*May 2022 Update*
If you've been watching K-dramas since the early 2000s (when they were still called Koreanovelas), you're probably familiar with My Girlfriend Is A Gumiho. The show was broadcasted on ABS-CBN in 2011 and everyone loved it, to the point that they can sing along to "Fox Rain" and "Losing My Mind." It also started a trend on social media, with multiple Facebook pages and memes dedicated to the Hoi Hoi couple, Lee Seung Gi and Shin Min Ah.
Fast forward to 2021, both of the leads have become even more popular thanks to that fantasy drama. We already put the spotlight on Seung Gi's series, so it's time for us to introduce the rom-com queen's acting portfolio. Here are all the K-dramas starring Shin Min Ah, aka the OG gumiho:
Early Projects
1. Beautiful Days (2001)
The early K-dramas mostly have a love triangle and someone with a life-threatening disease included in the plot, and Beautiful Days is an example. It's the first installment of the Heaven Trilogy (the other two are Stairway To Heaven and Tree Of Heaven) and follows the story of two siblings (Lee Byung Hun, Ryu Siwon) who falls for the same girl (Choi Ji Woo). Here, Min Ah bagged a supporting role as the male lead's dongsaeng (younger sister).
2. Punch (2003)
Min Ah's first leading role in a K-drama transforms her into a boxer named Jang Yu Bin. In Punch, her character's background had a difficult past: Yu Bin lost her brother during a boxing match and therefore became an orphan. But this did not stop her from succeeding in life. Being the determined woman that she is, Yu Bin juggles two careers and meets someone who shares the same interest as her in between. Fun fact: Min Ah received intensive training from a boxing champion for this role!
3. A Love To Kill (2005)
This Koreanovela aired on ABS-CBN in 2006 and is about the complicated love story of Bok Gu (Rain) and Eun Seok (Min Ah). They did not start as friends-turned-lovers, with Bok Gu initially plotting revenge against the female lead. She's the ex-girlfriend of his brother who took his own life after he saw her engagement with another guy (it was a forced engagement, btw). Later in the drama, Bok Gu becomes Eun Seok's bodyguard and as ironic as it may seem, they develop feelings for each other.
4. The Devil (2007)
The Devil (also known as Mawang) packs mystery and romance in one drama, and Min Ah portrays the character of a psychic librarian named Seo Hae In. At the age of 12, she has already discovered her unusual skill where she can view the history of any object she touches. Hae In is also into tarot cards, and this proved to be helpful when a detective (Uhm Tae Woong) asked her for help to solve two murder cases.
5. My Girlfriend Is A Gumiho (2010)
Where you can watch it: Netflix, Viu, iQIYI
Ah, the K-drama which made us believe that a mythical creature and human being can have a *SPOILER ALERT* happy ending (unlike some recent gumiho dramas that made us sob). My Girlfriend Is A Gumiho is centered on Dae Woong (Lee Seung Gi), an aspiring action star who was saved by a nine-tailed fox (Min Ah) when he almost *died* because of an accident. Instead of being scared of this creature who eats a man's liver (according to a myth), Dae Woong was totally captivated by her sunny personality and now fondly calls her Mi Ho. She sticks to him like glue and strikes a deal, so she can become 100 percent human.
6. Arang And The Magistrate/Tale Of Arang (2012)
Set in the Joseon era, Arang And The Magistrate is based on a Korean folk story. But it's not your usual historical slash supernatural drama, because it's injected with fantasy and comedy! Although it's a mash-up of various genres, you won't be confused and will rather be thrilled. Min Ah shows that she's the rom-com queen as she plays the restless yet adorable ghost named Arang. Opposite Min Ah is Lee Joon Gi who transformed into Kim Eun Oh, and this drama marks his comeback after his military discharge.
7. Oh My Venus (2015)
Where you can watch it: Netflix, Viu
Did you know that Min Ah spent three hours for every makeup session for her role in this series? She describes it as something harder than she imagined, but nonetheless, she enjoyed every bit of it. In Oh My Venus, Min Ah takes on the role of lawyer Kang Joo Eun, a recognized ulzzang (someone who's good-looking) who lost her confidence when she gained weight. With the help of a famous Hollywood trainer (So Ji Sub), Joo Eun is now motivated to change her life.
8. Tomorrow With You (2017)
Where you can watch it: Netflix, Viu, iQIYI
If you've read somewhere that this drama is an underrated gem, they're absolutely right. Min Ah is paired with Lee Je Hoon in this series as a photographer who developed feelings for a real estate CEO. The catch? Je Hoon's character can travel through time and he initially planned to marry Min Ah to ~save~ his future. Tomorrow With You takes time-traveling into an insightful watch, stitched with a beautiful love story at the same time. The chemistry between the two is undeniable and they'll soon make it to your list of favorite K-drama couples!
Recent Projects
9. Chief Of Staff (2019)
Where you can watch it: Netflix
This political drama was aired just when the elections were about to take place in South Korea, making it a relevant series during that time. Chief Of Staff is led by Lee Jung Jae and he's cast as the detective-turned-lawmaker's aide, Jang Tae Joon. On the other hand, Min Ah is a lawmaker named Kang Seon Yeong, who turns out to be his love interest. This show has two seasons and received praises from critics for bringing realistic characters to the table.
10. Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha (2021)
Where you can watch it: Netflix
Min Ah is back in the rom-com genre and she's as charming as ever! Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha is the remake of the 2004 movie Mr. Hong, and is set in a seaside village called Gongjin. In this place, there's an odd job expert known as Chief Hong (Kim Seon Ho) and he's always on call when someone needs him. Enter Yoon Hye Jin (Min Ah), a blunt dentist from Seoul who came to Gongjin to set up her dental clinic (and more). There's endless bickering between them at first but expect to smile from ear to ear (and laugh out loud) because of kilig later in the show.
10. Our Blues (2021)
Where you can watch it: Netflix
In this healing drama penned by award-winning writer Noh Hee Kyung, Min Ah portrays a mom named Min Sun Ah who struggles with depression. When she reunited with her friend Lee Dong Seok (Lee Byung Hun), Sun Ah was able to open up about her feelings. Our Blues marks Min Ah and her real-life boyfriend Kim Woo Bin's first drama together wherein they're partnered with other Korean stars.
Follow Hanna on Instagram.
8 Lee Je Hoon Dramas and Movies To Stream Right Now On Netflix And Viu
5 Must-Watch K-Dramas Starring Versatile Actor Lee Kyu Hyung
8 Kim Sung Cheol K-Dramas To Watch Because We Know How Much You Love Him