4 Recommendations for the Best Korean Dramas Starring Woo Do-hwan That You Must Watch in May 2025

Woo Do-hwan has become one of the most highlighted Korean actors thanks to his ability to portray complex and emotional characters. He always succeeds in bringing every role to life, from a rebellious youth to a character caught in a moral dilemma. Due to his consistency, Woo Do-hwan has starred in various dramas that leave a strong impression on the audience.

Not only does he offer stunning visuals, but Woo Do-hwan's acting is also praised for its emotional depth.

Here are four of the best Korean drama recommendations starring Woo Do-hwan. All four stand out not only in terms of story but also showcase Woo Do-hwan's remarkable acting transformation.

1. Save Me (2017)

Drama Poster Illustration (Image by mydramalist)

Save Me is one of the dramas that showcases the dark side of Korean society through a suffocating sectarian story. Woo Do-hwan plays Seok Dong-chul, one of four high school teenagers trying to save Im Sang-mi from the clutches of a cult. This drama presents a chilling atmosphere, with many scenes that test morality and resolve.

The drama has gained widespread attention for raising issues that are rarely discussed openly, namely the manipulation of religion and power within closed communities. Woo Do-hwan's role as a young man daring to challenge the system adds significant emotional strength to the story.

2. Tempted (2018)

Drama Poster Illustration (Image by mydramalist)

In the drama Tempted, Woo Do-hwan plays Kwon Shi-hyun, a wealthy and charismatic young man involved in a game of seduction for the sake of a wager. Initially starting as a revenge mission carried out with two of his friends, it ultimately leads to an inner conflict as genuine love begins to grow. This drama is loosely adapted from the classic novel Les Liaisons dangereuses.

Woo Do-hwan successfully portrays a blend of charm and emotional vulnerability in the character of Shi-hyun. The character's drastic emotional changes become one of the main strengths of this drama.

3. The King: Eternal Monarch (2020)

Drama Poster Illustration (Image by mydramalist)

In the fantasy drama The King: Eternal Monarch, Woo Do-hwan captures attention with his dual role as Jo Yeong and Jo Eun-seob, two characters living in parallel worlds. Jo Yeong is the personal guard of Emperor Lee Gon (Lee Min-ho), while Eun-seob is an ordinary public employee in the Republic of Korea. The personality differences between the two pose an acting challenge that Woo Do-hwan successfully overcomes.

The character Jo Yeong is portrayed as cold, disciplined, and loyal, while Eun-seob is very cheerful and laid-back. The transformation between these two characters is depicted very convincingly.

4. Mr. Plankton (2024)

Drama Poster Illustration (Image by mydramalist)

Mr. Plankton's latest drama takes Woo Do-hwan into the realm of emotional and reflective drama. He plays Hae Jo, a young man who feels his life is aimless, like plankton drifting without purpose. In his journey to find his biological father, Hae Jo encounters many unexpected meetings that stir his emotions, including meeting an ex-lover.

This story offers a profound emotional journey, depicting an existential crisis and the search for meaning in life. Hae Jo's character symbolizes a lost generation of youth who still wish to grow.

(kpl/khs)