Cheon Song-yi, My Love from the Star (2013-2014)
After 400 years of solidarity, Do Min-Joon (played by Soo Hyun Kim) can finally return home to outer-space. But after meeting Jun’s hard-headed character Cheong Song-Yi, Do questions his departure when he slowly falls in love. Playing a famous actress, Jun was clad in Chanel tweed ensembles and Jimmy Choo boots. The YSL lipstick she wore in the series sold out after its shade was revealed (it’s YSL Rouge Pur Couture No. 52 Rosy Coral, FYI). Although Jun’s character was feisty, her goofy chemistry with her star-crossed lover has made My Love from the Star one of the most popular K-dramas to date.
The Girl, My Sassy Girl (2001)
In this 2001 romantic comedy, Jun Ji-hyun plays a self-centred character who repeatedly gets her male counterpart in trouble. Originally a blog series by Ho-sik Kim, the story is based on real-life events between him and his girlfriend. Upon its release, the movie quickly became a sensation in Asia and so did the then-rising star Jun. To find the source of the sweeping Korean wave, this iconic movie can’t go unmentioned.
Yenicall, The Thieves (2012)
Set in none-other than Hong Kong, this action-comedy tracks the heist of 6 thieves attempting to steal a $20 million diamond known as ‘Tear of the Sun’. With Jun as Yenicall, Hong Kong veteran actor Simon Yam as Chen and a list of other notable actors as part of the cast, this popular film grossed more than USD 87 million worldwide. For those interested in thrilling plot-twists and action packed sequences, this movie is a must-watch.
Shim Cheong, The Legend of the Blue Sea (2016-2017)
This fantasy romance series sees Jun portray a mermaid who has fallen deeply in love with a swindler. Their fates have been intertwined since the Jonseon era when the swindler was the son of a nobleman in his past life. Through mysterious artefacts, puzzling dreams and age-old inscriptions, they find their way back to each other again. Besides the show itself, Jun’s wardrobe caught fan’s attention with standout pieces like the sequined Dolce & Gabbana dress and satin green Manolo Blahnik flats in the first episode. But it wasn’t only her character that was making a statement, with this role Jun also made her highly-anticipated return to acting after giving birth to her first son in 2016.
Seo Yi-kang, Jirisan (2021)
It had been 5 years since The Legend of the Blue Sea when the actress took up the leading role of Seo Yi-kan in Jirisan, a TV series named after the second tallest mountain in South Korea. Jun plays a National Park top ranger who treks the unexplored regions of Mount Jiri with her junior in order to unravel the mountain’s mystery. The audience is taken on an intense journey as the main characters attempt to save lost trekkers and rescue survivors against all adversity. In an interview, Jun shared that she took on the role for the main purpose of working with director Lee Eung-bok and writer Kim Eun-hee who are known for Descendants of the Sun and Kingdom respectively.
Editor
Karrie LamCredit
Lead Image: IMDb
