In the role of The Salesman, South Korean actor Gong Yoo is a highlight ofSquid Game, and fortunately for audiences, he has plenty of other amazing projects that are now available to stream. After a three-year hiatus,Squid Gamehas finally returned with a second season. In this installment,Gi-hun is determined to take down the Squid Games once and for all, and to do that, he puts himself back into the games themselves.Squid Gameseason 2 sees the returnof several notable characters, including Gong Yoo’s The Salesman.
First introducedinSquid Gameseason 1, The Salesmanpersuades those who owe massive debts to join the Games. He convinced Gi-hun in season 1, and now, is being hunted down for information. Audiences may not have expected it, butGong Yoo is one of the biggest stars ofSquid Gameseason 2. Although he only appears in the first episode, Gong Yoo adds surprising depth to this character. He is cruel, dangerous, and shockingly committed to his own games. After Gong Yoo’s performance inSquid Gameseason 2, many may wonder what other projects the actor has been in.
Coffee Prince
Cast
Set in a bustling coffee shop, this romantic drama follows Eun-chan, a woman who disguises herself as a man to secure a job. Complications ensue as her manager, unaware of her true identity, develops romantic feelings, leading to a tangled web of emotions and identities.
One of Gong Yoo’s earliest starring roles was in the K-drama,Coffee Prince.In this series,Gong Yoo takes on the part of an entitled young man who is the grandson of a coffee company chairwoman. to impress his grandmother and his crush, he opens a new coffee shop called Coffee Prince. However, his life becomes more complicated when he hires a young woman who he mistakes for a man to pretend to be his gay lover, so he won’t have to go on any more arranged dates, and the two develop feelings for each other.
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Coffee Princemay have a somewhat odd premise, but there’s no denying that it’s an interesting one. As an arrogant heir, Gong Yoo’s role is different and similar to that of The Salesman.The actor brings the same self-assured energy, while also adding in plenty of adolescent doubt and wackiness.Coffee Princeis the oldest project on this list, but that does not make it any less exciting as a Gong Yoo project.
9Finding Mr. Destiny (2010)
Streaming On Tubi
For a more romantic vision of Gong Yoo, audiences should check outFinding Mr. Destiny.This romantic comedy centers on a young woman who cannot forget about the love affair she had in India as a young woman. Therefore, she enlists the help of an agency to track down her lost lover. Yet,the woman soon discovers that the man at the head of this agency could be a much better match for her, even though they have completely opposing personalities.
Gong Yoo’s role inFinding Mr. Destinyisfar different from The Salesman. Where The Salesman is cold and cunning, Gi-joon is goofy and passionate. He may not be the romantic figure that the protagonist expects, but over time, he proves himself to be a caring partner. However,the best element ofFinding Mr. Destinyis how different Gi-joon is from the main character. He is organized, clean, and dedicated, while she is foulmouthed, messy, and allergic to plans.
Silenced
Silenced is a South Korean drama directed by Hwang Dong-hyuk, based on real events depicted in the novel The Crucible by Gong Ji-young. The film stars Gong Yoo as a newly appointed art teacher who uncovers severe abuse at a school for hearing-impaired children. Confronted with widespread corruption, he struggles to bring justice and raise awareness about the grave injustices faced by the victims.
Squid Gameis a dark project for Gong Yoo, but it is far from his first. In 2011, the actor appeared in the crime drama film,Silenced,which tells the true story of a teacher who begins working at a school for deaf children and soon discovers that they are being physically and sexually abusedby the administration. In the role of Kang In-ho, Gong Yoo is not only heroic, but proves that he has the acting chops to take on dramatic and important parts.
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Silencedis a great movie for those who enjoy darker, more disturbing stories. The plot of the film is riveting, and will leave viewers thinking about it for days after watching. Furthermore,Silencedis an interesting pick because it caused significant uproar among Korean audiences, who felt that the real-life administrators deserved a harsher punishment than they got. Ultimately,Silencedisa strong follow-up toSquid Gamebecause of its important themes and real-life implications.
7Big (2012)
Streaming On Kocowa
Another K-drama with a somewhat unique premise isBig.In this series, a man and woman are engaged to be married, and their life seems to be a perfect one. Yet, when the man starts to become distant, the woman finds solace in a young exchange student from the United States. This messy situation gets even messier whenthe man and the student are in a car accident together, and the student finds himself in the body of the man.
Bigis the type of K-drama that is the perfect mix of dramatic and kooky.
Bigis the type of K-drama that is the perfect mix of dramatic and kooky. Audiences will be entertained by the craziness of the student’s body swap, but will also find themselves intrigued by the genuine drama of a woman who feels herself drifting away from her partner. Gong Yoo shows off his ability to be both comedic and serious, andhis performance is especially impressive since he is playing a character within a character.
The Suspect
The Suspect is a 2013 film in which two African American social scientists orchestrate a bank robbery to study racial dynamics within small-town law enforcement, only to face unforeseen consequences as their experiment spirals out of control, complicating their investigative intentions.
Gi-hun may be the action hero ofSquid Game,but Gong Yoo has also taken on a more action-packed part in the 2013 movie,The Suspect.The story follows a North Korean special forces agent who is the best of the best, but is unexpectedly abandoned by his government. Upon learning that his wife and child were killed,the agent defects to the South to find their killer.His task becomes even more difficult when he is framed for the murder of a business executive, and must go on the run.
The Suspectis not just another soulless action thriller, but is a lauded film that has impressive action sequences and a gritty setting. Gong Yoo aces this role as well as any other, yet this one is particularly exciting because it is a bit different from his previous work.Gong Yoo brings his usual drama, but really stands out for his action hero abilities. Audiences will be happy to stand by him every step of the way, right until the movie’s finale.
