Jung So Min, born Kim Yoon Ji, is a celebrated South Korean actress known for her blend of talent and charisma. She first garnered attention in 2010, winning the Best New Actress on TV award for her role in “Bad Guy.” Her success continued with a Best Newcomer award in 2012 for “Standby,” showcasing her versatility.
After a brief hiatus in 2011 to focus on her studies at the Korea National University of Arts, Jung returned to acting with renewed vigour. Her performances continued to impress audiences, solidifying her place in the industry.
In her latest drama, “Love Next Door,” Jung So Min stars as Bae Seok Ryu, a former product manager who returns to her hometown seeking a fresh start. Once at the top of her class and career, Seok Ryu faces an uncertain future after quitting her prestigious job.
The drama takes a poignant turn when Seok Ryu reunites with Choi Seung Hyo, a young architect played by Jung Hae In. Their shared history, filled with unresolved emotions, creates a complex dynamic as they reimagine their relationship. “Love Next Door” follows the themes of love, trust, and self-discovery, highlighting Jung So Min’s exceptional ability to portray deep emotional nuances.
For fans of Jung So Min, this drama, along with a curated list of 12 essential works, is a must-watch, showcasing her remarkable talent and range.
Playful Kiss (2010)
Oh Ha Ni, a clumsy high school student, harbours a deep crush on the perfect and popular Baek Seung Jo, who coldly rejects her feelings. When an unexpected disaster causes Ha Ni’s house to collapse, she and her father move in with an old friend. Coincidentally, Seung Jo turns out to be the son of this family, placing Ha Ni near the boy she loves.
Despite Seung Jo’s indifference, Ha Ni sees this as a chance to win his heart, even as their vastly different personalities create tension. Ha Ni’s awkward attempts to gain Seung Jo’s affection lead to humorous and heartwarming moments as she tackles life under the same roof as her crush.
Will Ha Ni’s persistence eventually melt Seung Jo’s icy exterior? As they live together, the two teens face unexpected challenges, bringing them closer in ways neither of them anticipated.
- Aired: Sep 1, 2010 – Oct 21, 2010
- No of Episodes: 16
- Cast: Kim Hyun Joong, Jung So Min
- Streaming Platform: Netflix, Viki
Standby (2012)
Standby is a workplace comedy set in a fictional broadcast station where Ryu Jin, our lead, finds himself stuck in a career that never quite took off. Aspiring to anchor the nightly news, he tackles the chaos of a broadcast station filled with variety PDs, writers, and announcers who form an unconventional family.
Among the colorful cast is So-min, a young woman who moved from a remote mountain village to Seoul. Determined to carve out a successful career, she takes on various odd jobs. So-min’s outdated fashion sense and quirky remarks often leave others puzzled, but her warm heart and generous nature make her endearing.
However, So-min’s trusting personality makes her vulnerable to opportunists in the big city. As she struggles to adapt to Seoul’s fast pace, she learns valuable life lessons and forms unexpected friendships in the bustling world of broadcast television.
- Aired: Apr 9, 2012 – Oct 5, 2012
- No of Episodes: 113
- Cast: Jung So Min, Claudia Kim, Yim Si Wan, Lee Ki Woo, Ha Seok Jin, Ryu Jin
Can We Get Married? (2012)
Hye Yoon dreams of a simple, happy life with her fiancé, Jung Hoon, who deeply loves her. As they plan their wedding, reality sets in, and unexpected challenges arise. The involvement of their mothers, Deul Ja and Eun Kyung, complicates matters, turning their union into a battleground of family conflicts. Their once solid relationship starts to crumble under the pressure.
Meanwhile, nurse Hye Jin, who enters an affair with the married doctor Do Hyun, believes marriage will bring her happiness. After getting pregnant, they wed, but her dreams are shattered when he betrays her just as he did before. Disillusioned and heartbroken, Hye Jin decides to pursue a divorce, leaving behind the life she thought she wanted.
Both women face the harsh realities of love, marriage, and family. As Hye Yoon and Hye Jin face their complicated paths, they question whether true happiness in marriage is achievable or just an illusion
- Aired: Oct 29, 2012 – Jan 1, 2013
- No of Episodes: 20
- Cast: Jung So Min, Sung Joon, Lee Mi Sook
- Streaming Platform: Viki
Big Man (2014)
Kim Ji-hyuk, once a penniless orphan, struggled through a tough life, determined to rise above his circumstances. His modest dream was to own a restaurant, but fate had other plans. He becomes involved in a scheme to save Kang Dong-seok, a chaebol heir in desperate need of a heart transplant, and is suddenly introduced as Dong-seok’s long-lost older brother, thrusting him into a life of luxury.
