We’re Binge-watching These Park Seo Joon Dramas While Waiting For His Marvel Debut

News about K-drama casting rumours involving our favourite oppas makes us giddy all the time. But we’re in a whole new level of excitement after hearing that one of them has been cast in a major — and we mean global-level major — project soon. We’re talking about Park Seo Joon (PSJ) joining the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).

That’s right! Reports confirm that the South Korean actor is set to join the cast of the Captain Marvel sequel titled The Marvels. The film, which stars Brie Larson, is slated for release in 2022.

We’re surely excited to see one of our favourite oppas make his Hollywood debut. While we wait for The Marvels, why not binge these Park Seo Joon dramas and films first? Here are some of our recommendations.

Midnight Runners (2017)

Midnight Runners, which revolves around the story of two police academy students who witnessed a kidnapping during their day off, gave us the exciting duo of PSJ and Kang Haneul as Park Ki-Joon and Kang Hee-Yeol. Charming us with their brains and brawn dynamic, Park Seo Joon and Kang Haneul gave a wonderful performance in this film packed with action, comedy, and dramatic elements.

Why you should watch it: The plot is straightforward, sincere, and nothing short of entertaining. It even inspired a Japanese remake in 2020 and an upcoming Indian remake (no release date yet). This film also proved that Park Seo Joon can do quite well in action scenes, which is much needed for anyone joining MCU’s lineup of superhero movies.

Itaewon Class (2020)

Providing social commentary on powerplay and social class differences, Itaewon Class immediately became one of South Korea’s highest-rated dramas to date because of its gripping narrative. It tells the story of Park Saeroyi (Park Seo Joon), an ex-convict who was sent to jail during his high school years for punching a bully who happened to be a conglomerate CEO’s son. Given his circumstances, Saeroyi struggles to get his life back on track after earning back his freedom. He then meets fellow misfits trying to navigate their way in an unkind world.

Why you should watch it: Everyone loves a good underdog story and Itaewon Class is just that. It is a story of redemption, belonging, and healing. Marvel heroes often go through the same story arcs. A perfect match for PSJ, don’t you think?

Fight For My Way (2017)

Fight For My Way, a story about four childhood friends trying to make their dreams come true, was such a huge hit because of its heartwarming narrative mixed with well-timed comedy. Park Seo Joon’s chemistry with Kim Ji-Won (Arthdal Chronicles) also makes it a must-watch, especially when their friends-turned-lovers storyline starts unravelling.

Why you should watch it: If you’re looking for a PSJ drama that gives the same message of hope and encouragement as Itaewon Class but a little more lighthearted and witty, Fight For My Way is the one to go for. Park Seo Joon’s portrayal of Ko Dong-Man also proves that apart from being leading man material, he also has versatility as an actor and that he will shine in any project (maybe even in something as big as an MCU movie).

What’s Wrong With Secretary Kim (2018)

Can we really make a Park Seo Joon drama and film recommendation list without including this 2018 rom-com? Probably one of PSJ’s most recognisable projects to date, What’s Wrong With Secretary Kim is about a handsome and narcissistic company vice president named Lee Yeong-Jun (Park Seo Joon) whose life suddenly turns upside down when his competent and longtime secretary Kim Mi-So (the titular Secretary Kim played by Park Min-Young) tenders her resignation. Falsely assuming that Secretary Kim is quitting because she’s fallen in love with him, Yeong-Jun tries to win her back — but ends up falling for her instead.

Why you should watch it: On the surface, the drama is funny, witty, and heart-fluttering. The plot also effectively transitions to some deeper arcs, tapping on issues like trauma, depression, and anxiety. Park Seo-Joon shows off his ability to look stern and indifferent in one scene and frail and vulnerable in another in this drama, something we also often see in Marvel’s superhero movies.

She Was Pretty (2015)

Park Seo Joon is no stranger to rom-coms. But before the other titles we included in this list, there was She Was Pretty.

Park Seo Joon played the role of Ji Sung-Joon, a formerly chubby kid who wants to reunite with his childhood friend and first love after years of separation. Hwang Jung-Eum as Kim Hye Jin played opposite PSJ as a girl who was pretty and popular in her youth but now looks nothing like her former self. After seeing Sung-Joon’s glow up, Hye Jin was ashamed of her appearance and asked her best friend to pretend to be her and meet up with Sung Joon instead. Hye Jin thinks that her problem was solved after Sung-Joon believed the deception — until she finds out that Sung-Joon is her boss in her new job.

Why you should watch it: The antithesis to the “ugly duckling gets a glow-up” trope, She Was Pretty doesn’t romanticise the importance of outward appearances or idealistically says that it’s what’s inside that counts. Instead, it delivers a good balance of both, giving us a bittersweet and realistic view of these notions. Park Seo Joon also shows duality in his role as Sung-Joon.

(Cover photo from: @bn_sj2013)