10 Korean dramas and movies with father figures we love

Synopsis: Lee Yong-gu (played by Ryu Seung-ryong), an intellectually disabled man is wrongfully imprisoned, but his heartwarming bond with his young daughter (played by Kal So-won) and fellow inmates showcases a father’s love transcending dire circumstances. His pure-hearted nature, deep love for his daughter, and the profound impact he has on those around him make him one of the most memorable father figures in Korean cinema.

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Through his journey, Miracle in Cell No. 7 beautifully portrays the power of love and the resilience of the human spirit, offering both heartache and hope in equal measure.

Cast: Ryu Seung-ryong, Kal So-won, Park Shin-hye

Release: January 23, 2013

Synopsis: Choi Moo-sung (played by Choi Moo-sung) in Reply 1988 is a character defined by his quiet strength, deep love, and unwavering support for his son, Choi Taek (played by Park Bo-gum), who’s an internationally renowned genius Baduk (also known as the popular board game, Go) player.

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His portrayal of Choi adds depth and emotional resonance to the series, highlighting the complexities of single parenthood and the powerful, understated ways in which a father can express love and care. Choi’s journey, marked by personal sacrifice and a profound bond with his son, makes him one of K-drama’s most beloved father figures.

Cast: Lee Hye-ri, Ryu Jun-yeol, Go Kyung-pyo, Park Bo-gum, Lee Dong-hwi

Release: November 6, 2015

Synopsis: Seok-woo (played by Gong Yoo) in Train to Busan is a deeply compelling character brought to life by Gong Yoo's nuanced performance. A divorced fund manager who initially appears somewhat detached from his relationship with his young daughter, Su-an (played by Kim Su-an) his evolution from a distant, career-focused father to a brave, selfless protector forms the film’s emotional heart.

See also: Korean shows to watch: 7 movies and series Starring Gong Yoo

Seok-woo’s journey underscores themes of redemption, the power of parental love, and the profound sacrifices parents make for their children. His ultimate act of self-sacrifice leaves a lasting impact, making him one of the most heroic fathers in modern Korean cinema.

Cast: Gong Yoo, Jung Yu-mi, Ma Dong-seok, Kim Su-an, Choi Woo-shik, Ahn So-hee, Kim Eui-sung

Release: July 20, 2016

Synopsis: Baek Hee-sung (played by Lee Joon-gi) is a complex character in the psychological thriller K-drama Flower of Evil. He’s portrayed as the ideal husband of the female lead, Cha Ji-won (played by Moon Chae-won), and the father of their young daughter, Baek Eun-ha (played by Jung Seo-yeon).

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Initially, Hee-sung’s character highlights the multifaceted nature of family bonds and the depths to which one may go to protect and maintain a sense of normalcy in a tumultuous life.

Cast: Lee Joon-gi, Moon Chae-won, Jung Seo-yeon, Jang Hee-jin, Seo Hyun-woo

Release: July 29, 2020

Synopsis: Hong Dae-young (played by Yoon Sang-hyun) is a multifaceted central character in 18 Again, a K-drama that revolves around his life as a middle-aged married man who’s a father of two who gets a second chance to relive his youth.

Read more: Lee Do-hyun: 8 things to know about the Korean rising star

It follows Hong’s journey as he navigates the complexities of his family life while inhabiting his 18-year-old body (played by Lee Do-hyun). Through his transformation and the second chance he receives, Hong learns valuable lessons about love, family, and personal growth.

Cast: Kim Ha-neul, Yoon Sang-hyun, Lee Do-hyun

Release: September 21, 2020

Synopsis: Coming at a time when start-ups were a dime a dozen is 2020’s Start-Up, featuring a character we all grew to love through the K-drama’s 16-episode run–Han Deok-soo (played by Kim Seon-ho).

See also: Exclusive: Meet Kim Seon-Ho and Lee Sang-Yi, the leading men of Netflix's ‘Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha’

While a supporting character, he plays a pivotal role as a wise business mentor, providing insights into the challenges and rewards of the start-up world, as well as a compassionate father figure to the main characters, particularly Seo Dal-mi (played by Bae Suzy). Han’s character brings warmth, wisdom, and a sense of guidance to the narrative, adding depth and authenticity to the storyline.

Cast: Bae Suzy, Nam Joo-hyuk, Kim Seon-ho, Kang Han-na

Release: October 17, 2020

Synopsis: Jacob Yi (played by Steven Yeun) is a central character in the multiple award-winning 2020 film Minari, a poignant and heartfelt portrayal of a Korean-American family’s journey to establish a new life on a farm in Arkansas during the 1980s.

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His journey offers a heartfelt and compelling portrayal of the sacrifices and emotional complexities faced by immigrant families navigating new and unfamiliar terrain. Yi is emblematic of a father’s aspirations, sacrifices, and the cultural and emotional challenges that accompany the pursuit of the ‘American Dream’.

Cast: Steven Yeun, Han Ye-ri, Alan Kim, Noel Kate Cho, Youn Yuh-jung, Will Patton

Release: December 11, 2020

Synopsis: In Move to Heaven, Han Jeong-woo (played by Ji Jin-hee) is a pivotal character and the father of Han Geu-ru (played by Tang Jun-sang), a young man with Asperger's syndrome. Jeong-woo runs a trauma cleaning service called “Move to Heaven,” where he and Geu-ru clean up the belongings of deceased people and help deliver their final messages to their loved ones.

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Jeong-woo’s role as a father and mentor continues to guide Geu-ru even after his death, emphasising the enduring power of love and the importance of empathy and understanding, making Move to Heaven a touching and heartfelt series that explores deep themes of family, loss, and healing.

Cast: Lee Je-hoon, Tang Jun-sang, Hong Seung-hee

Release: May 14, 2021

Synopsis: Woo Gwang-ho (played by Jeon Bae-soo) is a profoundly impactful character in Extraordinary Attorney Woo, a K-drama that revolves around Woo Young-woo (played by Park Eun-bin), a highly intelligent lawyer who navigates the legal world while dealing with the challenges of autism.

See also: 5 things we loved about Netflix’s K-drama ‘Extraordinary Attorney Woo’

His portrayal as a loving and protective single father, who also encourages his daughter’s independence and provides unconditional love and support in overcoming obstacles, adds emotional depth and richness to the K-drama.

Cast: Park Eun-bin, Kang Tae-oh, Kang Ki-young

Release: June 29, 2022

This article/explainer was generated by AI. We are dedicated to bringing you into our world with more meaningful content, and AI is allowing us to explore this frontier and deliver more content you will love.

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