Hyun Bin’s best moments, from Netflix series Crash Landing on You to acing military service – 5 reasons to love the Korean drama hottie
As Crash Landing on You and Secret Garden star Hyun Bin turns 38 on September 25, we look back on the most memorable milestones in the K-drama actor’s career – from exemplary military service to his breakout roles in Bodyguard and My Lovely Sam Soon, and his eventual transformation from amateur actor to one of Korea’s most bankable talents
1. In 2003, Hyun started out portraying strikingly unusual roles: a stalker and a bodyguard
In the 2003 drama Bodyguard, Hyun played the role of the main character’s stalker, a minor part that showcased his acting chops nonetheless.
The following year, he joined the cast of Ireland, playing the role of a bodyguard who develops romantic feelings for an adult film star. It won him best new actor at the MBC Drama Awards in 2004.
2. His role in My Lovely Sam Soon solidified his status from a rookie actor to a top star
At the height of Korea‘s hallyu wave, Hyun became a household name after the success of My Name Is Kim Sam-soon (also known in English as My Lovely Sam Soon). He took on the role of a dashing restaurant owner who eventually falls for Kim Sam-soon, a talented pastry chef who is insecure about her name, which she considers old-fashioned, and her body.
The romcom drama, which achieved a domestic average viewership rating of up to 37 per cent of viewer share, with its finale peaking at 50 per cent, also won Hyun acting recognition.
3. In 2011, Hyun starred in Secret Garden, a massive hit, and sang for its official soundtrack, which topped the charts