Shin Min Ah has won all of us over with her dazzling dimpled smile and her great kdramas. And to be honest, who is complaining? The actress and model has been working hard to make a name in the Korean industry for more than two decades now. And although the heartwarming show Hometown Cha Cha Cha alongside a fellow dimpled male brought her global popularity, Shin Min Ah has been making excellent kdramas for a while now. Furthermore, Shin Min Ah started modeling when she was just a teenager. As a matter of fact, she was the most sought-after and one of the highest-paid models even then. Shin Min Ah has modeled for Elle Korea, Rag & Bone, The New York’s Time, and T Magazine. Shin Min Ah made her acting debut in 2001 through Lee Min Ji in the beautiful melodrama Beautiful Days.
Additionally, she has continued to dominate the industry, whether it be as the sassy and naive nine-tailed fox in My Girlfriend Is A Gumiho or as Ahn Sa Eun, who lives in a soundless world in Sad Movie. As if winning at the professional front was not enough, Shin Min Ah has won the heart of the man of our dreams, Kim Woo Bin. Furthermore, the couple has spent seven beautiful years together and will even be working in a kdrama this year. Although Shin Min Ah has managed to strike a chord with the audiences through all her performances, in this article, we will be listing down the ultimate top 9 Shin Min Ah’s kdramas.
9. A Love To Kill
Coming on number ten on the list of top 9 Shin Min Ah dramas is A Love to Kill. Furthermore, A Love to Kill has a cult following among melodrama lovers. A Love to Kill is a melodrama in its truest form. Staying true to its name, A Love to Kill showcases a love that you would kill to have. On top of that, Shin Min Ah and Rain pull off a chemistry that could kill. This drama was released in 2005 on KBS. Even if you are not a melodrama lover, you will get goosebumps from the intense scenes that the drama consists of. Additionally, A Love to Kill revolves around Kang Bok Gu and Cha Eun Suk. Kang Bok Gu is a K-1 fighter.
When his brother jumps off a building after hearing the news of his ex-girlfriend getting engaged, Kang Bok Gu decides to get revenge. This is where we meet our female lead, Cha Eun Suk, who is a popular actress and Kang Bok Gu’s brother’s ex. Thanks to their fighting skills, he becomes Cha Eun Suk, aka Shin Min Ah’s bodyguard. Through his brother’s diary, he learns all the tricks to woo Cha Eun Sak. But his simple plan of getting revenge gets messy when he starts falling for Cha Eun Sak. Their love story is forbidden at so many levels. Cha Eun Sak’s career will be ruined, and society will never accept their relationship. Having a relationship with your brother’s partner is prohibited even if they are broken up or dead. Get your tissues ready if you want to watch this Shin Min Ah kdrama.
You can enjoy this drama on Rakuten Viki.
8. Punch
Punch is one of the most unique kdramas as it is centered around a female athlete. Furthermore, this is one of the best dramas in the sports genre. An interesting point to note is that Punch was Shin Min Ah’s first venture as a main female lead, and she was exceptional in it. Furthermore, this drama revolves around a bubbly high school student named Jang Yu Bin. When she loses her only brother in a boxing match, life becomes even harder for her. So when the opportunity to become a female boxer comes her way, Jang Yu Bin builds the courage to take it up.
Things get slippery when her trainer, Lee Han Sae, turns out to be the same man who fought her brother to death. Adding to that, the two also start developing feelings for each other. This Lee Hyeon Jik ( Sweet Enemy) directorial will rope you in with its intriguing storyline, loveable characters, and spot-on original soundtrack. This drama started airing in the October of 2003 on SBS. Sadly, this drama is not available to watch on any official on any OTT platforms yet. But this was just the start for Shin Min Ah, who only soared higher.
7. Tomorrow With You
This drama is yet another award-worthy melodrama coming from Shin Min Ah. Furthermore, you will find the storyline of this drama very fresh. It is a well-known fact that the main couple in most of the kdramas ends up together only after ten episodes. However, you will be surprised with Tomorrow With You, where Yoo So Joon and Song Ma Rin get married within three episodes. Let us give you a little backstory. Our handsome and charming male lead, Yoo So Joon, who is played by Lee Je Hoon (Taxi Driver, Move to Heaven, and Signal) is not your ordinary CEO. He has been gifted with the ability to time travel. Additionally, Tomorrow With You gives us an idea about how the world would be if we had time-traveling abilities.
