Seven (7) Korean Dramas for Fans of Han Hyo-Joo

Who is Han Hyo-Joo?  Han Hyo-Joo is a popular South Korean actress who started her career in 2005.

Han Hyo-Joo gave an outstanding performance as the king’s favorite concubine in the K-drama series “Dong Yi”. It was one of the first Korean dramas I watched where she was the female lead. After that, whenever her name was listed as a part of the cast, the movie or the series went on my watch list. What makes Han Hyo-Joo so brilliant is her versatility. She can be graceful and elegant, as she was in the movie “Love, Lies”. She can also be gritty and rough, as she was in the movie “Believer 2”. If you are not familiar with this gorgeous South Korean actress, add these K-dramas to your watch list.

1. Dong Yi (2010)
2. Cold Eyes (2013)
3. Love, Lies (2016)
4. W: Two Worlds Apart (2016)
5. Happiness (2021)
6. Believer 2 (2023)
7. Blood Free (2024)

Are you a fan of Han Hyo-Joo? Which of her Korean dramas are on your watch list?

♦ 1. Dong Yi (2010) (aka “Jewel in the Crown”)

Genre: Romance, Historical, Costume and Period

My Drama List Rating: 8.5 out of 10 stars

Han Hyo-Joo’s character: Choi Suk-Bin

STORYLINE: “Dong Yi” is a historical period drama based on a true love story. Set in 18th century Joseon, Dong Yi, a young girl of lowly birth who rises to become a concubine of King Sukjong. She begins as water maid but her life takes a dramatic turn when she encounters King Sukjong. She doesn’t know he’s the king because he is disguised and on a secret mission to investigate corruption. He is so impressed by Dong Yi’s quick thinking and intelligence that he appoints her as a court lady. That was her introduction to the treacherous politics of the court.

Every court lady dreams of being graced by the king, i.e. sharing his bed. Every court lady except Dong Yi. She did not pursue the king, but she was loyal. Her constant encounters eventually led to their relationship and she became a Royal Noble Consort Choi Suk-Bin. Most concubines were ruthless and sought to eliminate their rivals to become the queen. Dong Yi had no interest in being queen. Rather she used her position to implement social reforms and improve the lives of the common people. She became the mother of King Yeongjo, the 21st king of Joseon.

• Hobby, Like. “Top 25 Best Historical Korean Dramas List _ Most Recommended Historical Dramas.” YouTube Video. YouTube, November 30, 2021. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=405-E3LKwlI.‌

♦ 2. Cold Eyes (2013)

Genre: Action, Spy, Thriller, Crime

My Drama List Rating: 8.1 out of 10 stars

Han Hyo-Joo’s character: Detective Ha Yoon-Joo

STORYLINE: In “Cold Eyes”, Detective Ha Yoon-joo is a talented new recruit assigned to the Special Crime Unit, a specialized surveillance team tasked with tracking down a notorious criminal gang operating in Seoul. Their primary target is a mysterious figure known as “James”. He leads a sophisticated criminal organization engaged in all sorts of illegal activities, including murder. The objective is to capture “James” and completely dismantle his criminal network. But James is a formidable adversary who constantly evades capture. He always seems to be a step ahead of the Team.

Nevertheless, Ha Yoon-joo was determined and persistent. She has been trained by the best. It was believed that nobody had ever seen James. However, she remembers a brief encounter on a subway train when they crossed paths. Since she has an idea of what he looks like she knows who she is looking for. The next time they cross each other, she plans to take him down.

• CG Entertainment. “Cold Eyes – Trailer.” YouTube Video. YouTube, January 12, 2017. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xayEu2UUNFw.

♦ 3. Love, Lies (2016)

Genre: Romance, Sad Love Story, Musical

My Drama List Rating: 8.1 out of 10 stars

Han Hyo-Joo’s character: Jung So-Yool

STORYLINE: “Love, Lies” is set in the 1940s during the Japanese occupation of Korea. Two women who are best friends become involved in the vibrant music scene of the time. They do not realize that they are being trained to become high-class prostitutes and serve Japanese soldiers. They really believe they can become famous singers. Jung So-Yool is in love with a handsome songwriter. She dreams of their romantic relationship and of enjoying a musical career together.

Jung So-Yool is excellent at performing traditional Korean music. However, the songwriter wants someone who can sing more modern music. When he hears Jung So-Yool’s friend sing he is ecstatic. He has found the voice he has been looking for. He also falls in love with her friend. The Japanese occupation has already made life for Koreans unbearable. But Jung So-Yool viewed the relationship between her friend and the songwriter as the worst betrayal. Her jealousy and rage explode! The ending is tragic. The film will not only be remembered for the acting but for the evocative music and breathtaking cinematography.

