Boys Over Flowers star Kim Bum has definitely gone a long way since making our young hearts swoon as the artistic F4 member So Yi-jung. Hisย versatility as an actor is unquestionable, having been in the industry for more than 15 years! In fact, his rawness and honesty on screen is testament to how he is in real lifeโhe revealed he prefers being straightforward in this article.
So, while we wait for the next Law School episode to drop, we've rounded up 11 binge-worthy K-Dramas that show Kim Bum's impressive acting chops, whether heโs your lead, friend, or foe.
11 K-Dramas Starring Kim Bum:
1. Boys Over Flowers (2009)
Watch on: Netflix, Viu
Of course, Boys Over Flowers, a.k.a. the show that put Kim Bum on the map, just has to be part of the list. In case you havenโt seen it yet for some reason, the drama follows the story ofย poverty-stricken high school student Geum Jan-di as she enters the prestigious school of Shin Hwa High, attended by Koreaโs wealthiest kids. There, she gets off to a rough start after being bullied by Goo Joon-pyo, the leader of the F4, a group consisting of the schoolโs most famous heartthrobs. Alongside Joon-pyo are his childhood best friends, Yoon Ji-hoo, So Yi-jung, and Song Woo-bin. Things get complicated when a love triangle forms between Ji-hoo, Jan-di, and Joon-pyo, which begs the question: Who will Jan-di choose in the end? On the other hand, Kim Bum plays Yi-Jung, an artistic potter and womanizer who slowly develops feelings for Jan-diโs best friend.ย
Also starring: Lee Min Ho, Ku Hye Sun, Kim Hyun Joong, Kim Joon, Kim So Eunย
2. Dream (2009)
Kim Bum plays the wayward character Lee Jang-seok in his other 2009 drama Dream. The series kicks off when Jang-seok is released after spending time in a juvenile detention center for being a pickpocket. He then meets Nam Jae-il whoโs success as a sports agent ends after his most popular client is caught in a drug scandal. Together, they strive to get back on their feet with Jang-seok aiming to be a K-1 champion fighter, while Je-il recovers his reputation as a sports agent.ย
Also starring: Joo Jin Mo, Son Dam Bi, Choi Yeo Jin
ย 3. The Woman Who Still Wants To Marry (2010)
This romantic comedy drama follows the friendship of three 34-year-old women, Lee Shin-young, Jung Da-jung, and Kim Bu-gi as they navigate their way through life and love. Broadcast journalist Shin-young is optimistic about her love life despite her career getting in the way. On the other hand, her old friend Da-jung is clueless about love but hopes to snag a perfect rich husband within the year. After sparks fly in a blind date and a relationship ensues, she marries Doctor Na Ban-seok who eventually makes her realize that marriage life is not at all like a fairytale. Rounding up the trio is successful restaurant consultant Kim Bu-gi whoโs less than fortunate in the dating game. She remains content with being single and acts as the groupโs love guru. Kim Bum plays Ha Min-jae, a college student and talented musician who starts a relationship with Shin-Young whoโs 10 years his senior.ย
Also starring: Park Jin Hee, Um Ji Won, Wang Bit Na
4. Padam Padam (2011)
Padam Padam has Kim Bum stepping into a fantasy K-drama. He plays the guardian angel Lee Gook-soo whoโs best friends with the showโs lead Yang Kang-cheol, a man sentenced to 16 years in prison for a crime he did not commit. While in prison, he accidentally kills a guard resulting in his execution. As his final moments loom, he is given a second chance at life. Following his release, he travels to Seoul and meets Jang Ji-na. Despite their rocky start, they are drawn to one another and fall in love, but everything falls apart when Kang-cheol discovers a crucial element to his wrongful conviction years ago.ย
Also starring: Jung Woo Sung, Han Ji Min
5. Goddess of Fire (2013)ย
If youโre into historical dramas then this oneโs for you! Goddess of Fire is based on the real life story of Baek Pa Sun, the first lady porcelain maker in the Joseon Dynasty, before she was captured by the Japanese. In the drama, Baek Pa Sun is depicted as Yoo Jung, a passionate girl gifted in the art of pottery who strives to become the best porcelain artist despite it being a manโs job. Along the way, she captures the heart of Prince Gwanghae. However he is not the only man in Yoo-jungโs story as Kim Bum plays her childhood friend Kim Tae-do. We see Kim Bum in the role of a righteous and considerate military officer whose loyalty to Yoo Jung surpasses any challenge that comes his way.