Thanks to his special abilities, he comes to see his dark future. In order to prove destiny wrong, he decides to marry a cheer photographer named Song Ma Rin. Shin Min Ah plays the bubbly photographer in this drama. Her chemistry with Lee Je Hoon will have you blushing. Although melodramas are usually slow in pace and predictable, this drama maintains the suspense throughout. Furthermore, those series was premiered on tvN in February of 2017. This drama is directed by Yoo Je Won, who has popular kdramas like The Smile Has Left Your Eyes and Hometown Cha Cha Cha under his belt. You can watch this sweet, time travel, romance drama on Netflix.
6. Lucifer
This is one of Shin Min Ah’s best dramas. A perfect example of methodical storytelling. This drama will have you on your toes for all twenty episodes. Additionally, this series is also known as The Devil. It was directed by Park Chan Hong ( Remember, I Want to See Your Face). Furthermore, this mind-blowing mystery kdrama is written by Kim Ji Woo (Beautiful World, Memory). This show has a star-studded cast that consists of Uhm Tae Woong (Wanted, Valid Love), Shin Min Ah, and the handsome Joo Hi Joon (Kingdom, Hyena, and Jirisan). It was also released in March of 2007 on KBS2.
The story is set around the investigation of two murders. The only piece of evidence that connected the two murders was tarot cards. When Detective Kang Oh Soo could not find a single lead no matter how hard he tried. So Detective Kang Oh Soo decides to get assistance from So Hae In, who excelled in psychometry. Furthermore, So Hae In went on to reveal that the killers in both these murders were different. But the motive was related to the death of a young high school student. What Detective Kang Oh Soo did not figure out was that the defense lawyer of the accused was always the same. Furthermore, Lucifer is not just a thriller drama, it makes you question what defines good and evil.
Definitely a must-watch for anyone who enjoys drama surrounding law, actions, and suspense. You can watch this suspense-filled Shin Min Ah kdrama on Rakuten Viki.
5. My Girlfriend Is A Nine-Tailed Fox
This 2010 show is one of the best Shin Min Ah kdramas. Through her role as Miho, she made a mark in the kdrama land. Furthermore, this drama is cooked up of all things good. It has the perfect amount of romance, comedy, and suspense. This drama is also popularly known as My Girlfriend Is A Gumiho. This romantic comedy kdrama is directed by Boo Sung Chul, who is popular for his work in The Heirs. This funky storyline between a legendary nine-tailed fox which is known as a ”Gumiho” in Korean, is co-written by the legendary Hong sisters. Hong Jun Eun and Hong Mi Ran have given us award-winning kdramas like Hotel Del Luna and A Korean Odyssey.
The main cast of My Girlfriend Is A Nine-Tailed Fox comprises Lee Seung Gi (A Korean Odyssey), Shin Min Ah, and Noh Ji Woo (Eating Existence). This mystical kdrama aired from 11th August 2010 to 30th September. In My Girlfriend Is A Nine-Tailed Fox, Dae Woong, a clumsy yet wealthy college student who dreams of becoming a famous actor. While visiting a temple, he unknowingly frees a five-hundred-year-old Gumiho. This is where we meet our naive but charming female gumiho played by Shin Min Ah. She strikes a deal with him to teach her how to act and survive as a human, and she will grant him her fox bead, which will make him fast and strong.
Dae Woong, who is scared because of the legend that gumihos eat out men’s livers and because he desperately wants to be an action movie star, agrees to the deal. What ensues between the two is a fun-filled passionate romance, which you can enjoy on both Netflix and Rakuten Viki.
4. Arang and the Magistrate
This is Shin Min Ah’s first and only historical kdrama as of now. And as you would expect, it is spectacular. Unlike other kdramas that fall in the historical genre, this drama consists of horror and comedy. The amazing combination of these contrasting factors is portrayed magnificently by the cast of this drama. Additionally, the main cast consists of Lee Joon Gi (Lawless Lawyer and Flower Of Evil), our dimply girl crush Shin Min Ah, Yeon Woo Jin ( Queen For Seven Days and Introverted Boss), Kwon Oh Jung (Smashing Your Back), Hwang Bo Ra (Once Upon A Time in Gwangju) and finally Han Jung Soo (Blade Man). Furthermore, this drama is co-directed by Jeong Dae Yun ( I Am Not A Robot) and Kim Sang Ho (Man to Man).
