Top 6 Kim Hye-yoon K-Dramas and Films to Enjoy: Featuring Lovely Runner, Extraordinary You, and More

Kim Hye-yoon is a well-known figure in the South Korean entertainment landscape. Often referred to as the ‘Nation’s Little Sister’, she has captivated audiences with her remarkable acting prowess in a variety of K-dramas and films.

She embarked on her acting career in 2013 with the KBS series Samsaengi, which earned her a scholarship. In 2015, she appeared in the Hong Kong action thriller Helios, receiving widespread acclaim.

Having won several Best Actress awards, Hye-yoon has firmly established herself as a dedicated and talented actress, with her performances in diverse films and dramas serving as a testament to her skills.

From schoolgirls to determined teenagers, Kim Hye-yoon excels in every role

Lovely Runner
Extraordinary You
Sky Castle
Secret Royal Inspector & Joy
The Girl on a Bulldozer
Ditto

1) Lovely Runner

Lovely Runner is Kim Hye-yoon’s latest K-drama, which premiered on April 8, 2024. This romantic-comedy features a time travel motif. Directed by Yoon Jong Ho, known for Guardian: Lonely and Great God, alongside Kim Tae Yeop, the screenplay is crafted by Lee Shi Eun, who also penned the acclaimed K-drama True Beauty.

Kim Hye-yoon portrays Im Sol, a devoted fan of the popular singer Ryu Seon-jae, whose music offers her comfort. However, news of his accident leaves her heartbroken.

Meanwhile, Ryu Seon-jae, played by Byeon Woo-seok, grapples with the drawbacks of fame, though his character is depicted as humorous, loyal, and charm-filled.

The complete series is available for streaming on Viki.

2) Extraordinary You

Extraordinary You (Image via Prime Video)

In Extraordinary You, which debuted in October 2019 and is adapted from the webtoon July Found by Chance by Moo Ryuyee, Kim Hye-yoon takes on the role of Eun Dan-oh, a privileged high school girl with a heart condition. Despite her health challenges, she leads a comfortable life, but her parents’ plans to arrange her marriage to her crush for business purposes complicate her emotions.

Hye-yoon’s character, a hopeless romantic, discovers uncanny parallels between her life and that of a comic book protagonist. The drama also features SF9’s Rowoon as Haru, a mysterious schoolmate.

This engaging series is accessible on Prime Video.

3) Sky Castle

Sky Castle showcases Kim Hye-yoon in a non-mainstream role amidst fierce competition among academically driven families. The drama tells the story of five elite women aiming to secure their children’s admission to prestigious universities. The formidable cast includes Yum Jung-ah, Lee Tae-ran, Oh Na-ra, Kim Seo-hyung, and Yoon Se-ah, portraying ambitious and powerful mothers.

Hye-yoon plays the self-serving high school student desperate to gain her parents’ approval through academic success. This dark yet satirical narrative became the most-viewed cable TV series, dominating ratings until Queen Woo came along.

Sky Castle is currently available for viewers on Prime Video.

4) Secret Royal Inspector & Joy

Secret Royal Inspector and Joy (image via Netflix)

Secret Royal Inspector and Joy, a tvN drama that premiered in 2021, transports viewers to the Joseon era, following a culinary-loving inspector and a fiercely independent woman.

Ra Yi-eon, portrayed by Ok Taecyeon, is a royal inspector interested in cooking and ensuring his comrades are well-fed. The plot kicks off with the murder of his senior officer, leading to Yi-eon being tasked with solving the ensuing mystery. He ultimately falls for Kim Hye-yoon’s character, Joy, during his investigations.

This captivating series can be streamed on Netflix.

5) The Girl on a Bulldozer

The Girl on a Bulldozer (image via Prime Video)

The Girl on a Bulldozer is considered one of Kim Hye-yoon’s standout performances, first shown at the 26th Busan International Film Festival. Released in April 2022, her performance earned her numerous accolades, including the Blue Dragon Awards and Green Bell Awards.

This gritty crime thriller, directed by Park Ri-woong, is described as a revenge film. Hye-yoon plays a defiant teenage girl learning to operate a bulldozer while battling the repercussions of an assault that lands her in prison. Despite her tough exterior, she nurtures a softer side in her relationship with her younger brother, whom she cares for as a mother figure, while also seeking the truth behind her father’s tragic accident.

6) Ditto

Ditto is another notable film from Hye-yoon, serving as a remake of the 2000 film of the same title, blending elements of science fiction.

The story follows Kim Yong, a high school student who returns after his mandatory military service, aspiring to be a writer despite his technical studies. Hye-yoon portrays Han Sol, a new student at the school who captures Yong’s heart.

As the plot unfolds, a ham radio introduces a significant twist, revealing that Yong and a girl named Mu-nee are connected across different time periods.

This film is also available for viewing on Viki.

In addition to her impressive body of work, fans are encouraged to check out Midnight, a psychological thriller, as Kim Hye-yoon continues to accumulate awards and accolades, including a spot on the Forbes 30 Under 30 list.

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