As Korean dramas continue to captivate global audiences, streaming platforms are in fierce competition to deliver the best original content each year. Since the massive success of Moving (2023), Disney+ Hotstar has ramped up its production of original dramas. Their latest offering, Red Swan, stars Rain as the lead actor. Here’s a look at five prominent Korean actors leading Disney+ original dramas in 2024.
1. Lee Dong Wook — A Shop for Killers
Lee Dong Wook In The Drama A Shop For Killers (Doc. Disneyplus/A Shop For Killers)
Disney+’s first drama of 2024, A Shop for Killers, is adapted from the novel The Killer’s Shopping Mall by Kim Ji Young. The story revolves around Jeong Ji An (Kim Hye Jun), a college student orphaned after a tragic accident. Raised by her uncle, Jeong Ji Man (Lee Dong Wook), who runs an ordinary-looking shopping mall, Ji An’s life takes a dark turn when her uncle suddenly dies by suicide.
Ji An discovers that the mall is a front for a secret organization that sells weapons to assassins. As secrets unravel, Ji An becomes a target herself. The drama promises intense suspense as Ji An uses the survival skills taught by her uncle to uncover the truth behind his death.
2. Lee Jae Wook — The Impossible Heir
Lee Jae Wook In The Drama The Impossible Heir (Doc. Disneyplus/The Impossible Heir)
Set in the high-stakes world of business, The Impossible Heir features Lee Jae Wook as Han Tae Oh and Lee Jun Young as Kang In Ha. The story explores the ambitions of two young men from different backgrounds who aim to dismantle the chaebol system to gain control of the Kangoh Group.
Han Tae Oh, from a poor family with a tragic past, and Kang In Ha, an illegitimate son from a wealthy family, forge a bond in high school. Their partnership strengthens as they grow older, each driven by personal vendettas and the desire for power. Tae Oh aids In Ha in his quest to take over the Kangoh Group, setting the stage for a gripping narrative of betrayal and ambition.
3. Ju Ji Hoon — Blood Free
Ju Ji Hoon In The Drama Blood Free (Doc. Disneyplus/Blood Free)
In the thriller and science fiction drama Blood Free, Ju Ji Hoon stars as Woo Chae Woon, a former soldier hired as a bodyguard for Yoon Ja Yoo (Han Hyo Joo), the CEO of a company producing genetically modified meat. As BF’s meat dominates the market, Ja Yoo faces threats and assassination attempts.
Chae Woon, who suspects Ja Yoo of being involved in a terrorist attack that injured his former boss, the South Korean President, joins her team with ulterior motives. The drama delves into technological advancements and moral dilemmas, keeping viewers on the edge of their seats.
4. Song Kang Ho — Uncle Samsik
Song Kang Ho In The Drama Uncle Samsik (Doc. Disneyplus/Uncle Samsik)
Making his drama debut, Song Kang Ho stars in Uncle Samsik, set in the 1960s. The drama follows Park Doo Chil (Song Kang Ho), affectionately known as Uncle Samsik due to his ability to provide three meals a day for his family even during wartime.
Park Doo Chil meets Kim San (Byun Yo Han), an ambitious young man with a vision to transform Korea into an advanced industrial center. With Uncle Samsik’s strategic planning and survival skills, the two set out to achieve Kim San’s dream, overcoming numerous obstacles along the way.
5. Rain — Red Swan
Rain In The Drama Red Swan (Doc. Disneyplus/Red Swan)
Making his comeback after two years, Rain stars in Red Swan as Seo Do Yoon, a bodyguard with hidden intentions. The drama follows Oh Wan Soo (Kim Ha Neul), a world-class golfer who marries the heir to the Hwain Group. As Wan Soo ascends to power, she uncovers dark secrets within the family.
Do Yoon, a police university graduate skilled in martial arts, joins the Hwain Group’s security team to protect Wan Soo while pursuing his own agenda. Together, they unravel the family’s secrets, leading to a thrilling and suspenseful narrative.
Disney+ has truly outdone itself with these captivating dramas, featuring top actors and diverse storylines. Who else is eagerly waiting to watch Red Swan?
