Edited by Seo Hayne
Translated by Yu Jin Kim
Lee Se Young, who debuted as a child actor in 1997, has been loved by viewers for a long time while showcasing her talents in numerous works. Recently, she has been displaying a touching romance in Things That Come After Love alongside Japanese actor Kentaro Sakaguchi. Starting from the 17th of this month, she will reveal her candid self in the travel variety show Europe Outside the Tent. If you’re captivated by Lee Se Young’s boundless charm, you must also check out these five dramas.
>> Lee Se Young Opens Up About Language Struggles and Friendship With Kentaro Sakaguchi
The Vampire Detective (2016)
Vampire Detective is a fantasy investigative drama that follows detective Yoon San (Lee Joon), who gets caught up in unexpected events and gains vampire abilities while solving mysterious cases for his clients. Lee Se Young plays Han Gyeo Wool, a hacker and con artist who accidentally ends up working with him after coming to Yoon San’s office as a client. Han Gyeo Wool is characterized by her bleached blonde hair, boyish style, rough speech, and unpredictable personality, making Lee Se Young’s unique transformation impressive, especially since she was strongly associated with her child actor image at the time. Lee Se Young later successfully shed her child actor image in The Gentlemen of Wolgyesu Tailor Shop.
The Crowned Clown (2019)
The Crowned Clown is the drama version of the film Masquerade, starring Lee Byung Hun. Set in the tumultuous Joseon Dynasty, the story follows a king who hires a clown who looks just like him to act as his double to escape those seeking his life. The drama provides a diverse range of entertainment by enhancing the clown’s adaptation to court life and the romantic subplot. Yeo Jin Goo takes on the challenge of playing two roles, distinctly portraying the mad king Lee Heon and the bright, optimistic clown Lee Heon. Lee Se Young plays So Woon, the strong and elegant queen who is loved by both men. So Woon is a candid character who strives not to be bound by the palace’s customs, hinting at the various female characters Lee Se Young will portray in historical dramas in the future.
KAIROS (2020)
Kairos tells the story of two people connected by phone who collaborate for their respective goals across time. While the ratings were not high, it received praise for being a well-crafted thriller that keeps viewers engaged. Unlike typical time-traveling works that span long periods, Kairos heightened the tension by setting a time difference of one month. Lee Se Young plays Aeri, who is searching for her missing mother and works alongside Shin Sung Rok. Shin Sung Rok plays Seo Jin, a man trying to find his kidnapped daughter. Additionally, Lee Se Young debuted a short haircut for the first time in her acting career and made sure her character blended seamlessly into the drama by suggesting costume ideas.
The Red Sleeve (2021)
The Red Sleeve is a drama adapted from a novel of the same name that reinterprets the love story between King Jeongjo of Joseon and Royal Noble Consort Uibin Seong. The story asks, “Did the king truly love the court lady, and did she love him back?” Unlike typical romantic historical dramas, it shows the court lady as an independent character rather than just the king’s possession. Lee Se Young plays the role of Sung Deok Im (later Lady Sung) and does a great job showing her character’s strong and confident personality. She takes control of both her work and love life, speaking her mind even in front of the king. Alongside Junho, she shares a sweet yet emotional chemistry that has captured the hearts of viewers. This role highlights Lee Se Young’s elegant and graceful charm, which many consider a perfect fit for historical dramas.
The Story of Park’s Marriage Contract (2023)
The Story of Lady Bak’s Contract Marriage is based on a web novel of the same name and tells the story of a Joseon-era woman who finds herself in modern times. Lee Se Young plays Park Yeon Woo, who loses her husband on their wedding night and is killed by someone. However, she wakes up in the modern world for reasons unknown. Like Seong Deok Im from The Red Sleeve, Park Yeon Woo is also a strong-willed character who refuses to be bound by the customs of the Joseon era. Lee Se Young takes the lead in the drama by charmingly portraying the character’s honest and lovable personality. Her chemistry with co-star Bae In Hyuk was so well-received that they were even caught up in dating rumors after the 2023 MBC Drama Awards.
Editor Seo Hayne: I like actors as they faithfully lead through their long running-time. I also like idols who accomplish everything on stage within 3 minutes.