South Korean actor Wi Ha-joon surprised the audience with squid gamebut his career includes many other great shows from before and after the Netflix K-drama phenomenon. Wi Ha-joon has solidified himself as one of the most promising actors of his generation, rising from supporting roles on lesser-known shows to leading characters in some of the best K-dramas of recent years.
From films like Midnight and Gonjiam: Haunted Asylum for K-dramas like Little Women and Gyeongseong Creature, Wi Ha-joon has built a very interesting career so far. In the psychological thriller Midnight, he played a deadly serial killer hunting his next victim and gave a chilling and frightening performance.
Meanwhile, in the horror film found Gonjiam: Haunted Asylum, Wi Ha-joon went from hunter to hunted as he explored a spooky, haunted hospital. Yet, some of his best work comes from TV showsfrom traditional broadcast series to original K-dramas from Netflix and other platforms.
10
Goodbye, Mr. Black (2016)
Like Ha Joon
The revenge K-drama Goodbye, Mr. follows Cha Ji-won (Lee Jin-wook), a Navy SEAL officer whose life is turned upside down by his best friend’s betrayal and the mysterious death of his father. After being framed, defamed, and exposed as a traitor, Ji-won embarks on a mission to return to South Korea and solve his father’s murder with the help of his allies in Thailand.
Forced into hiding, Ji-won uses a fake marriage with Kim Swan (Moon Chae-won) to disguise his identity and return to South Korea. Goodbye, Mr. is an action-packed K-drama filled with drama, betrayal, conspiracies, and romance. Ji-won and Swan’s fake marriage and opposites attract dynamic is a delightful romance to watch and their chemistry is the highlight of the show.
While Goodbye, Mr. had an interesting premise and exciting charactersthe plot suffered in later episodes and could have been shortened to keep it fast-paced and engaging. Goodbye, Mr. features Wi Ha-joon in a minor role as Ha-joon and the show marked his first role in a K-drama.
9
Matrimonial Chaos (2018)
How am I Si-ho
Marriage Chaos is an underrated K-drama series that follows two couples intertwined as they contemplate life, love, marriage and family at a time when divorce has become more common. The relationship between couple Jo Seok-moo (Cha Tae-hyun) and Kang Hwi-roo (Bae Boonas) changes when Seok-moo suddenly files for divorce.
Meanwhile, Jin Yoo-young (Lee El) and Lee Jang-hyun (Son Suk-ku)’s marriage is on the rocks as they deal with infidelity and a failed marriage. Marriage chaos depiction of the complex romantic and relationship struggles of flawed couples and characters makes the show a grounded and realistic K-drama.
Despite a slow start, the heartwarming and emotional K-drama is an incredible look at relationships and marriage. In Marriage Chaos, Wi Ha-joon plays the role of an optimistic and talented musicianIm Si-ho, whose positive outlook on life offers a refreshing outlook.
8
Romance is a Bonus Book (2019)
As Ji Seo Joon
THE K-drama romantic comedy Romance is a bonus book revolves around Kang Dan-i (Lee Na-young), a former copywriter who struggles to find a job before joining a publishing company and reuniting with her childhood friend Cha Eun-ho (Lee Jong-suk), a successful writer and editor. boss.
Wi Ha-joon’s charming and adorable portrayal of Seo-joon won the hearts of the audience.
Kang Dan-i and Cha Eun-ho’s childhood friendship became strained after Dan-i got married, but working at the same company allows the two to reconnect and fall in love. The heartwarming K-drama office romance relationship between Dan-i and Eun-ho faces complications with the introduction of book designer Ji Seo-joon, played by Wi Ha-joon.
Romance Is A Bonus Book is a South Korean romantic comedy series starring Lee Na-young and Lee Jong-suk. The story revolves around a successful writer who struggles to find work due to her age and complicated personal life. She ends up getting a job at a publishing house, where she reunites with a former colleague, beginning a journey of personal and professional rediscovery in the literary world.
- Cast
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Lee Na-young, Lee Jong-suk, Jeong Eu-Gene, Wi Ha-joon, Kim Sun-young, Jo Han-chul, Kim Tae-woo, Kim Yu-mi
- Release date
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January 26, 2019
Seo-joon develops romantic feelings for Dan-i and Seo-joon’s difficult relationship with Eun-ho worsens due to their mutual feelings for Dan-i. Furthermore, the journey of Seo-joon and Eun-ho’s difficult relationship turning into a beautiful bromance is fun and charming. Wi Ha-joon’s charming and adorable portrayal of Seo-joon won the hearts of the audience.
