Park Seo-joon, often referred to as the king of rom-com K-dramas, is undoubtedly one of the biggest names in the South Korean entertainment industry. Due to his talent and personal charm, the actor has also starred in the upcoming MCU movie the miracles. Although details are scarce, screen frenzy thinks Park could play Amadeus Cho or Noh-Varr. Either way, it’s going to be a movie that catapults the actor’s career to new heights. Of course, millions of fans have already enjoyed his seductive on-screen characters. Moreover, his pleasant chemistry with the co-actors and passion for the roles he plays has rewarded him with a string of hits.
As one of the most promising stars to contribute to the Hallyue (Korean) wave, Park made his acting debut with a supporting role in the 2011 film Perfect game. He later starred in multiple TV drama series, variety shows, and movies. In addition, he also made a guest appearance in the Oscar-winning South Korean feature film Parasite. While it’s a tough task to pick his best on-screen performances, we’ve shortlisted Park Seo-joon’s best below.
6/6 she was beautiful
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she was beautiful, which premiered in 2015, is one of the best South Korean comedy dramas released that year, maintaining its popularity for its hilarious scenes, fluttering storyline, and brilliant cast. The drama follows Hye-jin (Hwang Jung-eum), who was incredibly beautiful during her childhood and enjoyed a comfortable life growing up. Unfortunately, as an adult, she is not beautiful as before, nor is she financially stable. Her life takes a wild turn after learning that her former best friend, Ji Sung-jun (Park), has now become a handsome man, as well as her boss.
Sung-jun has gone through many hardships which is one of the main reasons for his workaholic and tsundere attitude. However, after Hye-jin enters his life, a series of hysterical events eventually turns him into a cute and charming loverboy. Sung-jun’s character development through Park’s incredible performance in she was beautiful was loved by the public, which also helped the actor to shape his career in the following years.
5/6 Midnight Walkers
Midnight Walkers, starring Park and Kang Ha-neul, is an action comedy released in 2017. The powerfully entertaining film is full of hilarious sequences that will keep you entertained until the very end. Park and Kang kept the plot simple and carried through the entire movie with their comedic timing and bromance. Park plays Ki-joon, while Kang plays Hee-yeol, two friends and students from the Korean National Police University who decide to team up and rescue a young girl who has been kidnapped. The two actors balance seriousness and comedy to deliver beautiful performances while demonstrating the ethical moral values of those who work in the legal department.
Midnight Walkers was highly celebrated in South Korea, becoming the seventh highest-grossing film in the nation in 2017. Additionally, Park Seo-joon was awarded the Best New Actor Award at the 54th Grand Bell Awards for his performance in the film.
4/6 Hwarang: The Poet Warrior Youth
Hwarang: The Poet Warrior Youth debuted in 2016, featuring a stellar cast that includes popular names like Park, BTS’ V aka Kim Tae-hyung, SHINee’s Choi Minho, Park Hyung-sik and many more. The historical K-drama revolves around the life of an elite group of men and warriors named Hwarang. Together, through happiness and pain, these Hwarangs discover love, friendships and insecurity during the Silla Kingdom (57 BC – 935 AD)
Park plays the lead role of Moo-myung, a young man born into a poor and disadvantaged family, who through his abilities rises in life and rank to become a great Hwarang warrior. As the lead, Park played his part brilliantly and gave a bold structure to his character who likes to take the lead. In addition to his impressive chemistry with the female lead, Park also maintained a charming dynamic with his co-stars. Thanks to his performance, the actor received a nomination for the “Top Excellence Award” at the 31st KBS Drama Awards.
3/6 What’s Wrong With Secretary Kim
What’s Wrong With Secretary Kim, which was released in 2018, features one of the best performances Park has ever delivered. The rom-com K-drama is a perfect binge-watch series for anyone who wants to enjoy a chaotic and self-centered boss who falls in love with his secretary while experiencing hilarious moments in his life. The tvN drama follows Park as Lee Young-joon, a narcissistic vice president of a major corporation. His life is turned upside down when Kim Mi-so (Park Min-young), his nine-year-old secretary, decides to resign. To keep the patient and perfect secretary by his side, Lee tries things he’s never done before, eventually giving up on his heart. Park’s chemistry with Park Min-young is one of the highlights of the drama and couldn’t be missed.
2/6 Itaewon class
Including Forbes‘ list of ‘The 13 Best Korean Series of 2020’ Itaewon class is a K-drama not to be missed. Aside from its smashing storyline, uplifting and vivacious characters, and moving soundtrack, Park’s character serves as the backbone, keeping everything intact. Park plays Park Sae-roi, who, after the murder of his father, tries to kill the son of the perpetrator, a giant in the food industry and gets seven years in prison. After being released from prison, Sae-roi decides to follow in his father’s footsteps and open a pub called ‘DanBam’ in the Itaewon neighborhood of Seoul. With his determination, consistency and support from the staff, Sae-roi aims to reach greater heights and become a food giant in the nation itself.
Itaewon class offers an emotional and promising ride to its viewers, who immediately feel a connection with the main character. It’s one of the reasons behind Time Magazine call the series one of the best to watch on Netflix.
1/6 Fight for my way
Fight for my way is a must-see drama for several reasons. It has the most realistic plot and Park takes on the most pragmatic character he has ever played in his filmography. Park plays Ko Dong-man, an underdog aspiring to become a famous Taekwondo performer, but is stuck with his mundane job to pay the bills. He was a Taekwondo player, but had to stop because of his painful past. Throughout the series, Kong Do-Man constantly struggles for success, encountering multiple challenges along the way. Hence, character growth is the crux of Park’s entire existence in the show.
He is also seen as a supportive friend and partner who always stays by their side as they explore their lives and dreams together. Its unique and uplifting plot with Park in the prominent role makes it one of a kind, and precisely why it is regarded as Park’s best on-screen performance. The drama’s success led him to win multiple ‘Best Couple’ awards alongside Kim Ji-won, who plays Choi Aera. In addition, Park also won the ‘Outstanding Actor Award’ at the 13th Seoul International Awards for his top-class acting.