Honestly, if you haven’t seen Oh Jung Se on your screen yet, you’re basically missing out on one of the most incredible chameleons in modern acting. Most people recognize him now. He’s the guy who played the older brother in It’s Okay to Not Be Okay. But before that? He was just... everywhere. He’s the ultimate "wait, that was him?" actor.
I remember watching When the Camellia Blooms and thinking No Gyu-tae was the most annoying, pathetic, yet somehow lovable landlord ever. Then, almost immediately, he’s playing a neurodivergent artist with so much heart it physically hurts to watch. That kind of range isn't just talent. It's borderline sorcery.
The Roles That Changed Everything
You can't talk about oh jung se movies and tv shows without starting at the 2020 turning point. Before that year, he was a prolific supporting actor. He’d done dozens of roles—police officers, delivery guys, random thugs—since his debut in 1997. But 2020 was different.
It’s Okay to Not Be Okay (2020)
This is the one. If you want to see why he won the Baeksang Arts Award for Best Supporting Actor two years in a row, watch this. He played Moon Sang-tae, a man on the autism spectrum. What made it work wasn't just the mannerisms. It was the dignity. He didn't play a caricature. He played a brother who was fiercely protective, stubborn, and talented.
There's a famous story about him meeting a fan with intellectual disabilities at an amusement park while dressed and acting as Sang-tae. He didn't do it for cameras. He did it because the fan’s family reached out. That’s the kind of guy we’re talking about.
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When the Camellia Blooms (2019)
Before he was Sang-tae, he was No Gyu-tae. This character was a mess. He was desperate for respect but didn't know how to earn it. He wore these ridiculous linen suits and picked fights over pickled radishes. Most actors would make Gyu-tae a villain. Oh Jung Se made him a human being you kind of wanted to hug, even while you were rolling your eyes.
Why He’s the "Scene Stealer" King
If you dig into his older stuff, the variety is wild. He doesn't have a "type."
Look at Extreme Job (2019). He plays Ted Chang, a drug lord who is absolutely ridiculous. He spends half his screen time getting annoyed at his rival. It’s pure comedy gold. Then flip over to The Good Detective, where he plays Oh Jong-tae. He’s cold. He’s rich. He’s genuinely terrifying.
How does the same man do both?
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A Quick Look at the Essentials:
- The Comedy: How to Use Guys with Secret Tips (2013). This is a cult classic. He plays a top star who is incredibly full of himself. If you need a laugh, start here.
- The Noir: Revenant (2023). He plays a folklore professor who can see demons. It’s dark, moody, and shows his more restrained, intellectual side.
- The Weird: Mr. Plankton (2024). He plays Eo Heung, a man chasing after his "stolen" bride. It’s quirky and high-energy.
What’s Happening in 2025 and 2026?
The man does not sleep. Seriously. His schedule for 2025 and 2026 is already packed with projects that sound like they’re going to be massive.
Currently, everyone is talking about Good Boy (2025). He’s playing Min Ju-young, and let me tell you, he is leaning into that "ruthless villain" energy again. It’s a total 180 from his softer roles.
Upcoming Projects to Watch For:
- When the Stars Gossip (2025): A space rom-com with Lee Min-ho and Gong Hyo-jin. He plays Kang Kang-su, a space station expert.
- Fifty Percent (2026): This one sounds fascinating. He’s starring alongside Shin Ha-kyun and Heo Sung-tae. He plays Bong Je-soon, a former North Korean special operative who has lost his memory and ends up working on a remote island.
- Climax (2026): A political noir where he plays Kwon Jong-wook, the ambitious eldest son of a major conglomerate. Expect power struggles and sharp suits.
The "Face Blindness" Factor
Here is a detail that always trips people up: Oh Jung Se has prosopagnosia, which is commonly known as face blindness. He has struggled to recognize people he knows well, even his own family at times.
Think about that for a second.
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An actor, whose entire job is built on human connection, emotion, and reacting to faces, can’t easily recognize them. It makes his performances even more impressive. He relies on voices, movements, and the "vibe" of a person. Maybe that’s why his own physical acting—the way he walks and shifts his weight—is so distinct for every single character.
How to Watch Him
If you're looking to dive into the world of oh jung se movies and tv shows, don't just stick to the big hits.
Start with It’s Okay to Not Be Okay for the emotional damage. Then, jump to Extreme Job to see him be a complete idiot. Finally, check out Revenant to see his range in the horror genre.
The coolest thing about following his career is that you never know what version of him you're going to get. He might be a hero, a loser, a ghost-seer, or a corporate shark. But he's always, always worth watching.
To get the most out of his filmography, keep an eye on his 2026 release Climax on ENA. It's expected to be a major shift into the "power cartel" genre that should cement his status as a leading man who doesn't actually need a "leading man" trope to dominate the screen.