Ju Ji Hoon’s must-watch dramas: Ahead of his 42nd birthday here are 4 Korean dramas of this renowned Hallyu star

New Delhi: H& Entertainment manages the versatile Korean star actor Ju Ji Hoon. It felt like he had appeared in every genre imaginable, from romantic comedies to thrillers and beyond. However, his most compelling roles have been in thriller dramas.

He earned the MBC Drama Award for Best New Actor in 2006 for his portrayal of Goong, a main character in a television series. Modelling campaigns for Calvin Klein, Levi’s, and Reebok were his first paid gigs.

Among the countless works by this Hallyu star, ahead of his 42nd birthday (May 16, 1982), let’s see these four Korean dramas that have garnered the most ratings.

1. Blood Free (2024)

This drama, which stars Ju Ji Hoon and Han Hyo Joo, tells the story of how the human diet of animal meat finally comes to an end after millions of years. The market for genetically modified cultured meat is presently dominated by lab-grown meat business BF. Some inside and outside of BF are starting to question the decisions made by CEO Yoon Ja Yoo. In the meanwhile, Woo Chae Woon is enlisted as her bodyguard to shield her from harm.

2. Jirisan (2021)

For generations, sightseers have flocked to Korea’s sacred Mount Jiri. Devoted rangers protect Jirisan National Park, the oldest and biggest in the nation, established in 1967. One of them is the legendary Seo Yi Kang, famous for her exceptional trekking abilities. Accompanying her is Kang Hyun Jo, a military-savvy rookie ranger. They put themselves in harm’s way to safeguard tourists, led by Jo Dae Jin, chief of the Haedong Branch Office. In the unexplored mountain lands, their powers are put to the test as strange rumours spread.

3. Kingdom (2019-2020)

The rumours of the Joseon King’s demise spread as he fell victim to smallpox. A member of the Cho Clan—the pregnant queen’s family—declared the Crown Prince a traitor. The capital was hit hard when a terrible epidemic suddenly swept across the town. Crown Prince Lee Chang seeks out Jo Hak Joo to overthrow him so that he might save the populace from the epidemic and restore his claim to the throne.

4. Hyena (2020)

Hyena interacts with law firms that are cutthroat and serve the wealthiest one per cent of the population. The lines between right and wrong, justice and injustice are all blurred for Jung Geum Ja. Nothing will stop her relentless pursuit of wealth and fame; she is a real hyena at heart. On the other side, the accomplished and prestigious lawyer Yoon Hee Jae has an inflated sense of self-confidence and an intelligent but egotistical intellect. In his role as an ally of the nation’s top official, he has become adept at bending the rules to suit their demands.