Every now and then, a fresh face pops onto our screens and becomes the next K-drama actor we just can't help but obsess over. Such is the case with Kim Young Dae, whose portrayals in rom-coms like Shooting Stars and Extraodinary You have topped Netflix trending lists while making our hearts flutter. For someone who just debuted last 2019, the 26-year-old has already made quite the mark in the industry, getting to call the likes of Lee Sung Kyung and Park Ju Hyun his leading ladies.
If you're hankering for a marathon of Young Dae's best work (so far), scroll through the catalog below:
K-dramas starring Kim Young Dae
1. Extraordinary You (2019)
Who else is in it: Rowoon, Lee Jae Wook, Jung Gun Joo, Lee Tae Ri
Eun Dan Oh (Kim Hye Yoon) is just another teenage girl making her way through high school. She soon realizes that she's actually living in a comic book, where "the writer" has situated her as a side character that will eventually die of a fatal disease.
Her classmates, Oh Nam Joo (Young Dae) and Yeo Joo Da (Lee Na Eun), are the protagonists of the story and are likely the only ones who will experience a happy ending. Dan Oh disagrees with her narrative and finds a way to switch up her fate.
2. When the Weather Is Fine (2020)
Who else is in it: Kim Hwan Hee, Moon Jeong Hee, Yang Hye Ji
A series of unfortunate events pushes cello teacher Mok Hae Won (Park Min Young) to retreat to the provincial village she once called home. There, she encounters some familiar faces, such as former schoolmates Oh Young Woo (Young Dae), Lee Jang Woo (Lee Jae Wook), and Kim Bo Young (Im Se Mi).
She also reunites with Im Eun Seob (Seo Kang Joon), her first love who now owns a local bookstore. Through the cold of winter, the two warm up to one another as they catch up on lost time.
3. Cheat On Me If You Can (2020)
Who else is in it: Yeonwoo, Song Ok Sook, Hong Soo Hyun, Lee Si Eon
The nation can't get enough of Kang Yeo Joo (Cho Yeo Jeong) and the novels she authors. Her compelling stories usually conclude with an immoral male character meeting their demise, which makes people expect that her husband, attorney Han Woo Sung (Go Jun), is always on his toes. Yeo Joo even goes as far as writing a memorandum to him that states "Cheat on me, if you can."
In his line of work, attorney Han works with National Intelligence Security agents in hiding, such as Cha Soo Ho (Young Dae), who poses as a regular clerk at a convenience store.
4. The Penthouse: War In Life (2020)
Who else is in it: Cheon Seo Jin, Oh Yoon Hee, Na Ae Kyo
The affluent residents of Seoul's Hera Palace are all ruthless when it comes to protecting their respective kin. The Joo family, comprised of businessman Dan Tae (Uhm Ki Joon), Suryeon (Lee Ji Ah), and their kids Seok Hoon (Young Dae) and Seok Kyung (Han Ji Hyun), is particularly one that conceals secrets beneath their glamorous displays of wealth. When an unexpected death occurs on their premises, the Hera Palace homeowners grow suspicious of one another.
5. Shooting Stars (2022)
Who else is in it: Yoon Jang Hoon, Kim Yoon Hye, Lee Jung Shin, Park So Jin
Young actor Gong Tae Sung (Young Dae) is adored by fangirls everywhere. He's currently signed with the talent agency Star Force Entertainment, where the sprightly and diligent Oh Han Byul (Lee Sung Kyung) handles everything concerning public relations.
The two have a love-hate relationship, but even if they don't see eye to eye all the time, Han Byul's really the only one that can get Tae Sung out of his slumps.
6. The Forbidden Marriage (2022)
Who else is in it: Kim Woo Seok, Kim Min Ju, Hong Si Young
Scarred by the untimely passing of his crown princess and supposed wife, King Lee Heon (Young Dae) orders an indefinite ban on marriages in Joseon. So Rang (Park Ju Hyun), a cunning scammer, attempts to outsmart the royal by claiming that she can be possessed by the spirit of his deceased lover.
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This article originally appeared on Preview.ph. Minor edits have been made by the Cosmo.ph editors