Yoo Yeon Seok is one of the most recognised names in the Korean entertainment game for playing gentle, soft, kind-hearted characters. He has a string of hits to his name — their genres ranging from historical fiction to medical romance. If you’ve yet to be acquainted with Yoo Yeon-seok, here’s our pick of his most notable movies and dramas for your watch list.
South Korean actor Yoo Yeon Seok knows a thing or two about hustling. Over the course of his career, he’s auditioned for several roles repeatedly and taken on multiple supporting roles — staying optimistic through the ups and downs until he earned acclaim for his role as the docile boyfriend Han-soo on the hunt for his daughter in Re-encounter. The Film Arts major has since worked on numerous hit projects — romance to slice-of-life.
“As an actor, I want to spark viewers’ curiosity by letting them believe that I can deliver various personas and images,” he told Korea Herald in an interview. True to this, he’s stepped into the shoes of a doctor, baseball player, and a Joseon Dynasty king (amongst others). He’s even played a Yakuza samurai, surprising fans with his range. Needless to say, a viewing experience featuring him promises to be exciting. Here’s a look at some of his most notable movies and dramas.
Yoo Yeon Seok movies and dramas to binge through this weekend
Reply 1994
Directed by: Shin Won-ho
Cast: Go Ara, Jung Woo, Yoo Yeon-seok, Kim Sung-kyun
Episodes: 21
Release date: 18 October 2013
Synopsis: In 1994, six university students — all of whom live together at a boarding house in Seoul — navigate life. This includes freshman and star pitcher of the Yonsei University baseball team Chill Bong (played by Yoo Yeon-seok) who has a crush on the easygoing Computer Engineering major Sung Na-jung (played by Go Ara) — daughter of the couple that owns the living establishment. Also in the picture? Sseureki (played by Jung Woo) who’s a friend of Na-jung’s late older brother.
About the show: This is one of the dramas in the list that’s believed to have truly made him a household name. A report by SCMP states that in an interview game, the actor revealed that amongst all his past roles, he was most similar to Chill Bong.
The Royal Tailor
Director: Lee Won-suk
Cast: Han Suk-kyu, Go Soo, Park Shin-hye, Yoo Yeon-seok
Release date: 24 December 2014
Synopsis: Lee Gong-jin (played by Go Soo) is a young, skilled designer with fine taste. Meanwhile Dol Seok (played by Han Suk-kyu) is a rule-following master artisan who’s responsible for the royal attire. When the former designs a dress for Queen Jeongseong (played by Park Shin Hye) and King Yeongjo of Joseon (played by Yoo Yeon-seok) — the latter is irked. However, the new royal attire plunges the sovereigns into a crisis.
About the movie: The movie was well received by viewers and furthered the popularity of the actor. For his performance, he bagged the Best New Actor title at the 2015 Golden Cinema Festival.
Dr. Romantic
Director: Yoo In-shik
Cast: Han Suk-kyu, Yoo Yeon-seok, Seo Hyun-jin, Ahn Hyo-seop, Lee Sung-kyung
Episodes: 22
Release date: 7 November 2016
Synopsis: Surgeon Boo Yong-Joo (played by Han Suk-kyu) is at the top of his game with a good role at a prestigious centre. However, after a traumatic incident he changes his name, leaves his former life, and joins a small hospital in Gangwon. There, he begins teaching a set of young doctors how to navigate different aspects of the job — especially power and money — so they can focus on saving lives.
About the show: The drama was a wild hit, upping the popularity of the entire cast. For his stellar performance, Yoo Yeon Seon earned the Excellence Award, Actor in a Genre Drama at the 2020 SBS Drama Awards.
Mr. Sunshine
Directed by: Lee Eung-bok
Cast: Lee Byung-hun, Kim Tae-ri, Yoo Yeon-seok, Byun Yo-han
Release date: 7 July 2018
Episodes: 24
Synopsis: In 1871 during The Korean Expedition, Eugene Choi or Mr. Sunshine (played by Lee Byung-hun) heads to the US and becomes a Marine Corps officer. Soon, he heads to Joseon on a mission and falls for an aristocrat’s daughter named Go Ae Shin (played by Kim Tae-ri) and learns of a ploy by foreign forces to colonise Korea. Also in the picture Gu Dong-mae (played by Yoo Yeon Seok) who’s a Yakuza samurai.
About the show: The drama won hearts world over, earning the actor the Best Supporting Actor (Drama) title at the 2018 Seoul Awards and Best Actor and Artist Of The Year awards at the Asia Artist Awards the same year.
Hospital Playlist
Directed by: Shin Won-ho
Cast: Yoo Yeon-seok, Jo Jung-suk, Kim Dae-myung, Jeon Mi-do
Episodes: 12
Synopsis: Five doctors — Lee Ik-jun (played by Jo Jung-suk), Ahn Jung-won (played by Yoo Yeon-seok), Kim Jun-wan (played by Jung Kyung-ho), Yang Suk-hyung (played by Kim Dae-myung) and Chae Song-hwa (played by Jeon Mi-do) — have been friends since their medical school days in 1999. Years later, they work in the same hospital and juggle everyday hurdles with their shared passion for music.
About the show: The drama has achieved a cult status amongst viewers, with several seasons being greenlighted. Soompi quotes the actor reflecting on the show, “I heard from many people around me that felt very healed while watching our drama. I was so proud that we were making such a meaningful drama and I believe it was a miracle made possible because we were together.”
Which of these movies and dramas are you binge-watching this weekend?
All images: Courtesy IMDb
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Yoo Yeon Seok’s best friend is Son Ho Jun.
Yes, Yoo Yeon Seok is in Dr Romantic 3.
Yoo Yeon-seok’s most notable titles in the list of dramas he has acted in include Hospital Playlist, Dr. Romantic, and Mr. Sunshine.
Yes, he has served in the Korean Air Force.
Tags
Written by
Eshita Srinivas
Senior Digital Writer - Entertainment and Food & Drinks
Eshita is a food, alcohol, travel, and entertainment writer who spends her days zeroing in on the next big trend to write about. She’s a communication graduate with bylines in Conde Nast Traveller India, GQ India, Deccan Herald, and Girls Buzz. When not at work, you’re likely to find her hunting for a good read or charting out the perfect itinerary for a solo trip across Asia.
