Credit: Soompi
The year is 2009. The drama is “You’re Beautiful.” The heartthrob is Jang Geun Suk.
If you didn’t know Jang Geun Suk before his career-defining performance as Hwang Tae Kyung in the Hallyu-changing drama, then this drama probably put him on your radar. He may have recently taken a hiatus, but he’s back to prove his chops in Jackpot. While we’re waiting for the next episodes to come out, let’s reminisce about all of his best roles on the small and silver screen from 2006 until, well, now.
Hwang Jin Yi
At the age of 19, baby-faced but already manly, Jang Geun Suk took on the role of Ha Ji Won‘s lover and stole not only her heart but ours. His effervescent performance showcased his talent, and his quiet on-screen death made us cry. The only thing more tragic than that is the fact that we didn’t get to see him for the rest of the drama!
Hong Gil Dong
2008 found Jang Geun Suk in another sageuk, or historical piece, but this time his role was much more serious. He was a stern prince determined to prove himself and to the lady he grew to love. Unlike his later roles that showcase his comedic ability, charming smile, and winsome antics, his role as Lee Chang Hwi was all about his ability to emote through his eyes. It allowed him to prove his mettle as a more serious actor. Thankfully, there were a couple of his trademark smiles to keep us satisfied.
Beethoven Virus
The musician in me was ecstatic to see that Jang Geun Suk had taken on the musical, trumpet-playing genius Kang Gun Woo in “Beethoven Virus.” Although made in the same year as “Hong Gil Dong,” the role was much more mature. He played a young musician on the brink of discovery, learning, and love. His genius made him hot-headed, and his rival made him impulsive. All of these were things Jang Geun Suk had to tackle as well as the difficulties of classical music, and he did it so well.
You’re Beautiful
Let me take a minute and spam you with a couple of the many wonderful faces of Hwang Tae Kyung in “You’re Beautiful.”
This role took on the lifestyle of Hallyu stars at a time when Hallyu was just ready to break out internationally. Jang Geun Suk defined the cool, calm, OCD, handsome, rich entertainer and gave him many lovable quirks such as his infamous pout and snarky eyebrow raise. He played the emotionally stunted but physically grown man-child with heart-breaking acuity. I still get teary when I think about him crying alone in the bathroom because his own mother doesn’t remember that he’s allergic to shrimp. Or how about the many moments he shared with the Pigrabbit in place of Go Mi Nam?
Just in case you forgot. Here are a few more adorable GIFs to jog your memory:
Marry Me, Mary!
To continue the slew of adorable faces, Jang Geun Suk next appeared in “Marry Me, Mary!” Well, perhaps that wasn’t the real reason, but he sure did continue his flower boy image as pretty rocker Kang Moo Gyul. This role allowed him to once again bust out his musical prowess, look sexy playing the guitar, and be one half of the strongest pairings he’d been in to date with Moon Geun Young. Although the drama was a tad scattered, Jang Geun Suk’s performance was not. His quirky personality manifested itself and made Moo Gyul one lovable, poor, starving musician.
You’re My Pet
The movie was based on the extremely popular manga and J-drama, and pretty much no other actor but the pretty and goofy Jang Geun Suk could’ve played the titular “pet” in “You’re My Pet.” Sadly, the film didn’t do well, but as you can see from the GIFs, Jang couldn’t have been cuter as a human puppy. When onscreen, Jang Geun Suk has a wonderful way of losing all inhibitions and just letting himself go crazy. I thank him for it. Without him, these GIFs would not be possible.
Love Rain
“Love Rain” was a special challenge for Jang Geun Suk in that he had to play a father in his youth as well as his son in the modern day. These types of dual roles can really showcase an actor’s ability to change and shift, or they can leave us less than impressed. Jang Geun Suk was adorable as young Seo In Ha, but it was as Seo Joon that he really proved his ability to adapt. It was in this role that he brought back the raw emotion of Hwang Tae Kyung from “You’re Beautiful.” Jang Geun Suk really resonates with the artsy roles.
Beautiful Man
If I haven’t mentioned it yet, Jang Geun Suk is one pretty Hallyu actor. Manhwa adaptation “Beautiful Man” takes advantage of that fact and his proven acting ability to bring pretty to the screen figuratively and literally. Although the drama was lackluster, Jang brought to it his usual charisma, deep voice, and innate sense of line delivery.
Jackpot
We can’t forget “Jackpot,” which is currently airing on SBS on Mondays and Tuesdays. In it you’ll find that Jang Geun Suk has deviated from his pretty boy image and taken on a more slovenly, comedic role. This comes after a hiatus from drama and film, and some internal reflection. We can see that the time away did him good. His performance is quite free. This is just the beginning, however. That means we’ll surely get to see many more faces of Jang Geun Suk in “Jackpot” and in his many roles to come.
I love them all but at the moment Daegil wins ♡♡♡
Wait… I change my mind… Daegil ate that snake…. I’ll go for Joonie ♡♡♡
But….Daegil shoots arrows so dashingly……!!!
Well Joonie shoots with the camera and is no less dashing.
I agree with you Farina! Daegil is the best. I almost throw up when I saw him eating that snake alive.
I shudder just thinking about it….ewwww!!!!
