5 Dramas & Movies You Need To Watch If You Want More Byeon Woo Seok

Byeon Woo Seok has cast an irresistible spell. The actor captivated hearts with his enchanting performance as Ryu Sun Jae in “Lovely Runner.” Ryu Sun Jae, a popular yet sensitive idol, is the sole object of Im Sol’s (Kim Hye Yoon) devotion. But Im Sol is devastated after Sun Jae’s tragic demise and goes back in time to save him. As both Sun Jae and Sol find themselves bound in time loops, their endearing love story and crackling chemistry had fans riveted and invested in the two leads.

Fanning the flames of fame, Byeon Woo Seok’s popularity quotient notched up by several degrees. An international heartthrob, the actor has immortalized Ryu Sun Jae in drama land.

Here is a look at five of Byeon Woo Seok’s dramas and movies apart from “Lovely Runner” which showcased his charisma as well as talent.

“Record of Youth”

Sa Hye Joon (Park Bo Gum) and Won Hae Hyo (Byeon Woo Seok) are best friends as well as pursuing the same dream of acting and making it big in showbiz. They both model, walking the ramp for top designers as well as audition zealously for drama and movie gigs. The only difference between the two is their socio-economic background. Hye Joon, though immensely talented, comes from a very humble background. Hae Hyo is equally talented, but he also has an edge over Hye Joon – his influential family background. Hae Hyo’s pushy and manipulative mother uses her vast network to get her son the best endorsements and parts, even if it means trampling over his best friend Hye Joon. Hae Hyo remains unaware of the things going on behind the scenes. It is the arrival of Ahn Jung Ha (Park So Dam) that shifts the dynamics between the two friends, as both fall for her.

“Record of Youth” gives a realistic insight into the cutthroat system of the movie business. As Hye Joon perseveres against all odds to make it big, Hae Hyo, on the other hand, questions his worth due to his mother’s constant interference. Even though the focus is on Hye Joon’s journey, Byeon Woo Seok endeared in his performance as Hae Hyo and made a lasting impression. The bromance between the two male leads is also way more captivating than the romance between Hye Joon and Jung Ha.

“Strong Girl Namsoon”

The spin-off  to the popular “Strong Woman Do Bong Soon,” Strong Girl Namsoon” sees three generations of women, Gil Joong Gan (Kim Hae Sook), Hwang Guem Joo (Kim Jung Eun), and Gang Nam Soon (Lee Yoo Mi), who all have indomitable strength and find themselves investigating a drug cartel. The mafioso in question is Ryu Shi Oh (Byeon Woo Seok), a man you should not mess with. He is crafty, menacing, and unapologetically devious in his ways. An extremely intelligent man, Shi Oh is a dangerous adversary, but he finds himself attracted to Namsoon, and that’s the only time you get a fleeting glimpse of his sensitive side.

Though “Strong Girl Namsoon” was not a patch to its far successful predecessor, there is no denying that Byeon Woo Seok put the good into playing bad. His good looks, complemented by his athletic and chiseled physique, had audience hail him as the sexiest villain on screen. He nailed his performances as the ruthless Ryu Shi Oh and succeeded in translating the tremor of fear off screen.

“Moonshine”

Set in the Joseon era when prohibition laws were strict, Kang Ro Seo (Hyeri), a struggling aristocrat, starts making alcohol to pay off her family’s debt. But Nam Young (Yoo Seung Ho),a highly principled inspector, has his sights on bootleggers and illegal liquor manufacturers. As Ro Seo and Nam Young, who are both from starkly different backgrounds, start sharing living quarters, liquor is the least of their problems. The two get entangled with the alcoholic crown prince, Lee Pyo (Byeon Woo Seok). Lee Pyo loves his drinks, and Ro Seo is more than happy to provide him with some, while Nam Young is hot on both their heels. But these three also strike an unusual friendship in the bargain, uncovering royal intrigues as romance blooms between Ro Seo and Nam Young.

A no-fuss and coming-of-age romantic comedy, “Moonshine” is a good one-time watch. Byeon Woo Seok makes his presence felt as the comically charming Lee Pyo and showcases his versatility.

Start watching “Moonshine”:

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“20th Century Girl”

Na Bo Ra (Han Hyo Joo) discovers a video cassette which takes her back to the year 1999. It’s a landmark year for the 17-year-old Na Bo Ra (Kim Yoo Jung), who decides to play Cupid between her best friend Yeon Do0 (Noh Yoon Seo) and the object of her affection, Baek Hyun Jin (Park Jung Woo). Bo Ra leaves no stone unturned, collecting pieces of information for her friend, who is away in the United States getting surgery. And little does she realize that this would also be the year of her own unforgettable love story. Bo Ra finds herself falling for Baek Hyun Jin’s closest friend, the reserved yet charming Poong Woon Ho (Byeon Woo Seok). She strikes a friendship with both boys, but her heart beats for Woon Ho, and his beats for her. Though the two are caught in a misunderstanding that is soon resolved, Bo Ra moves for university, and Woon Ho moves to his family in New Zealand, with the promise of being together forever. Are they destined for a happily ever after, or will their love story turn into a cherished memory of a time gone by?

This heart-warming yet bittersweet tale focuses on those wonder years and that one love that leaves its imprint on the rest of your life. It will make you reach for the tissues. Byeon Woo Seok and Kim Yoo Jung make a cute couple, and you are bound to cheer for their love story. Byeon Woo Seok is also delightful and will melt your heart as the thoughtful and sensitive Woon Ho.

“Soulmate”

A remake of a popular Chinese film of the same name, “Soulmate” is the story of two best friends Mi So (Kim Da Mi) and Ha Eun (Jeon So Nee). Mi So is free-spirited: she rides a motorbike and works as a bartender. Ha Eun, on the other hand, is reserved, risk averse, and is mortally scared of heights. Despite their divergent personalities, they have been friends for as long as they can remember. However, their friendship is put to test with the appearance of Jin Woo (Byeon Woo Seok), a handsome young man. Both friends find themselves drawn towards him, not realizing that this one incident will complicate their lives and leave a deep impact on their friendship.

“Soulmate” is not just a story of love and heartbreak, but it is a celebration of female friendship and sisterhood. As each one of the characters in the film portrays the many layers and complex emotions of human beings, the actors give a nuanced and natural performance. An intense and emotional narrative, watch “Soulmate” with your bestie.

Hey Soompiers, which one of these is your favorite Byeon Woo Seok character? Let us know in the comments below!

Puja Talwar is a Soompi writer with a strong Yang Yang and Lee Junho bias. A long time K-drama fan, she loves devising alternate scenarios to the narratives. She has interviewed Lee Min Ho, Gong Yoo, Cha Eun Woo, and Ji Chang Wook to name a few. You can follow her on @puja_talwar7 on Instagram.

Currently watching: “The Atypical Family”