant part of this is Kim Soo-hyun's performances. While a k-drama can have an interesting plot and amazing quality, a major part of its success can be attributed to the work Kim puts into his characters. That is what makes them endure, even as he moves onto bigger and newer series.

8 Crash Landing On You (2019)

Won Ryu-hwan / Bang Dong-gu

Despite having only a brief cameo role, Crash Landing On You is definitely one of Kim Soo-hyun's most notable series. Released between 2019 and 2020, Crash Landing On You is an iconic k-drama series which tells the story of a rich young South Korean woman who accidentally paraglides into North Korea and finds help via a sympathetic North Korean soldier. Crash Landing On You is a well-loved k-drama that earned immense praise in Korea and internationally, in China, Japan, and the United States, and one part of its success is the cameos it included with high-profile k-drama actors like Kim Soo-hyun. In Crash Landing On You, Kim plays Won Ryu-hwan/ Band Dong-gu, a North Korean spy that pretends to be the village idiot. Although this is a very small role, it is an iconic one for Kim. Crash Landing On You is a perfect watch for Kim Soo-hyun fans and general k-drama fans alike.

7 Dream High (2011)

Song Sam-dong

One of the earliest shows Kim Soo-hyun appeared in that is still worth a watch is 2011's Dream High. The ensemble k-drama follows six teenagers who all dream of becoming k-pop idols. Over the course of 16 episodes, the group works on their musical abilities and help each other through the difficult process. Kim Soo-hyun plays Song Sam-dong, a "country bumpkin" who suffers from a rare disease but has incredible musical talent. He also harbors a one-sided crush on a girl in his friend group. Like Crash Landing On You, Dream High earned special acclaim around the world, winning awards in Japan, Switzerland, and the Philippines. And in terms of Kim Soo-hyun, Dream High is a great k-drama to watch because it shows him both in his younger years, and also, in one of his first big roles. Dream High is perfect for those who love high school-based k-dramas and want to see Kim Soo-hyun's roots.

Dream High is one of the most streamed South Korean k-dramas in China.

6 The Producers (2015)

Baek Seung-chan

Sometimes, an actor's true potential is best uncovered when working in a group, and Kim Soo-hyun's 2015 k-drama, The Producers, is a great example of that. The Producers is a 12-episode series following a group of employees at KBS (Korean Broadcasting System) who work in the variety department, and spend their days working feverishly on sketches via filming, editing, and taking meetings. In the series, Kim plays Baek Seung-chan, an aspiring prosecutor who becomes a producer-director at KBS due to his crush on an employee there. Although The Producers earned mixed reviews, many of which questioned its accuracy to real life, this series is a great look at Kim Soo-hyun's acting ability and his dynamics with other actors in an ensemble series.

However, the real pride and joy is that this series earned Kim the Grand Prize at three separate Korean acting awards, proving that his performance in The Producers is not one to ignore.

5 One Ordinary Day (2021)

Kim Hyun-soo

Although Kim Soo-hyun has only appeared in one Korean web series so far, it is one that his fans will not want to miss. Released in 2021, One Ordinary Day follows the story of a young university student who becomes the prime suspect in a murder case, and must rely on the help of a low-life attorney and a criminal kingpin for help. While Kim Soo-hyun has worked in different genres throughout his career, One Ordinary Day is likely his darkest k-drama of all. This is a series that is thrilling, dread-inducing, and emotional. It is unlike the romantic or comedy projects that Kim has done in the past. Above all, it shows Kim's acting range. One Ordinary Day is one of his best k-dramas because it is not only different, but it proves that Kim Soo-hyun can play a role in any genre and come out with yet another successful series on his resume.

4 My Love From The Star (2013)

Do Min-joon

Another early project of Kim Soo-hyun's is 2013's My Love From The Star. This is a unique project is a mix of romance, comedy, and fantasy, telling the story of an alien who crash lands on Earth during the Joseon Dynasty and misses his return flight to his home planet. The alien then spends the next four centuries among humans, and in that time, comes into contact with a haughty Hallyu star who becomes his neighbor. My Love From The Star is not Kim Soo-hyun's first or only romance k-drama, but it is one that stands out among his other projects due to its interesting premise and its ultimate success. My Love From The Star was a k-drama that helped revive the Korean wave globally, including in the United States. It was well-received by critics, and was praised for its whip smart storytelling, and its ability to use comedy and drama in an effective manner. Ultimately, My Love From The Star is not just an entertaining watch; it had massive affects on South Korea and the world at large.

My Love From The Star increased sales of fried chicken due to its being the favorite snack of a main character on the show.

3 Moon Embracing The Sun (2012)

Lee Hwon

Although Kim Soo-hyun's acting career started all the way back in 2007, the series that really boosted him into stardom was 2012's Moon Embracing the Sun. This historical k-drama tells the story of a fictional Joseon king, played by Kim, who falls in love with a female shaman, though their love story is corrupted by political endeavors and conspiracy. Despite the fact that Kim had appeared in notable k-dramas before Moon Embracing the Sun, this series proved that Kim was not just a strong actor, but could very easily be a leading man. Where previous k-dramas had made him a supporting character or an equal part of an ensemble cast, Moon Embracing the Sun gave the actor the chance to prove his skills. Ultimately, it paid off, as Moon Embracing the Sun and Kim Soo-hyun won several awards the year of its release. This is a must-watch for Kim Soo-hyun fans, and also, for those who love historical k-dramas.

2 It’s Okay To Not Be Okay (2020)

Moon Gang-tae

Another Kim Soo-hyun show that benefits from its unique premise is It's Okay To Not Be Okay. This romantic k-drama follows the intertwining story of childhood friends who were separated, but reconnect several years later. Though this may seem like a fairly general concept, It's Okay To Not Be Okay has its roots in fairy tales, and furthermore, focuses on important themes such as mental health, loss, and trauma. In the series, Kim Soo-hyun plays Moon Gang-tae, the male lead who takes care of his autistic brother.

Despite being a romance, which is often considered a light and fluffy drama, It's Okay To Not Be Okay can be a very deep and serious look at relationships and healing.

It is touching, emotional, and difficult to watch at times. In this way, it is definitely one of Kim Soo-hyun's best performances, and a show that his fans should definitely dive into, especially to see him in a romantic role.

1 Queen Of Tears (2024)

Baek Hyun-woo

Finally, the number one series to watch Kim Soo-hyun in is Netflix's Queen of Tears. This series has only recently released all of its episodes on the streaming platform and yet it has still held onto a place as one of Netflix's most popular shows at the moment. Queen of Tears follows the trials and tribulations of a marriage between an heiress and the son of rural farmers. A romance k-drama to the core, this series is full of drama and relationship dynamics, which Kim has already proven he is a master at portraying. And like other Kim Soo-hyun k-dramas, this one has broken some incredible records among international viewers. Queen of Tears is the highest-rated tvN series, surpassing Crash Landing On You. It is also the third highest-rated series in Korean cable television history. Overall, the statistics speak for themselves. Everyone is watching the poignant k-drama, and so Kim Soo-hyun fans should watch it as well.