Seo In Ha …♥ ♥ ♥
Why do they always end up saying these were not popular? All my excitement went away after reading views on MMM & YMP. Suk got the best actor award for the movie and YMP was the best romantic movie i have seen. MMM was also very romantic n it has been so many months i could not get out of its hangover. “Sadly the film didn’t do well” How could they say that? I dont understand how much JKS movies and dramas should earn money and popularity so that Korea may declare it popular… Why they dont even count Doremifasolasido? Its another JKS masterpiece. No matter what i like every drama n movie so much that i dont waste my time on any other star’s work and i am happy he has millions of loyal eels all due to his works.. Love u a lot sukkie.. Love all your roles..
super agree..love you more jks..
Seo joon and Love Rain will always have a spot in my heart.. It’s the drama to blame that had me so into him til now.. I fell in love with the angsty joon-ie and fell in love with the too-good-to-be-true Suk..
I’m right there with you seo joon captivated me with his longing looks and tears of angst for Ha Na. Sarangbi was my first JKS drama and since then I can’t bring myself to watch anything without jks in it.
Haha.. yes I know the feeling sis!! 🙂 😉
I can’t choose a favorite. Kang Mu Gyul is the coolest. Young Seo In ha is the most loveable, and Daegil is just the one I want to comfort hehe
Love all of his roles!! But Hwang Tae Kyung made me an eel
idem with me!
Hwang Tae Kyung Is the best for me…He act a very cold-hearted out side but he’s fragile like a glass and smooth as a cotton inside…I lost my strength when i see him crying and all the sobs i hear from hear…my heart is tottaly breaking.
Hwang Tae Kyung Is the best for me…He act a very cold-hearted out side but he’s fragile like a glass and smooth as a cotton inside…I lost my strength when i see him crying and all the sobs i hear from hIm…my heart is tottaly breaking.
I must say that I love them all…and all of those characters trsnsformed him into Dae gil now. I love this Suk who has transformed and has become more mature, AND I don’t mean it only as part of his character, but as JKS, he has growned up so much! It would be a mistake to stay in the same place forever. That’s why a lot of artists fail in their attempt to keep succeding because there’s NO change. TRANSFORMATION is very important in this industry AND HE HAS SUCCEDED AT THAT. MY PRINCE THE SKY IS THE LIMIT. IT DOESN’T MATTER IF NOT EVERYBODY ACKNOWLEDGES YOUR WORK, REALLY, IT MATTERS THAT YOUR HEART IS IN THE RIGHT PATH AND HAS THE DESIRE TO SUCCEED AND OVERCOME OBSTACLES. EVERY CHOICE YOU MAKE WILL COME BACK TO YOU, BECAUSE LIFE IS AN ECHO.
Wow I agree and love your comments
exactly sis..I love to see his transformation.its like we growing old together even we are not at the same place. jks as an actor is truly transform himself to his character but we always can relate with his real life.could be he choose the project he want to do according to what he want to be next.
I love them all too, he is really a borned actor, no matter comedy or love story or whatever his acting is surperb and so nature. All his drama and movie i’ve been repeattedly watching and watching, really enjoy seeing him and also i like so much his voice and all his songs.I’ve bought some of his DVD its really worth buying but one thing disappointed me no English subtitle bx I’m non Korean or Japanese .I am from Hong Kong Iam Chinese !! But any way i am your fans keep up your good works ,forever success byebye and hello to all the JKS fans
i’ve re-watched all the above at least twice…he killed me…totally…i’m so dead…
totally smitten by him in Love Rain…his acting is superb!!
Thanks for sharing,I love all his roles
I have seen all of JKS’s movies and Dramas. I love him best as Kang Mu Kyul but You’re Beautiful is the best for me. I’ve seen the whole episodes more than 20 times and I’m still watching it. I am still not getting tired of it. After watching Daebak and no more new episodes, I go back to watching You’re Beautiful. It is funny, romantic, and I love all the casts. I even watch the BTS on YouTube whenever I want to laugh. Thanks to JKS, I started to like Korean dramas and recognize other Korean actors and singers. I have seen a JKS YouTube video where the background song was “Growl” and now I know and love EXO as well. Because of JKS, I also started to love watching IU and Moon Geun Young. These all started July 2015. I am new to Kpop but now everyday I am looking for something to watch with JKS in it.
I read and others told me that “Boys Over Flowers” is better so I watched it too, but so sorry, I went back to “You’re Beautiful.” They’re even comparing JKS with that guy but sorry again, still love JKS more than other Korean or even Hollywood celebrities. 🙂
Totally agree with u Cece.. When i miss daebak i go back to YAB, LR in my pc or MMM, YMP online…. Never get bore watching them 100 times. Actually BOF was the 1st drama i saw but i was never biased by it or LMH. JKS creates magic… There is no basis to compare them… Loved ARCELY’s comment too… Love u eels.
Thanks, Priya. I actually made a mistake when I said, ” the whole episodes,” I meant the whole SEASON of “You’re Beautiful” more than 20x. I also watch “Mary Stayed Out All Night” and “Bell Ami” a lot of times and I stopped counting already. I never get tired of them. I can’t watch Hwang JinYi anymore because he died in that Drama and I feel very sad about it. I finished the whole season though. I like those that will make me laugh better.
more power jang keun suk..please visit Philippines..please!!!!