32-year-old Hallyu star Ahn Bo Hyun started out as a model in the industry back in the early 2010s and crossed over to acting in 2014. He's had a slow and steady rise in his acting career, bagging mostly supporting roles in the K-dramas he's appeared in. But with hard work, passion, and determination, Bo Hyun is finally landing his long-deserved male lead roles! It may have had taken a while to get here, but it makes his success story all the more memorable.
Before Ahn Bo Hyun breaks out into the superstar he'll surely be, here are eight of his must-watch K-dramas:
1. Yumi's Cells (Coming soon)
The plot: Starring Kim Go Eun as the titular character, Yumi's Cells tells the story of an ordinary office worker named Yumi, who isn't the best at expressing her thoughts and feelings. Here comes the plot twist: The drama is told from the point of view of Yumi's ~brain cells~ (hence the title!) and they help her control her thoughts, feelings, and actions! Yumi's Cells is slated to have two seasons, with Ahn Bo Hyun playing the male lead role Goo Woong. He's a gaming developer who's pragmatic, logical, and isn't in touch with his emotional side—until he meets Yumi!
2. Undercover/My Name (Coming soon)
Where to watch it: Netflix
The plot: Undercover/My Name is Ahn Bo Hyun's upcoming Netflix Original series! It's described as an "action noir series" that stars Han So Hee as Yoon Ji Woo, a woman who's involved in organized crime and joins the police to find answers about her father's death. Bo Hyun plays police detective Jeon Pil Do—he's organized, no-nonsense, and sticks to the rules. But, you guessed it, things change for him when he gets a new partner, agent Yoon Ji Woo.
3. Kairos (2020)
Where to watch it: Viu
The plot: Kairos is a fantasy and thriller drama with Shin Sung Rok and Lee Se Young as the main leads. A part-time convenience store worker, Ae Ri (Lee Se Young), works hard for her mom to get a heart transplant—but she suddenly goes missing. Seo Jin (Shin Sung Rok) seems to be the very definition of a successful man, but his life goes 180 when his daughter is kidnapped and his wife dies by suicide.
4. Itaewon Class (2020)
Where to watch it: Netflix
The plot: Without a doubt, Itaewon Class is Ahn Bo Hyun's breakout drama! At its core, Itaewon Class is a revenge story and stars Park Seo Joon as Park Saeroyi. He vows to avenge his father's death which caused by a hit-and-run accident. The culprit is Saeroyi's high school classmate Jang Geun Won (Ahn Bo Hyun) and heir to restaurant conglomerate Jangga Co. Geun Won's powerful father, Jangga Co. founder and CEO Jang Dae Hee, covered up the crime which forced Saeroyi to act out in anger and physically assault Geun Won. Saeroyi was then sentenced to three years in prison and, in there, he plotted his great 15-year plan to destroy Jangga Co.
5. Her Private Life (2019)
Where to watch it: Netflix, Viu
The plot: Her Private Life is a light rom-com about a woman's ~double life~. Park Min Young is Sung Deok Mi, a museum curator by day and a professional fangirl by night. Unknown to her colleagues Deok Mi manages a fansite dedicated to K-pop idol Cha Si An of White Ocean. Ahn Bo Hyun plays the drama's second lead, Deok Mi's childhood friend and Olympic athlete Nam Eun Gi.
6. My Only Love Song (2017)
Where to watch it: Netflix
The plot: Produced by Netflix, My Only Love Song is a fantasy and historical drama starring Lee Jong Hyun and Gong Seung Yeon. In present-day Korea, Soo Jung (Gong Seung Yeon) is a conceited actress who ~magically~ goes back in time to the sixth century Goguryeo era. She then meets On Dal (Lee Jong Hyun) a man who steals from the rich and gives to the poor.
7. My Runway (2016)
Where to watch it: Netflix
The plot: According to Netflix, My Runway's plot goes as such: "An egotistic top male model and a pretty model wannabe are forced to love each other's lives until they figure out a way to undo their body switch." My Runway's main leads are Kang Dong Ho and Park Ji Yeon.
8. Descendants Of The Sun (2016)
Where to watch it: Netflix, Viu
The plot: Yup, Ahn Bo Hyun did appear in Descendants Of The Sun! The drama is a sweeping romance between a doctor (Song Hye Kyo) and special forces agent (Song Joong Ki) whose relationship doesn't work out because of their opposing views in life. They reunite months later in the fictional war-torn country Uruk, and their feelings ~reignite~. Ahn Bo Hyun plays Piccolo, one of the special forces agents in Big Boss' unit.
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