Cover Before ‘The Remarried Empress’, explore the TV roles that defined Lee Jong Suk’s career across comedy, romance and thriller (Photo: Lee Jong Suk/Instagram)
Before ‘The Remarried Empress’, explore the TV roles that defined Lee Jong Suk’s career across comedy, romance and thriller (Photo: Lee Jong Suk/Instagram)
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Lee Jong Suk’s essential TV roles to revisit before ‘The Remarried Empress’ arrives on screen
Over more than a decade on television, Lee Jong Suk has appeared in a range of series that trace a clear arc in his career, from supporting roles in ensemble comedies to lead parts in complex narratives across genres. Ahead of the global rollout of The Remarried Empress, here is a rundown of ten shows that chart his evolution as an actor.
The Remarried Empress marks Lee Jong Suk’s return to television. The series is based on the widely read web novel and webtoon of the same name, set in a fictional empire where Empress Navier seeks a divorce from Emperor Sovieshu after he takes a mistress, only to request permission to remarry a rival monarch. Positioned as a large-scale fantasy romance with court politics at its centre, the adaptation signals a shift into period spectacle and imperial intrigue. Lee Jong Suk is cast as one of the central male leads, placing him within a narrative driven by power, reputation and public perception rather than contemporary professions. The project extends his history with high-concept premises while introducing a historical setting that contrasts with the legal and media worlds he has previously inhabited.
The following selections span sitcoms, youth drama, romance and noir-tinged thriller, providing a comprehensive look at his varied projects.
1. ‘Prosecutor Princess’ (2010)
Above Lee Jong Suk appears early in his career in this legal comedy about a young prosecutor learning the ropes while navigating office politics
A legal romantic comedy about a newly minted prosecutor whose priorities lie more in fashion than courtroom drama. Ma Hye-ri, a law graduate with a flair for aesthetics, learns the ropes of prosecution while confronting workplace challenges and a mysterious mentor. Lee Jong Suk appears in a supporting role early in his career. The series blends lighthearted narrative with the procedural backdrop of legal cases.
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2. ‘Secret Garden’ (2010–2011)
Above A minor but memorable role for Lee Jong Suk in this fantasy romance where a stuntwoman and CEO swap bodies, creating unexpected chaos
This series combines romance and fantasy. A wealthy CEO and a stuntwoman with contrasting backgrounds cross paths and experience a series of body-swapping mishaps that complicate their relationship. Although Lee Jong Suk’s part is minor, this show remains a notable piece of early 2010s Korean television for its cult following and influence on rom-com tropes.
3. ‘High Kick: Revenge of the Short Legged’ (2011–2012)
Above Lee Jong Suk contributes to this family sitcom’s humour as part of an ensemble cast exploring daily life, conflict and quirky relationships
A situational comedy set around the everyday dramas of a family and their neighbours. The series unfolds as a sequence of interlinked comedic vignettes that reflect the characters’ attempts to navigate financial hardship and interpersonal conflict. Lee Jong Suk features among the ensemble cast, contributing to the humour and familial dynamics that drive the show’s episodic structure.
4. ‘School 2013’ (2013)
Above He portrays a high school student confronting friendship, bullying and social pressures in this realistic youth drama
Part of the long-running School franchise, this season focuses on the lives of teachers and students at a struggling high school. It addresses issues such as bullying, student suicide and the pressures of academic expectations. Lee Jong Suk appears as a student navigating the complexities of friendship and social tensions among his classmates in a narrative grounded in contemporary youth challenges.
5. ‘Doctor Stranger’ (2014)
Above Lee Jong Suk leads as a doctor trained in North Korea who faces medical and moral challenges upon returning to South Korea
Blending medical drama with thriller elements, this series follows a Korean physician who was raised and trained in North Korea after being taken there as a child with his father. Upon reaching South Korea, he works at a top hospital while pursuing a woman he lost contact with years earlier. Lee Jong Suk plays the central doctor, anchoring the series’ exploration of identity and medical ethics within a broader story of defection and displacement.
6. ‘Pinocchio’ (2014–2015)
Above In this journalism drama, Lee Jong Suk plays a young man caught between truth and personal loyalty, navigating the ethical stakes of reporting
In this journalism-centred drama, the narrative threads journalistic integrity, media ethics and the impact of social expectations. Lee Jong Suk portrays a young man whose life is touched by the phenomenon known as the “Pinocchio syndrome”, which affects his relationship with truth. The series examines how media shapes public perception and the personal costs of bearing witness to events that test both credibility and conscience.
7. ‘Hymn of Death’ (2018)
Above Lee Jong Suk stars as a playwright in this historical miniseries about forbidden love and artistic ambition during Japanese colonial rule
A departure into historical narrative, this miniseries dramatises real-world figures during the Japanese colonial period. Centred on the tragic bond between a playwright and a celebrated soprano, it portrays the emotional and artistic stakes faced by both as they navigate societal constraints of the era. Lee Jong Suk’s role as the playwright is positioned against this true-story backdrop, offering a compact but poignant tone distinct from his contemporary work.
8. ‘Romance Is a Bonus Book’ (2019)
Above He is the youngest editor in chief at a publishing house, whose friendship with a former copywriter takes a romantic turn amid workplace dynamics
Set in the publishing world, this series charts the professional and personal convergence of characters linked by books and words. Lee Jong Suk portrays a publishing company’s youngest editor in chief whose longstanding friendship with a former advertising copywriter unexpectedly deepens. The show places workplace dynamics, creativity and personal reinvention at its core.
9. ‘Big Mouth’ (2022)
Above Lee Jong Suk plays a lawyer mistaken for a criminal mastermind, blending suspense and legal drama as he fights to protect his family
A noir-inflected legal crime drama, this series positions Lee Jong Suk as a lawyer with a poor track record whose life changes dramatically after being mistaken for a criminal mastermind known as “Big Mouse”. As he confronts systemic forces and perilous alliances to protect his family, the narrative blends suspense with investigative elements.
10. ‘Law and the City’ (2025)
Above He leads as a senior associate, navigating justice, logic and office politics in this contemporary legal drama
Set against the day-to-day work of associate attorneys, this series charts the professional and interpersonal challenges in a legal district. Lee Jong Suk leads as a senior associate whose practical competence and personal motivations shape the ensemble’s navigation of justice, logic and legal culture. Law and the City extends his work in law-related dramas.
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Chonx Tibajia is a senior editor at Tatler Asia’s T-Labs team, where she writes widely on lifestyle subjects including beauty, style, entertainment and travel. She has a long career in journalism, including roles as a columnist at The Philippine Star, and is the founder of the creative platform Pineappleversed. Beyond Tatler, her bylines appear in regional lifestyle and business publications, showcasing a broad portfolio that spans beauty trends, travel guides and culture pieces.
