One of the most popular members of the South Korean boy group 2PM, Lee Jun-ho is well-known for being an idol-actor with praiseworthy acting skills! Recently, he has become a hot topic of discussion, especially because of the latest historical Kdrama, ‘The Red Sleeve’ in which he plays the character of a prince. However, it is not the first time people are praising him for his acting skills! He made his debut as an actor with the Korean movie named ‘Cold Eyes’ as a supporting character along with veteran actors like Jung Woo-sung, Sol Kyung-gu, Han Hyo-Joo, and Jin Kyung in notable roles. Despite being a rookie actor then, his performance was praised by the critics as well as the viewers.
Lee Jun-ho continued to improve as an actor with more supporting and main roles for Kdramas and movies alike. In fact, he’s a professional who has done his master’s degree in acting at Sejong University in South Korea. He was discharged from his mandatory military service just a few months back and has already made a groundbreaking comeback! Here are the top six best Lee Jun-ho Kdramas and movies, picked right from the chest of his filmography.
6. Confession (2019)
Director: Yoon Hyun Gi, Kim Chul Gyu
Screenwriter: Im Hee Chul
Starring: Lee Jun Ho, Shin Hyun Bin, Yoo Jae Myung, Nam Ki Ae, Yoon Gyung Ho, Ryu Kyung Soo
Total Number of Episodes: 16
Where to Watch: Rakuten Viki
2PM’s Lee Jun-ho has proven how phenomenal he can be in this law and mystery Kdrama with his versatility! The series follows a lawyer named Choi Do Hyun, played by Lee Jun-ho, who used to suffer from major heart disease as a boy, spending most of the time in the hospital. However, he miraculously gets a chance of survival with a heart transplant. But his happiness didn’t last long as his father was accused of murder right after his successful surgery and was punished with the death penalty.
He grows up to be a lawyer with the determination of finding the truth behind his father’s death and punish the real culprit behind it. ‘Confession’ is a dark Lee Jun-ho Kdrama about corruption prevailing within the government, the military, and the court and the impact of it on the families of the victims.
5. Twenty (2015 Movie)
Screenwriter & Director: Lee Byung Hun
Starring: Kim Woo Bin, Lee Jun Ho, Kang Ha Neul, Jung So Min, Lee Yoo Bi, Min Hyo Rin
Where to Watch: Viki
In case you are looking for a movie which is funny from the first second till the ending credits, ‘Twenty’ might be the one! As the title hints, the movie revolves around three guys who just turned twenty— Chi Ho, Gyung Jae, and Dong Woo and find the world as their oyster. Each one of them decides to deal with their life in their own way, with new opportunities, desires, and also a bit of havoc. While one of them goes for the most realistic route, enrolling himself in a college and building a stable life, the other takes up the route of living a life full of passion, being a comic artist.
One of their friends finds himself stuck in the past as a wonton woman-wooer forever. While the show delivers knee-slapping comedy with a great cast, it doesn’t fail to showcase the struggles that young people face as they reach adulthood. The bromance that we get to see here is worth the mention, and did we mention that this Lee Jun-ho movie has the actor-cum-singer singing a soundtrack!
4. Wok of Love (2018)
Screenwriter: Seo Sook Hyang
Director: Ham Joon Ho, Park Seon Ho
Starring: Lee Jun Ho, Jang Hyuk, Jung Ryeo Won, Lee Mi Sook, Park Ji Young, Jo Jae Yoon
Total Number of Episodes: 38
Where to Watch: Netflix, Viki
‘Wok of Love’ is another Lee Jun-ho Kdrama through which he challenged himself into playing a character different from before. The show has been set in a Chinese restaurant, where Lee Jun-ho plays the role of a chef named Seo Poong, a star chef who saw his career falling apart after being framed by his superior.
He comes across a wealthy and privileged woman named Dan Sae Woo, who happens to taste a bowl of jjajangmyeon cooked by him. Meeting with Doo Chilseong and Dan Saewoo changes his life forever as they help in restoring his reputation.