Also starring: Moon Geun Young, Lee Sang Yoon, Seo Hyun Jin,ย
6. That Winter, The Wind Blows (2013)ย
Watch on: Netflix
After losing all the people he loved, Oh Soo turns to high stakes gambling and philandering to fill the void. As he targets rich women to con, he sets his eyes on Oh Young, a blind heiress of a large corporationโhis easiest pick yet, or so he thought.ย The con artist sees an opportunity to disguise as Oh Youngโs missing brother, aiming to take her riches and repay his debts. Despite inheriting a large conglomerate, Oh Young shares similar woes after having been brought up alone which has led her to be skeptical towards love. Can the trickster keep up his act or will they both discover their heartโs missing pieces? As a supporting character in the drama, Kim Bum takes the role of Park Jin-sung, Oh Sooโs co-worker.ย
Also starring: Song Hye Ko, Jo In Sung, Jeong Eun Ji, Seo Hyo Rim
7. Hidden Identity (2015)ย
An elite squad of undercover homicide detectives is formed to bust high profile crimes even if that means circumventing the law. This secret unit, Number 5, is led by Superintendent Jang Moon-won together with Cha Gun-woo, Jang Min-Joo, and Choi Tae-Pyung.ย
Did you know that to portray the dark and vengeful Cha Gun-woo, Kim Bum underwent a drastic transformation by losing 14kg, cutting his hair, and growing a slight mustache and goatee? We love his dedication to stray from his usual sweet person in this drama.
Also starring: Park Sung Woong, Yoon So Yi, Lee Won Jong
8. Mrs. Cop 2 (2016)ย
Following the success of Mrs. Cop season 1, this sequel focuses on a new female lead, Detective Ko Yoon-jung. After completing 6 years of FBI training in New York, Yoon-jung returns to Korea with the intent of unearthing a previous murder case. Her arrival prompts the police department to offer her the lead position in Crime Squad Team One after their original head steps down. Her team is formed with Bae Dae-hoon, Kang Sang-chul, Oh Seung-il, and Shin Yeo-ok, and they immediately set off to investigate CEO Lee Ro-joon (Kim Bum), the primary suspect of their first assignment. While K-drama fans are used to seeing Kim Bum take the good side, this K-drama tests out his acting chops as a first-time villain.ย
Also starring: Kim Sung Ryoung, Kim Min Jong, Im Seul Ong, Son Dam Bi
9. Tale of the Nine-Tailed (2020)ย
Watch on: Netflix, Viu, iQIYI
Tale of the Nine-Tailed, also known as The Tale of Gumiho, marks the return of Kim Bum to the K-Drama scene after spending time in the military. This also continues his villain streak as the evil gumiho (nine-tailed fox) Lee Rang, opposite Lee Dong Wookโs character, Lee Yeon. Driven by his emotions, Lee Yeon gives up his guardian of the mountain status to search for his one true love. While away, the mountain succumbs to disarray and is invaded by humans. This causes his half brother, Lee Rang, to escape while harboring hatred towards humanity. Meanwhile, Lee Yeon makes a deal with the afterlife, ensuring the reincarnation of his true love as he searches for her and, in exchange, offers his services to kill evil creatures. In the present, Lee Yeon settles in the city and attracts the attention of a woman named Nam Ji-ah after she realizes that he saved her from a life threatening event in her childhood.ย
Also starring: Lee Dong Wook, Jo Bo Ah, Kim Yong Ji
10. Law School (2021)
Watch on: Netflix
Proving that Kim Bum is a chameleon actor, this time he steps into the shoes of first year law student, Han Joon-hwi in the ongoing crime and mystery drama Law School. After an unusual event transpires in the prestigious Hankuk University, terror professor Yan Jong-hoon and his determined students suddenly find themselves embroiled in the strange case. If youโre still mulling over riding the Law School hype, here are five reasons why you should definitely get in on this show ASAP.
Also starring: Kim Myung Min, Ryu Hye Young, Lee Jung Eeunย
11. Ghost Doctor (2022)
Watch on: Netflix (June 23)
Known as a โgenius doctor,โ the arrogant Cha Young-min loses it all in an accident that transfers his soul to the body of Ko Seung-tak (Kim Bum). The latter may have his own merits in the medical field, but his performance is hindered by his clumsiness and fear of blood. When Young-min starts to inhabit Seung-tak, he becomes the most sought-after doctor at their hospital.
Also starring: Rain, Uee, Son Na Eun
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