It’s true that compelling plots are key to K-dramas’ fandom, but the actors are just as important in getting viewers invested in the characters. Whether it’s iconic cops like Ji Changwook in Disney+’s award-winning series “The Worst of Evil,” or Lee Jehoon, who plays a passionate and virtuous detective, or other male actors with superpowers, like Zo Insung in “Moving,” we can’t forget them.
It’s fair to say that Disney+ has it all, from sweet romantic series to heart-pounding and thrilling K-dramas to music documentaries. So with that in mind, we’re going to take a look at five unforgettable male K-drama characters.
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Ji Changwook in The Worst of Evil
Playing a rural cop in “The Worst of Evil,” Ji Changwook is no stranger to the K-drama scene, and can be considered a master of action and romance. Indeed, he displayed charisma in the action scenes of the award-winning dark drama, as he went undercover to crack down on a drug cartel. These scenes were also offset by warmer moments with his wife, played by Im Semi, as well as a fleeting fling with Hae Ryeon (BIBI), a central figure in the cartel.
Those who enjoy his acting can look forward to seeing him play a henchman in the upcoming Disney+ series Gangnam B-side, which will air later this year, and he will also star in a new variety show, My Name is Gabriel, which premieres on June 21 alongside fellow actor Park Bogum. The show will feature the duo, along with Park Myungsoo and Yeom Hyeran, leaving their celebrity status behind to live someone else’s life in different countries for 72 hours, albeit under different names.
In the meantime, The Worst of Evil is available to stream on Disney+.
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Zo Insung in Moving
Playing the role of Kim Doosik, a flying NIS agent in “Moving” (2023), South Korean actor Zo Insung is a veteran actor who has shown his talents in this superpower-centric series. His participation in Moving definitely made an impact as it was his comeback role after seven years and he continues to impress with his dramatic prowess, as evidenced in part by the awards the series has garnered so far. The series took home the grand prize at the recent Baeksang Awards while actor Lee Jungha was awarded the Best New Actor award at the awards ceremony.
As for fans, they likely found the genre refreshing, as series of this type are rare in the K-drama realm. Those who appreciate Zo Insung’s talent can also watch “Unexpected Business in California” on Disney+, where he and Cha Taehyun run a Korean-American grocery store in the sleepy beach town of Monterey, California.
Otherwise, Moving is available to stream on Disney+.
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Song Kangho in Uncle Samsik
For his TV series debut, Song Kangho starred as the lead in the recent K-drama Uncle Samsik. With 16 episodes and set in the turbulent 1960s, viewers can also delve into the passionate desire and camaraderie between Uncle Samsik and super-elite Kim San (Byun Yohan), an elite graduate of the Korean Military Academy, throughout the episodes.
A frequent presence in cinema, Song left an indelible impression as Uncle Samsik in the series and while he is mostly strategic and insightful, his role also boasts a wit. Viewers are eagerly awaiting to see how Uncle Samsik and Kim San will work together, exchanging ideas on how they can change the future of the nation.
Uncle Samsik is currently streaming on Disney+.
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Ju Jihoon in Blood Free
Revolving around a company called Blood Free that produces artificially cultivated meat, the K-drama “Blood Free” takes us into the future by starring Ju Jihoon as lead actor Woo Chaewoon, who is the bodyguard of the company’s CEO, Yun Jayu (played by Han Hyojoo). The series features a series of stunts that perfectly match his clean and classy image as a former Navy soldier turned bodyguard, not to mention his maturity and masculinity, which he exemplifies perfectly, making his enigmatic role all the more compelling.
His motivations remain a mystery, so fans will have to watch the film to find out if he is a protector or a threat to Yun and the company. In addition, Ju will soon star in Disney+’s “Light Shop,” which will soon hit theaters, in which he will play the owner of a lighting store who holds the key to the past, present and future of strangers.
In the meantime, Blood Free is available to stream on Disney+.
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Lee Jehoon in Chief Detective 1958
In Disney+’s “Chief Detective 1958,” we follow the story of young detective Park Yeonghan, played by Lee Jehoon, who finds the current landscape that flouts human dignity troubling and teams up with his fellow detectives to try to put an end to it. In a time when corruption was the norm, he stuck to his principles in hopes of turning things around.
Roles that deal out justice are no stranger to Lee, so much so that he perfectly embodied his role as Inspector Park in both accent and gestures as the team handles a myriad of cases, from security fraud to murder.
Otherwise, Chief Detective 1958 is available to stream on Disney+.
If these 5 actors aren’t enough for you, there are more male leads to look forward to in upcoming K-dramas on Disney+, including Jung Jihoon (Rain), who plays a bodyguard in the romantic revenge series Red Swan (July 3), alongside Park Bogum and Ji Changwook in the variety show My Name Is Gabriel (June 21). Also, don’t forget that the third season of Disney+’s The Zone: Survival Mission will feature Yu Jaeseok, Kim Donghyun, Dex, and more.
So who is your favorite K-dama actor?