The 2022 MBC thriller drama Big Mouth brought together an impressive ensemble cast led by two of South Korea’s biggest Hallyu stars. The series, which aired from July to September 2022, featured Lee Jong Suk and Im Yoona as a married couple caught in a deadly conspiracy involving a mysterious fraudster known as Big Mouse. The 16-episode drama, available for streaming on Disney Plus in several regions, became a talking point not just for its gripping storyline but also for the powerful performances delivered by its cast members.
Lee Jong Suk as Park Chang Ho
Lee Jong Suk took on the role of Park Chang Ho, a third-rate lawyer with a dismal 10% success rate in the cases he handles. His character is talkative and often comes across as a braggart, which earns him the nickname “Big Mouth” among those who know him. However, his life takes a dramatic turn when he is hired to investigate a murder case in Gucheon City and ends up being falsely accused as the legendary con artist Big Mouse.
Thrown into the dangerous Gucheon Prison, Chang Ho must transform himself to survive and protect his family. This role marked Lee Jong Suk’s return to the small screen following his military discharge, and his portrayal of a man evolving from a hapless lawyer to a calculated player earned him widespread acclaim.
Im Yoona as Go Mi Ho
Girls’ Generation member Im Yoona played Go Mi Ho, the devoted and intelligent wife of Park Chang Ho. Unlike her husband, Mi Ho is practical and serves as the primary breadwinner of the family through her work as a nurse at Gucheon Hospital.
When her husband is imprisoned and labeled as Big Mouse, Mi Ho refuses to accept defeat. She transfers to Gucheon Hospital to conduct her own investigation, putting herself in grave danger to uncover the truth and clear her husband’s name. Yoona’s performance showcased her growth as an actress, moving beyond her idol image to deliver a nuanced portrayal of a wife fighting against powerful forces.
The pairing of Lee Jong Suk and Yoona generated significant buzz even before the drama aired, as both actors had trained together at SM Entertainment in their younger days. Lee Jong Suk was a trainee under the agency for about three months before pursuing acting, while Yoona trained for several years before debuting with Girls’ Generation.
Kim Joo Hun as Choi Do Ha
Kim Joo Hun portrayed Choi Do Ha, the mayor of Gucheon City who previously worked as a star prosecutor. On the surface, he appears to be a charming and capable public servant, but beneath this facade lies a man driven by ambition and willing to do whatever it takes to maintain his position.
Choi Do Ha has complicated ties to the secretive NR Forum, a group of powerful individuals who helped him rise to power but later become obstacles he needs to eliminate. Kim Joo Hun’s performance added layers to this antagonist, making viewers question his motives until the very end.
Ok Ja Yeon as Hyun Joo Hee
Ok Ja Yeon took on the role of Hyun Joo Hee, the director of Gucheon Hospital who comes from a wealthy background. As head of the hospital where mysterious deaths and questionable practices involving cancer patients occur, Joo Hee becomes a key figure in the conspiracy that Mi Ho begins to unravel.
Ok Ja Yeon brought a chilling presence to the screen, portraying a woman who appears elegant and composed while hiding dark secrets. Her character’s connection to the NR Forum and her role in the hospital’s unethical experiments made her one of the drama’s most compelling villains.
Yang Kyung Won as Gong Ji Hoon
Yang Kyung Won played Gong Ji Hoon, the ruthless leader of the NR Forum who lost 100 billion won to Big Mouse in a scam. His desperation to recover this money and capture the fraudster drives much of the conflict in the early episodes.
Gong Ji Hoon comes from a privileged background and has enough talent to inherit his family’s media company, but his cruel personality and obsession with power make him a dangerous adversary. Yang Kyung Won’s intense performance made Ji Hoon a memorable antagonist who keeps viewers guessing about his true intentions.
Supporting Cast Members
The drama featured several other actors who brought depth to the story through their supporting roles:
Kwak Dong Yeon appeared as Jerry, a key member of the Big Mouse organization who becomes an important ally to Park Chang Ho. Though officially listed as a special appearance, his role had significant screen time throughout the series.
Oh Ryung played Biceps, a lawyer and counsel at Gucheon University Hospital who appears on television legal programs. He comes from a family of legal professionals and initially opposes Chang Ho before facing consequences for his actions.
Kim Jung Hyun made a special appearance as the real Big Mouse, revealed late in the series to be a character named Novak who has personal reasons for targeting the NR Forum.
Prison Characters and NR Forum Members
The inmates of Gucheon Prison added another layer to the story. Jung Jae Sung played Park Yoon Gap, initially presented as Big Mouse before being revealed as a subordinate. Kim Dong Won played the car dealer who connects Chang Ho to outside information while imprisoned.
The NR Forum included several other members:
- Han Jae Ho (played by an unnamed actor) was a domestic violence criminal obsessed with suspicions
- Seo Jae Yong (played by an unnamed actor) was a professor whose thesis contained damaging information about the forum
- Cha Seung Tae served as chairman Kang’s secretary who eventually betrays him
Where to Watch Big Mouth
Big Mouth is available for streaming on Disney Plus in many regions, including selected countries across Asia, Europe, and the Americas. The complete 16-episode series can be watched with subtitles in multiple languages.
For viewers in India, the drama is accessible through Disney Plus Hotstar. UK viewers can stream it on Disney Plus, while audiences in the United States and Canada can also find it on the same platform. Australian viewers have access through Disney Plus as well.
The drama originally aired on South Korea’s MBC network every Friday and Saturday at 9:50 PM KST, replacing the time slot previously held by Dr. Lawyer.
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Critical Reception and Performance
Big Mouth received positive reviews for its tight screenplay and the chemistry between its lead actors. Lee Jong Suk’s portrayal of a man caught between survival and justice earned him the Top Excellence Award at the 2022 MBC Drama Awards, while Im Yoona won the Excellence Award for her performance.
The drama maintained strong viewership ratings throughout its run, peaking at over 10% in the Seoul metropolitan area. Critics particularly praised the show’s ability to maintain suspense across all 16 episodes while delivering satisfying character arcs for both the protagonists and antagonists.
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