You know that voice. It’s deep, steady, and sounds like it’s been aged in a cedar barrel for thirty years. If you’ve spent any time watching Korean content, you’ve heard it. It belongs to Han Suk-kyu.
Honestly, it's hard to overstate how much this guy shaped the modern landscape of Hallyu. Before the "Korean Wave" was even a term people used globally, Han was the undisputed king of the box office. He wasn't just an actor; he was the guarantee. If his name was on the poster, people showed up. Period.
But what makes han suk kyu movies and tv shows so enduring isn't just nostalgia. It’s the fact that he’s transitioned from the romantic lead of the 90s to the gritty, authoritative "mentor" figure we see today without losing an ounce of his edge.
The 90s Reign: From Green Fish to Shiri
In the mid-to-late 90s, the Korean film industry was going through a massive growth spurt. Han Suk-kyu was the face of that evolution.
In 1997, he starred in Green Fish, a neo-noir film that basically redefined the gangster genre in Korea. He played Mak-dong, a young man who gets caught up in a web of crime after his military service. It wasn't just a "tough guy" role; it was vulnerable and desperate. That same year, he did The Contact, a movie about two lonely people connecting through a radio show.
The range was wild. One minute he's a low-level thug, the next he's the king of melodrama.
Then came 1999. Shiri.
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If you haven't seen Shiri, you're missing a piece of cinematic history. It was Korea's first real Hollywood-style blockbuster. Han played an intelligence agent chasing a North Korean sniper. It broke box office records, even beating out Titanic in South Korea. It proved that local films could compete with big-budget Western imports.
The Hiatus and the Masterful Comeback
After Shiri and the psychological thriller Tell Me Something, Han actually took a break. He had a herniated disc that sidelined him for a few years. When he came back in the mid-2000s, the industry had changed. A new generation of stars was rising.
He didn't try to compete with the "pretty boys." Instead, he leaned into his craft.
He took on darker, more complex roles in films like The President's Last Bang (2005) and A Bloody Aria (2006). These weren't always "easy" watches. They were political, cynical, and showcased a side of him that was much more biting than his 90s persona.
But it was his move back to television that really cemented his status for a new generation.
Why Dr. Romantic Changed Everything
When people talk about han suk kyu movies and tv shows today, the conversation almost always starts with Dr. Romantic (also known as Romantic Doctor, Teacher Kim).
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Since 2016, he has played Kim Sa-bu, a genius surgeon who works out of a run-down hospital in the countryside. It’s a role that fits him like a glove. He’s cranky, brilliant, and deeply moral.
There’s a specific "Han Suk-kyu" energy in this show—a mix of effortless charisma and terrifying competence. He doesn't need to shout to be the most powerful person in the room. He just uses that voice. The show has run for three seasons, and his performance as Teacher Kim has earned him multiple Daesang (Grand Prize) nominations and wins.
Recent Hits: From Watcher to Shin’s Project
Han hasn't slowed down. In 2019, he headlined Watcher, a psychological thriller where he played an internal affairs detective. It was cold, calculated, and totally different from the warmth of Dr. Romantic.
Just recently, in late 2025, he starred in Shin's Project (Sinsajang Project).
In this one, he plays Mr. Shin, a former top-tier negotiator who now runs—of all things—a fried chicken restaurant. It’s a black comedy that once again shows off his versatility. He uses his negotiation skills to handle everything from unruly customers to deep-seated corruption. It’s weird, funny, and somehow still feels very "Han Suk-kyu." The show topped ratings on tvN during its run and did huge numbers on streaming platforms in Japan and Taiwan.
The "Voice" and the Legacy
What most people get wrong about Han Suk-kyu is thinking he’s just a "prestige" actor. He’s actually incredibly experimental.
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He started as a voice actor for KBS in the early 90s, which is why his diction is so perfect. Young actors today, like Hwang Jung-min and even Rain, have cited him as a massive influence. He’s known as a perfectionist—the kind of guy who studies the rhythm of a script until he can deliver a line that sounds completely natural but carries the weight of a mountain.
If you’re looking to dive into his filmography, you have to look at the variety:
- The Romantic: Christmas in August (1998). It’s quiet, heartbreaking, and arguably one of the best Korean films ever made.
- The Action Star: The Berlin File (2013). He plays a South Korean agent in a gritty espionage plot.
- The King: Deep Rooted Tree (2011). His portrayal of King Sejong is often called the definitive version of the historical figure. He made a legendary king feel human, frustrated, and relatable.
- The Thriller Master: Doubt (2024). A psychological drama where he plays a profiler who discovers his daughter might be involved in a murder case.
What to Watch Right Now
If you're new to his work, don't feel like you have to start at the beginning of the 90s.
Honestly, start with Dr. Romantic. It’s accessible, it’s emotional, and it shows exactly why he’s a legend. If you want something darker, go for The Prison (2017), where he plays a guy who literally runs a prison from the inside.
Han Suk-kyu doesn't just act in movies; he anchors them. Even when he’s playing a supporting role, your eyes gravitate toward him. It’s that gravitational pull that has kept him relevant for over three decades.
For anyone trying to keep up with his 2026 schedule, keep an eye on his upcoming project When the Day Breaks. He’s expected to return to the thriller genre, which, as we’ve seen from his recent run, is where he truly excels at playing morally ambiguous, high-stakes characters.
The best way to appreciate his craft is to watch one of his 90s classics like Christmas in August back-to-back with Shin's Project. You’ll see the same eyes, but an entirely different soul behind them. That’s the mark of a true master.
Start your binge-watch with the first season of Dr. Romantic on Netflix or Viki to see him at his peak. Once you're hooked on Teacher Kim, move to Christmas in August to see the gentler side of the man who literally built the foundation of modern Korean cinema.