Ji Soo has been around for some time now, and those of you who have been following his career know that he’s proven time and time again that he’s an actor we can take seriously. The emotions he conveys in his roles and the dedication he puts into his characters are very visible on screen, which is why he has garnered such a huge fan base over the years. Along with his latest role in“When I Was The Most Beautiful,”here’s a look at just eight of his many great roles.
Note: List is in no particular order.
1. “Angry Mom”
Kim Hee Sun plays Jo Gang Ja, a mother to Oh Ah Ran (Kim Yoo Jung). She finds out that her daughter is getting bullied at school which compels her to go undercover as a high school student to find out who the culprit is. While undercover, she meets Go Bok Dong, played by Ji Soo, who takes her under his wing and falls in love with her in the process.
Ji Soo as the angsty Go Bok Dong with a lot of personal issuesis hands down one of his best roles. His ability to portray such anguish and pain through his character seems so effortless, and although he’s not the main lead, he makes one of the biggest impressions throughout the series. Not to mention seeing him pine over Jo Gang Ja, who he didn’t know was a mother, is absolutely hilarious!
Start watching “Angry Mom” here:
2. “Cheer Up!”
Jung Eun Jiplays Kang Yeon Doo, a passionate girl who is the head of the street dance club at her school.Lee Won Geunplays Kim Yeol, the president of a club that has the top students in the school. The two clubs are forced to merge into a cheerleading group.Seo Ha Joon (Ji Soo) is good friends with Yeon Doo, and he ends up developing feelings for her.
Ji Soo as Seo Ha Joon was a character that needed to be portrayed, and no one could have done it as well as Ji Soo. His character goes through an immense amount of pressure and abuse from his father which causes him to have severe depression and other mental health issues. This type of character is not shown often on the small screen, but it’s so necessary for the world we live in. It’s a series that can’t be missed!
Start watching “Cheer Up!” here:
3. “Page Turner”
“Page Turner” has a cast of very visually appealing stars, which won’t disappoint you. StarringKim So Hyun,Ji Soo, andShin Jae Ha, there won’t be a second to be bored. Yoon Yoo Seul (Kim So Hyun), who is under the pressure of her mom, is an aspiring pianist who goes blind in a tragic accident. Cha Sik (Ji Soo)falls in love with her and looks after her in the sweetest ways possible.
Ji Soo does the first love high school roles so darn well. The way he wears his heart on his sleeve and tries to protect Yoon Yoo Seul is so worth the watch. It’s also a short web series, so it doesn’t drag on and doesn’t give you much time to be bored. You’ll love seeing a love struck and nervous Ji Soo!
Watch “Page Turner” here:
4. “Glory Day”
“Glory Day” isa dramatic thriller film starringJi Soo, Ryu Jun Yeol,Suho, andKim Hee Chan. The four actors play four best friends who embark on the last epic trip before they all enlist in the military. However, they find themselves in a situation that they never thought they could ever be a part of.
“Glory Day” is Ji Soo’sfirst movie role. It’s a coming of age movie that touches on tragedy, friendship, loss, and with all the eye candy in the main cast, you really can’t go wrong. Ji Soo’s character Yong Bi is willing to protect and help his close friends at all costs. You can really see the dedication Ji Soo put into his character through this role as you’ll see the light-hearted and adorable side of Ji Soo for the first bit of the movie, and then you’ll get the intense side of him for the rest of the film. It really showcases his acting abilities!
5. “Doctors”
Hong Ji Hong (Kim Rae Won) is a smart and dedicated teacher who has Yoo Hye Jung (Park Shin Hye) as a student. Hye Jung likes to get into trouble and tends to be misunderstood by people around her. She’s been through a lot of bad luck in her life, and Ji Hong sees this and wants to help her.Kim Soo Chul (Ji Soo) becomes a loyal friend to Hye Jung, and they are able to help each other as they become adults.
Although Ji Sooisn’t a part of the main cast in this particular drama, he definitelystands out. When Soo Chul first meets Hye Jung, he’s a bit of a bad boy, andhis charm is oh so evident.There is something about a gel-haired Ji Soo on a motorcycle that can make anyone swoon! It was especially sweet seeing him become a family man later on in the series and seeing him remain such a loyal friend to Hye Jung.
You can start watching Ji Soo in “Doctors” here:
6. “Scarlet Heart: Goryeo”
Lee Joon Giplays the hard to handle, tough Wang So who is one of the many princes in line to become King. When he meets Hae Soo (IU), he falls in love with her but can’t seem to find the right time to ever be with her. Unfortunately, it seems as thoughWang Jung (Ji Soo) also falls in love with Hae Soo, and it’s his devoted love that helps Hae Soo at the end.
Ugh, it’s very much possible you cried every time Ji Soo was on screen throughout thisseries. SeeingWang Jung devote his lifeto Hae Soo and not expecting anything in return from her is the definition of heartbreaking. If you weren’t a fan of Ji Soo before, you are bound to become one after seeing him in this role.
7. “Strong Woman Do Bong Soon”
“Strong Woman Do Bong Soon” starsPark Bo Youngas an aspiring game maker who was born with super strength. She meets Ahn Min Hyuk (Park Hyung Sik), theCEO of a game company,who, by chance, happens to be in need of a bodyguard. He ends up hiring Do Bong Soon with the added bonus of letting her develop a game while she works for him.
Min Hyuk ends up falling in love with Bong Soon first, but he soon finds out that she’s head over heels in love with her first love In Gook Doo. Gook Doo, who is played byJi Soo,is a macho cop who considers Bong Soon a friend and nothing more.
One of the best parts about this series besides seeing Ji Soo in uniform as a cop is seeing him go from being a tough guy to being a vulnerable and adorable love sick puppy by the end of it. His progression and journey to discovering his feelings for Do Bong Soon lit up the screen.
He literally, lit up in the screen.
Watch the first episode here:
8. “My First, First Love”
Ji Soo stars as Tae Oh, awealthy boy who gets the chance to live in another house that his parents had inherited. His friends are all struggling through various situations which lead them to move into Tae Oh’s house. Song Yi (Jung Chae Yeon), is Tae Oh’s best friend who he starts to develop feelings for.
Tae Oh’s love and loyalty to his best friend Song Yi is so heartwarming to see. There isn’t anything he wouldn’t do for her, and seeing him realize his feelings for her is everything first love romance stories are made of. Ji Soo was able to portray the charm and sweet nature of Tae Oh so naturally, and it’s because he’s probably that sweet in real life!
Bonus: “When I Was The Most Beautiful”
Although the series is not complete yet, Ji Soo as the high school student who falls in love at first sight with his teacher Oh Ye Ji (Im Soo Hyang) is perfection. The passion in which Ji Soo is able to show this love is so believable, and it really demonstrates how he has become such a respected actor at such a young age. Here’s to hoping for more lead roles by the lovable Ji Soo!
Watch “When I Was The Most Beautiful” below:
Hey Soompiers, what is your favorite Ji Soo role? Let me know in the comments below!
binaheartsis a Soompi writer whose ultimate biases areSong Joong Kiand BIGBANG. She is also the author of “K-POP A To Z: The Definitive K-Pop Encyclopedia.” Make sure you followbinaheartson Instagram as she journeys through her latest Korean crazes!
Currently watching:“How Do You Play?” and “When I Was The Most Beautiful”
All-time favorite dramas:“Secret Garden,” “Goblin,” “Because This Is My First Life,”“Star In My Heart”
Looking forward to:Won Bin‘s return to the small screen