Cover Best Yoo Yeon Seok K-dramas to watch after ‘When the Phone Rings’ (Photo: Instagram / @yoo_yeonseok)
Best Yoo Yeon Seok K-dramas to watch after ‘When the Phone Rings’ (Photo: Instagram / @yoo_yeonseok)
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Here are the best K-dramas to watch to get your dose of Yoo Yeon Seok
South Korean drama When the Phone Rings has quickly grown in popularity since its release, and for good reason. The mystery thriller series follows a couple in a loveless, contract marriage who have been living with each other without meaningful interaction. Their relationship dramatically changes after a kidnapping incident. On top of its entertaining plot, the drama is also loved for Yoo Yeon-seok’s compelling performance and electrifying on-screen chemistry with co-star Chae Soo-bin.
If you are in need of your dose of Yoo, you’re in luck as the Hallyu star has starred in various K-dramas, showcasing his remarkable range and acting prowess. From historical episodes to romantic comedies, Yoo has consistently delivered nuanced performances that have earned him critical acclaim.
Below, we share some of the most popular K-dramas to watch featuring the Korean star.
Read more: 8 best K-drama releases of 2024
1. Hospital Playlist
The series follows five doctors who have been friends since their medical school days in 1999. Currently working at Yulje Medical Center, we follow the group as they navigate the challenges of their professional lives while maintaining their deep-rooted friendship. The series successfully combines humour with poignant moments, making it relatable and heartwarming. In this series, Yoo stars as Ahn Jeong-won, a paediatric surgeon who grapples with his passion for medicine and his desire to become a priest.
2. Mr Sunshine
Set in the early 1900s, this critically acclaimed South Korean historical drama follows a Korean-born US Marine officer who returns to his homeland. We see his complex relationship with a noblewoman who’s secretly fighting for Korea’s independence. Yoo plays Go Dong-mae, a ruthless samurai with a tragic past. Yoo has been praised for his portrayal of Go, effectively conveying the character’s rage and pain.
3. Reply 1994
Yoo stars as Yonsei University Baseball Team pitcher Chil Bong in this coming-of-age series. Set in 1994, this K-drama follows six university students who live together in a boarding house in Seoul. The series captures the essence of 1990s Korean culture, featuring significant events like the emergence of K-pop groups, the Sampoong Department Store Collapse and more.
4. Dr Romantic
This popular South Korean medical drama centres around a brilliant but eccentric surgeon who works in a small rural hospital. In this series, Yoo plays Kang Dong-joo, a skilled surgeon with a complex backstory. Yoo’s portrayal of Kang has been praised for its depth, showcasing the character’s growth from an ambitious but flawed doctor to a more compassionate and principled medical professional.
5. The Interest of Love
Yoo plays Ha Sang-soo in this drama series. Ha is a bank employee who believes that a stable and uneventful life is the key to happiness. Ha is drawn to his co-worker and has harboured feelings for her. We follow the duo as they explore the complexities of love and relationships. Yoo’s performance in this series brings depth to Ha, showcasing the character’s internal struggles and his journey to understanding love and relationships.
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Amanda Goh was the former senior writer for Tatler Singapore.
