Sul Kyung-gu is one of South Korea’s most respected and talented actors. With a career spanning over three decades, he has delivered many memorable performances in both films and TV dramas. As of 2025, Sul Kyung-gu continues to impress audiences with his versatility and acting prowess. Let’s take a look at 10 of his best works in Korean dramas and movies up to 2025.
1. The Whirlwind (2024)
This political drama series showcases Sul Kyung-gu in one of his most powerful roles to date. He plays Park Dong-ho, the Prime Minister who becomes Acting President and later President of South Korea. The story revolves around a intense power struggle at the highest levels of government.
Sul Kyung-gu’s portrayal of a conflicted leader facing impossible choices is truly captivating. His character must navigate complex political machinations while grappling with moral dilemmas. The actor brings depth and nuance to the role, allowing viewers to empathize with Park Dong-ho even when he makes controversial decisions.
The Whirlwind received critical acclaim for its taut storytelling and outstanding performances. Sul Kyung-gu’s chemistry with co-star Kim Hee-ae, who plays his political rival, is especially noteworthy. Their verbal sparring and power plays keep viewers on the edge of their seats throughout the 12-episode series.
2. A Normal Family (2023)
This thought-provoking drama film sees Sul Kyung-gu take on the role of Jae-wan, a successful lawyer caught in an ethical dilemma. When Jae-wan is hired to defend a wealthy client’s son who committed a violent crime, it forces him to confront his own values and family relationships.
The story unfolds during a series of tense dinner conversations between Jae-wan, his brother, and their wives. Sul Kyung-gu delivers a nuanced performance as a man struggling to reconcile his professional obligations with his personal morals. His portrayal of Jae-wan’s inner conflict and gradual unraveling is both subtle and powerful.
A Normal Family tackles weighty themes of privilege, justice, and family loyalty. Sul Kyung-gu’s restrained yet emotionally charged performance anchors the film and elevates it beyond a simple morality tale. His scenes with Jang Dong-gun, who plays his brother, crackle with tension and unspoken resentments.
3. The Moon (2023)
In this gripping space survival drama, Sul Kyung-gu plays Kim Jae-guk, a former head of South Korea’s space program who is called back into action when a lunar mission goes wrong. His character must use all his knowledge and experience to try and save a stranded astronaut.
The film combines spectacular visuals of outer space with intense human drama. Sul Kyung-gu conveys Jae-guk’s determination, resourcefulness, and underlying guilt over past failures. His performance grounds the high-concept plot in relatable emotions.
Some of the most compelling scenes in The Moon show Jae-guk problem-solving under extreme pressure. Sul Kyung-gu makes the scientific and technical aspects feel accessible while never losing sight of the human stakes. His interactions with Doh Kyung-soo, who plays the stranded astronaut, form the emotional core of the film.
4. Kill Boksoon (2023)
This action-packed crime thriller allows Sul Kyung-gu to showcase a different side of his acting range. He plays Cha Min-kyu, the ruthless head of an agency of professional killers. His character is both charismatic and terrifying as he manipulates those around him.
While Sul Kyung-gu is not the main character, his scenes steal the show. He imbues Min-kyu with a quiet menace that makes him a formidable antagonist. At the same time, the actor hints at the character’s hidden vulnerabilities, making him more than a one-dimensional villain.
Kill Boksoon balances intense action sequences with dark humor and emotional depth. Sul Kyung-gu’s performance as the morally ambiguous Min-kyu adds complexity to the story. His confrontations with Jeon Do-yeon, who plays the titular assassin, are highlights of the film.
5. Phantom (2023)
Set in 1933 during the Japanese occupation of Korea, this period spy thriller sees Sul Kyung-gu take on the challenging role of Murayama Junji. His character is a Japanese police officer tasked with uncovering a spy among a group of suspects gathered at a remote hotel.
Sul Kyung-gu delivers a masterful performance, portraying Junji’s conflicted loyalties and growing paranoia. Despite playing a character on the “wrong” side of history, the actor makes Junji’s motivations understandable if not sympathetic. His subtle expressions and body language convey volumes about the character’s inner turmoil.
Phantom’s tense, claustrophobic atmosphere is enhanced by Sul Kyung-gu’s commanding screen presence. He holds his own in scenes with a talented ensemble cast, including Lee Hanee and Park So-dam. The actor’s portrayal of Junji’s slow unraveling as the mystery deepens is particularly compelling.
