The funny, quirky, and charismatic director of the global gamjatang restaurant chain, a genius pianist, an idol trainee, and a playboy, these are some of the roles that the talented actor has played in the span of his career so far, and while we wait for yet another excellent drama from him, here are 5 of his dramas that will placate your heart or (re)introduce you to his acting talents before his comeback.
1. “Dali And Cocky Prince”
This drama tells the story of a man Jin MooHak, who saw a lot of suffering due to poverty when he was younger. Working hard with his father, he has grown his family’s restaurant into a global chain. However, due to his history, he sees money as fleeting and is quite frugal with him. Things change when he meets Kim Dali, a woman of class and art. Quite in contrast with his rugged lifestyle, she is prime with an elegant appearance. Their fates intertwine when the father whom Jin MooHak unknowingly lent money suddenly dies, leaving a ton of debts and creditors knocking at their museum. In other to get back his money, Jin MooHak opts to help get the gallery back and running, using his business expertise. Consistent interactions flames their attraction for each other as we see the art princess fall in love with the Gamjateng prince. Kim MinJae’s brilliant portrayal of his character is one of the reasons why this drama was successful. From his hilarious adlibs and expressions, his sincerity and will, his outfits, and his voice, Kim MinJae made us fall in love with Jin MooHak so much that we don’t think anyone else would’ve been able to do the character as much justice as he did. We had the privilege of interviewing him last year about the drama and his journey as an actor. You can read the full article below. “Dali And Cocky Prince” Actor Kim MinJae Shares His Thoughts On His Acting And Recent K-Drama | Exclusive Interview STAR INTERVIEW|Nov 15, 2021
2. “Do You Like Brahms?”
Perhaps one of his most notable characters to date, Kim MinJae’s amazing portrayal of the character Park JoonYoung, earned due praise and recognition as a stellar actor. The story follows the lives of classical music students, their love for the stage, and their quest to remain on it. Park JoonYoung is regarded as a genius pianist who was also the first Korean to win the Chopin International Piano Competition. Since then, he has been touring across the world, participating and winning at many other competitions, and playing the piano 2 to 3 times a week. 7 years later, he decides to take a well-deserved break, however, life away from the piano proves to be even more complicated as he finds himself in a tug between love, power, family, and friendship.
3. “Tempted”
Playing the character of the charismatic playboy and son of a Chaebol, Lee SeJoo, Kim MinJae struck a memorable chord in the minds of viewers who were emotionally invested in the journey of his character. The drama tells the story of a man who made a life-altering bet that he could seduce any woman who doesn’t believe in love and make her fall in love with him. However, this bet turns into a reality as soon enough, they both discover what true love is. A journey not without its fair share of road bumps, the series very well captures the complications that arise from love, family, and friendships. Although Kim MinJae wasn’t the main lead in this drama, he still had various scene-stealer moments as his character was one that many could relate to properly. He is the mood maker of the group, and he is known for his charms, however, he doesn’t come without his own struggles that center around his family, love, and a desire for acceptance.
4. “Flower Crew: Joseon Marriage Agency”
The historical drama tells the story of a blacksmith who is suddenly appointed King of Joseon. His heart aches as being a king, he cannot marry the woman he truly loves because of her lowly background. In other to propose to her, he hires the best matchmaking agency in Joseon to help him transform his first love into a noble lady. Taking up the challenge, they decided to heed the King’s persistent request. However, no rose is without its thorns as they are faced with struggles from both the prying hands from the Palace and within their own internal circles too. Filled with emotional moments, this series left many impressed not just by the amazing acting of its stellar lineup but also by its gripping and engaging storyline too. At the helm of the story, Kim MinJae’s character Ma Hoon, was one that many loved. Funny, handsome, smart, dutiful, and noble, his desire to save and protect his loved ones was without question one of his notable traits.
5. “Hit The Top”
A feel-good series that deserves to be on your watchlist, “Hit The Top” tells the story of an idol Yoo HyunJae (played by Yoon ShiYoon) who got instant fame back in the early 90s and disappeared when a scandal broke out in the news about him. Everyone assumed he was dead but somehow he wakes up in the present (2017) and people have forgotten about him. While he tries to adapt to his new life, he begins to find the mystery behind his disappearance as he hopes to go back in time to right a wrong. In the present, however, he finds he has a son, Lee JiHoon (played by Kim MinJae), who pretends to be studying for the civil exam but in reality, he is an idol trainee. He hides this fact because his adopted father and friend to Yoo HyunJae, Gwang Jae (played by Cha TaeHyun) who doesn’t want him to be an idol like his real father. Their lives become even more complicated as Gwang Jae is the only one that recognizes Yoo HyunJae and decides to help him go back in time. However, with a new love interest and a bond created with his son, he soon discovers that the past is not where he is needed. A young Kim MinJae played his role very well. Having trained in his early years to be a rapper, he understands the idol world and with that, he was able to bring to life some of the emotions and struggles that are attributed to a trainee, looking for his break. Which of these dramas have you watched and which of them is your favorite? Let us know in the comments section below. Celeb Lookalike: Kim MinJae And Yeo JinGoo KDRAMA STORIES|Apr 1, 2022 4 Historical K-Dramas Of 2022 KDRAMA STORIES|Apr 5, 2022 K-Fashion 101: Top 10 Looks That Kim MinJae Gave Us In “Dali And Cocky Prince” To Remind Us That Fashion Is Art KDRAMA STORIES|Nov 8, 2021