However, Ji-hyuk soon discovers that everything is a lie. The truth shatters his world, revealing the corruption and deceit in the chaebol family he thought was his own. Betrayed and filled with rage, Ji-hyuk decides to fight back.
Driven by a desire to protect himself and those he loves, Ji-hyuk embarks on a dangerous mission of revenge. His journey is fraught with peril as he confronts the harsh realities of the world, determined to reclaim his life and seek justice.
- Aired: Apr 28, 2014 – Jun 17, 2014
- No of Episodes: 16
- Cast: Kang Ji Hwan, Lee Da Hee, Choi Daniel, Jung So Min
- Streaming Platform: Viki
Alice: Boy From Wonderland- Movie (2015)
“Boy From Wonderland” follows Hye Joong, a woman plagued by nightmares so intense that they begin manifesting in reality, putting her life at risk. Desperate to uncover the source of her terror, she returns to “Wonderland,” a private resort she visited with her family 24 years ago.
At Wonderland, Hye Joong encounters Hwan, a mysterious and attractive man who seems to be waiting for her. He reveals that she has only 15 days to find what she lost during her childhood visit, the key to ending her nightmares.
As the days tick by, the stakes grow higher—if she fails to discover the truth in time, it will not only cost her life but also the lives of everyone around her. The clock is ticking, and Hye Joong must unravel the secrets of her past before it’s too late.
- Aired: Dec 10, 2015
- Duration: 1 hr. 55 min.
- Cast: Hong Jong Hyun, Jung So Min, Jung Yeon Joo
- Streaming Platform: Prime Video
The Sound of Your Heart (2016)
“The Sound of Your Heart” centers on the hilarious misadventures of Cho Seok, a webtoon artist played by Lee Kwang-soo, as he follows his life with his quirky family and girlfriend. The show offers a comedic insight into the everyday chaos of Jo Seok’s life, from his awkward yet endearing relationship with his girlfriend-turned-wife, Ae Bong (Jung So-min), to the absurd antics of his family.
Jo Seok’s older brother, Jo Joon (Kim Dae-myung), works at an entertainment company and adds to the household’s eccentricity. Their father, Jo Chul-wang (Kim Byeong-ok), struggles to keep his chicken shop afloat, often closing early and driving away what little business he has. Meanwhile, their mother, Kwon Jung-kwon (Kim Mi-kyung), has grown weary of her chaotic household but continues to manage her family’s antics with a mix of frustration and humour.
Together, they create a series of comical situations that highlight the absurdity of daily life, making “The Sound of Your Heart” a lighthearted yet relatable comedy.
- Aired: Nov 7, 2016 – Nov 28, 2016
- No of Episodes: 20
- Cast: Lee Kwang Soo, Kim Dae Myung, Jung So Min
- Streaming Platform: Netflix
My Father is Strange (2017)
This drama centers on the Byun family, who live on the outskirts of Seoul. Byun Han Soo, the father, and his devoted wife, Na Yeong Shil, manage their bustling household with their four children: Hye Yeong, Mi Yeong, Ra Yeong, and Joon Young.
The family’s routine is upended when Ahn Joong Hee, an actor and former idol group member, arrives at their doorstep. He claims to be their long-lost son, throwing the family into disarray. As Joong Hee moves in with them, his presence brings both excitement and upheaval to the Byun household.
The drama follows the complexities of blending Joong Hee into this already vibrant family dynamic, highlighting the humorous and heartfelt moments that arise as they face this unexpected twist in their lives.
- Aired: Mar 4, 2017 – Aug 27, 2017
- No of Episodes: 52
- Cast: Lee Yoo Ri, Lee Joon, Jung So Min
- Streaming Platform: Viki
Because This Is My First Life (2017)
In this drama, a house-poor man and a homeless woman become unlikely housemates, exploring modern marriage and young adult challenges.
Nam Se Hee, a single man in his late 30s, is burdened by a heavy mortgage despite owning his home. He has chosen to forgo marriage, focusing instead on managing his financial responsibilities.
In contrast, Yoon Ji Ho, a single woman in her early 30s, lacks home ownership and is envious of those who do. Her financial struggles have led her to abandon dating.
When Yoon Ji Ho moves into Nam Se Hee’s house as a housemate, their differing circumstances and perspectives on life and marriage create a compelling narrative about contemporary issues and personal growth.
