Lee Jong Suk: a star is born
From 2013 to 2018, Lee Jong Suk had very important roles in many Korean dramas. He made his modeling debut in 2005. But it was in 2010 with the drama Secret Garden that he became a more recognized actor in South Korea. This charismatic role allows him to reveal his strengths as well as an actor. For the 2013 drama school, he received an award for Best New Actor.
He also became the youngest performer to win Best Actor at the 27th Grimae Awards. After winning an award in 2013 he also had the title role in I can Hear Your Voice which earned him to be one of the most sought-after actors in South Korea. Other dramas followed confirming its success. Doctor Stranger (2014), Pinocchio (2014-2015), W (2016), the famous drama that dominated South Korea's charts. As well as While You Were Sleeping (2017). Here are some of the most significant dramas of his young career;
W Two Worlds Apart (Hangul: 더블유)
This drama earned him a lot of recognition in the profession. It has indeed allowed him to dominate the popularity chart in South Korea.
Number of episodes : 18 (60 minutes)
Date of broadcast : 20/07/2016 – 14/09/2016
Genre: Romance, Melodrama, Suspense, Fantasy, Romantic Comedy, Thriller, Action, Drama.
Main actors
Secondary actors
Synopsis
Is it possible to live in the same place, at the same time but in a completely different dimension? Oh Yeon Joo (Han Hye Joo) is a cardiologist. One day, his father, a famous comic book creator, suddenly disappears. Then, Yeon Joo herself is kidnapped by a strange man, covered in blood and taken to another dimension. Kang Chul (Lee Jong Suk) is a former Olympic shooting champion and millionaire who succeeded alone. How will his world intersect with Yeon Joo's? Is Kang Chul the only one who can help Yeon Joo escape from his parallel universe?
CRITICISM: This Korean drama is a masterpiece. Indeed it is a very thrilling story where acting and sets are in harmony. The scenario is built between two worlds. The real world and comics leave viewers constantly, from beginning to end, captivated by the story. The suspense is therefore at the rendezvous and the reversals of situation are always present. The script is really anchored on tension but also very funny. The dialogues are indeed very lively and direct. The O.S.T of the drama emphasizes moments of suspense, humor and romance. Even the theme music stays in the head despite its light-hearted nature. Each end of an episode can leave us to believe in something denied in the next episode. This breathtaking drama is to be seen and revisited as a family, as a couple or alone.
I Hear Your Voice (hangul: 너의 목소리가 들려)
This drama allowed him to have exceptional recognition and became his best-known drama. Originally scheduled for sixteen episodes, the drama was extended by two episodes due to its success.
Number of episodes : 18 (60 minutes)
Date of broadcast : 05/06/2013 – 01/08/2013
Genre: Romance, Melodrama, Romantic Comedy, Suspense, Fantasy, Thriller, Action, Drama.
Main actors
Secondary actors
Synopsis
I hear your voice is a drama about court-appointed lawyers inheriting the most difficult cases, those with less than a 1% chance of being cleared. Jang Hye Seong (Lee Bo Young) is a bold and impertinent and comical young lawyer. Not having his tongue in his pocket, his actions do not please everyone. Cha Gwan Woo (Yoon Sang Hyun) is a serious passionate and macho man. A former police officer, he retrained and became a lawyer. As for Park so Ha (Lee Jong Suk) he is a 19-year-old who has the ability to read people's minds. Together, they will try to solve the cases that no one wants to take.
CRITICISM: This typically Korean crime drama alternates suspense and romantic comedy. It relies on a lot of flashbacks. The script focuses on both characters and of course, a love triangle. Lee Jongsuk is as charismatic as ever. The role of the villain also shows the cruel and intriguing personality that emerges from this plotting character. The strong point of the drama is this love between the two main characters, despite their 10 years of difference.
Pinocchio ( Hangul: 피노키오)
This drama was a huge success in South Korea. It brought in 6.2 billion won (or $5.62 million) in broadcast rights in just one year.
Number of episodes : 20 (60 minutes)
Date of broadcast : 12/11/2014 – 15/01/2015
Genre: Romance, Melodrama, Romantic Comedy, Suspense, Drama, Journalism, Action.