The screenwriter of the drama is Jun Yoon Jung ( The Bride of Habaek) , who was inspired by the Korean mythology of Arang. The story is set up during the Joseon era of Korea. Arang is the name of a beautiful virgin ghost who was brutally murdered and wants to teach her sinners a lesson. She meets the stiff government officer, Kim Eun Ho, who can see ghosts. The two unlikely couple set out on an adventurous journey to punish those who killed her. This drama was broadcast in the August of 2012 on MBS and consisted of a total of twenty episodes. This is not just one of the best Shin Min Ah kdramas but also the most enjoyable historical kdrama. You can watch it right now on Rakuten Viki.
3. Chief Of Staff
This Shin Min Ah kdrama went on to get two seasons due to its popularity. Unlike all her previous fun and light-hearted roles, here she plays the confident and elegant Kang Sun Young. If you are a fan of fast-paced, thrilling, law and election-related dramas, then Chief Of Staff is the perfect fit for you. Apart from the engaging storyline written by Lee Dae II (Bring It On, Ghost), this show has a star-studded cast. The main cast includes talented actors like Lee Jung Jae (Squid Game), Shin Min Ah, Kim Gab Soo ( Sweet Home), Lee Elijah ( Fight For My Way), Kim Dong Jun ( Happy Hostage), and Jung Jin Young (My Unfamiliar Family).
The series revolves around Jang Tae Joon played by Lee Jung Jae. He is cunning and has a strong desire to win. Although he graduated from the Korean National Police University, he serves as an aide to 4 times lawmaker. With Jang Tae Joon by his side, Lee Seong Min could become the representative of his party. However, Jang Tae Joon wants to be on top of the chain. Furthermore, due to the kdrama’s success, it even managed to have a second season. If you are interested, you could watch the k-series on Netflix.
2. Oh My Venus
Oh My Venus is one of the most well-known kdramas. It is one of those k-series that teach you that beauty from the outside isn’t as important as how beautiful you are from the inside. If you had liked kdrama like True Beauty or My ID Is Gangnam Beauty, this will surely be your cup of tea. Moreover, the k-series consists of talented actors and actresses that include Shin Min Ah, So Ji Sub (I’m Sorry), Jung Gyu Woon (Women Of The Sun), and Yoo In Young ( Good-Bye, Mr. Black!). The kdrama also has two directors Lee Na Jung ( Fight For My Way) and Kim Hyuong Seok (My Golden Life).
The story of the kdrama starts when a Hollywood personal trainer, Kim Yeong Ho, meets Kang Joo Eun, an experienced lawyer. Kim Yeong Ho came back to South Korea when he got into a scandal with an actress. There he meets Kang Joo Eun, who says that she wants to retain her past beauty. In her school years, she had been a beauty and had also been nicknamed ‘Daegu’s Venus’. But as she grew older, she lost her form. As Yeong Ho helps her out with her wish, both of them start to like each other. If you are interested in the kdrama you can watch it on Netflix.
1. Hometown Cha Cha Cha
Of course, this list of must-watch Shin Min Ah kdramas wouldn’t be complete without Hometown Cha Cha Cha. This kdrama has seemingly taken over the world right now. The kdrama has been being praised for its amazingly written storyline and characters. The series even had a wonderful set of characters that other than Shin Min Ah consists of Kim Seon Ho (Start Up) and Lee Sang Yi (Youth Of May). One of the reasons why Hometown Cha Cha Cha was so successful may be due to its director. The director Yoo Je Won has a number of amazing kdramas under his wing. He has directed kdramas like The King: Eternal Monarch, Hi Bye, Mama!, Abyss, and more.
The story follows Yoon Hye Jin’s life after she shifted to a seaside village. Yoon Hye Jin had been a great dentist with both beauty and brains. Upon shifting to the seaside village, she starts getting interested in a guy named Hing Du Sik. Hong Du Sik, or Chief Hong as the residents call him, has a knack for helping out his neighbors. He is unemployed but has a great ability to do all sorts of jobs for everyone. The plot of the k-series is very refreshing and realistic that it makes you want more. If you still haven’t seen the kdrama check it out on Netflix.
