WhenKoreanactorJi Chang-wookwas cast in the seriesSmile Again, all the way back in 2010, it would change the course of the actor’s career forever. Now known as one of the biggest Korean drama actors on the planet, Ji has branched out into both film and television, becoming known not only for appearing in romance and action dramas, but alsoKorean thriller moviesthat are bursting with tension.
Although he began his acting career back in 2008, he didn’t really have his first breakthrough until he starred in the hit historical dramaEmpress Ki. That said, Ji’s popularity has only continued to grow throughout the years. In 2023 alone, he starred inWelcome to Samdal-riandThe Worst of Evil, and several of his other television shows were hits in South Korea and abroad, making him a global superstar. While we’re waiting for his next show to come out, here are his 10 best ones, ranked.
10The Sound of Magic (2022)
The Sound of Magicmay only consist of six episodes, but there are quite a few concepts tightly-knit into each of those episodes. Ji Chang-wook stars in the K-drama as Ri Eul, a magician living inside an abandoned amusement park. Then, Yoo Ah-yi, a poor student struggling not only with her life at school but home as well, discovers him. The more time she spends with the magician, she begins to realize the beauty and magic of the world around her.
Learning to Love the World Again
The beauty behind shows likeThe Sound of Magicis all about rediscovering a joy for the world. This series can be very lighthearted throughout its brief episodes, making it the perfect binge-watch when one is feeling down about their circumstances.Stream on Netflix
9Melting Me Softly (2019)
Released in 2019,Melting Me Softlystars Ji Chang-wook, Won Jin-ah, and Yoon Se-ah in the lead roles. Technology has advanced to the point where, in the world ofthis sci-fi K-drama, humans can be temporarily frozen. Ji and Won’s characters agree to take part in an experiment, but instead of being frozen for a day, they wake up 24 years later. Forced to confront the consequences of the experiment, they need to figure out what to do before they can resume living their lives normally.
A Unique Storyline
Balancing humor with the more serious and romantic elements of the show,Melting Me Softlyisn’t groundbreaking, but it gets the job done. While certain parts of the main plot are certainly lacking, the show gets by on vibes and some of the more superficial elements.Stream on Viki
8The Worst of Evil (2023)
Ji Chang-wook and Wi Ha-jun leadThe Worst of Evil, which came out in 2023 and certainly plays into their strengths as actors. Set in Korea during the ’90s, the drama focuses on the world of gangs active around Seoul. Ji portrays a police officer who has been assigned a major case: he needs to infiltrate the local gangs and get ready to take them down. This puts him on a crash course with another big mobster in town (Wi).
Suspense, Drama, and Action
Ji and Wi are the souls of this television series, and, considering their track records in action shows and movies, are the perfect combo. With a storyline that’ll get many hooked on the plot, this is a must-watch series if one is a fan of neo-noir, action, or spy shows.Stream on Disney+
Related:10 Highest-Rated Korean Rom-Coms, According to IMDb
7The K2 (2016)
InThe K2, which came out in 2016, Ji portrays Kim Je-ha, who often goes by the moniker The K2 throughout the course of the series. He formerly wasin the militaryuntil he fled service, as he was framed for something he definitely did not do, but when a chaebol family finds out about his existence, they hire him for a special task. They want him to protect the illegitimate daughter of a politician, but things become more complicated when she falls for him.
A Bodyguard Story, But With a Twist
While fans are not big on the main romance in the K-drama, choosing instead to ship the main male lead with someone else,The K2proves to be more interesting when looking at its plot outside the romance. Politics mixes with action, making some compelling scenes and points to unearth throughout the course of the series.Stream on Netflix
6Backstreet Rookie (2020)
Backstreet Rookieis a Korean drama with a rather unconventional plot. At the beginning of the show, Dae-hyun (Ji) encounters a high schooler (Kim You-jung) while feeling down, as his girlfriend just broke up with him. Years later, when working at his family’s convenience store, they cross paths again. He hires her after becoming desperate to increase the cash flow to the store, and together they navigate the difficulties of their lives.
