From ‘Start-Up’ to ‘Can This Love Be Translated?’: 15 K-dramas and movies that made Kim Seon-ho a star

Largely seen as his big real comeback role after Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha and the scandal that nearly derailed his career, the Netflix K-drama written by the legendary Hong sisters and co-starring rising star Go Youn-jung was highly anticipated, to say the least.

The drama may not have been as popular as Start-Up or Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha, with viewers criticising the messy storytelling, but fans were quick to praise the leads for their nuanced acting and chemistry, as well as the show’s thoughtful approach to mental health and its striking cinematography.

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In the beloved K-drama When Life Gives You Tangerines, Kim Seon-ho’s role was deliberately kept under wraps even after the series began streaming, remaining uncredited until his on-screen reveal. Early promotional materials also excluded him, and he was initially billed as a guest star—an intentional decision, according to the director, to prevent Kim Seon-ho’s star power from overshadowing the core plot.

His appearance did surprise fans, especially since it turned out to be a more substantial role. Both the director and his co-stars lauded his detailed acting, ad-lib skills and meticulous preparation. One of his more memorable scenes even launched a global TikTok trend that caught the attention of Hollywood star Ariana Grande.

Clearly impressed by Kim Seon-ho’s performance in the movie The Childe, director Park Hoon-jung cast the actor in his next project. In The Tyrant, Kim once again inhabits a dark, morally ambiguous role. For Kim Seon-ho, the role is a continuation of his darker turn in The Childe. He trades his familiar warmth and romantic charm for a controlled, icy presence, relying on minimal dialogue, sharp gazes and measured delivery to convey menace and authority.

While most of his upcoming projects were shelved in the wake of his scandal, writer-director Park Hoon-jung chose to keep Kim Seon-ho on as one of the leads in the action thriller The Childe. Best known for his neo-noir films defined by slick visuals and hyper-violent, stylised action sequences, Park’s signature style was a far cry from the romance and comedy dramas Kim Seon-ho had been associated with in the past. Here, he plays against type as The Nobleman, a psychotic and ruthless hitman, suprising audiences with his acting range.

Hot off the success of Start-Up, Kim Seon-ho landed his first major starring role in the slice-of-life K-drama Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha, alongside K-drama royalty, Shin Min-a. Capitalising on the “Good Boy” nickname and persona he earned in Start-Up, his character was designed to establish his leading man status.

Unfortunately, toward the end of the drama, Kim Seon-ho was involved in a scandal. Later developments refuted some of the claims against him, resulting in a restoration of his reputation, but the damage to his image and career was considerable.

It was his role as Han Ji-pyeong in the hugely popular K-drama Start-Up that put Kim Seon-ho on the map. Playing the second lead, he was never going to get the girl, but the character and his portrayal won the audience's hearts. Fans were split into two camps—Han Ji-pyeong versus Nam Do-san (the male lead, played by Nam Joo-hyuk), and engaged in heated debates on social media on who they believed the female lead, played by Bae Suzy, should end up with. The K-drama catapulted Kim Seon-ho into superstardom, opening opportunities and scoring him endorsements.

Korean variety shows have a knack for revealing the candid personalities of beloved celebrities, and Kim Seon-ho was no exception. When he joined the long-running variety show 2 Days & 1 Night alongside Kim Jong-min, Moon Se-yoon, Ravi and Yeon Jung-hoon, his goofy, clumsy and mischievous side was on full display. It was a far cry from the capable characters he often plays in K-dramas, and his castmates often teased him about it. Surprisingly, it only served to endear him to his fans even more. 

As the by-the-book subway police officer Go Ji-seok, Kim Seon-ho provided the straight man to Moon Geun-yeong’s chaotic rookie cop Yoo Ryung. In this lighthearted crime thriller, the two actors showcased a dynamic chemistry that fans enjoyed watching. It’s more low-key than his other K-dramas, but it further establishes Kim Seon-ho as an actor to watch.

In the sequel to the popular K-drama Welcome to Waikiki, Kim Seon-ho plays Cha Woo-sik, an aspiring singer who gets roped into investing in his high school friend’s failing guesthouse. A warm, slice-of-life comedy, the series centres on friendship, youthful ambition and the everyday chaos that comes with chasing one’s dreams. It gives Kim plenty of room to flex his flair for slapstick humour—something he brings with him into his future projects.

Kim Seon-ho once again takes on a second-lead role in this hit historical romance, starring Do Kyung-soo as Crown Prince Lee Yul and Nam Ji-hyun as Hong Shim. He plays Jung Jae-yoon, a loyal palace scholar and trusted confidant to the crown prince, as well as one-third of the central love triangle. In 100 Days My Prince, he once again relies on his charm and comedic timing, bringing a nuanced performance to what could have been a small, forgettable part.

This two-episode K-drama miniseries stars Kim Seon-ho in his first romantic lead role. He plays Kim Rae-wan opposite Lee Yoo-young’s Han Eun-sung. Following a ruin-the-friendship trope, Rae-wan and Eun-sung must grapple with the emotional fallout of a one-night stand and what it means for their long-standing friendship.

In the supernatural buddy-cop drama, Kim Seon-ho plays a supporting role to established senior actor Cho Jung-seok. He plays a charming con man whose spirit unexpectedly takes over the body of the straight-laced detective Cha Dong‑tak following an accident.

Complete opposites in nearly every way, the two must work together to solve cases, while vying for the affections of Lee Hye-ri’s Song Ji‑an. As the foil to Cho Jung-seok’s straight man, Kim Seon-ho is given ample opportunity to stretch his comedic abilities, which proved handy in future projects.

In this underdog K-drama exploring class struggles, Go Kyung-pyo and Chae Soo-bin star as delivery workers navigating not only the streets of Seoul but also their dreams of escaping a life of hardship, and their growing feelings for each other.

Kim Seon-ho takes on the second-lead role as Oh Jin-kyu, a chaebol heir who gradually transforms from a spoiled rich boy into a more mature and capable businessman, thanks to his interaction with the hardworking delivery staff.

Good Manager is Kim Seon-ho’s first K-drama role, where he appears in a small supporting role alongside heavy hitters such as Namkoong Min, Nam Sang-mi and Lee Jun-ho. Playing the sweet, timid and socially awkward Sun Sang-tae with a natural warmth and gentle humour, Kim Seon-ho offered an early glimpse of the charm and emotional nuance he would later bring to his breakout roles.

From scene-stealing second leads to complex antiheroes and romantic leading men, Kim Seon-ho’s career in K-drama has been defined by quiet persistence and remarkable versatility. Having weathered both immense popularity and intense scrutiny, he continues to evolve as an actor—proving that his story is far from over, and that his best work may still lie ahead.

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