South Korean actor Wi Ha-joon stunned audiences with Squid Game, but his career includes a lot of other great shows from before and after the Netflix K-drama phenomenon. Wi Ha-joon has solidified himself as one of the most promising actors of his generation, going from ing roles in lesser-known shows to key characters in some of the best K-dramas of recent years.

From films like Midnight and Gonjiam: Haunted Asylum to K-dramas like Little Women and Gyeongseong Creature, Wi Ha-joon has built a very interesting career so far. In the psychological thriller Midnight, he played a deadly serial killer hunting down his next victim and gave a chilling and eerie performance.

Meanwhile, in the found footage horror film Gonjiam: Haunted Asylum, Wi Ha-joon went from the hunter to the hunted as he explored a terrifying and haunted hospital. Still, some of his best work comes from TV shows, from traditional broadcast series to original K-dramas from Netflix and other platforms.

10 Goodbye Mr. Black (2016)

As Ha-Joon

The revenge K-drama Goodbye Mr. Black follows Cha Ji-won (Lee Jin-wook), a Navy SEAL officer whose life is turned upside down by his best friend's betrayal and his father's mysterious death. After being framed, vilified, and denounced as a traitor, Ji-won embarks on a mission to return to South Korea and solve his father's murder with the help of his allies in Thailand.

Forced to hide, Ji-won uses a fake marriage with Kim Swan (Moon Chae-won) to disguise his identity and return to South Korea. Goodbye Mr. Black is an action-filled K-drama brimming with drama, betrayal, conspiracies, and romance. Ji-won and Swan's fake marriage and opposites attract dynamic is a delightful romance to watch unfold and their chemistry is the highlight of the show.

While Goodbye Mr. Black had an interesting premise and exciting characters, the storyline suffered in the later episodes and could've been shortened to keep it fast-paced and engaging. Goodbye Mr. Black features Wi Ha-joon in a minor role as Ha-joon and the show marked his first role in a K-drama.

9 Matrimonial Chaos (2018)

As Im Si-ho

Matrimonial Chaos is an underrated slice-of-life K-drama series following two intertwined married couples as they contemplate life, love, marriage, and family in an era where divorce has become more common. The married couple Jo Seok-moo (Cha Tae-hyun) and Kang Hwi-roo's (Bae Boonas) relationship takes a turn when Seok-moo suddenly asks for a divorce.

Meanwhile, Jin Yoo-young (Lee El) and Lee Jang-hyun (Son Suk-ku) marriage is on the rocks as they deal with infidelity and a failing marriage. Matrimonial Chaos's depiction of the complex romantic and relationship struggles of the married couples and the flawed characters makes the show a grounded and realistic K-drama.

Despite a slow start, the heart-wrenching and tear-jerker K-drama is an incredible look into relationships and marriage. In Matrimonial Chaos, Wi Ha-joon plays the role of an optimistic and talented musician, Im Si-ho, whose positive outlook on life provides a refreshing perspective.

8 Romance Is A Bonus Book (2019)

As Ji Seo-Joon

The romantic comedy K-drama Romance Is a Bonus Book revolves around Kang Dan-i (Lee Na-young), a former copywriter who struggles to find a job before ing a publishing company and reuniting with her childhood friend Cha Eun-ho (Lee Jong-suk), a successful writer and editor-in-chief.

Wi Ha-joon's charming and lovable portrayal of Seo-joon won the hearts of the audience.

Kang Dan-i and Cha Eun-ho's childhood friendship became strained after Dan-i got married, but working at the same company lets the two reconnect and fall in love. The office romance K-drama's heartwarming relationship between Dan-i and Eun-ho faces complications with the introduction of a book designer Ji Seo-joon, played by Wi Ha-joon.

Seo-joon develops romancing feelings for Dan-i and Seo-joon's rocky relationship with Eun-ho is worsened due to their mutual feelings for Dan-i. In addition, the journey of Seo-joon and Eun-ho's rough relationship turning into a beautiful bromance is entertaining and delightful. Wi Ha-joon's charming and lovable portrayal of Seo-joon won the hearts of the audience.

7 Gyeongseong Creature (2023)

As Kwon Jun-taek

Gyeongseong Creature is a historical drama and thriller K-drama set in 1945 during the Imperial Japanese Army's occupation of Gyeongseong (modern-day Seoul). Set during times of occupation and fear, Gyeongseong Creature mixes the dark reality of unpleasant historical events with a supernatural thriller.

Gyeongseong Creature focuses on the informant Gyeongseong Creature season 2 has a time jump and is set in present-day Seoul.

As a result, Wi Ha-joon only appeared in Gyeongseong Creature season 1 as Kwon Jun-taek, Tae-sang's best friend. Jun-taek is an activist that uses his wealth and power to the independence movement. The usage of horror in historic tragedies makes Gyeongseong Creature a unique and incredible K-drama. Despite not returning for season 2 due to the time jump, Jun-taek plays a key role in the story.

6 Something In The Rain (2018)

As Yoon Seung-Ho

Something in the Rain is a heartfelt romantic K-drama revolving around Yoon Jin-ah (Son Ye-jin), a woman working towards advancing her career, and Seo Joon-hee (Jung Hae-in), Jin-ah's best friend's younger brother. The two reacquaint after Joon-hee returns to South Korea after working abroad and the duo begin to fall for each other.

Something in the Rain stands out from other romance K-dramas with its depiction of female employees' struggles in the corporate world, including sexual harassment and discrimination in the workplace. Jin-ah's struggle to advance her career in a male-dominated field and misogynistic environment is inspiring and moving.

