Gong Yoo has become one of South Korea’s most beloved actors since his career began over two decades ago. Born on July 10, 1979 in Busan, the actor has showcased remarkable versatility, portraying characters ranging from a thousand-year-old goblin to a father sacrificing everything for his daughter. If you’re looking to explore his finest work, these five essential movies and TV shows deserve a spot on your watchlist.
From Coffee Prince to Global Star
Gong Yoo’s career began with supporting roles after he graduated from Kyung Hee University with a degree in theater. His big break came in 2007 with the romantic comedy Coffee Prince, which transformed him from a promising actor into a household name across Asia. The drama’s success established him as a leading man in the Korean entertainment industry, setting the stage for an even more remarkable career after he completed his mandatory military service from 2008 to 2009.
Guardian: The Lonely and Great God (Goblin)
This 2016 fantasy romance drama stands among the most celebrated K-dramas of all time. Gong Yoo plays Kim Shin, a legendary military general from the Goryeo Dynasty who is cursed with immortality as a goblin. After spending over 900 years in this role, he finally meets his prophesied bride, Ji Eun-tak, played by Kim Go-eun, who holds the power to end his eternal life.
The series beautifully intertwines their love story with themes of mortality, sacrifice, and redemption. Gong Yoo’s portrayal of a lonely god yearning for an end to his immortality while simultaneously finding love won the hearts of viewers worldwide. His performance captured both the divine power and profound vulnerability of his character, earning him the Best Actor award at the Baeksang Arts Awards. The drama broke viewership records for its network, tvN, and maintained top positions on popularity charts for weeks during its run.
Train to Busan
Released in the same successful year as Goblin, Train to Busan became a global phenomenon that redefined the zombie genre. Gong Yoo delivers a powerful performance as Seok-woo, a workaholic fund manager who struggles to connect with his young daughter. Hoping to make amends, he takes her on a train to Busan to visit her mother, but their journey turns into a nightmare when a zombie outbreak overwhelms the country.
The film masterfully blends intense action sequences with emotional storytelling, particularly focusing on the evolving relationship between Seok-woo and his daughter. Amid the chaos and survival horror, Gong Yoo’s character transforms from a self-centered businessman to a heroic father willing to make the ultimate sacrifice. The film broke box office records across Asia and remains one of the highest-grossing Korean films of all time, praised for both its thrilling narrative and social commentary.
Through his portrayal of a lonely god yearning for salvation and later falling in love, Yoo won numerous hearts and made the viewers cry and feel the pain of separation and sacrifice.
Coffee Prince
Before Goblin made him an international superstar, Coffee Prince established Gong Yoo as a leading man in Korean television. This 2007 romantic comedy follows the story of Choi Han-kyul, a charismatic coffee shop owner who mistakenly hires Go Eun-chan, a tomboyish woman, believing she is a man. The series explores Han-kyul’s growing confusion as he finds himself attracted to Eun-chan despite thinking she is male.
At a time when discussions about gender identity and sexual orientation were less common in mainstream media, Coffee Prince broke new ground with its thoughtful approach to these themes. Gong Yoo’s portrayal of a man challenging his own prejudices while falling in love demonstrated both comedic timing and emotional depth. The drama remains a classic in the K-drama canon and is essential viewing for understanding Gong Yoo’s early career success and appeal.
The one thing that made this K-drama unique was its genre-breaking love story between Han-gyeol and Eun-chan, through which the series addressed the sensitive topics of s*xual orientation and gender identity.
Silenced
In a significant departure from romantic roles, Gong Yoo took on one of his most impactful projects with Silenced (also known as The Crucible). This 2011 film is based on real events at a school for hearing-impaired children where systemic abuse occurred. Gong Yoo plays Kang In-ho, a newly appointed art teacher who discovers the horrific truth about the physical and s*xual abuse the students endure at the hands of school staff.
The film sparked national outrage upon its release, leading to widespread public demand for legal reform. The controversy resulted in the Korean National Assembly passing strengthened legislation for protecting minors and disabled people from s*xual abuse, known as the Dogani Law after the Korean title of the film. Gong Yoo not only starred in the film but actively pursued its production after reading the original novel during his military service, demonstrating his commitment to socially meaningful projects.
The Silent Sea
Gong Yoo ventured into science fiction with Netflix’s The Silent Sea, a 2021 series set in a dystopian future where Earth suffers from severe water scarcity. He plays Han Yoon-jae, the leader of an elite team sent on a mission to the moon to investigate an abandoned research facility. The team faces numerous threats while uncovering dark secrets about the facility’s past experiments.
The series combines sci-fi elements with mystery and thriller components as the characters struggle to survive while completing their mission. Gong Yoo’s character emerged as a fan favorite due to his portrayal of a dedicated leader prioritizing his team’s safety above all else. Despite mixed reviews from critics, the series achieved significant global success, topping Netflix’s global charts for non-English content and expanding Gong Yoo’s international presence following his appearance in Squid Game.
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Beyond the Essential Five
While these five titles represent some of Gong Yoo’s most celebrated work, his career includes other notable performances worth exploring. His special appearance as The Recruiter in Squid Game introduced him to new global audiences, with his brief but memorable role becoming instantly iconic. In the 2023 series The Trunk, he portrayed a music producer who enters into a contract marriage, showcasing his continued versatility across genres.
Gong Yoo has also demonstrated his commitment to social causes through his role as a UNICEF ambassador since 2013, advocating for children’s rights worldwide. His selective approach to projects and dedication to meaningful storytelling has maintained his status as one of Korea’s most respected actors for over two decades.
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