If you’ve spent any time in the K-drama rabbit hole lately, you’ve probably seen her. Maybe she was the sharp-tongued student in a high school thriller or a bubbly supporting character in a historical epic. Honestly, it’s getting harder to find a major production where she doesn't pop up. We’re talking about Lee Soo-min. Born in 2001, she’s part of that powerhouse generation of young Korean actors who seem to have skipped the "awkward phase" and went straight to "award-winning professional."
Most people in Korea first met her as the "Nation’s Little Sister" figure on the EBS children's show Tok! Tok! Boni, Hani. She was just a kid herself then, but her energy was infectious. It’s one of those rare cases where a child star successfully pivots into serious acting without the public feeling like they’re watching a toddler play dress-up.
From Variety Queen to Screen Presence
Before we dive into the heavy hitters of lee soo-min movies and tv shows, we have to acknowledge the Boni Hani era. From 2014 to 2016, she was basically the face of after-school television. It’s where she learned to handle live broadcasts, which is probably why her timing in comedies is so crisp.
But the shift to acting wasn’t just a whim.
She started small. A cameo here, a "young version of the lead" there. You might have spotted her in My Lovely Girl (2014) playing the younger version of Yoon So-eun. It was brief. Blink and you’d miss it. But by 2016, she was landing more substantial work in Second to Last Love. The industry realized she wasn't just a host who could read a teleprompter; she actually had range.
The Big Screen Breakout: The Dude in Me
If there is one movie that solidified her status, it’s the 2019 body-swap comedy The Dude in Me (also known as The Man Inside Me). She played Oh Hyun-jung, a high schooler who deals with bullying and some pretty chaotic family dynamics once a gangster ends up in her classmate's body.
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She held her own against veterans like Park Sung-woong and Ra Mi-ran. That’s not easy. Most young actors get overshadowed in big comedies, but her chemistry with Jinyoung (who played the lead) was one of the highlights of the film. It proved she could handle the physical demands of comedy while keeping the emotional stakes grounded.
The Essential Lee Soo-min Movies and TV Shows You Need to Watch
If you’re looking to catch up on her career, you shouldn't just watch everything. Some roles are definitely more "her" than others. Here is a breakdown of the projects that actually define her trajectory.
1. Revenge of Others (2022)
This Disney+ original is dark. Really dark. She plays Kuk Ji-hyeon, a character that is... well, she’s complicated. She isn't exactly a hero, but she isn't a flat villain either. In a story about high schoolers seeking brutal vengeance, her performance added a layer of tension that kept the plot moving. It’s a far cry from her days hosting kids' shows.
2. The King's Affection (2021)
Historical dramas (sageuks) are the ultimate test for Korean actors. The speech patterns are different, the costumes are heavy, and the acting needs to be more restrained. In The King's Affection, she played Bang Young-ji. While Park Eun-bin was busy carrying the lead role, Lee Soo-min provided the kind of supporting texture that makes the world feel real.
3. Twinkling Watermelon (2023)
This show was a sleeper hit for many. It’s a time-traveling, coming-of-age story centered around music and family. Lee Soo-min played Yoon Sang-ah. It’s one of those roles where she reminds you that she’s actually a contemporary of the audience. She fits perfectly into the "youth" genre because she brings a sense of authenticity to the modern-day struggles of being a student.
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4. Heo’s Diner (2025)
This is one of her most recent projects that fans have been buzzing about. Playing the dual role of Mae Chang and Jung Mi-sol, she really got to flex her versatility. The show blends culinary themes with deep human connection. It’s the kind of project that moves an actress from "the girl in that one show" to a lead who can carry a narrative.
5. Urban Myths (2022)
For the horror fans, she appeared in the "Ghost Marriage" segment of this anthology film. It’s short, punchy, and creepy. Seeing her in a horror setting is interesting because she has such a bright natural aura—subverting that for scares is a classic casting move that worked well here.
What Really Happened With Her Career Transition?
There’s a common misconception that Lee Soo-min had it easy because of her early fame. Honestly, it was the opposite. In the Korean entertainment industry, being a "variety star" can sometimes be a curse. People struggle to take you seriously as a dramatic actress when they’ve spent years seeing you laugh and joke on a daily talk show.
She had to be incredibly picky. Between 2017 and 2020, she did a lot of web series like Devil Inspector and Not a Robot. These were testing grounds. They allowed her to build a filmography away from the mainstream glare of the big three networks (SBS, MBC, KBS).
You’ve also got to look at her agency moves. Moving to Artist Company in 2019 was a huge signal. That’s the agency founded by Lee Jung-jae and Jung Woo-sung. You don’t go there unless you’re serious about a "prestige" acting career. Recently, she’s moved back to J&K Entertainment (as of late 2025), which seems like a strategic play to focus on lead roles as she enters her mid-twenties.
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A Quick Cheat Sheet of Roles
- The Go-To Student: Revenge of Others, The Dude in Me
- The Historical Support: The King's Affection, The Rebel
- The Experimental/Web Lead: Two Universes, Devil Inspector
- The Recent Must-Watch: Heo’s Diner (2025), Would You Marry Me (Cameo)
Why She’s Different
Most actors her age feel like they’re trying too hard. Lee Soo-min has this weirdly calm vibe on camera. Whether she’s playing a "mean girl" or a loyal friend, there’s a naturalism to her speech that feels like someone you actually know.
Basically, she’s not doing "capital A" Acting. She’s just being.
What to Expect Next
As we move through 2026, the buzz is all about her moving into more mature, "adult" roles. The high school uniforms are likely being retired. She has the range for psychological thrillers or even heavy melodramas, and after the success of Heo's Diner, producers are looking at her as a primary lead rather than just the "best friend" or "daughter" character.
If you haven't seen her work yet, start with The Dude in Me for the laughs, then jump into Revenge of Others to see her actually act. It’s a wild ride seeing the transformation.
Your Next Steps:
Check out Heo’s Diner on streaming platforms to see her most recent evolution. If you prefer a binge-watch with higher stakes, Revenge of Others is the way to go. Keep an eye on the 2026 casting announcements—she’s rumored to be circling a major legal drama that could be her biggest role yet.