A Korean Drama With a Lot of Heart
Few will find a K-drama likeBackstreet Rookie. While it might not be perfect in terms of plot, it still manages to be humorous and entertaining throughout the course of its run, making it the perfect kind of show to unwind with after a long work week.Stream on Netflix
5Healer (2014-2015)
Ji Chang-wook’s most prominent role to date has been in the dramaHealer, which he starred inwith Park Min-youngback in 2014 and 2015. He portrays Healer, or Seo Jung-hoo, a young man who works with reporters Chae Young-shin (Park) and Kim Moon-ho (Yoo Ji-tae) to attempt to crack a case from the nineties. Together, they’ve come to realize there’s something much more sinister afoot involving the media and their research.
Mixing Action, Crime, and Drama
With solid acting from all of its leads and a story that won’t make someone want to throw the remote at their television,Healerdefinitely has stood the test of time since it was originally aired on television. Many are big fans of the show, and upon watching it for the first time, you’ll see why.Stream on Viki
4Suspicious Partner (2017)
Nam Ji-hyun and Ji Chang-wook star inSuspicious Partner, which is about exactly what the English title of theKorean legal dramaimplies. Released in 2017, the series is about Eun Bong-hee (Nam), who is becoming a prosecutor, and she’s paired up with Noh Ji-wook (Ji). He has some major trauma to overcome, and when she becomes a murder suspect, he has to make a decision on what to do next.
Lighthearted Fun with a Flair for Drama
The story behindSuspicious Partnermight seem like it has a lot going on, but the series does a surprisingly good job at balancing all the more hardcore elements of the genre into a fluffy series. With many twists and romance, it certainly is the perfect drama for those interest in legal television series.Stream on Viki
Related:The Most Iconic Korean Dramas Ever Made, Ranked
3Empress Ki (2013-2014)
Ji Chang-wook landed one of the main roles inEmpress Ki, which was one of the first big breaks throughout his career as an actor in Korean entertainment. The series began airing in the fall of 2013, and lasted through the spring, as it consisted of a little over fifty episodes in total. Ha Ji-won leads as the young woman who will be destined to become Empress Ki of the Yuan Dynasty. Despite being born in Korea, she would rise to greatness in the history books.
Tackling a Big Subject
The story ofEmpress Kiis done in such a vibrant fashion, making the more complicated historical elements fun to watch. With a fantastic performance from Ha, the series is a must-watch for historical television drama fans.Stream on Viki
2Welcome to Samdal-ri (2023-2024)
A 2023 and 2024 series, Ji Chang-wook and Shin Hye-sun’sWelcome to Samdal-rihas become one of the shows that captured the hearts of viewers. It’s set on the tropical island of Jeju-do in South Korea, and two old friends, who were born there, meet again when one of them moves back from Seoul. As they awkwardly navigate their new relationship, they grow closer than ever before, realizing some things never really change.
Slice of Island Life
Some Korean dramas, likeHometown Cha-Cha-ChaandOur Blues, have done slice-of-life on islands really well, andWelcome to Samdal-riadds to these kinds of shows. Delving deep into the harder subjects when needed, it feels like a breath of fresh air while watching.Stream on Netflix
1Lovestruck in the City (2020)
For those recentlygoing through a breakup, dramas likeLovestruck in the Citywill make you feel a little less alone. Ji Chang-wook stars with Kim Ji-won in a story about romantic redemption. They portray two characters who meet when one is on vacation, but when the woman ghosts the guy, he returns to Seoul heartbroken. Years later, they met again, but under new circumstances.
Cultivating Something New Out of Something Broken
Lovestruck in the Cityis a reminder that with an ending comes a beginning, but told in the most poetic manner possible. Across 17 episodes, the series serves as a reminder that things can easily change, but that fate also works in funny ways — even when we’re expecting it the least.Stream on Netflix
