Encore: Chun Woo-Hee’s Diverse Filmography Over the Years

Since her debut in 2004, South Korean actress Chun Woo-hee has challenged herself by taking on a multitude of roles. From playing a side character in the 2011 film Sunny to leading in the 2021 film Waiting for Rain, she has has brought a wide variety of characters to life. When discussing her incentive when choosing roles, Chun stated, “I want to support and bring attention to things that can be empowering. I believe that experiencing different works as an actor can broaden my perspective.” 

In her 20th debut anniversary year, Chun continues to impress audiences with her appealing portrayals. During the first half of 2024, the release schedule for her most recent Netflix projects Atypical Family and The 8 Show overlapped. Audiences unfamiliar with her work were shocked to see her depict two drastically different characters. From notable Netflix appearances to hidden gems, EnVi presents seven recommendations for those who are interested in familiarizing themselves with this adept actress. 

Atypical Family (2024)

Atypical Family, a fantasy romance series, revolves around the Boks — a modern-day superhuman family. The male lead, Bok Gwi-ju (Jang Ki-yong), can travel back to moments when he experienced happiness. His sister, Bok Dong-hee (Claudia Kim), possesses the ability to fly, and their mother, Bok Man-heum (Go Doo-shim), sees the future through her dreams. Meanwhile, Gwi-ju’s daughter, Bok I-na (Park So-i), can read people’s minds when she looks into their eyes, but she chooses to suppress this ability by hiding behind glasses. 

After the tragic death of Gwi-ju’s wife, the family falls into a dysfunctional state and their powers are affected by modern ailments such as depression, insomnia, and obesity. Chun Woo-hee plays Do Da-hae, a skilled con artist who plans to acquire the Bok family’s wealth. After meeting Mrs. Bok, Do successfully infiltrates the Bok family home working as an in-home massage therapist. Unaware of the family’s various superpowers, Do assumes her mission will be a walk in the park. While helping the Bok family, Do realizes that she has some problems of her own to overcome. 

The 8 Show (2024) 

This dark-comedy series follows eight strangers from different backgrounds who come together in a mysterious game. Without the game’s rules being explicitly stated, the contestants resort to a trial and error method. Through the show’s narrator, 3F (Ryu Jun-yeol), it is revealed that for every minute that passes, 30,000 won (approximately $21 USD) is earned. With a clock counting down from 24 hours, there is a possibility of earning 43,200,000 won (approximately $31,000 USD). The simple solution would be to wait it out and collect the prize money in the end but, as more rules get revealed, things become more complicated. Chun plays the role of 8F, a ditzy woman who initially poses no threat to the other contestants. Later, when it is revealed that she is on top of the hierarchy, some players turn on her while others opt to form an alliance. 

Unlocked (2023)

For her first Netflix production, Chun took on the role of a victim instead of a perpetrator. In the psychological thriller, she plays Lee Na-mi, an office worker who leads a normal life. One day during her commute home, she loses her phone on the bus. Luckily, her phone was picked up by a stranger and dropped off at a repair shop. When she goes to retrieve her lost phone, she meets Oh Jun-yeong (Im Si-wan), who repairs her phone — and installs spyware. Since Na-mi always has her phone with her, Jun-yeong gathers sensitive information and effectively dismantles her faultless life. 

Delightfully Deceitful (2023)

In the revenge drama Delightfully Deceitful, Chun takes on the role of a former child prodigy who exhibits psychopathic tendencies. Lee Ro-eum (Chun Woo-hee), who was imprisoned due to suspicions of her committing parricide, was released on probation when the real killer was discovered. With her manipulation tactics and photographic memory, she makes a living working as a con artist while dodging suspicions from Go Yo-han (Yoon Park), her probation officer. Her unorthodox lifestyle is further challenged when she comes into contact with hyper-empathetic attorney Han Moo-young (Kim Dong-wook). Despite a warning from his therapist, Mo Jae-in (Sojin), Han chooses to see past Lee’s behavior believing he can help her. Together they fight to dismantle a corrupt gifted scholarship program. 

Be Melodramatic (2019)

Be Melodramatic features three friends in their 30s who navigate different personal struggles. Lee Eun-jung (Jeon Yeo-been) is a director and CEO of her one-woman production company. After the death of her fiancé, she falls into deep grief and attempts to take her life. Without much word, Lee’s long-time friends move in and offer her unconditional support. Hwang Han-joo (Han Ji-eun) is a single mother and the head of marketing at a drama production company. When her husband divorces her, she struggles to find a balance between her work and home life. Rounding out the friend group is Lim Jin-joo (Chun Woo-hee), who is an amateur drama screenwriter and gains the opportunity to produce a drama with a prominent director, Son Beom-soo (Ahn Jae-hong). During the course of production, the pair who once bickered aimlessly began to develop romantic feelings for one another. 

Love, Lies (2016)

Just a year after starring in The Beauty Inside, Chun reunited with co-stars Han Hyo-joo and Yoo Yeon-seok for the period drama film, Love, Lies. The film is set during the Japanese occupation of Korea in 1943 and follows two women as they navigate difficulties in love and their career. Chun plays Seo Yeon-hee, who is a talented gisaeng (also referred to as an artist) and a friend to Jung So-yul (Han Hyo-joo). The two met when Seo was abandoned by her father at the last remaining gwonbeon — the training institution for gisaengs. Although the two are interested in the emerging pop genre, they are also expected to master the art of traditional singing during their training. They promise to keep their virtue and remain the only gisaeng who sing traditional songs until their last days. That is until Kim Yoon-woo (Yoo Yeon-seok), a top pop songwriter comes between them. 

Han Gong-ju (2014) 

Inspired by the 2004 Miryang gang rape case, Han Gong-ju follows a young teen as she grapples with a grievous event from the past. The film begins with Gong-ju (Chun Woo-hee) transferring to a new school amid a scandal in her hometown. Between being harassed by an angry mob of parents and avoiding the advances of nosy classmates, Gong-ju struggles to keep a low profile. 

In 2014, Han Gong-ju made history becoming one of the most successful Korean independent films of all time. Within a month of its release, the film garnered 200,000 viewers and continued to draw in a steady audience despite the release of films like Amazing Spider-Man 2. Chun received 13 nominations for her role and took home eight awards, including Best Actress at the 35th Blue Dragon Awards. During a recent appearance on You Quiz on the Block, Chun expressed the impact of such an intense role, saying, “It felt like Han Gong-ju and I spent a lot of time leaning on and depending on each other. Although I’ve let go of other characters I’ve played, I felt a sense of duty to always protect Gong-ju.” Continuing on, she stated, “I hope that those who were hurt could find some comfort while watching.” 

What’s Next? 

In June, it was reported that Chun Woo-hee was in talks to join the cast of the upcoming drama My Youth. The drama will be developed by Run On scriptwriter Park Shi-hyun and director Lee Sang-yeop, who has worked on Yumi’s Cells, Familiar Wife, and Shopping King Louis. After 15 years, Sun Woo-hae and Sung Je-yeon reunite and live boldly despite their respective life struggles. Other actors set to join the cast include Song Joong-ki, Lee Joo-myung, and Seo Ji-hoon. 

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