6. The Boys (2022)
Based on a true story, this crime drama features Sul Kyung-gu as Hwang Joon-cheol, the head of a team reinvestigating a robbery and murder case. His character must uncover the truth about a group of boys wrongly accused of the crime years earlier.
Sul Kyung-gu brings gravitas and emotional depth to the role of Joon-cheol. He conveys the character’s determination to right a past wrong while also showing the toll the case takes on him personally. The actor’s understated performance allows the story’s inherent drama to shine through.
The Boys tackles serious themes of justice, corruption, and the abuse of power. Sul Kyung-gu’s portrayal of Joon-cheol as a flawed but principled investigator adds weight to these themes. His scenes interviewing the now-grown “boys” and confronting officials who covered up the truth are particularly powerful.
7. Kingmaker (2022)
In this political drama, Sul Kyung-gu plays Kim Woon-beom, an ambitious politician aiming for the presidency. The story follows his rise to power and the moral compromises he makes along the way, guided by a brilliant but unscrupulous campaign strategist.
Sul Kyung-gu’s performance as Woon-beom is a tour de force, showing the character’s transformation from an idealistic outsider to a cunning political operator. The actor conveys Woon-beom’s inner conflict as he grapples with the ethical costs of his ambition. At the same time, he maintains the character’s charisma and appeal to voters.
Kingmaker offers a fascinating look at the machinations behind political campaigns. Sul Kyung-gu’s nuanced portrayal of Woon-beom adds depth to the film’s exploration of power, loyalty, and the nature of leadership. His chemistry with Lee Sun-kyun, who plays his campaign strategist, drives much of the story’s drama.
8. The Book of Fish (2021)
This historical drama sees Sul Kyung-gu take on the role of Jeong Yak-jeon, a 19th-century scholar exiled to a remote island. The film follows Jeong’s unlikely friendship with a young fisherman and their collaboration on a book about marine life.
Sul Kyung-gu delivers a sensitive, layered performance as the learned but humbled Jeong. He conveys the character’s initial frustration and despair at his exile, as well as his gradual opening up to new experiences and knowledge. The actor’s portrayal of Jeong’s intellectual curiosity and growing appreciation for the island’s natural beauty is particularly touching.
The Book of Fish is a gentle, contemplative film that allows Sul Kyung-gu to showcase his range as an actor. His scenes with Byun Yo-han, who plays the young fisherman, are full of warmth and mutual respect. The film’s themes of learning, adaptation, and finding purpose in unexpected places are beautifully embodied in Sul Kyung-gu’s performance.
9. Birthday (2019)
This emotionally powerful drama features Sul Kyung-gu as Jung-il, a father grappling with the loss of his son in a tragic ferry accident. The film explores the impact of grief on a family and a community, inspired by the real-life Sewol ferry disaster.
Sul Kyung-gu’s portrayal of Jung-il’s pain, guilt, and slow journey towards healing is deeply moving. He conveys the character’s anguish with restraint, allowing small gestures and expressions to speak volumes. The actor’s chemistry with Jeon Do-yeon, who plays his wife, adds to the film’s emotional resonance.
Birthday tackles difficult themes of loss, forgiveness, and resilience. Sul Kyung-gu’s nuanced performance as Jung-il helps ground these heavy topics in relatable human experiences. His scenes remembering his son and trying to reconnect with his family are particularly poignant.
10. Memoir of a Murderer (2017)
While slightly older than the other entries on this list, Memoir of a Murderer deserves mention for Sul Kyung-gu’s extraordinary performance. He plays Byung-soo, a former serial killer now suffering from Alzheimer’s disease, who must protect his daughter from another killer.
Sul Kyung-gu’s portrayal of Byung-soo’s mental deterioration and desperate attempts to hold onto his memories is both heartbreaking and chilling. He masterfully conveys the character’s confusion, frustration, and flashes of his former dangerous self. The actor’s physical transformation for the role is also impressive.
Memoir of a Murderer blends elements of thriller and drama to create a unique and compelling story. Sul Kyung-gu’s complex performance as Byung-soo elevates the film beyond its genre trappings. His scenes struggling to piece together clues and confront the new killer are tense and emotionally charged.
