Seohyun, born Seo Ju-hyun, has transformed from Girls’ Generation’s youngest member (maknae) into a versatile actress across Korean dramas, films, and musicals. Since her acting debut in 2013, she has tackled diverse genresโhistorical epics, romantic comedies, thrillers, and fantasy. Hereโs a detailed look at her 11 most impactful performances, ranked in descending order.
11. Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo (2016)
- Genre: Historical Romance
- Country: South Korea
- Release: August 2016
- IMDb: 8.7/10
- Director: Kim Kyu-tae
- Cast: Lee Joon-gi, IU, Kang Ha-neul, Seohyun
- Episodes: 20
- Runtime: 60 mins/episode
- Awards: SBS Drama Awards (Special Acting Award for Seohyun)
Plot Summary:
A modern woman, Go Ha-jin (IU), time-travels to the Goryeo Dynasty and becomes entangled in a power struggle among princes. Seohyun plays Woo-hee, a courtesan secretly acting as the last princess of the fallen Hubaekje kingdom. She becomes a spy for the 4th Prince Wang So (Lee Joon-gi), but her loyalty conflicts with her love for the 13th Prince. As political tensions escalate, Woo-heeโs double life leads to tragic consequences. Her character adds layers of political intrigue and emotional sacrifice, culminating in a heartbreaking end.
Review: Seohyun shines as the fierce yet tragic Woo-hee, proving her ability to hold her own alongside veteran actors. A standout supporting turn.
10. Ruby Ruby Love (2017)
- Genre: Romantic Comedy
- Country: South Korea
- Release: January 2017
- IMDb: 6.9/10
- Director: Park Jin-woo
- Cast: Seohyun, Lee Yi-kyung
- Episodes: 5 (Web Drama)
- Runtime: 20 mins/episode
Plot Summary:
Lee Ruby (Seohyun), a socially anxious jewelry designer, gains sudden fame after a viral video. Her life spirals as she navigates celebrity culture, a demanding CEO (Lee Yi-kyung), and a plagiarism scandal. Ruby discovers a magical ring that boosts her confidence but risks losing her true self. The series explores identity, mental health, and the pressures of fame, ending with Ruby embracing authenticity and love.
Review: A charming, bingeable web drama where Seohyunโs relatable performance anchors the lighthearted yet meaningful story.
9. Bad Thief, Good Thief (2017)
- Genre: Heist Drama
- Country: South Korea
- Release: May 2017
- IMDb: 7.6/10
- Director: Oh Kyung-hoon
- Cast: Ji Hyun-woo, Seohyun, Kim Ji-hoon
- Episodes: 50
- Runtime: 60 mins/episode
- Awards: MBC Drama Awards (Best New Actress for Seohyun)
Plot Summary:
Kang So-joo (Seohyun), a police officer turned vigilante, leads a team of โgentleman thievesโ to expose corrupt politicians and businessmen. Her father, falsely accused of embezzlement, commits suicide, driving her quest for justice. The crew uses elaborate heistsโart forgery, hacking, and disguiseโto reclaim stolen national assets. Amid the chaos, So-joo navigates a romance with Jang Dol-mok (Ji Hyun-woo), an ex-con with a tragic past.
Review: Seohyun commands this action-packed saga, blending emotional depth with physical intensity. A 50-episode commitment that rewards viewers.
8. Time (2018)
- Genre: Melodrama
- Country: South Korea
- Release: July 2018
- IMDb: 7.6/10
- Director: Jang Joon-ho
- Cast: Kim Jung-hyun, Seohyun, Kim Joon-han
- Episodes: 32
- Runtime: 35 mins/episode
Plot Summary:
Seol Ji-hyun (Seohyun) grapples with guilt after her younger brotherโs death in a car accident caused by her fiancรฉ, Cheon Ji-hoon (Kim Jung-hyun). Ji-hoon, terminally ill, seeks redemption by transferring his assets to Ji-hyun. As their lives unravel, Ji-hyun confronts corporate corruption tied to her brotherโs death. The series explores grief, forgiveness, and the race against time, ending with Ji-hoonโs death and Ji-hyun rebuilding her life.
Review: A heavy, cathartic drama elevated by Seohyunโs raw portrayal of loss. Not for the faint-hearted.
7. Hello Dracula (2020)
- Genre: LGBTQ+ Drama
- Country: South Korea
- Release: February 2020
- IMDb: 8.1/10
- Director: Kim Da-ye
- Cast: Seohyun, Lee Ji-hyun, Go Na-hee
- Episodes: 2 (Special)
- Runtime: 70 mins/episode
Plot Summary:
An-na (Seohyun), a closeted lesbian, navigates strained relationships with her conservative mother and girlfriend Ji-min (Lee Ji-hyun). After years of silence, An-naโs mother discovers her sexuality, leading to explosive confrontations. Parallel stories involve a bullied teenager and a mother-daughter duo hiding a dark secret. The anthology concludes with An-na choosing self-acceptance and moving out, symbolizing liberation from societal โvampires.โ
Review: A poignant, socially relevant special. Seohyunโs nuanced acting makes An-naโs journey achingly real.
6. Private Lives (2020)
- Genre: Crime Thriller
- Country: South Korea
- Release: October 2020
- IMDb: 7.4/10
- Director: Nam Gun
- Cast: Seohyun, Go Kyung-pyo, Kim Hyo-jin
- Episodes: 16
- Runtime: 60 mins/episode
Plot Summary:
Con artist Cha Joo-eun (Seohyun) infiltrates a corporate giant to avenge her parentsโ deaths, crossing paths with Lee Jeong-hwan (Go Kyung-pyo), a swindler working for a rival syndicate. Posing as married investors, they uncover a data-leaking conspiracy involving political elites. Betrayals, fake identities, and high-stakes heists escalate until Joo-eun sacrifices herself to expose the villains. A twist ending reveals her survival and reunion with Jeong-hwan.