Train to Busan
Train to Busan is a South Korean action-horror film released in 2016. Directed by Yeon Sang-ho, it centers on passengers aboard an express train from Seoul to Busan during a sudden zombie outbreak. As the virus spreads, the survivors must navigate the chaotic and dangerous environment to reach safety.
What is likely one ofGong Yoo’s most popular projects of all timeis the action horror film,Train to Busan.In this film, Gong Yoo playsa workaholic father who must put his regular life aside when the train he is on is overwhelmed by killer zombies. Determined to protect himself, his daughter, and the other passengers on the train, the protagonist goes from everyday worker and dad to action hero.
2016
2020
Peninsula Sequel
TBA
Arguably,Train to Busanneeds no introduction. With a 95% on Rotten Tomatoes and a number of sequels behind it, many audiences are well-aware that this is a fantastic movie that deserves to be added to any watchlist. However, it is important to note thatGong Yoo’s performance is particularly outstanding. If anyone has ever doubted Gong Yoo’s acting skills,Train to Busanputs those promptly to rest. He is believable, relatable, and completely captivating.
The Age of Shadows
The Age of Shadows, directed by Kim Jee-woon, is set in the late 1920s and centers on the tense struggle between Korean resistance fighters and Japanese agents. The resistance seeks to smuggle explosives from Shanghai to sabotage Japanese facilities in Seoul, while the agents aim to thwart their efforts.
The closest Gong Yoo has ever come to the Academy Awards is with his 2016 movie,The Age of Shadows.The film follows a Korean police captain who has long sold out his own people to the Japanese colonial governmentin order to keep his own place in society. Yet, after the death of his childhood friend, the captain is in turmoil, and the Korean resistance sees this as their chance to bring him to their side. Gong Yoo plays a Korean resistor who attempts to bring the captain to his side.
The Age of Shadowsis just as notable asTrain to Busan,yet few have actually heard of the movie.The project has a whopping 100% on Rotten Tomatoes, and was entered into the running for Best International Film at the 89th Academy Awards, though it was not ultimately chosen as a nominee.The Age of Shadowsdefinitely speaks to more patriotic audiences, and Gong Yoo brings his typical sleekness to this tense, high-stakes story.
Goblin
In this fantasy romance series, a centuries-old guardian seeking to end his immortality meets a student with a mysterious destiny and forms an unexpected alliance with a grim reaper. Their interconnected fates unravel as they navigate themes of love, loss, and destiny.
Aside fromSquid Game,Gong Yoo’s most popular K-drama is probablyGoblin.Otherwise known asGuardian: The Lonely and Great God,this series tells the story of a military general from the Goryeo Dynasty who is killed by a king and cursed to remain immortal, forced to watch his loved ones be killed for his actions. In the present day, the general is accidentally sucked into the life of a bubbly high school student who can see ghosts, putting him on a path to finally break his centuries-long curse.
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Goblinisa beloved fantasy K-drama, and for good reason. The show boasts an intriguing premise, a wonderful cast, and romantic connections that will melt anyone’s heart. The success ofGoblinwas so overwhelming that it influenced fashion trends in South Korea, and led to various parodies. All in all,Goblinis a great series to pick up for those who want to watch more Korean content, but don’t know where to start.
Streaming On Netflix
The Silent Sea
Racing against time as the research station falls under destruction, the surviving crew members decide on the fate of the mission — and their own.
Gong Yoo has delved into just about every genre, and sci-fi is no exception. In one of his most recent projects,The Silent Sea,Gong Yoo is part of a far-future team who are set on a mission to the Moonin a time when potable water is nearly impossible to find on Earth. However, the mission quickly begins to fall apart when the members realize that everything they’ve been told is a lie. Worse, a deadly incident that occurred to a previous team comes back to haunt them.
Once again,The Silent Seais a great pick for those who are new to Korean dramas, because it offers a premise that is compelling, but not too hard to wrap your head around.
Like inSquid Game,Gong Yoo is not necessarily the star of this series, but his performance is just as effective. As the team captain,Gong Yoo brings a commanding presence that supports the wonderful performance by Bae Doonaas the lead character. Once again,The Silent Seais a great pick forthose who are new to Korean dramas, because it offers a premise that is compelling, but not too hard to wrap your head around. Plus, it’s easily accessible on Netflix.
The Trunk
The Trunk, releasing on July 16, 2025, follows the mysterious discovery of a trunk on the shoreline, unveiling a hidden marriage service and the peculiar relationship of a couple intertwined in its secrets.
Last but not least, there is 2024’sThe Trunk.This series follows a woman who is an employee at a mysterious match-making service and her contract husband, who enters this deal to save his previous marriage. Yet, their bond is sent into a spiral when a trunk washes up on a beach, revealing uncomfortable new information about this matchmaking service. Gong Yoo stars alongside Seo Hyun-jin.
The Trunkmay be one of Gong Yoo’s most intriguing projects yet.The show is mysterious, weirdly romantic, and has an element of strangenessthat will be hard for audiences to shake. Part of what makesSquid Gameso interesting is all the questions it raises, andThe Trunkis the same way. Viewers will not only get to enjoy another wonderful performance from Gong Yoo, but will also be sucked into an odd world of deception and unlikely relationships.
Squid Game
Squid Game is a South Korean series released in 2021 that follows numerous financially struggling participants who are invited to partake in children’s games with deadly outcomes. As they compete, they vie for a substantial cash prize, all while navigating lethal challenges orchestrated by mysterious figures.
