'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,/9j/2wBDAAYEBQYFBAYGBQYHBwYIChAKCgkJChQODwwQFxQYGBcUFhYaHSUfGhsjHBYWICwgIyYnKSopGR8tMC0oMCUoKSj/2wBDAQcHBwoIChMKChMoGhYaKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCj/wAARCAAGAAoDASIAAhEBAxEB/8QAFQABAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAf/xAAjEAAABQMDBQAAAAAAAAAAAAABAgQFEQADIQciYQYSFBVR/8QAFAEBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA//EABgRAQEAAwAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAEAAhEx/9oADAMBAAIRAxEAPwCZtmoLXZYnhGoZTqLq0Z7j3Agu8Bz9iBgOYqitOvfTiBrRo/QugePZJagt8kbSgGOMUpTPYMwTTf/Z'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Korean actor Kim Nam-gil is known for his works across genres in K-dramas and K-movies as well. Whether he is playing a stoic detective trying to understand the psyche of serial killers or a priest with a fiery temper, he fully delves into different roles, giving each one a different vibe altogether.
This versatility has made him the genre king of K-dramas, as his works range from historical dramas, comedies, and thrillers to even action K-dramas, making him one of the most reliable actors of the generation. Here’s a list of 7 Kim Nam-gil K-dramas that would make you a fan of the actor with his impeccable performances in different genres.
Disclaimer: This entire article is based on the writer's opinion. Reader discretion is advised.
7 K-dramas that showcase Kim Nam-gil's versatility
7) Trigger
The latest Kim Nam-gil K-drama, which was released on Netflix, is Trigger. The series delves into a unique storyline that revolves around how people in Korea would react to guns being accessible, since the country has strict firearms laws.
Kim Nam-gil takes the role of a morally upright detective named Yi-do, a former sniper in the army, and his struggles with trying to stop the rise of firearms incidents across the city. Nam-gil has played all kinds of roles—righteous, morally gray, and even villainous—in his career; therefore, this role is a unique one which blends his past with his present, making it a complicated job for him as a detective.
If you love Nam-gil’s works, Trigger should definitely be on your watch list.
6) Song of the Bandits
Another Kim Nam-gil K-drama that you will find on Netflix is Song of the Bandits. This period K-drama takes us to the tragic time during the Japanese occupation of the province. After the Korean army and police were dissolved, numerous people of the land fled to the lawless land of Gando for their survival.
The K-drama follows these people, who fled their land and went to Gando to form their armies and come back to fight for the independence of Joseon. Nam-gil plays the role of Lee Yoon, who, after serving his time as a Japanese soldier, flees to the land to protect the people living there.
The Korean actor gets into a new role as a bandit who has no mercy for the people who have been harming the people of Joseon and fights for the survival of his people and his land. While he plays the righteous characters perfectly, this role brings a new version of the actor as he plays a righteous character but with no mercy for the enemy, making it another of the must-watch K-dramas of the actor.
5) Island
While delving into period K-dramas, Nam-gil dropped this fantasy K-drama, which is regarded as one of the most underrated dramas. The story of this fantasy K-drama follows an unlikely combination of three people who come together to fight the evil on Jeju Island.
Nam-gil plays the character of Van, a human-created demon slayer. For hundreds of years, he has been waiting for the reincarnation of Wonjeong, played by Lee Da-hee, who had promised to save him from this life of misery and pain.
Nam-gil played the character of Van perfectly as the old and experienced demon slayer, who has limited knowledge about modern technology and tries really hard to appear as a reserved character, but still ends up smiling a little due to the goofiness of the female lead, making it one of his most endearing performances.
4) Live Up to Your Name
This is one of the most underrated Kim Nam-gil K-dramas, as it was one of the popular dramas that gained recognition much later than it should have.
It narrates the story of Heo Im, played by Nam-gil, who was a traditional doctor in the Joseon kingdom. As the name suggests, after Heo Im fails to live up to his name and fails to treat the king, he is accused of treason and is killed by the soldiers’ arrows.
However, he doesn’t die, as he falls into the river and wakes up in modern-day Korea. Just like Crash Landing on You, this K-drama also features a main character who travels to somewhere they don’t belong, and gives us a heart-rendering tale.
The show is known for its realistic view of life and loss, and is also popular for the chemistry between the leads, Kim Nam-gil and Kim Ah-joong.
3) Queen Seondeok
This is the historical K-drama that made Kim Nam-gil the famous actor he is known as today. The drama delves into the period of Queen Seondeok’s reign and depicts some powerful and dramatic performances. Nam-gil's character Bidam appears at a very crucial time in the drama and is one of the most important characters in the life of Queen Seondeok.
When everything was going awry, Nam-gil’s Bidam became the fresh breath of air that the drama was looking for with his childlike, overenthusiastic role. From being the source of some much-needed humorous moments, Bidam’s fate takes a drastic change that ends with tragic consequences, showing the versatility of the actor in a single drama.
Nam-gil earned several accolades for his role in Queen Seondeok and it is one of the must-watch dramas of the Korean actor.
2) Through the Darkness
If you are a fan of the acclaimed Bong Joon-ho film, Memories of Murder, and Netflix’s Mindhunter, you will definitely love this K-drama. It narrates the story of detectives who introduce the Criminal Behavior Analysis team to understand serial killers better, to catch them more quickly.
Kim Nam-gil plays the character of Song Ha-young, who has exceptional tendencies to distinguish the details that lead the police to catch serial killers, but is also struggling with a trauma of his own. His character is guarded and stoic, and sometimes questions his ability to think like a serial killer, a parallel to how Holden Ford felt in the Mindhunter series.
Taking on a role where he barely speaks but still shows all the emotions through his body language and eyes, this is one of Kim Nam-gil’s best roles so far.
1) The Fiery Priest
While we discuss the serious and fan-favorite roles of Kim Nam-gil, we cannot skip his outlandish comedic role in The Fiery Priest, which is among his most popular K-dramas. The series narrates the story of a retired NIS agent who becomes a priest and later begins looking for the culprits who killed Father Lee, who has a bigger role in showing him the righteous path, which he rarely follows.
The journey of Nam-gil’s Father Michael investigating Father Lee’s murder isn’t a straightforward one, and sees him falling into weird but laughable situations, which become insanely funny due to his short temper.
While enjoying the serious and righteous role of Kim Nam-gil in Trigger, you can also catch up on one of his funniest crime-comedy K-dramas, The Fiery Priest.
Trending
Keep reading Soap Central for more such stories.
Also Read: These 7 moments from Washington Black will keep you hooked
Reply