Main actors
Secondary actors
Synopsis
This drama depicts the struggle for justice by young journalists. On the one hand, Choi In-Ha (Park Shin-Hye) suffers from Pinocchio syndrome which gives her violent and uncontrollable hiccups when she lies. On the other hand, Choi Dal-Po (Lee Jong-Suk) is a young journalist with a very good memory. As well as an advantageous physique that he hides behind his hairstyle and dirty clothes. Seo Bum Jo (Kim Young-Kwang) is a chaebol heir always in a good mood, who has never had difficulties in life. Cha Hye Seung (Lee Yoo Bi) uses his ex-fan knowledge to cover the news.
Criticism: The scenario is very intriguing embellished with flashbacks of their former lives especially those of the character of Choi Dal Po. Many hilarious scenes revolve around this character. The qualities of these characters are their courageous nature which is revealed throughout the series. The music is also very haunting and captivating. So as with W, the credits can easily haunt your thoughts. At the end of each episode, moreover, a reversal of situation leaves the viewers suspended. But in some scenes it is difficult to remain attentive because the dialogues are too long. All the same, this drama has a lot of strengths. Especially this thirst to reveal the hidden truth.
While You Were Sleeping (hangeul: 당신이 잠든 사이에)
Number of episodes : 16 (60 minutes)
Date of broadcast : 27/09/2017 – 16/11/2017
Genre: Romance, Melodrama, Romantic Comedy, Suspense, Fantasy, Drama, Thriller, Action.
Main actors
Secondary actors
Synopsis
Nam Hong Joo (Suzy) lives with her mother, Yoon Moon Sun (Hwang Young Hee), a widow who runs a small restaurant. But she has a power, that of making premonitory dreams. Nevertheless, she is unable to know what to do with her visions. But this power she discovers that she is not the only one to possess it. Jung Jae Chan (Lee Jong Suk), a junior prosecutor, also has this gift. His younger brother, Seung Won (Shin Jae Ha) also has it.
However, one day, Jae Chan has a strange premonitory dream about an accident involving Hong Joo and Lee Yoo Beom (Lee Sang Yeob), a ruthless lawyer who was Jae Chan's guardian. He then decides to interfere in the course of events. He ends up saving Hong Joo's life and also that of Han Woo Tak (Jung Hae In), a young policeman. When Jae Chan, Hong Joo and Woo Tak also start having dreams about each other, they realize that their lives are now somehow intertwined.
But can the three find out why they were gathered together and prevent the closest people from being hurt?
Doctor Stranger (Hangul: 닥터 이방인)
Number of episodes : 20 (60 minutes)
Date of broadcast : 05/05/2014 – 08/07/2014
Genre: Romance, Melodrama, Drama, Romantic Comedy, Suspense, Medical Series, Thriller, Action.
Synopsis
Park Hoon (Lee Jong Suk) grew up in North Korea for most of his life. He followed his father, a talented heart surgeon, sent there for top-secret surgery. Hoon also became an accomplished thoracic surgeon, like his father. Then he manages to flee to South Korea. There he went to work at the prestigious Myeongwoo Medical University.
But Hoon finds himself at odds with Han Jae Joon (Park Hae Jin), a Harvard graduate student who heads the thoracic surgery team. He also catches the attention of Oh so Hyeo (Kang So Ra), Jea Joon's fiancée and daughter of the hospital's director. In addition, anesthesiologist Han Seung Hee has a strong resemblance to Song Jae Hee, Hoon's girlfriend whom he desperately wants to find again. Will this genius doctor find the money he needs to bring his love back to South Korea and start a new life?
Criticism: This drama puts the viewer directly in the action from the beginning. The story is indeed very gripping, especially by its beginning entirely in North Korea. The script, the dialogue, the ost are also of quality. The negative point on the other hand is the love triangle between Oh so Hyeo, Park Hoon, Hoon and Song Jae Hee. The scenario often catches us off guard in relation to their relationships. The character of Song Jae Hee finally lacks dynamism in the story and lacks presence. Unlike the character of Oh so Hyeo who shows his warm and human side.
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