Lotte Entertainment (International. “Love, Lies | Official Main Trailer | INTL.” YouTube Video. YouTube, April 12, 2016. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vAHhmKMmaMw.‌

♦ 4. W: Two Worlds Apart (2016)

Genre: Romance, Sci-Fi, Action, Fantasy

My Drama List Rating: 8.5 out of 10 stars

Han Hyo-Joo’s character: Oh Yeon-Joo

STORYLINE: “W: Two Worlds Apart” is a delightful fantasy romance drama that blurs the boundaries between reality and fiction. Oh Yeon-joo is a talented surgeon and her father is a famous webtoon artist. One day she mysteriously disappears. She disappears in her world but finds herself in the world her father created in his webtoon titled “W”. She begins interacting with the main character in the webtoon and falls in love with him.

The father was going to eliminate the main character. But once Oh Yeon-joo realizes that her actions in the webtoon world directly impact the storyline and characters, she ends up rewriting whatever her father writes. The main character in the webtoon discovers that he can transcend the boundaries and cross over into the real world. Matters get complicated for two reasons: (1) the father does not want his daughter to be in love with a webtoon character, and (2) the evil character in the webtoon can also cross over to the real world. The lines between creator and creation get blurred and dangerous.

• Viki Global TV. “W – Official Trailer | Lee Jong Suk & Han Hyo Joo 2016 New Korean Drama.” YouTube Video. YouTube, July 1, 2016. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iFyxffHNwvE.‌

♦ 5. Happiness (2021)

Genre: Romance, Sci-Fi, Medical Drama, Horror

My Drama List Rating: 8.9 out of 10 stars

Han Hyo-Joo’s character: Yoon Sae-Bom

STORYLINE: In “Happiness”, a medical scientist experiences their worst nightmare when they try to develop a drug to combat an infectious disease and the drug ends up causing an infectious disease, which is much worse. The drug called NEXT initially provided relief. But as time went on they developed a thirst for human blood. Pretty much they became zombies. If the human who was attacked survived, they would likely become infected and also thirst for human blood. Except that’s not what happened when Officer Yoon Sae Bom was bitten. For some reason, she was just fine! The researchers wanted to study her more.

When Yoon Sae Bom realized she was “important”, she made a deal. There were some luxury apartments she wanted to live in. The deal was made and she moved into Unit 501. Sae Bom thought living in those high-rise luxury apartments was the key to her “happiness”. But a lockdown was declared and she found herself stuck, living among angry and unfriendly neighbors. Not just unfriendly, but some were infected and the residents put her in charge of keeping them safe! Well! She is an officer.

• Viki Global TV. “Happiness – Official Trailer | Korean Drama | Han Hyo Joo, Park Hyung Sik.” YouTube Video. YouTube, November 3, 2021. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uaHq2ImPrHs.‌

♦ 6. Believer 2 (2023)

Genre: Action, Crime, Mystery, Thriller

My Drama List Rating: 7.1 out of 10 stars

Han Hyo-Joo’s character: Seob So-Cheon

STORYLINE: “Believer 2” is the 2023 sequel to the 2018 film Believer. A detective continues his pursuit of “Mr. Lee”, a hidden figure behind the largest drug cartel in Asia. The deeper he delves into the drug operations and the more he tries to expose “Mr. Lee”, the more his minions come to his rescue. Seob So-Cheon also known as Big Knife is Mr. Lee’s most loyal minion. She will do anything to receive his approval. She is his closest associate and comes from China to Korea to handle the organization’s affairs. Her reputation for merciless cruelty is well-known by all in the underworld. Will she be able to keep Mr. Lee’s identity a secret?

• Han Hyo Joo Dishes on Her Radical Transformation in ‘Believer 2’ – ZAPZEE – Premier Korean Entertainment Magazine

• Netflix K-Content. “Believer 2 | Official Trailer | Netflix.” YouTube Video. YouTube, November 2, 2023. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BglW4ogv6ds.‌

♦ 7. Blood Free (2024)

Genre: Thriller, Sci-Fi

My Drama List Rating: 8 out of 10 stars

Han Hyo-Joo’s character: Yun Ja-Yu

STORYLINE: In “Blood Free”, lab-grown meat is the food of the future. Why slaughter cows, pigs, and chickens? Why should fishermen fight over fishing rights. BF CEO and Founder Yun Ja-Yu has successfully produced genetically engineered cultured meat and is a leader in this market. Shouldn’t people be pleased? After making a presentation to potential investors, Yun Ja-Yu left the building and headed home. While stuck in traffic, a man committed suicide by jumping off a building and landing on top of her car. She ended up in the hospital with an injured neck. While in her hospital bed, she repeatedly watched the video of the accident and noticed a man who was present at the scene.

His background was in security so she hired him to work as her bodyguard. However, he accepted the job because the former president had asked him to get close to her. Several years ago, the president had been injured in an explosion. He wanted to know if Yun Ja-Yu was behind the attack. Someone hacked the system of Yun Ja-Yu’s company. She wanted to know who behind that attack.

• Disney+ Singapore. “Blood Free | Official Trailer | Disney+ Singapore.” YouTube Video. YouTube, March 28, 2024. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5BLv7WMJ8As.

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