For most of us, we likely came to know and fell in love with Song Ji Hyo through “Running Man.” Whether it’s her easy-going personality or her can-do attitude where she doesn’t back down from any challenges, it’s just very easy to love her. But other than being a member of the long-running variety show, she’s also Song Ji Hyo the actress, who made her acting debut in 2003 and has since been regularly churning out both dramas and movies.
If you enjoy watching our beloved Mong Ji on the small screen, here are some K-dramas from her that you can check out:
“Goong” (2006)
“Goong” was Song Ji Hyo’s official TV debut, and boy what a debut it was! This hit drama is set in a world where Korea is still ruled by a monarchy and thus still has emperors and (crown) princes. The beauty and elegance of this setting shines through and complements the story of a budding love beautifully. One obstacle of said budding love is the character played by Song Ji Hyo, Min Hyo Rin, a talented ballet dancer who was Prince Lee Shin’s (Joo Ji Hoon‘s) girlfriend but decided to choose her career over him. She regrets this decision when he’s arranged to marry another commoner, Shin Chae Kyeong (Yoon Eun Hye), and thus tries to win him back.
Watch “Goong” here:
“Mandate of Heaven: The Fugitive of Joseon” (2013)
Song Ji Hyo has been in a few period dramas over her career, one of which is the 2013 “Mandate of Heaven: The Fugitive of Joseon.” Here, she plays a royal nurse named Hong Da In who finds herself taking pity on Choi Won (Lee Dong Wook), a royal physician who unwittingly becomes entangled in an assassination attempt on the crown prince and thus becomes a fugitive. With Hong Da In’s help, he goes on a mission to both clear his name as well as find ways to cure his ailing daughter. It’s a sweeping sageuk with beautiful cinematography and colorful characters that keep you engaged throughout.
“Emergency Couple” (2014)
“Emergency Couple” is the drama that even the most casual of Song Ji Hyo fans will likely have watched. Among all her projects with her in the starring role, this is the one that’s often mentioned as a favorite, and for good reason. While the drama can be a little quirky, it still has a lot of heart and introspective moments, especially when it takes the time to dissect the breaking down and the re-building of a marriage/relationship. And the tension between the (divorced) couple, played by Song Ji Hyo and Choi Jin Hyuk, is only exacerbated by the fact that they’re both interns in an emergency room. But we don’t mind at all because that tension translates into sizzling chemistry, and honestly, it’s just a great, well-gelled cast all around.
Watch “Emergency Couple” here:
“Ex-Girlfriends’ Club” (2015)
“Ex-Girlfriends’ Club” is likely one of Song Ji Hyo’s zanier fares, so if you’re someone who likes humor painted in broad strokes, then this is a good one to take for a spin. The premise is that Song Ji Hyo’s character, Kim Soo Jin, needs to produce a film adaption of a webtoon which is, lo and behold, penned by her ex-boyfriend. And the webtoon itself? About the webtoon artist’s ex-girlfriends. These ex-girlfriends eventually make their appearances one-by-one, and as you can expect, things get pretty chaotic pretty fast. The characters themselves are a hoot-and-a-half, and the actors fit their roles perfectly. The story itself also feels quite compact (it only has 12 episodes), so everything is pretty snappy, funny, and sweet!
“My Wife Is Having an Affair This Week” (2016)
This drama is, as the title suggests, about a husband who believes that his wife is going to cheat on him and thus turns to the internet to ask for help. The show takes a look at relationships in their various stages, not just through the lens of the main married couple played by Lee Sun Gyun and Song Ji Hyo, but also with its secondary couples (who also super entertaining to watch, by the way). Truthfully, the things we witness aren’t always pleasant, and they can be plenty frustrating, but it’s exactly this rawness that makes the drama just the more wrenching and poignant, and it hooks you in for more.
Watch “My Wife Is Having an Affair This Week” here:
“Lovely Horribly” (2018)
If you like your rom-coms with a side of spook, then this horror fare might be for you. In “Lovely Horribly,” the two main characters, played by Song Ji Hyo and Park Shi Hoo, are linked by a twisted fate — if one of them comes across some good luck, the other will immediately be doused with bad luck. Granted, this drama didn’t get the best reviews during it’s run, but if you go into it with your expectations tempered, you’ll still find yourself intrigued enough to spend a few afternoons with it. (Afternoons, because some parts really do get quite spooky). Plus, there’s Lee Gikwang as the second male lead, who — dare I say it — is a highlight of the show too!
Watch “Lovely Horribly” here:
“Was It Love?” (2020)
Song Ji Hyo plays a single mother in “Was It Love?” and a single mother to a 14-year-old at that. While tackling the issues and prejudices that come with being a single parent (as well as being a child from a single-parent household), the show maintains a lighter tone throughout which makes for an easy watch. The four suitors that all suddenly appear in Noh Ae Jung’s (Song Ji Hyo’s) life are also different and interesting in their own ways, and the show takes its time to reveal who the final winner of Noh Ae Jung’s heart is. Yes, the drama can be a little frustrating at times, but overall, if you’re a fan of this genre, it can still be a pretty breezy watch.
“The Witch’s Diner” (2021)
The latest entry in Song Ji Hyo’s filmography is one that is quite different from her previous K-drama. And we LOVE it. She gets to sink her teeth into a character that’s a little more colorful than her previous roles, and goodness, does she look gorgeous while doing it. She literally looks like she’s glowing as the titular witch who runs a diner. You know, the kind that can grant wishes. And the payment? Your soul.
This urban fantasy drama is only a nice bite-sized eight episodes long, and you’ll not only be treated to tantalizing dishes, but also to some poignant stories about dreams, yearnings, and sacrifice.
Watch “The Witch’s Diner” here:
Which of Song Ji Hyo’s dramas do you love the most? And what other genres/roles would you think she’d shine in? Let us know in the comments below!
Belinda_C thinks Song Ji Hyo is looking suuuper fine in “The Witch’s Diner.”
All-time favorite: “Kill Me Heal Me,” “Defendant,” “Hotel Del Luna“
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