Are you a Reply 1988 fan? If so, you probably loved learning about bits of South Korea’s culture in the ‘80s. A part of it was the prominence of protests against the government. Another drama set in 1980 has recently premiered and tells the tale of an uprising (this time in a province called Gwangju)—it’s called Youth of May. It’s currently streaming on Viu and it stars one of the hottest up-and-coming Hallyu actors today: Lee Do Hyun (who was recently hailed as Best New Actor at the 57th Baeksang Arts Awards!).
If you want to binge-watch his other dramas while waiting for the next Youth of May episode, check out these titles:
Early Projects
Prison Playbook (2017)
Where you can watch it: Netflix, Viu, iQIYI
The plot: Baseball player Kim Je Hyuk (Park Hae Soo) is about to debut in the major leagues. However, it doesn’t go according to plan. He gets locked up for assaulting a man who attempted to harm his sister. As he tries to survive life behind bars, he develops friendships with fellow inmates. He also rekindles his friendship with prison guard Lee Joon Ho, played by Jung Kyung Ho. The story sounds dark and serious, but Prison Playbook is one of the funniest series you’ll ever watch, we swear! Lee Do Hyun plays a minor role in this award-winning drama as the young Lee Joon Ho.
Thirty But Seventeen (2018)
Where you can watch it: Netflix, Viu
The plot: Also known as Still 17, the rom-com stars reaction queen Shin Hye Sun (from Mr. Queen). She plays a teenage violin prodigy that gets into a car accident that lands her in a coma. She wakes up 13 years later in her 30-year-old body and meets a man played by Yang Se Jong. He turns out to be the guy who caused the accident. Do Hyun plays a supporting character here, too, as the bestie of the role played by Ahn Hyo Seop.
Clean with Passion for Now (2018)
Where you can watch it: Netflix, Viu, iQIYI
The plot: An obsessively tidy guy meets a messy girl in this lighthearted series. Romance eventually blooms between the germophobic CEO of a cleaning company (Yoon Kyun Sang) and a new employee (Kim Yoo Jung) named Gil Oh Dol. Oh Dol’s bestie also has a love line with an athletic kid—played by a tall actor with a toned body, Lee Do Hyun.
Hotel Del Luna (2019)
Where you can watch it: Netflix, Viu, iQIYI
The plot: The mystical ghost guest house is owned by Jang Man Wol (singer and actress IU). She enlists a Harvard graduate (Yeo Jin Goo) as the general manager after striking a deal with his father two decades prior. The duo caters to departed souls that have some unfinished business on Earth. Here, Do Hyun plays an ancient royal guard who’s hopelessly in love with Man Wol.
Recent Projects
18 Again (2020)
Where you can watch it: Netflix, Viu, iQIYI
The plot: Hong Dae Young, a 37-year-old ahjussi (played by Yoon Sang Hyun) is on the brink of divorce. His miserable job and life lead him to wish for his glory days when he was the top jock that everybody admired. He magically wakes up as a teenager and gets the chance to make things right with his wife (played by Kim Ha Neul) and kids. In his first major (and almost-lead) role in a K-drama, Lee Do Hyun plays the 18-year-old version of Hong Dae Young. And yes, this is the remake of *that* Zac Efron movie!
Sweet Home (2020)
Where you can watch it: Netflix
The plot: Song Kang plays a teenager caught in the midst of an apocalypse. He tries to survive a world where humans turn into monsters along with his neighbors, including a medical student that leads the pack (Lee Do Hyun). They’re joined by a strong and mysterious man with a scarred face (Lee Jin Wook) and a former firefighter with a background in martial arts (TikToker Lee Si Young). Watch this thriller to see if and how they get through the horror alive.
Youth Of May (2021)
Where you can watch it: Viu
Do Hyun plays Hee Tae, a medical student who’s—pun intended—on the playful side. Like Reply 1988’s Sung Bo Ra (Ryu Hye Young), enters Seoul National University. He has a carefree personality, but he has the top scores and a secretly thoughtful and determined character. He crosses paths with nurse Myeong Hee (Love Alarm’s Go Min Si), who isn’t afraid to speak her mind and fight for what’s right. She has also undergone many hardships, which makes her guarded against the sly Hee Tae. While we still don’t know how their story will play out, we can’t deny their chemistry. And Lee Do Hyun’s charms are irresistible, too.
Bonus: Lee Do Hyun’s Variety Show Appearances
Running Man (episodes 496, 499, 510, 533)
Where you can watch it: Viu
If you want to see a more candid and competitive side of this cutie, watch the Running Man episodes he was in! In one episode, the variety show’s cast members playfully say they boosted Lee Do Hyun’s star power. Their claim isn’t far off! The young actor was such a refreshing and charming guest.
In one appearance, he shared stories of his popularity in school and showed a crazy funny dance. In another, he was such a lousy player of a phrase relay game. He also said he worked so hard to bring home prizes to his parents—so sweet!
Knowing Brothers (episode 246)
Where you can watch it: Viu
Do Hyun also appeared with his 18 Again co-stars in a variety show with the Men On A Mission. The trio prepared a performance of a hit song by SSAK3, the summer-only K-pop group of Yoo Jae Suk, Lee Hyori, and Rain. He also showed off his unique dance moves!