- Aired: Oct 9, 2017 – Nov 28, 2017
- No of Episodes: 16
- Cast: Jung So Min, Lee Min Ki
- Streaming Platform: Netflix
The Smile Has Left Your Eyes (2018)
The TV series centers on Kim Moo Young, an enigmatic and unpredictable assistant at a Korean beer brewery, who becomes a suspect in a murder investigation after a woman’s suicide is declared a homicide. Known as a “monster” for his dangerous behavior, Moo Young’s life is thrown into turmoil.
His fate takes a dramatic turn when he meets Yoo Jin Kang, a warm-hearted advertising designer with her emotional scars. Despite Moo Young’s troubling reputation, Jin Kang is determined to be a refuge for him, hoping to provide him with the support he needs.
Jin Kang’s brother, Yoo Jin Gook, is a veteran homicide detective with 27 years of experience. He is resolute in uncovering Moo Young’s true nature and keeping his sister away from him. Gook’s investigation adds intense pressure to the already fraught situation.
As Moo Young and Jin Kang grow closer, they must face their shared pasts and the complications arising from Jin Gook’s relentless quest for the truth. The series follows their journey through personal struggles and the impact of family dynamics on their relationship.
- Aired: Oct 3, 2018 – Nov 22, 2018
- No of Episodes: 16
- Cast: Seo In Guk, Jung So Min, Park Sung Woong
- Streaming Platform: Viki
Monthly Magazine Home (2021)
Na Young Won, a seasoned senior editor at the popular monthly magazine Monthly House, leads a successful career but struggles with her less-than-ideal home life. Despite her glamorous job, she lives alone in a rented house, making changes as she pleases. Her routine takes a turn when the magazine’s CEO, Yoo Ja Sung, purchases the property and becomes her exacting landlord.
Yoo Ja Sung, who rose from poverty and built his fortune through real estate, views the house purchase as just another investment. His demanding nature contrasts sharply with Na Young Won’s relaxed approach to her living space. However, as they begin to interact, their views on both real estate and each other start to shift.
As their relationship evolves, Na Young Won contemplates whether she should invest in buying her own home or consider the possibility of a romantic connection with her CEO. This unexpected twist challenges her priorities and feelings
- Aired: Jun 16, 2021 – Aug 5, 2021
- No of Episodes: 16
- Cast: Kim Ji Suk, Jung So Min, Jung Gun Joo
- Streaming Platform: Viki, Prime Video
Alchemy of Souls (2022)
In the mystical land of Daeho, a fictional country uncharted in history, young mages grapple with their destinies due to a forbidden spell called the “alchemy of souls.” This powerful magic enables souls to switch bodies, setting the stage for an extraordinary tale of love and self-discovery.
Naksu, a renowned assassin, finds herself trapped in the frail body of Mu Deok, a servant from the influential Jang Family. This twist of fate disrupts her life, as she must face the challenges of her new, weakened form while holding onto her formidable skills.
Jang Uk, the young master of the Jang Family, harbors a dark secret about his scandalous origins. Desperate to alter his grim future, he seeks out the help of Naksu, who now inhabits Mu Deok’s body. Together, they form an unlikely partnership, bound by their mutual desire to reshape their fates.
As Naksu and Jang Uk confront their twisted destinies, their journey reveals the deep connections between their lives and the impact of forbidden magic on their paths. Their story unfolds amidst magical intrigues and personal growth, as they strive to overcome their intertwined curses.
- Aired: Jun 18, 2022 – Aug 28, 2022
- No of Episodes: 20
- Cast: Lee Jae Wook, Jung So Min
- Streaming Platform: Netflix
Love Reset- Movie (2023)
In “Love Reset,” No Jeong-yeol and Hong Na-ra fight against family opposition to marry for love. Despite their initial joy, two years of marital strife lead them to seek a divorce. As their final settlement date approaches, a car accident unexpectedly results in both of them losing their memories.
Amnesiac Jeong-yeol and Na-ra, now unable to recall their tumultuous past, slowly begin to reconnect. Their fresh interactions spark new feelings, allowing them to rediscover each other’s charms and strengths. Meanwhile, their families devise a 30-day plan to help the couple remember their shared history and finalize the divorce.
As the days pass, Jeong-yeol and Na-ra follow their new relationship with a mix of confusion and budding affection. Their evolving bond challenges their initial decision to separate, leading them to question if their love can truly reset and withstand the test of time.
Kang Ha-neul stars as No Jeong-year, a lawyer, and Jung So-min plays Hong Na-ra, a film producer, bringing depth and warmth to this poignant romantic comedy.
- Aired: Oct 3, 2023
- Duration: 1 hr. 59 min.
- Cast: Kang Ha Neul, Jung So Min
- Streaming Platform: Viki
