South Korean actress Lee Sung Kyung has built an impressive collection of work since her acting debut in 2014. She started as a model but quickly proved she could handle complex characters on screen. Many viewers first noticed her in Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-joo, a role that made her a household name. Since then, she has taken on medical dramas, romantic comedies, and even revenge stories. Her ability to switch between cheerful and serious roles keeps audiences interested.
Here is a complete look at 16 of her best films and dramas that show her range as an actress.
The Breakthrough Role That Started It All
It‘s Okay, That’s Love (2014)
Lee Sung Kyung made her acting debut in this hit drama about mental health and romance. She played Oh So Nyeo, a bold and confident aspiring writer who shares a house with the main characters . Even in a small role, she stood out with her natural screen presence. This drama also marked her as the first model-actress signed under YG KPlus, the partnership between YG Entertainment and K-Plus modeling agency .
Flower of Queen (2015)
In this weekend family drama, Lee played Kang Yi Sol, a girl adopted into a wealthy family . Her character discovers that her biological mother is a famous chef who abandoned her years ago. The role required emotional depth as Yi Sol deals with feelings of betrayal and identity. For this performance, she won the Best New Actress award at the 2015 MBC Drama Awards . It was her first major acting award and proved she belonged in the industry.
The Year She Became a Leading Lady
Cheese in the Trap (2016)
Lee took on the role of Baek In Ha, a talented pianist with a materialistic personality . Her character has unrequited feelings for the male lead and often clashes with her adoptive brother. Viewers loved to hate her character because she played the spoiled rich girl so well. The role showed she could handle unlikeable characters and still keep people watching. She received a Best New Actress nomination at the 52nd Baeksang Arts Awards for this performance .
The Doctors (2016)
She joined this medical drama as Jin Seo Woo, a neurosurgeon who becomes a rival to the female lead . Her character starts cold and competitive but later shows growth. Working alongside Park Shin Hye and Kim Rae Won, she held her own in a star-studded cast. The drama achieved high ratings and expanded her recognition among drama fans.
Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-joo (2016–2017)
This drama changed everything for Lee Sung Kyung. She played the title role of Kim Bok Joo, a weightlifter with big dreams and an even bigger heart . The coming-of-age story follows college athletes finding love and chasing their goals. Lee gained weight for the role and trained in actual weightlifting to make her performance believable . She told reporters she focused on playing Bok Joo’s emotions so viewers could connect with the story.
Her natural chemistry with co-star Nam Joo Hyuk made the romance feel real and sweet. The show gained a loyal fan base even though it did not get huge ratings during its original run . Today, it remains one of the most loved Korean dramas worldwide. For her performance, Lee won the Excellence Award, Actress in a Miniseries at the 2016 MBC Drama Awards .
Voice Work and Film Debut
Trolls (2017)
Lee lent her voice to the Korean dub of this animated film. She voiced Poppy, the optimistic troll princess . Her co-star Park Hyung Sik, her Weightlifting Fairy partner, voiced Branch. The two also sang a duet called “True Colors” for the movie’s soundtrack . This project showed her playful side and added voice acting to her resume.
Love+Sling (2018)
This wrestling comedy marked her first big-screen leading role. She played Ga Young, the daughter of a former wrestling champion . The movie follows a father and son who both fall for her character. It mixed comedy with family drama and let her show her funny side on film.
About Time (2018)
Lee starred as Choi Michaela, a musical actress who can see people’s life spans . She meets a man whose time stops when she’s near him, leading to complicated romance. The fantasy melodrama required her to sing several songs for the soundtrack . Although the drama did not perform well in ratings, her performance showed she could carry a fantasy romance.
Comedy and Returning to Medical Drama
Miss & Mrs. Cops (2019)
Lee joined veteran actress Ra Mi Ran in this action comedy about two female detectives . She played Jo Ji Hye, a rookie officer who ends up chasing criminals while on maternity leave. The movie gave her a chance to do physical comedy and action scenes. She even recorded a song called “Show Time” with Ra Mi Ran for the film’s soundtrack .
