Kim Ji-won in 'Queen of Tears.' Photo from Netflix K-content's X accountFrom the icy elegance of a privileged heiress to the endearing quirkiness of an aspiring television announcer, Kim Ji-won has won the hearts of K-drama audiences with her portrayal of a wide range of characters.

Before appearing on the small screen, Ji-won was poised for a different kind of spotlight. She initially trained as a stage performer, with plans for debut as a singer, according to a South China Morning Post profile.

However, Ji-won’s career path took a different turn. She made her screen debut in 2011 with the romance film “Romantic Heaven” and the sitcom “High Kick: Revenge of the Short Legged” before getting a breakthrough in the hit teen series “The Heirs” in 2013.

Looking back on 'The Heirs': Teen series spawns popular K-drama stars

Ji-won steadily ascended to leading roles in several popular dramas. Her most recent triumph, “Queen of Tears,” became the highest-rated series on Korean network tvN to date.

For fans eager to immerse themselves in the works of Kim Ji-won, we curated below a list of her must-watch K-dramas.

The Heirs (2013)

Also Starring: Lee Min-ho, Park Shin-hye, Kim Woo-bin, Krystal Jung, Kang Min-hyuk, Kang Ha-neul, Park Hyung-sik

The immensely popular drama “The Heirs” follows a group of students at a school for the wealthy, centering on the romance between the charismatic heir Kim Tan (Lee Min-ho) and diligent part-timer Cha Eun-sang (Park Shin-hye). The series propelled Ji-won to widespread popularity for her portrayal of Yoo Rachel, the spoiled yet complex heiress and Tan's fiancée.

Descendants of the Sun (2016)

Also Starring: Song Joong-ki, Song Hye-kyo, Jin Goo

In this hit romance drama, a former couple—Special Forces Captain Yoo Si-jin (Song Joong-ki) and doctor Kang Mo-yeon (Song Hye-kyo)—are reunited in the fictional war-torn country of Uruk. Here, Ji-won shines as Yoon Myung-ju, an army doctor who faces the complexities of a forbidden love for non-commissioned officer Seo Dae-young (Jin Goo).

Fight For My Way (2017)

Also Starring: Park Seo-jun, Ahn Jae-hong, Song Ha-yoon

“Fight For My Way” follows four underdogs chasing their dreams. At the center of the show is the classic friends-to-lovers story between Choi Ae-ra (Ji-won), an aspiring news anchor, and Ko Dong-man (Park Seo-jun), a former taekwondo champion. Here, Ji-won wins over audiences with her character’s “aegyo,” a Korean term for cute displays of affection.

Arthdal Chronicles (2019)

Also Starring: Jang Dong-gun, Song Joong-ki, Kim Ok-win

Set in the mythical land of Arth, the period fantasy drama introduced Ji-won as Tan-ya, a shaman and protector of the Wahan Tribe. However, Ji-won did not reprise her role for the second season, which saw actress Shin Se-kyung taking over the character.

Lovestruck in the City (2020)

Also Starring: Ji Chang-wook, Kim Min-seok, So Joo-yeon, Ryu Kyung-soo, Han Ji-eun

“Lovestruck in the City” follows an ensemble of couples as they navigate modern love. At its core, the series centers on an architect (Ji Chang-wook) whose heart is stolen by a free-spirited woman (Ji-won) during a whirlwind beach romance. Haunted by their brief encounter, he embarks on a quest to find her in the bustling metropolis.

My Liberation Notes (2022)

Also Starring: Lee Min-ki, Son Sok-ku, Lee El

In this heartwarming slice-of-life story, Ji-won plays Yeom Mi-jung, the youngest of three siblings yearning to break free from their unremarkable lives. Their world is disrupted by the arrival of the enigmatic Mr. Gu (Son Suk-ku), whom Mi-jung develops romantic feelings for.

Queen of Tears (2024)

Also Starring: Kim Soo-hyun, Park Sung-hoon, Kwak Dong-yeon, Lee Joo-bin

In one of the year’s most talked-about dramas, Ji-won brings to life Hong Hae-in, an heiress with an ice-cold demeanor who marries Baek Hyun-woo, a lawyer from humble roots. Their once-enviable union begins to crumble after three years, with Hyun-woo considering divorce until a shocking health crisis turns their world upside down.

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