It’s been 9 years since I started watching Korean series and out of all the actors and actresses, Namkoong Min (NKM) is one of my most favorite artists who can nail diverse roles and make us admire or hate the character purely by portraying the character perfectly. Starting from being a Sociopathic villain, mysterious second lead, charming and bubbly chaebol, weird manager, mindblowing manager, superhuman to currently, a 1000won Lawyer… He has a knack for choosing the most wonderful project and making it a success. And that’s what makes a lot of people make things a bit easier while deciding to watch a series. If Namkoong Min starring in a show, it is always a big “Yes” without any hesitation.
Now, as a proud fan of his work, I am going to share with you some of the buzz-worthy and highly entertaining shows that you should definitely add to your binge watch bucket list.
7 Must Watch K-Dramas Starring Namkoong Min
1. Good Manager/ Chief Kim (2017)
The extremely witty and funny show is not the first of Namkoong Min’s shows I watched but absolutely a show which put his acting skills on a pedestal. It is humourous and has a powerful script that makes you hook to the screen till the end. Though NKM won’t look quite handsome for a few, he will eventually make you fall for Chief Kim’s charm. There isn’t a love line, this is not a rom-com, but 2PM Junho who played as NKM’s nemesis in the show will make you feel like it’s a Rom-com, and fun fact, during KBS Award, Namkoong Min and Lee Junho stole the Best Couple Award. Lol. NKM bagged so many awards such as the Top Excellent Actor Award in the 44th Korean Broadcasting Award, Excellence Award in the 31st KBS Drama Award. Besides, this show also won the Best Drama Award during 30th Korea Producer Award.
If I have to tell it in short, this series is therapeutic, you will laugh and laugh and laugh and your mood will brighten up and your worries will go away without a trace.
(Available On Netflix)
2. Hot Stove League
If 5 keywords could define Hot Stove League, it will be #baseball #inspiration #respect #goosebumps #BaekSeungSoo. It has always been that one series that I kind of just respect and I have learned so much from it. One of the most critically acclaimed shows that aired in 2019 and left an unerasable impression in the minds of viewers is Hot Stove League where Namkoong Min acted as Manager who was saving a fallen legendary baseball team – “Dream” from drowning and making them into Champions. Fyi, our manager has 0 experience in managing a baseball team but studies, learns and try. Every episode lets you see yourself in the shoes of Baek Seung Soo, the role NKM portrayed. Baek Seung Soo is the most splendid character that was ever played by NKM. Seeing the bubbly charming Chief Kim and looking at this character makes you realize how much of a talented artist NKM is. He hardly smiles but the ones that come at random times steal your heart. His character is like a life quote feeder, so make sure to note them down.
Being one of the highest-rated dramas, the drama bagged all the awards as the best drama such as Outstanding Korean Drama in 15th Seoul International Drama Awards, 33rd Grimae Awards, Namkoong Min for his stunning performance won awards for Talented Actor and Best Actor.
Stove League is a masterpiece and a pure inspirational unmissable work of Namkoong Min.
(Available On Netflix)
3. Beautiful Gong Shim
Beautiful Gong Shim is Hilarious!… This Rom-Com which was telecasted in 2016, that’s right before Chief Kim. And it gives all the reasons as to why Namkoong Min was cast for Good Manager. Both Minah and NKM come as a package, whether their heart-fluttering scenes or terrifically jaw-dropping comic sequence, everything adds up to healthy laughter that makes you remember everything about this show again and again. I have laughed on my own a thousand times thinking about the bus stop scene, which I am not going to explain, cause you guys should watch it.
This show also like any other work of NKM, won many awards and nominations. It is one of the most rememberable, funny, colorful, heart-fluttering, and once-more watchable kinds of show. Sometimes, watching it with your friends with popcorn adds more joy to it.
(Available On Netflix)
4. Awaken
Awaken was telecasted during the Covid lockdown period and it was quite a remarkable piece of work. It is a mysterious story studded with lots of action sequences and supernatural elements. From beginning to end it carries the unceasing thrill and Nam Koong Min gave great justice to his character Do Jung Woo. Despite the dark character of the show, the collaboration of NKM with other characters played by Kim Seon Hyn and Lee Chung ah gives it more than enough reason to watch it. Though NKM has starred as a psychopath and sociopath, this is one of the most diverse characters he has played, and the action sequence is so eye-catching and entertaining to watch.
Most underrated thrilling and science fiction show of NKM!
(Available On Netflix)
5. Doctor Prisoner
In Doctor Prisoner, NKM leads the story as a revenge-seeking character. It’s the rivalry between good, bad, and everything in between. NKM’s character as a medical professional in this series has a powerful yet dark persona and has influential dialogues and wittiness. And that brings all the charm and lets you enjoy the entire show with full of curiosity. It is similar to Awaken when it comes to the suspense and thrill it carries and naturally the show has maintained the highest ratings during its telecast from beginning to end. It was one of the most buzz-worthy series in 2019 and the series won the title of Outstanding Korean Drama at 14th Seoul International Festival.
(Available On Netflix)
6. The Girl Who Sees Scents
Namkoong Min wasn’t the main lead but will give you the best impression of being the most versatile actor I am going to not get deep into his role, but as a chef and as a mystery character he nailed it. That is what you get in The Girl Who Sees Scents. And I would definitely recommend this show for its wonderful casting and unique storyline. You won’t forget the different acting spectrum od NKM which you witness in this drama.
(Available On Netflix)
7. My Secret Hotel
If you want to experience second lead syndrome through Namkoong Min, My Secret Hotel is one of the most underrated “Who Did It?” kinds of series. It is again one of the most thrilling yet beautiful and funny series. And quite a memorable show among the K-series I have watched. And I have recently found out that it didn’t have a successful reach in South Korea. Though NKM did not played as a lead character, I would say his role was quite an impressive and memorable. And you could get to see quite a different side of the 44-year-old actor during his acting career in 2014. It was also the time the 12 Years Promise series came, in which NKM starred as the main lead. If you are free, add it to your list too.
Apart from these, NKM also starred in other shows like Falsify, The Undatables, I Need Romance 3, and Unemployed Romance.
Currently, One Dollar Lawyer/ 1000 Won Lawyer is being telecasted, which you can watch in Disney Hotstar if you have a subscription! Also, our Namkoong Min is getting married to his long time Girlfriend Tomorrow!!! This post is also is a way of me congratulating for NKM!😂
And that’s it! Hope you guys enjoy watching the shows during your free time and let me know which one of the show of Namkoong Min you liked the most.
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