7
Gyeongseong Creature (2023)
As Kwon Jun Taek
Gyeongseong Creature is a historical drama and thriller K-drama set in 1945, during the occupation of Gyeongseong (present-day Seoul) by the Imperial Japanese Army. Set in times of occupation and fear, Gyeongseong Creature mixes the grim reality of unpleasant historical events with a supernatural thriller.
Gyeongseong Creature centers on informant Jang Tae-sang (Park Seo-joon) and tracker Yoon Chae-ok (Han So-hee) as they investigate Ongseong Hospital, where patients regularly disappear and uncover a conspiracy. Gyeongseong Creature Season 2 takes a time jump and is set in present-day Seoul.
Gyeongseong Creature is an action-horror television series that Kang Eun-kyung and Chung Dong-yoon created for Netflix. Set in 1945, during the Japanese occupation of Korea, Jang Tae-Sang, a wealthy informant in the heart of Gyeongseong, and Yoon Chae-ok, a highly skilled investigator, team up to face a literal creature created from humanity’s cumulative greed. .
- Release date
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December 22, 2023
- Creator(s)
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Kang Eun-kyung, Chung Dong-yoon
As a result, Wi Ha-joon only appeared in Gyeongseong Creature season 1 as Kwon Jun-taek, Tae-sang’s best friend. Jun-taek is an activist who uses his wealth and power to support the independence movement. The use of horror in historical tragedies makes Gyeongseong Creature a unique and amazing K-drama. Despite not returning for Season 2 due to the time jump, Jun-taek plays a pivotal role in the story.
6
Something in the Rain (2018)
As Yoon Seung Ho
Something in the rain is a heartfelt romantic K-drama that revolves around Yoon Jin-ah (Son Ye-jin), a woman working to advance her career, and Seo Joon-hee (Jung Hae-in), her best friend’s younger brother by Jin-ah. The two meet again after Joon-hee returns to South Korea after working abroad and the pair begin to fall in love.
Something in the Rain is a romantic drama series that follows Yoon Jin-ah, a 30-year-old single woman, and her unexpected romance with Seo Joon-hee, her best friend’s younger brother. As their relationship develops, they face social expectations and personal challenges. The series explores themes of love, age and social norms linked to modern relationships.
- Cast
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Son Ye-jin, Jung Hae-in, Joo Min-Kyung, Kim Jong-tae, Jang Won-hyung, Oh Ryoong
- Release date
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March 30, 2018
Something in the rain stands out from other romance K-dramas in its portrayal of female employees’ struggles in the corporate world, including sexual harassment and discrimination in the workplace. Jin-ah’s struggle to advance her career in a male-dominated field and misogynistic environment is inspiring and moving.
Wi Ha-joon plays the role of Yoon Seung-jo, Jin-ah’s protective brother and Joon-hui’s best friend. in Something in the rain. Despite being a small role, Seung-jo’s dynamic with Jin-ah and Joon-hui brings depth to the characterizations of the romantic leads and strengthens the romance.
5
Bad and Crazy (2021)
To ask
The action-packed K-drama thriller Bad and crazy follows corrupt detective Ryu Soo-yeol (Lee Dong-wook), whose life is thrown into chaos after K’s (Wi Ha-joon) pursuit and enforcement of justice begins to terrorize him. Soo-yeol later discovers that he has dissociative identity disorder and that K, the mysterious figure that attacks him, is his alter ego. Soo-yeol and K learn to work together and form a strong bond as they uncover crime and corruption.
Bad and crazy is full of adventure, suspense, action and plot twists. The character-based show delves into Soo-yeol’s selfish mindset and behavior and explores her motivations. Soo-yeol’s backstory and motivation make him a compelling character despite his flaws. Wi Ha-joon’s portrayal of K as a righteous wildcard with a propensity for violence is masterfully done. K is an adorable but chaotic addition to the show, perfectly portrayed by Ha-joon.
4
The Midnight Romance in Hagwon (2024)
As Lee Jun-ho
Midnight Romance in Hagwon is a melodramatic romance K-drama that tells the story of the romance between Seo Hye-jin (Jung Ryeo-won), an expert teacher at a private academy (known as “hagwon”), and Lee Jun-ho (Wi Ha-joon ), a former student who returns to academia as a teacher.
The Midnight Romance in Hagwon is a romantic drama centered on a secret relationship between veteran gym instructor Seo Hye-jin and his former student Lee Joon-ho, who reenters his life after a decade, rekindling emotions and complicating their lives .
