Edited by Seo Hayne
Translated by Yu Jin Kim
Seo In Guk debuted as a singer in 2009 after becoming the winner of Mnet’s Superstar K Season 1, and he has since been juggling a busy life as an actor. In his latest movie, The Boys, he plays a guy named Lee Jae Seok who holds the key to cracking a robbery-murder case. Coming up in December on TVING, he’ll be starring in a drama series titled Death Game as Lee Jae, a job seeker who is on the verge of falling into hell. Now, no more delays—let’s check out five awesome K-dramas starring Seo In Guk.
>> Seo In Guk and Park So Dam’s ‘Death’s Game’ Gets December Release Date and First Trailer
Reply 1997 (2012)
Reply 1997 is the first installment of the Reply series that led the retro trend. Set in the late 1990s in Busan, it tells the stories of high school students. The drama gained popularity for realistically portraying school life, idol fandom culture, and featuring vibrant characters with relatable stories. Seo In Guk played Yoon Yoon Je, a pure-hearted guy harboring a longtime crush on his friend, opposite Apink’s Jung Eun Ji. With tender emotional acting and his natural Gyeongsang Province dialect, he established a strong presence as an actor. The duet “All For You,” performed with Jung Eun Ji, even swept major music charts. He also made a cameo appearance in the sequel, Reply 1994. If you want to see Seo In Guk’s youthful face again, Reply 1997 is a must-watch.
Master’s Sun (2013)
Master’s Sun, written by the “Hong Sisters,” Hong Jung Eun and Hong Mi Ran, won hearts for seamlessly blending romantic comedy with a touch of horror. The drama tells the story of an unsociable CEO and a woman who can see ghosts, helping troubled spirits find peace by removing their regrets. Seo In Guk, who became a star with Reply 1997, charmed viewers as the lovable second lead in this drama. His character, Kang Woo, is a former Zaytun Special Forces agent who works at a shopping mall as the head of its security team. His portrayal of a sincere man with a crush on Gong Hyo Jin’s character, Tae Gong Shil, garnered viewers’ love and support. In addition, Seo In Guk also lent his voice to the drama’s OST. The theme song for Kang Woo, “No Breathing,” became a hit on various music charts.
High School King of Savvy (2014)
High School King of Savvy is a drama that tells the story of an inexperienced high school student entering a large company as an executive. Seo In Guk played two roles with age gaps, portraying the comical and serious sides of both high school student Lee Min Suk and his older brother Lee Hyung Suk. Hyung Suk is a talented individual who becomes a department head at a large company at a young age and, for some reason, he persuades his younger brother to work at the company in his place. Seo In Guk’s acting skillfully convinces viewers of this strange premise. He depicts the chaotic corporate life of a high school student while showcasing his romantic chemistry with Lee Ha Na. His portrayal of the impulsive high school student got everyone buzzing with scenes like the ‘cast kiss moment’ that fans couldn’t stop talking about.
Shopaholic Louis (2016)
Shopoholic Louis tells the story of a chaebol heir, Louis, who loses his memory in an unexpected accident and ends up meeting a country girl named Bok Shil. Seo In Guk totally rocked the funny scenes, going from a polished rich guy to an adorable beggar overnight. He reportedly drew inspiration from adorable large dogs and mentioned watching various dog videos to nail the character. The drama filled with pure souls, delightful romance and a joyful atmosphere received praise as a “fairytale for adults” and achieved high viewership ratings.
Doom at Your Service (2021)
Doom at Your Service was already buzzworthy before it even hit the screens, all thanks to the exciting combo of Park Bo Young and Seo In Guk. The show dives into the story of Dong Kyung, who gets a terminal health diagnosis and strikes a life-and-death deal with Myul Mang. The character portrayed by Seo In Suk is a celestial being serving as a messenger between gods and humans who opens his heart and gradually reveals more warm, human-like qualities after meeting Dong Kyung. Seo In Guk stepped away from his usual cheerful and approachable image and transformed into this mysterious and charismatic figure, cranking up the show’s dramatic elements.
Editor Seo Hayne: I like actors as they faithfully lead through their long running-time. I also like idols who accomplish everything on stage within 3 minutes.
