Don't you just miss the days when we would watch Koreanovelas on TV before bedtime? Back in the early 2000s (when streaming platforms are not a thing yet), Korean dramas are aired on a certain timeslot—it was a habit for Pinoys to tune in early and wait patiently to watch their fave shows. One of the series that got everyone hooked is Playful Kiss, which had a Tagalog-dubbed version on GMA.
A Korean remake of the Taiwanese series It Started With A Kiss, the rom-com is about two schoolmates: One is a ~cold~ guy named Baek Seung Jo while the other is Oh Ha Ni, a bubbly girl who has a crush on him. *It started* with a one-sided type of love but after living in the same house because of an incident, Seung Jo soon appreciated Ha Ni and her undeniable charm.
It's been 12 years (WHAT???) since we last watched the Koreanovela and we know you're also wondering what the cast is up to now. We got you, chingus! ;)
Here's an update on the cast members of Playful Kiss:
1. Jung So Min as Oh Ha Ni
Playful Kiss marks Jung So Min's second K-drama stint and it was followed by a long list of other projects. She appeared in the series Can We Get Married?, The Sound Of Your Heart, Because This Is My First Life, The Smile Has Left Your Eyes, and Be Melodramatic, to name a few. So Min is also active as a film actress, having starred in Twenty, Alice: Boy From Wonderland, Homme Fatale, and Project Wolf Hunting. She also became a cast member of the variety show Little Forest.
For her most recent project, So Min led the well-loved fantasy drama Alchemy Of Souls which is set for season two. Fans are rooting for her *reappearance* in the sequel and you guys, she just dropped a hint about her character's fate. Omo! On Instagram, you can see more of So Min's daily musings (and comfy outfits that you can get ideas from).
2. Kim Hyun Joong as Baek Sung Jo
Trust Kim Hyun Joong to make our hearts flutter with his roles! Before Playful Kiss, he had us swooning with his gentle character in Boys Over Flowers (BOF). He was also part of the Inspiring Generation and When Time Stopped cast, and he made a special cameo in Dream High, too. In between his acting projects, Hyun Joong was a member of the second-generation K-pop boy group SS501 (they recorded an OST for BOF which became a TikTok challenge after more than a decade!).
Say hello to our soon-to-be-appa! Hyun Joong married his first love earlier this year and he also announced the next chapter of his life as a father. As they wait for their bundle of joy, the Hallyu star made a comeback as a solo artist and he's having a world tour ATM. So, if you live in Las Vegas, New York, or Los Angeles, you might want to attend his concert! Check out the details here.
3. Lee Tae Sung as Bong Joon Goo
Lee Tae Sung is one versatile celebrity who frequently appears in K-dramas, Korean movies, and variety shows. You've seen him in Rooftop Prince, Ms. Hammurabi, When My Love Blooms, The Penthouse, Ghost Doctor, Why Her?, King Of Mask Singer, Real Men, and My Little Old Boy.
Think he's already busy? Tae Sung also released an album, sang OSTs for some of his K-dramas, and recently made his debut as a painter! Like Hyun Joong, Tae Sung is also a dad. In 2015, he received custody of his son after finalizing his divorce from his wife.
4. Lee Si Young as Yoon Hae Ra
Did you know that Lee Si Young is Hyun Joong's co-star in Boys Over Flowers? You'll remember her role as Jan Di (Goo Hye Sun)'s friend, Oh Min Ji. Another remarkable Si Young character is the martial artist-slash-former-firefighter Seo Yi Kyung in the Netflix thriller Sweet Home.
P.S: She used to be an amateur boxer who competed in sports events!
These days, Si Young is constantly updating her TikTok account (she's one funny girl!) by doing challenges to the joy of her fans. She often posts on Instagram, too. In 2017, she married Cho Seung Hyun, a businessman who owns a chain of restaurants. The couple announced that they're going to be parents in the same year.
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