- Cast
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Jung Ryeo-won, Wi Ha-joon, So Joo-yeon, Yoon Bok-in
- Character(s)
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Seo Hye-jin, Lee Joon-ho, Lee Taek-yeol, Kim Hyun-tak, Nam Chung-mi, Woo Seung-hee, Min Hee-joo, Yoon Ji-seok, Oh Jeong-hwa, Choi Seung-gyu
- Release date
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May 11, 2024
- Network
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tvN
- Directors
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Ahn Pan-seok
With the competitive and high-stakes environment of South Korean academia, Midnight Romance in Hagwon can balance the romance with gripping workplace drama. Midnight Romance in Hagwon is filled with rivalry between lecturers, a high-pressure competitive environment for teachers and students, and drama caused by the passionate secret romance between the protagonists.
Wi Ha-joon’s role as former student-turned-teacher Lee Jun-ho marks the actor’s first time playing the romantic lead in a K-drama.
Wi Ha-joon’s role as Lee Jun-ho, the former student turned teacher, marks the actor’s first time playing the romantic lead in a K-drama. Midnight Romance in Hagwon Interesting setting and compelling academic drama make the romance K-drama a thrilling ride.
3
Little Women (2022)
As Choi Do-il
The female-led show Little Women is focused on the plight of the three Oh sisters after they clash against the richest family in South Korea. The eldest sister, Oh In-joo (Kim Go-eun), the middle sister, Oh In-kyung ( Nam Ji-hyun), and younger sister Oh In-hye (Park Ji-hu), grew up living in poverty.
The Oh sisters’ lives are thrown into chaos after In-joo’s friend is found dead and leaves millions of dollars to In-joo, drawing the ire and suspicion of Korea’s richest family. Based on the novel by Louisa May Alcott, Little Women is an underrated K-drama that perfectly explores wealth inequality in a mysterious setting.
In Little Women, Wi Ha-joon plays the role of Choi Do-il, the mysterious and intelligent person whose loyalties remain unclear. Despite his suspicious behavior, Do-il’s protectiveness towards In-joo and his guidance in dealing with the dangerous situation establish him as a compelling character. The thriller full of mystery Little Women wins hearts with its touching depiction of the Oh sisters’ bond and familial love.
2
The Worst of Evil (2023)
As Jung Gi-cheol
Set in the 1990s, The worst of evil is a noir K-drama crime thriller that follows a police officer who goes undercover to infiltrate a criminal syndicate responsible for illegal drug distribution. Park Jun-mo (Ji Chang-wook) is an officer desperate to prove himself and infiltrates the Gangnam Union.
Jun-mo is surprised to discover that his wife, Yoo Eui-jeong, is involved in the mission and has a romantic past with Gangnam Union leader Jung Gi-cheul (Wi Ha-joon). Wi Ha-joon plays the role of Gi-cheul, the villain in the K-drama thriller. Gi-Cheul is a former DJ and mafia enforcer who becomes the leader of the Gangnam Union after murdering his boss and the leader.
Despite his violent work, Gi-Cheul is a multifaceted character who also has a softer side. Ha-joon perfectly illustrates Gi-cheul’s affection for his first high school love, Eui-jeong, in contrast to his role as the terrifying leader of a violent and dangerous syndicate. The unexpected yet beautiful dynamic between Gi-cheul, Eui-jeong, and Jun-mo is the highlight of the show.
1
Squid Game (2021)
As Hwang Jun-ho
Netflix’s survival thriller squid game it became the most watched series on the streaming platform, a record it still holds. squid game The first season follows 456 people who desperately need money and participate in a deadly competition for the chance to win more than 38 million dollars.
In Squid Game, a mysterious invitation to participate in a competition is sent to at-risk people who urgently need money. Four hundred and fifty-six participants from all walks of life are locked in a secret location where they play to win 45.6 billion won. The games are selected from traditional Korean children’s games such as Red Light and Green Light, but the consequence of defeat is death. To survive, competitors must choose their alliances carefully – but the further they advance in the competition, the more likely betrayal will appear.
- Cast
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Wi Ha-joon, Anupam Tripathi, Oh Yeong-su, Heo Sung-tae, Park Hae-soo, Jung Ho-yeon, Lee Jung-jae, Kim Joo-ryoung
- Release date
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September 17, 2021
- Presenter
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Hwang Dong Hyuk
The popular K-drama examines the horrors of capitalism and economic disparity while remaining an entertaining survival horror show. Wi Ha-joon’s role as Hwang Jun-ho in the global sensation squid game it was his true escape and pushed him to popularity. Detective Jun-ho’s dedication to his search for his missing brother leads him to infiltrate the game to find him.
Ha-joon’s portrayal of the detective determined to uncover the truth behind the game was fascinating to witness the exciting show. With a unique plot, compelling characters, shocking betrayals and unpredictable but satisfying twists, squid game has established itself as a modern K-drama classic and Wi Ha-joonthe best show.