Wi Ha-joon plays the role of Yoon Seung-jo, Jin-ah's protective brother and Joon-hui's best friend in Something in the Rain. Despite being a small role, Seung-jo's dynamic with both Jin-ah and Joon-hui brings depth to the characterizations of the romantic leads and strengthens the romance.

5 Bad And Crazy (2021)

As K

The action-filled K-drama thriller Bad and Crazy follows the corrupt detective Ryu Soo-yeol (Lee Dong-wook) whose life is thrown into chaos after justice-seeking and enforcing K (Wi Ha-joon) begins terrorizing him. Soo-yeol later learns that he has dissociative identity disorder and that K, the mysterious figure attacking him, is his alter ego. Soo-yeol and K learn to work together and form a strong bond while uncovering crime and corruption.

Bad and Crazy is bursting with adventure, suspense, action, and plot twists. The character-driven show delves into Soo-yeol's selfish mindset and behavior and explores his motivations. Soo-yeol's backstory and motivation make him a compelling character, despite his flaws. Wi Ha-joon's portrayal of K as a righteous wildcard with a penchant for violence is masterfully done. K is a lovable yet chaotic addition to the show, perfectly portrayed by Ha-joon.

4 The Midnight Romance in Hagwon (2024)

As Lee Jun-ho

The Midnight Romance in Hagwon is a melodramatic romance K-drama that tells the story of the romance between Seo Hye-jin (Jung Ryeo-won), an expert lecturer at a private academy (known as "hagwon"), and Lee Jun-ho (Wi Ha-joon), a former student who returns to the academy as a lecturer.

With the high-stakes and competitive setting of the South Korean academic world, The Midnight Romance in Hagwon manages to balance the romance with a thrilling workplace drama. The Midnight Romance in Hagwon is filled with rivalry among the lecturers, a high-pressure competitive environment for both lecturers and students and drama caused by the ionate secret romance between the leads.

Wi Ha-joon's role as Lee Jun-ho, the former student turned lecturer, marks the actor's first time as a romantic lead in a K-drama.

Wi Ha-joon's role as Lee Jun-ho, the former student turned lecturer, marks the actor's first time as a romantic lead in a K-drama. The Midnight Romance in Hagwon's interesting setting and compelling academic drama make the romance K-drama a thrilling ride.

3 Little Women (2022)

As Choi Do-il

The women-led show Little Women is focused on the plight of the three Oh sisters after they are thrust into conflict against the wealthiest family in South Korea. The eldest sister Oh In-joo (Kim Go-eun), the middle sister Oh In-kyung (Nam Ji-hyun), and the youngest sister Oh In-hye (Park Ji-hu) grew up living in poverty.

Little Women has a Rotten Tomatoes critics' score of 100%.

The Oh sisters' lives are thrown into chaos after In-joo's friend is found dead and leaves In-joo millions of dollars, drawing the ire and suspicion of Korea's richest family. Based on Louisa May Alcott's novel, Little Women is an underrated K-drama that flawlessly explores wealth inequality in a mystery setting.

In Little Women, Wi Ha-joon plays the role of Choi Do-il, the mysterious and intelligent person whose allegiance remains unclear. Despite his suspicious behavior, Do-il's protectiveness over In-joo and his guidance in navigating the dangerous situation cements him as a compelling character. The mystery-filled thriller Little Women wins hearts with its heartwarming depiction of the Oh sisters' bond and familial love.

2 The Worst Of Evil (2023)

As Jung Gi-cheol

Set in the 1990s, The Worst of Evil is a crime thriller noir K-drama following a police officer who goes undercover to infiltrate a criminal syndicate responsible for the illegal distribution of drugs. Park Jun-mo (Ji Chang-wook) is an officer desperate to prove himself and infiltrates the Gangnam Union.

Jun-mo is surprised to find that his wife, Yoo Eui-jeong is involved in the mission and has a romantic past with the leader of Gangnam Union Jung Gi-cheul (Wi Ha-joon). Wi Ha-joon plays the role of the Gi-cheul, the villain in the K-drama thriller. Gi-Cheul is a former DJ and mob enforcer who becomes the leader of Gangnam Union after he assassinates his boss and the leader.

Despite his violent job, Gi-Cheul is a multi-faceted character who also has a softer side. Ha-joon perfectly illustrates Gi-cheul's fondness for his high-school first love Eui-jeong in contrast to his role as a terrifying leader of a violent and dangerous syndicate. The unexpected yet beautiful dynamic between Gi-cheul, Eui-jeong, and Jun-mo is the highlight of the show.

1 Squid Game (2021)

As Hwang Jun-ho

The Netflix survival thriller Squid Game became the streaming platform's most-watched series, a record it still maintains. Squid Game season 1 follows 456 people in desperate need of money who take part in a deadly competition for a chance to win more than 38 million dollars.

The popular K-drama examines the horrors of capitalism and economic disparity while remaining an entertaining survival horror show. Wi Ha-joon's role as Squid Game was his true breakout and thrust him into popularity. Detective Jun-ho's dedication to his search for his missing brother leads him to infiltrate the game to find him.

Ha-joon's portrayal of the detective determined to uncover the truth behind the game was enthralling to witness in the thrilling show. With a unique plot, compelling characters, shocking betrayals, and unpredictable yet satisfactory plot twists, Squid Game has cemented itself as a modern K-drama classic and Wi Ha-joon's best show.