5 K-drama supporting actresses who deserve more love
The title speaks for itself. "No small roles, only small actors" they say. Here are some of my favorite actresses known for playing supporting / guest roles and where you might have seen them. List created in no particular order. Gifs not mine!
Potential spoilers for the following series: Extraordinary Attorney Woo; Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha; and Hotel Del Luna.
Lee Bong-ryun
I was inspired to write this post because of her recent stint as feminist-activist Attorney Ryu in Extraordinary Attorney Woo (ep. 12), but I first noticed her in Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha, where she plays the warm but no-nonsense zone chief Yeo Hwa Jeong.
Other incredible work can be seen in Sweet Home (her eerie-vibe in the trailer alone was enough to make me give it a shot) and Run On.
Yeom Hye-ran
With her recent Best Supporting Actress win at this year's Baeksang Awards for The Uncanny Counter, offers should be pouring in for Yeom Hye-ran. I'm not even surprised anymore when I see her in a show since she can fit in practically anywhere. From the annoying aunt in Goblin and the battered wife in Dear My Friends, to the ruler of the underworld in Mystic Pop-Up bar and the superpowered healer from The Uncanny Counter, she definitely has the range.
Jin Kyung
I always mix up Jin Kyung with Lee El (whom I also love) because they carry a certain elegance and mystery that make them stand out no matter how little screen time they have. Currently featured as Tae Su-mi in Extraordinary Attorney Woo, she has been effective in making viewers speculate, sympathize, admire, and dislike her with the brief appearances she has made.
I've also enjoyed her work in Melancholia as Noh Jung-ah, Dr. Romantic as Nurse Oh Myung-shim, and Pinocchio as Song Cha-ok.
Seo Yi-sook
I paid more attention to Hotel Del Luna because I was constantly on the lookout for the next Mago shin sister. She plays six of them in this drama and they are so distinct from each other that you may forget they're played by the same person. Due to her charisma, gravelly voice, and amazing diction, she often gets cast as the CEO's antagonistic wife or a competent authority figure whom you're not too sure whose side she's on. Whatever it may be, she always makes it count. One hell of a singing voice too (watch her sing on JTBC's Hot Singers).
Other notable credits: Terius Behind Me; The World of the Married; Do Do Sol Sol La La Sol.
Cha Chung-hwa
Known to many fans as Court Lady Choi in Mr. Queen and one of the North Korean ahjummas in Crash Landing On You, I've come to appreciate not only Cha Chung-hwa's comedic timing but also her immense talent in subtle dramatic acting. While I initially wasn't the biggest fan of Nam-suk the town gossip in Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha, I was impressed by her heartfelt portrayal of a grieving mother who uses gossip and humor as therapy. Other wonderful roles and guest appearances include: Hospital Playlist 2; Hotel Del Luna; and On the Verge of Insanity.
