This Father’s Day, let’s take a moment to appreciate some of the most lovable dads in the world of Korean dramas. These fictional fathers have not only entertained us, but also taught us *valuable* life lessons about love, sacrifice, and the importance of family.
With their endearing characters, they effortlessly won over our hearts, leaving us with a gentle reminder to treasure the precious moments we share with our own dads.
Curious to know who made it to our list? We gotchu!
Here are 5 of our favorite K-drama dads and the watchlist-worthy shows where you can meet them:
1. Kim Chang Gul, Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-Joo (2016)
Kim Chang Gul, portrayed by the talented actor Ahn Gil Kang, steals the show with his delightful portrayal of a single father, a former weightlifer who now owns a fried chicken restaurant.
Chang Gul is incredibly caring and supportive of his daughter Bok-joo’s weightlifting journey, and his unwavering encouragement is like a ray of sunshine that never fails to bring a smile to our faces. He's truly a constant reminder of the *power* that comes from believing in our loved ones' dreams!
Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-joo/MBC
2. Sung Dong Il, Reply 1988 (2015)
TBH, we all want to have parents exactly like the moms and dads in Reply 1988! One character that stood out in the series, however, is Sung Dong Il, aka Bo Ra, Duk Seon, and No Eul’s dad.
His character exemplifies the complexities of fatherhood, reminding us that even the strictest and seemingly ~distant~ dads can have hearts overflowing with love for their children. He may not express his love in the same flashy manner as other parents, but he has his own unique way of showing his affection.
Reply 1988/TVN3. Lee Ik Jun, Hospital Playlist (2020)
In the critically acclaimed drama Hospital Playlist, Jo Jung Suk portrays the charming and charismatic character of Lee Ik Jun, a talented surgeon and a loving single father to his adorable son, Uju (Kim Jun). Ik Jun effortlessly balances his demanding career with his responsibilities as a father, always putting his son's wellbeing above everything else.
With his contagious laughter and witty banter, he brings joy to both his patients and his son's life, making him a *true* role model!
Hospital Playlist/TVN4. Seo Chung Myung, Start-Up (2020)
Kim Joo Hun's portrayal of Seo Chung Myung in Start-Up showcases the depth of a father's love. Despite the challenges he faced, he remained a steadfast support system for his daughter, Seo Dal Mi (Bae Suzy).
He guides Dal Mi and instills in her the belief that dreams can be achieved through perseverance. So sweet!
Start-Up/Netflix5. Do Chil Goo, Strong Woman Do Bong Soon (2017)
Yoo Jae Myung brings warmth and humor to the character of Do Chil Goo in Strong Woman Do Bong Soon. He becomes a source of strength and encouragement for his daughter, always maintaining a positive attitude even when he’s constantly ~*pressured*~ by his wife. LOL!
Strong Woman Do Bong-soon/JTBC6. Park Sung Yeol, Itaewon Class (2020)
Park Sung Yeol (Son Hyun Joo)’s appearance in the series may have been short, but his impact on his son Sae Ro Yi’s (Park Seo Joon) life was *truly* immeasurable.
He not only raised his son with love and care, but also instilled in him the values of justice and perseverance despite facing numerous obstacles. His unwavering support for his son served as a driving force behind Sae Ro Yi's journey towards success, helping him fulfill his *dream* of opening his own restaurant. Aww!
Itaewon Class/JTBC7. Cho Sang Gu, Move To Heaven (2021)
Lee Je Hoon plays an ex-convict Cho Sang Gu, who was entrusted as his nephew's guardian after his brother died of cardiac arrest.
His nephew, Han Geu Ru (Tang Jun Sang), is on the autism spectrum. He's highly *intelligent* and has incredible memory, and he works as a trauma cleaner for Move to Heaven, a ~trauma cleaning company~ established by his father.
While Sang Gu initially decided to take care of his nephew for ~financial gain~, he quickly got to know Geu Ru and served as a father figure after months of working together. Even better, he gained a fresh *perspective* about life that allowed him to discover the truth about his childhood!
Move To Heaven/Netflix