Review: A slick, twisty thriller where Seohyunโs con-woman charm steals every scene.
5. So I Married an Anti-Fan (2016)
- Genre: Romantic Comedy
- Country: China/South Korea
- Release: June 2016
- IMDb: 7.3/10
- Director: Kang Cheol-woo
- Cast: Choi Tae-joon, Seohyun, Hwang Chan-sung
- Movie Runtime: 120 mins
Plot Summary:
Journalist Ai Lin (Seohyun) becomes the target of superstar Hoo Joonโs (Choi Tae-joon) fanbase after publishing an exposรฉ branding him a narcissist. Forced into a reality show where they cohabitate, their feud evolves into romance amid paparazzi scandals and sabotage by Joonโs rival (Hwang Chan-sung). The film climaxes with a public confession of love, reconciling Ai Linโs integrity with Joonโs redemption.
Review: Fluffy yet fun. Seohyunโs comedic timing sparkles in this cross-cultural rom-com.
4. Jinxed at First (2022)
- Genre: Fantasy Romance
- Country: South Korea
- Release: June 2022
- IMDb: 7.2/10
- Director: Yoon Sang-ho
- Cast: Seohyun, Na In-woo
- Episodes: 16
- Runtime: 60 mins/episode
Plot Summary:
Lee Seul-bi (Seohyun), a woman with supernatural luck, escapes a manipulative family that exploits her powers. She meets Gong Soo-kwang (Na In-woo), a fishmonger whose life she accidentally ruined years earlier. Together, they battle her clanโs CEO, who uses Seul-biโs blood to control fortune. The series blends mythology and romance, ending with the couple breaking the curse and starting anew.
Review: Seohyunโs whimsical yet resilient Seul-bi carries this inventive underdog tale.
3. Love and Leashes (2022)
- Genre: Romantic Comedy
- Country: South Korea
- Release: February 2022
- IMDb: 7.9/10
- Director: Park Hyun-jin
- Cast: Seohyun, Lee Jun-young
- Movie Runtime: 118 mins
Plot Summary:
PR specialist Jung Ji-woo (Seohyun) discovers colleague Jung Ji-hooโs (Lee Jun-young) BDSM contract. After a blackmail attempt backfires, they enter a consensual dominant-submissive relationship. The film tackles workplace stigma, friendship, and sexual self-discovery. Ji-wooโs ex-boyfriend leaks their secret, but the duo confronts the scandal head-on, ending with Ji-hoo opening a BDSM club and Ji-woo supporting his venture.
Review: Bold and refreshing. Seohyun balances humor and sincerity in this taboo-breaking gem.
2. Song of the Bandits (2023)
- Genre: Action Western
- Country: South Korea
- Release: September 2023
- IMDb: 8.2/10
- Director: Hwang Jun-hyuk
- Cast: Kim Nam-gil, Seohyun, Yoo Jae-myung
- Episodes: 9
- Runtime: 60 mins/episode
Plot Summary:
In 1920s Japanese-occupied Korea, Nam Hee-shin (Seohyun) poses as a railway company strategist while secretly aiding the resistance. She collaborates with Lee Yoon (Kim Nam-gil), a deserting soldier turned bandit leader protecting refugees in Gando. Their guerilla warfare against colonial forces culminates in a railway heist to fund the independence movement. Hee-shinโs double life strains her loyalty, but she emerges as a key revolutionary.
Review: Seohyunโs steely resistance fighter is career-defining. A gritty, epic must-watch.
1. The First Night with the Duke (2025)
- Genre: Historical Rom-Com
- Country: South Korea
- Release: March 2025
- IMDb: 8.0/10
- Director: Lee Woong-hee
- Cast: Seohyun, Ok Taecyeon, Kwon Han-sol
- Episodes: 12
- Runtime: 70 mins/episode
Plot Summary:
College student Cha Seon-chaek (Seohyun) accidentally time-travels to the Joseon era and wakes up beside Duke Ripley (Ok Taecyeon). To return home, she must relive their โfirst nightโ via a magical scroll. Mistaken for his mistress, Seon-chaek navigates palace politics while falling for Ripley. The Dukeโs enemy exploits her modern knowledge, leading to a battle for the throne. The finale sees Seon-chaek choosing to stay with Ripley in Joseon.
Review: Seohyunโs comedic genius and chemistry with Taecyeon make this time-slip rom-com irresistibly fun.
Bonus: Holy Night: Demon Hunters (2025)
- Genre: Supernatural Action
- Country: South Korea
- Release: January 2025
- IMDb: 7.3/10
- Director: Lim Dae-hee
- Cast: Ma Dong-seok, Seohyun, Lee David
- Movie Runtime: 130 mins
Plot Summary:
In a world where demons possess humans during solar eclipses, exorcist Sharon (Seohyun) joins brawler Gang-sik (Ma Dong-seok) to hunt a demon king targeting Sharonโs adoptive brother. Set across Seoulโs apocalyptic landscapes, they use sacred weapons and Sharonโs latent psychic powers. The climax reveals Sharon as the demon kingโs daughter, forcing her to choose between humanity and her lineage. She seals her father, saving mankind.
Review: Ma Dong-seokโs punchfest meets Seohyunโs emotional depth. A blockbuster with brains.
SOURCE: Data cross-referenced from Wikipedia, MyDramaList, Girls’ Generation Fandom, Douban, and official studio synopses (2025).
