Summary

• Gong Yoo's impeccable acting talent is reflected in his notable reputation for starring in popular Korean TV shows and movies.
• The Silent Sea, despite Gong Yoo's strong performance, suffers from pacing issues and a matter-of-fact explanation of the ending.
• Gong Yoo's breakout role in Coffee Prince turned him into a hallyu star, with the drama praised for its handling of sexuality, gender issues, and female independence.

From the action-packed zombie thriller Train To Busan to Netflix's massive hit Squid Game, Gong Ji-cheol, known by his stage name Gong Yoo, has played his fair share of iconic movie and TV roles. The renowned South Korean actor has been a prominent figure in the entertainment industry for nearly two decades, achieving his first major role in Hello My Teacher in 2005. Gong's breakthrough came with the 2007 hit drama Coffee Prince. Since then, Gong has risen to become one of South Korea's most prominent and respected actors.

Gong's fame soared internationally with his role in the movie Train to Busan and his cameo in Squid Game, one of the best K-dramas of all time. He then went on to star in the head role of Han Yoon-jae in Netflix's The Silent Sea. The gripping sci-fi show soared to the top of Netflix's global charts, earning the title of the most-watched non-English series in just its second week, with Forbes praising it as one of Netflix's finest sci-fi series to date. Gong's notable reputation for starring in some of the most popular Korean TV shows and movies is a direct reflection of his impeccable acting talent.

10 The Silent Sea

Han Yoon-jae

The Silent Sea is a Netflix miniseries directed by Choi Hang-yong, based on his 2014 short film. The show explores a global drought crisis set in the late 2060s. It follows Dr. Song Ji-an (Bae Doona), an astrobiologist, and Captain Han Yoon-jae (Gong Yoo) as they lead a team to a lunar base to uncover a mysterious substance that could end the drought. Despite Gong Yoo's strong acting performance, the series suffers from pacing issues. The Silent Sea ending explained information too matter-of-factly to the audience, detracting from the more thriller aspects of the show.

9 Silenced

Kang In-ho

In Silenced, Gong Yoo delivers a powerful performance as Kang In Ho, a teacher uncovering abuse at a Korean school for deaf children. Divided into two halves, the film balances an unsettling atmosphere with a courtroom thriller. The film garnered significant attention due to its portrayal of a true story involving sexual abuse at a school for deaf children. While impactful, Silenced's detailed depiction of sexual violence drew criticism. However, Gong Yoo delivers a powerful performance that engages the viewers and makes them deeply care for the victims of such horrid crimes.

8 Hello My Teacher

Park Tae In

Gong Yoo's first lead role was in the 2005 K-drama Hello My Teacher. The drama centers on Na Bo Ri (Gong Hyo Jin), a former student expelled for fighting, who returns to her school as a teacher. Her return is motivated by her unrequited love for her ex-teacher, Ji Hyun Woo (Kim Da Hyun). However, troublemaker Park Tae In (Gong Yoo), the school's best fighter, develops feelings for Bo Ri and refuses to behave until she becomes their classroom teacher. The romantic melodrama was just a glimpse of Gong Yoo's exceptional acting skills.

7 Coffee Prince

Choi Han-gyeol

Coffee Prince is a Korean drama following Choi Han Gyul (Gong Yoo), who inherits a failing coffee shop from his grandmother. He hires Go Eun Chan (Yoon Eun Hye), a girl he hilariously mistakes for a boy. The plot centers on Han Gyul's confusion and growing feelings for Eun Chan, creating a mix of great drama and quirky humor. The show has been well-praised for its careful and empathetic handling of sexuality, gender issues, and female independence. Coffee Prince was Gong Yoo's breakout role, turning him into a hallyu star.

6 Squid Game

The Salesman/Recruiter

Squid Game is a South Korean Netflix drama series where financially struggling contestants compete in deadly versions of Korean children's games for a chance to win a large cash prize. Gong Yoo delivers a captivating cameo as the mysterious recruiter, setting the ominous tone for the series. His role, though brief, is pivotal in introducing Seong Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae), the protagonist, to the deadly games. Gong Yoo's portrayal of the recruiter is both charming and sinister, skillfully masking the dark reality behind the seemingly innocuous Squid Game game of ddakji.

5 The Suspect

Ji Dong-cheol

In The Suspect, Gong Yoo delivers a riveting performance as a North Korean spy defector in his first action role. The film follows Ji Dong-Chul (Gong Yoo), a defector, who embarks on a quest to find his family's killer and clear his name after being falsely accused of assassinating the chairman of a prominent company. Playing the role of a man of few words but with an intense burning desire for revenge, Gong Yoo portrays a man haunted by his past. Full of fast-paced chase and action sequences, The Suspect paved the way for Gong Yoo's venture into more action-centered roles.

4 The Age of Shadows

Kim Woo-Jin

In The Age of Shadows, Gong Yoo delivers a compelling performance as Kim Woo-jin, the new leader of the Korean resistance against Japanese occupation in the 1920s. Despite the film’s complex storyline about loyalty, espionage, and resistance, Gong Yoo stands out with his portrayal of a character torn between his love for Yun Gye-Soon (Han Ji-min), a resistance heroine, and his commitment to the cause. The Age of Shadows is a thrilling spy drama with intense action sequences and another example of Gong Yoo's prowess as an action star.

3 A Man and a Woman

Ki-Hong

Gong Yoo and Jeon Do Yeon's chemistry shines in A Man and A Woman. The plot follows Sang Min and Ki Hong, who meet in a park in Helsinki and share a passionate night in a deserted cabin. Despite being married to other people, their deep connection leads to forbidden love. A Man and A Woman is a compelling exploration of human desire and comfort-seeking. Gon Yoo brings a desperate loneliness and vulnerability to his character, making the couple's doomed future all the more heart-wrenching. Gong Yoo and Jeon Do Yeon are wonderful together, and their chemistry is undeniable.

2 Guardian: The Lonely and Great God

Kim Shin/Goblin

Guardian: The Lonely and Great God (often referred to as Goblin) is a standout Korean drama. It weaves the story of Kim Shin (Gong Yoo), an immortal goblin, and Ji Eun-Tak (Kim Go-eun), the girl destined to end his eternal life. The story is richly layered, blending elements of romance, comedy, and fantasy. Gong Yoo's performance as Kim Shin, the goblin, is remarkable, and the chemistry between the cast is palpable. The drama's emotional depth, humor, and stunning visuals make it a must-watch, and the show is considered one of the most popular K-dramas of recent years.

1 Train to Busan

Seok-woo