Lee Yoo Bi is a bit of a wildcard in the K-drama world. One minute she’s the bubbly, "aegyo"-filled sidekick you want to grab coffee with, and the next, she’s playing a character so manipulative it makes your skin crawl. Honestly, if you’ve only seen her in her early "cute" roles, you’re missing out on the chaotic energy she’s been bringing to the screen lately.
Born into acting royalty—her mom is the legendary Kyeon Mi-ri—Lee Yoo Bi didn't just coast on her name. She’s carved out a niche for playing characters that are, well, complicated. From her breakout in The Innocent Man to her recent award-winning run in The Escape of the Seven, her filmography is a rollercoaster of genre-hopping.
The Evolution of Han Mo-ne and Those Brutal Lies
If we’re talking about tv shows with lee yoo bi, we have to start with the elephant in the room: The Escape of the Seven (2023) and its 2024 sequel, Resurrection. This isn't your typical romance. It’s a "makjang" fever dream where Lee Yoo Bi plays Han Mo-ne, a girl who wants to be an idol so badly she basically sets the world on fire to get there.
She’s terrifying. Truly.
Mo-ne is a character built entirely on a foundation of lies. She frames an innocent girl, abandons a child, and manipulates everyone in her orbit. What makes Lee Yoo Bi’s performance stand out here is how she balances the "idol" persona—the fake smiles and shimmering outfits—with the cold, desperate reality of a girl trapped by her own choices. It’s no wonder she took home the Excellence Award at the 2023 SBS Drama Awards. She made us hate Mo-ne, then feel strangely bad for her, then hate her again. That’s range.
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Why Everyone Still Obsesses Over Ruby in Yumi’s Cells
On the complete opposite end of the spectrum is Ruby. If you’ve watched Yumi’s Cells, you know exactly who I’m talking about. Ruby is that co-worker. You know the one—excessively cute, slightly annoying, and a total pro at professional flirting.
Initially, she feels like a classic "rival" character meant to get under Yumi's skin. But as the seasons progress (and she stays through Season 2 and cameos in Season 3), Ruby becomes something much more human. She’s lonely. She’s trying too hard. By the end, she’s actually part of the "trio" with Yumi and Yi-da.
Lee Yoo Bi once mentioned in a behind-the-scenes clip that she worked specifically on Ruby’s "catty" way of speaking and her distinct fashion. It paid off. She managed to turn a potentially one-dimensional character into a fan favorite.
The Early Classics You Might Have Missed
Long before the high-stakes thrillers, she was the "little sister" of the nation. Seriously.
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- The Innocent Man (2012): She played Kang Choco, the sickly but adorable sister of Song Joong-ki’s character. This was the role that put her on the map. Her chemistry with Lee Kwang-soo was comedy gold.
- Pinocchio (2014): As Yoon Yoo-rae, a sasaeng-fan-turned-reporter, she was the comedic relief we all needed. The hiccups, the obsession with idols—it was relatable in a way that felt very "real-world" 2014.
- Scholar Who Walks the Night (2015): This was her first big leading role. Cross-dressing as a male bookseller in the Joseon era while falling for a vampire (Lee Joon-gi)? It sounds like a lot, and it was. While the drama had some plot holes big enough to drive a carriage through, her performance was widely praised for its sincerity.
The "What If" Moments of Her Career
It’s worth noting that Lee Yoo Bi’s career hasn't been all trophies and hit shows. There’s the "lost" drama, Joseon Exorcist. It was cancelled after only two episodes due to massive historical accuracy controversies in 2021. She played Eo-ri, and while we only saw a glimpse, it was a much darker, more mature role than she’d taken on at the time. It’s a shame, really, because that might have been the turning point for her move into more "serious" acting even earlier.
Then there’s A Poem a Day. It’s a quiet, slice-of-life medical drama. It didn't get huge ratings, but if you want to see her play a grounded, empathetic professional (a physical therapist named Woo Bo-young), this is the one to binge. It’s soothing. It’s like a warm hug in drama form.
What’s Next for Lee Yoo Bi in 2026?
As we move through 2026, the industry is shifting. While blockbusters like Perfect Crown (starring IU and Byeon Woo-seok) are grabbing the headlines, Lee Yoo Bi is rumored to be looking at more "grey" characters. Following the success of the Seven series, she’s proven she can handle high-intensity, villainous roles.
There's chatter about her potentially joining a new OTT-exclusive thriller, though nothing is set in stone just yet. After her stint hosting the 2025 Seoul International Film Awards, it’s clear she’s becoming a fixture in the "prestige" side of the industry, not just the "trending" side.
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How to watch her best work
If you're looking to dive into the best tv shows with lee yoo bi, here is how I'd suggest you tackle it. Don't go in chronological order. Mix it up to see her versatility.
- Watch "The Escape of the Seven" first. See her at her most villainous and intense. It’s a wild ride.
- Cleanse your palate with "Yumi’s Cells". Ruby will make you laugh and roll your eyes in the best way possible.
- Go back to the basics with "The Innocent Man". It’s a classic K-drama melodrama, and she is pure sunshine in it.
- Finish with "A Poem a Day". It shows her ability to carry a show without the bells and whistles of a "makjang" plot.
Honestly, the best thing about following Lee Yoo Bi is that you never quite know what version of her you're going to get. She’s move past being "Kyeon Mi-ri's daughter" and has become a performer who can hold her own against heavyweights like Lee Joon-gi and Hwang Jung-eum. Whether she's playing a lying idol or a quirky reporter, she brings a specific kind of "lived-in" energy to her roles that feels surprisingly human.
Keep an eye on the 2026 casting boards—she’s far from done surprising us.