Also Read: Top Ten Best K-Dramas to Make Your Christmas Merrier
3. Good Manager (2017)
Director: Lee Jae Hoon, Choi Yoon Seok
Screenwriter: Park Jae Bum
Starring: Namkoong Min, Nam Sang Mi, Lee Jun Ho, Jung Hye Sung, Kim Won Hae, Kim Kang Hyun
Total Number of Episodes: 20
Where to Watch: Netflix, Viki
The show follows a competent accountant named Kim Sung Ryong, loyal to a group of gangsters who crawls his way into TQ Group as an employee to extract money from them. He encounters the other employees in the workplace, including a peppy intern named Hong Ga Eun, a skilled accountant named Yoon Ha Kyung, and a financial prodigy named Seo Yul.
During his stay in the company, he comes to know about the prevailing dark politics and corruption by the superiors who have been planning the destruction of the group. He undergoes character development and decides to stand with the employees in their fight against corporate corruption. Lee Jun-ho plays the character of Seo Yul and manages to impress the masses with his performance.
2. The Red Sleeve (2021)
Screenwriter: Jung Hae Ri
Director: Jung Ji In
Starring: Lee Jun Ho, Lee Se Young, Kang Hoon, Lee Deok Hwa, Park Ji Young, Jang Hee Jin
Total Number of Episodes: 17
Where to Watch: Viki
And here is the Kdrama, which has been on everyone’s mind 24/7 these days. Set in the early 1700s, this historical series revolves around a young and cold price named Yi San who is obsessed with perfection. He is the crowned prince of the kingdom who is supposed to rule it after the demise of his grandfather, the ruthless and harsh king because of whom his son died. Yi San is ambitious to become a benevolent monarch and create a better living place once he takes over the throne, but the killing of his father emotionally haunts him.
He encounters a strong-willed and free-spirited young woman named Sung Deok Im in the court and falls in love with her. He asks her to be the official concubine to the future King. However, Sung Deok Im is intelligent enough to understand that being a royal consort would strip away of all her freedom and she will be left with little happiness in her life. Despite everything, Yi San’s love for her doesn’t change, and gradually she begins to understand that they together can help reform their troubled realm. It is a wonderful adaptation of Kang Mi Kang’s novel titled ‘The Sleeve’s Red Cuff’, which is sure to dominate the Baeksang Awards the next year! Can we just give all the props to Lee Jun-ho for portraying the role of the king with so much depth!
1. Just Between Lovers (2017)
Screenwriter: Yoo Bo Ra
Director: Kim Jin Won
Starring: Lee Jun Ho, Won Jin Ah, Lee Ki Woo, Kang Han Na, Kim Hye Joon, Yoon Se Ah
Total Number of Episodes: 16
Where to Watch: Netflix, Viki, We TV
One of the best psychological romance melodrama, ‘Just Between Lovers’ follows the story of two individuals who suffer the scars of the same accident for years before they finally help each other heal. Lee Gang-Doo wanted to be a soccer player, but the accident caused his dreams to shatter. Not only did he break his leg his the accident but also lost his father because of it. He spends three years trying to walk properly again, and even after he recovers from the physical injury, his mental pain keeps haunting him. He loses interest in the world and wastes his days doing nothing.
On the other hand, Ha Moon-Soo is also a victim of the accident that led to the death of her younger sibling. The fact that she couldn’t save her sibling while she survived makes her feel guilty. She lives an earnest life and keeps her feelings suppressed. When she meets Lee Gang-Doo, her life changes as she begins to open up before him. ‘Just Between Lovers’ is a Kdrama that will trigger all your emotions while watching, giving you a thrilling rollercoaster ride. No wonder it ranks first on the list of best Lee Jun-ho Kdramas!
Also Read: Top Eight ‘Comedy K-Drama’ That are Funny From Day One!