Dr. Romantic 2 (2020)
Lee returned to medical dramas with this hit series. She played Cha Eun Jae, a talented cardiothoracic surgeon who lacks confidence . Her character struggles with self-doubt despite her skills. Working with veteran actor Han Suk Kyu helped her grow as a performer. The drama achieved high ratings and brought her back to the spotlight. She won the Excellence Award, Actress in a Miniseries at the 2020 SBS Drama Awards for this role .
Dr. Romantic 3 (2023)
She came back for the third season, reuniting with Han Suk Kyu and Ahn Hyo Seop . Her character had grown more confident and became a mentor to younger doctors. The season continued the hospital’s stories with new challenges. Her performance earned her the Top Excellence Award, Actress in a Seasonal Drama at the 2023 SBS Drama Awards .
Quick Roles and New Challenges
Record of Youth (2020)
Lee made a fun cameo in this drama about models and actors. She played herself, appearing as a top actress who works with the male lead . Park Bo Gum’s character meets her on set, and she gives him encouragement. It was a small but memorable role for fans who enjoy seeing actors play versions of themselves.
Once Again (2020)
She appeared in episode 53 of this long-running family drama . Her cameo added a moment of surprise for regular viewers of the show.
Shooting Stars (2022)
Lee finally got to play a character in her former profession. She starred as Oh Han Byul, the top publicist at a talent agency . Her job involves managing difficult stars and handling entertainment scandals. The romantic comedy paired her with Kim Young Dae, who played her agency’s top actor. Viewers loved the behind-the-scenes look at celebrity life and the funny banter between leads. Her character balanced being good at her job while dealing with her messy feelings for the actor she manages.
Call It Love (2023)
This Disney+ drama showed a completely different side of Lee Sung Kyung. She played Shim Woo Joo, a woman seeking revenge on her father’s mistress . Her plan involves targeting the mistress’s son, but she ends up falling for him instead. The role required much darker emotions than her usual characters. She described her character as flawed and tender, not someone capable of fierce revenge . The slow-burn romance earned praise from critics who appreciated the mature storytelling.
Special Appearances and Recent Work
Doctor Slump (2024)
Lee appeared in episode 6 of this medical comedy starring Park Hyung Sik and Park Shin Hye . She played Han Woo Ri, Park Hyung Sik’s former love interest. Her brief appearance created jealousy for the female lead and added a fun moment to the story.
The Player 2: Master of Swindlers (2024)
She made a cameo in episode 12 of this action drama . Her role as Leah added intrigue to the season finale.
Road to Paris (2024)
This variety show featured Lee as weightlifter Park Hye Jung . It mixed travel content with athletic challenges.
Starlight Boys (2024)
Lee served as MC for this international boy group talent show on iQIYI . The role let her show her hosting skills to a wider audience.
The Nice Guy (2025)
Her upcoming drama pairs her with Lee Dong Wook in a thriller comedy . She plays Kang Mi Young, a character whose story remains under wraps. The show marks her return to the thriller genre and should offer another new challenge.
Your Glorious Season (2026)
Lee returns to MBC after ten years with this new Friday-Saturday drama premiering February 20, 2026 at 9:50 PM KST . She plays Song Ha Ran, a chief designer at a top fashion house. Her character carries deep wounds from losing loved ones and lives trapped in emotional winter. Chae Jong Hyeop plays Sun Woo Chan, an animator who helps her open up again.
The drama comes from writer Jo Sung Hee, who created Thirty But Seventeen and She Was Pretty . Lee shared that her character has many similarities to her real personality, especially her bright side and love for work . The show follows two wounded people learning to heal together.
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Lee Sung Kyung built her career one role at a time, starting from small parts to leading lady status. Whether she plays a cheerful weightlifter, a nervous surgeon, or a woman seeking revenge, she brings honesty to every character. Her upcoming projects show she keeps looking for new stories to tell. Viewers can trust that whatever she does next will be worth watching, and VvipTimes will keep you updated on every step of her journey.
