If you’re anything like the rest of the K-drama-obsessed world, you probably first clocked Gong Min-jung as the sharp-tongued but loyal best friend in Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha. Or maybe you saw her recently as the overworked, stoic manager in Marry My Husband. But here’s the thing: Gong Min-jung isn't just a "best friend" actress. She’s actually one of the most prolific and respected figures in the South Korean independent film scene, and her journey from indie darling to mainstream household name is honestly one of the coolest arcs in the industry right now.
Finding a definitive list of Gong Min-jung movies and tv shows is harder than it looks because she’s been everywhere—often under the radar. She has this uncanny ability to disappear into a role. One minute she’s a dental nurse in a seaside town, and the next, she’s a high-stakes journalist or a struggling mother in a gritty indie flick.
From Hong Sang-soo to Netflix: The Indie Queen’s Evolution
Most people don’t realize that Gong Min-jung (often credited as Kim Min-jung) is a regular in the world of auteur director Hong Sang-soo. That’s a huge deal. If you know anything about Korean cinema, you know Hong Sang-soo is the king of "slice-of-life" realism.
She appeared in Yourself and Yours (2016), On the Beach at Night Alone (2017), and Grass (2018). These aren't your typical blockbusters. They are talky, atmospheric, and incredibly difficult to act in because there’s nowhere to hide. Her performance in On the Beach at Night Alone is particularly subtle; she plays Ma-ri, a character that feels so real you’d swear you’ve met her at a bar on a Tuesday night.
Then there’s the film Kim Ji-young: Born 1982 (2019). While Gong Yoo and Jung Yu-mi took the headlines, Gong Min-jung played Kim Eun-young, the older sister. She was the firebrand. The one who spoke up when society tried to push her down. It was a pivotal role that bridged the gap between her indie roots and the commercial success she enjoys today.
The TV Shows That Made Her a Star
The transition to television was a slow burn. She didn't just land a lead role overnight.
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You might remember her in Temperature of Love (2017) or Familiar Wife (2018). But the real "aha!" moment for the general public was definitely Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha (2021). Playing Pyo Mi-seon, the dental hygienist who falls for the local cop, she provided the grounded, relatable heart of the show. She wasn't just a sidekick; she was a woman navigating her own desires and insecurities.
In 2024, she took a massive turn in Marry My Husband. Playing Yang Ju-ran, she portrayed a woman dealing with a cheating husband and a cancer diagnosis while trying to maintain her professional dignity. It was a heavy, nuanced performance that proved she could handle intense melodrama just as well as romantic comedy.
What Most People Get Wrong About Her Career
People tend to think she’s a newcomer because of her recent surge in popularity.
Actually, she’s been at this since 2009. Her debut was in a short film called A Perfect Sight. She spent over a decade grinding in the indie circuit, appearing in dozens of shorts like Allergy and Live Club Greyhound. That "overnight success" took about 15 years of hard work.
Another thing? She’s a winner. We're talking real accolades. She picked up the Best Supporting Actress award at the 2022 SBS Drama Awards for her role as the confident Na Ye-jin in One Dollar Lawyer. She also won the Fantastic Best Actor Special Mention at the Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival for Zombie Crush: Heyri (2020). She isn't just "in" shows; she's dominating them.
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When Life Mimics Art: The Marry My Husband Connection
Here is the part that sounds like a K-drama script but is actually 100% real.
In Marry My Husband, her character’s husband was a piece of work. He was played by actor Jang Jae-ho. In a twist that sent fans into a frenzy, Gong Min-jung and Jang Jae-ho actually fell in love in real life. They got married in a beautiful private ceremony in Seoul in September 2024.
Think about that for a second. They had to act out a crumbling, toxic marriage on screen while secretly falling in love behind the scenes. Gong later shared on the variety show Same Bed, Different Dreams 2 that they even welcomed their first child in early 2025. It’s the kind of wholesome update that makes you root for her even more.
Gong Min-jung's Recent and Upcoming Projects (2025-2026)
As of early 2026, she hasn't slowed down one bit. She recently joined the cast of the Netflix series You and Everything Else, a project that fans have been tracking closely since her return from maternity leave.
If you want to catch up on her best work, here’s a quick-glance list of must-watch Gong Min-jung movies and tv shows:
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The Essentials:
- Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha (2021): The perfect starting point for her "best friend" era.
- Marry My Husband (2024): Her most emotionally taxing and rewarding TV role to date.
- One Dollar Lawyer (2022): For those who want to see her play a sharp, professional prosecutor.
- Move the Grave (2020): A fantastic indie film about a family road trip that is both hilarious and heartbreaking.
- Concrete Utopia (2023): A small but memorable "friendship appearance" in a massive disaster blockbuster.
Why You Should Keep Watching
Gong Min-jung represents a specific type of actress that is becoming rare. She’s a "working actress." She doesn't rely on CF deals or social media hype; she relies on the fact that when a director puts a camera on her, she’s going to give them something authentic.
Whether she's playing a detective in Drown (2022) or a struggling track coach in Sprinter (2023), there’s a consistent thread of humanity in her work. She makes the ordinary feel extraordinary.
If you’re looking for your next binge-watch, don't just look at the lead actors. Look for Gong Min-jung in the supporting cast. Usually, that’s where the real story is happening.
Next Steps for Fans:
If you want to see her range beyond the K-drama tropes, track down Move the Grave on indie streaming platforms. It’s arguably her best pure acting performance. Also, keep an eye on Netflix’s 2026 lineup for her new projects, as she is currently transitioning into more "leading lady" territory following her massive success in 2024.