Kim Soo-hyun: A Retrospective of Iconic Roles
Kim Soo-hyun, a name synonymous with Korean drama excellence, has captivated audiences worldwide with his versatile acting and compelling screen presence. Let’s delve into some of his most memorable roles, exploring the nuances that have solidified his status as a top-tier actor.
1. My Love from the Star (2013)
Tags: #InterstellarRomance #ClassDifference #SuspensefulLove
Synopsis:
Do Min-joon (Kim Soo-hyun), an alien who has been stranded on Earth for 400 years, finds his impending return to his home planet complicated by a cross-star-crossed romance with top actress Cheon Song-yi (Jun Ji-hyun). Their connection deepens amidst a serial murder case, forcing them to protect their love while navigating the dangers of his exposed identity, ultimately transcending time and space to be together.
Review:
My Love from the Star cleverly uses the “alien observing human civilization” perspective to subtly comment on the loneliness prevalent in modern society. It resonated deeply with urban audiences yearning for pure, unadulterated love. The “chicken and beer” craze sparked by the drama became a cultural phenomenon.
Kim Soo-hyun pioneered the “superpower male lead” trope in K-dramas with his portrayal of the aloof and stoic Professor Do. His nuanced performance captured the alien’s emotional awakening. With a high score of 8.5 on Douban, the drama’s timeless appeal is undeniable, and its philosophical exploration of “eternal loneliness” sparks new reflections in the age of the metaverse.
2. Moon Embracing the Sun (2012)
Synopsis:
Crown Prince Lee Hwon (Kim Soo-hyun) of Joseon and shaman Wol (Han Ga-in) endure trials of royal power struggles and amnesia-induced separation. Amidst prophecies and conspiracies, they fight to protect their destined love, ultimately becoming each other’s sun and moon, illuminating their lives.
Review:
The drama’s “strong leads” dynamic aligns with the rising tide of female empowerment. The class conflict depicted mirrors modern workplace survival tactics. The OST “Back in Time” remains a popular nostalgic BGM on short video platforms.
At just 21, Kim Soo-hyun won the Baeksang Arts Award for Best Actor for his role in this drama, which achieved a record-breaking viewership rating of 52.59%. He portrayed the young king’s restraint and explosive anger with remarkable depth. His performance during the coronation scene, where he declares “I am the nation,” is considered a textbook example of acting prowess.
3. Queen of Tears (2024)
Synopsis:
The marriage of department store heiress Hong Hae-in (Kim Ji-won) and supermarket prince Baek Hyun-woo (Kim Soo-hyun) is on the brink of collapse. However, as they jointly confront family conspiracies and a terminal illness crisis, their love rekindles, unfolding a thorny path to redemption within the world of the wealthy.
Review:
Queen of Tears accurately addresses issues such as “women’s career challenges” and “marital burnout.” The drama’s portrayal of “gender discrimination in the workplace” and “family trust pitfalls” sparked heated social discussions, earning it the title of “2024 Marriage Revelation.”
Kim Soo-hyun delivers a transformative performance as the commoner son-in-law, showcasing both his resilience and explosive emotions. His breakdown scene in the rain has been praised as the “pinnacle of micro-expression control.” The drama broke tvN’s all-time premiere viewership record, and its opening score of 8.9 on Douban confirms its phenomenal status.
4. It’s Okay to Not Be Okay (2020)
Synopsis:
Moon Gang-tae (Kim Soo-hyun), a psychiatric hospital caregiver, and Ko Moon-young (Seo Yea-ji), an antisocial children’s book author, heal each other’s wounds. They uncover the truth behind their childhood traumas and rediscover the ability to love amidst their broken souls.
Review:
It’s Okay to Not Be Okay focuses on mental illnesses such as depression and PTSD, resonating with the global surge in mental health awareness. The drama’s imagery, such as the “witch’s mask,” has become a cultural symbol against mental exhaustion.
Beyond Kim Soo-hyun’s well-defined abs, it’s his portrayal of vulnerability through trembling fingers and evasive glances that truly stands out. The drama was nominated for the New York Film Festival, and the psychology community has praised it as a “textbook-level presentation of trauma.”
5. One Ordinary Day (2021)
Synopsis:
College student Kim Hyun-soo (Kim Soo-hyun) becomes embroiled in a murder case after a one-night stand. He struggles to survive amidst judicial corruption and public opinion, exposing the dark truth of the Korean judicial system.
Review:
Reflecting the public’s urgent desire for judicial reform following the “Nth Room” incident, the drama’s depiction of cyber violence and evidence tampering has been listed as essential viewing for law students.
Kim Soo-hyun’s full-nude scene during the trial showcases the actor’s ultimate sacrifice, portraying the despair of a wrongly accused prisoner in a breathtaking manner. The drama was nominated for the Asian Television Awards and has been hailed by the legal community as the “21st-century The Attorney.”