Kim Sang-joong is a well-known South Korean actor with a career spanning over three decades. He has starred in many popular dramas and movies, winning awards for his performances. As of 2025, here are the top 10 Korean dramas and movies featuring Kim Sang-joong that you shouldn’t miss.
1. Knight Flower (2024)
“Knight Flower” is Kim Sang-joong’s most recent drama, airing in 2024. In this series, he plays the role of Seok Ji-sung. The drama received positive reviews from critics and audiences alike, with an impressive rating of 8.4 out of 10 on popular drama rating sites.
Key points:
- Genre: Historical, Romance
- Episodes: 12
- Kim Sang-joong’s role: Seok Ji-sung (Main Role)
- Viewer Rating: 8.4/10
2. The Rebel: Thief Who Stole the People (2017)
This historical drama was a big hit, earning Kim Sang-joong the Grand Prize at the MBC Drama Awards. He played the role of Hong Ah-mo-gae, the father of the main character Hong Gil-dong. The series tells the story of a group of bandits during the Joseon Dynasty who fight against corruption and inequality.
Key points:
- Genre: Historical, Action
- Episodes: 30
- Kim Sang-joong’s role: Hong Ah-mo-gae (Supporting Role)
- Viewer Rating: 8.5/10
3. Bad Guys (2014)
In this action-packed crime drama, Kim Sang-joong plays Oh Goo-tak, a detective who forms a team of criminals to catch other criminals. The show was so popular that it led to a spin-off movie and a second season.
Key points:
- Genre: Action, Crime
- Episodes: 11
- Kim Sang-joong’s role: Oh Goo-tak (Main Role)
- Viewer Rating: 8.5/10
4. City Hunter (2011)
“City Hunter” is one of Kim Sang-joong’s most famous dramas. He plays Lee Jin-pyo, also known as Steve Lee, a former government agent seeking revenge. This action-packed series was a huge hit both in Korea and internationally.
Key points:
- Genre: Action, Romance
- Episodes: 20
- Kim Sang-joong’s role: Lee Jin-pyo/Steve Lee (Main Role)
- Viewer Rating: 8.3/10
5. The Chaser (2012)
In this thrilling drama, Kim Sang-joong portrays Kang Dong-yoon, a presidential candidate involved in a complex web of murder and cover-ups. His performance in this series was highly praised by critics.
Key points:
- Genre: Thriller, Crime
- Episodes: 16
- Kim Sang-joong’s role: Kang Dong-yoon (Main Role)
- Viewer Rating: 7.7/10
6. My Husband’s Woman (2007)
This drama explores the complicated relationships between married couples. Kim Sang-joong plays Hong Joon-pyo, a middle-aged man having an affair with his wife’s best friend. The series was known for its realistic portrayal of marriage and infidelity.
Key points:
- Genre: Melodrama, Romance
- Episodes: 24
- Kim Sang-joong’s role: Hong Joon-pyo (Main Role)
- Viewer Rating: 7.1/10
7. The Bad Guys: Reign of Chaos (2019)
This movie is a spin-off of the popular “Bad Guys” drama series. Kim Sang-joong reprises his role as Oh Goo-tak, leading a team of criminals to solve a prison bus escape case. The film was a box office success in Korea.
Key points:
- Genre: Action, Crime
- Runtime: 114 minutes
- Kim Sang-joong’s role: Oh Goo-tak (Main Role)
- Box Office: Over 4 million tickets sold in Korea
8. Our Sunhi (2013)
In this art-house film directed by acclaimed filmmaker Hong Sang-soo, Kim Sang-joong plays Professor Choi Dong-hyun. The movie explores the relationships between a young woman named Sunhi and three men who are interested in her.
Key points:
- Genre: Drama, Art Film
- Runtime: 88 minutes
- Kim Sang-joong’s role: Professor Choi Dong-hyun (Main Role)
- Awards: Won the Best Director award at the Locarno International Film Festival
9. The Banker (2019)
This drama series focuses on the world of banking and finance. Kim Sang-joong plays Noh Dae-ho, a key character in the story. The series received positive reviews for its realistic portrayal of the banking industry.
Key points:
- Genre: Business, Drama
- Episodes: 32
- Kim Sang-joong’s role: Noh Dae-ho (Main Role)
- Viewer Rating: 7.5/10
10. Eight Days, Assassination Attempts against King Jeongjo (2007)
In this historical drama, Kim Sang-joong takes on the role of King Jeongjo, one of the most famous kings in Korean history. The series depicts the king’s struggle to reform the Joseon Dynasty while facing numerous assassination attempts.
Key points:
- Genre: Historical, Political
- Episodes: 10
- Kim Sang-joong’s role: King Jeongjo (Main Role)
- Viewer Rating: 6.9/10