Jinyoung is one of those artists who effortlessly and consistently shines on screen. The multi-hyphenate Got7 star is as adept a singer as an actor, and in my opinion, one of the best among the “idol-actors” Korea has produced.
Speaking of his stellar acting, thanks to his choice of roles, I’ve never seen Jinyoung being typecast—a rationale behind the impressive filmography he’s been building.
Jinyoung’s penchant for exploring creative possibilities manifests again in The Witch. Rapidly gaining global traction, this new series is one of the best slow-burn romance K-dramas I’ve seen to date. The actor makes his presence felt with every scene, embodying his character and drawing you into his and the story’s emotional depths.
I also feel Jinyoung has a distinct way of capturing personality traits and gestures. With each little thing he portrays, he adds layers of depth, making the visuals ring true—something that’s well established by the following five—these K-dramas underscoring his range as an actor.
He Is Psychometric (2019)
The fantasy thriller is also an eclectic mix of mystery, crime, romance, and comedy, following a young man’s strange skill, which he employs to crack a case.
Lee Ahn of Jinyoung is the titular “psychometric” guy who can figure out everything about anyone or anything with just a touch and resolves to use his power against crime. Meanwhile, he meets Yoon Jae-in (Shin Ye-eun), a young woman with a dark past.
Lee Ahn’s life is complicated by an intriguing case related to an incident wherein he lost his parents. Now, using psychometry, he works with other characters to figure it out while building a rapport with Jae-in along the way.
When My Love Blooms (2020)
A poignant story told across past and present, with nostalgia and recollections, joyous and wistful, running through, about Han Jae-hyun (Jinyoung) and Yoon Ji-soo (Jeon So-nee), who met in their twenties, fell in love, but then parted ways.
Two decades later, Jae-hyun (Yoo Ji-tae) is a successful businessman, while Ji-soo (Lee Bo-young) is a single parent coping with challenges. But, as fate would have it, both meet again, with memories or emotions thereof resurfacing and serving as a catalyst for chances of reconciliation.
The drama is rich with insights when you dig deeper into its subtle nuances; the fine performances of the cast enrich the narrative further, infusing it with a deeper emotional resonance.
The Devil Judge (2021)
A dystopian opus in which South Korea becomes ground zero for anarchy. When the country is experiencing all things negative—poor economic times, an acute class divide, joblessness, and fury—commoners are harboring nothing but resentment for the authorities. At this juncture a Byronic hero emerges—the devil judge, Kang Yo-han (Ji Sung)—to punish the corrupt. In an atypical approach to justice, he decrees harsh sentences based on residents’ votes cast via a live broadcast of the court proceedings.
Jinyoung portrays two characters in the drama: Kim Ga-on, a junior judge, and Kang Isaac, a deceased relative of Yo-han, a lookalike of Ga-on. The latter is honest and driven, but one with despair at the same time. And notwithstanding his respect for Yo-han, he challenges his ways, frequently grappling with ethical issues in the pursuit of justice.
Yumi’s Cells Season 2 (2022)
The webtoon-based drama unfolds with a working woman taking center stage, revealing the inner workings of her mind—her brain cells, to be precise.
In the first season, Yumi (Kim Go-eun), following a heartbreaking relationship, is emotionally adrift. As her brain cells are trying to revive her now dormant love cell, hope flickers when Goo Woong (Ahn Bo-hyun) steps in and manages to spark a tender romance that brings new joy and excitement to her life.
In the second season, Yumi is depicted as having moved on from her breakup with Goo Woong. She embarks on a new romantic journey with a charming colleague, Yoo Babi (Jinyoung). Yumi initially feels a rush of excitement and hope, yet, in time, cracks begin to appear. Things go south when Yoo Babi withholds something, leaving Yumi feeling vulnerable and with trust issues.
The Witch (2025)
Originating from Kang Full’s universe, this drama adaptation of his webtoon is chock-full of intrigue and a tender romance—a beautifully slow-burning relationship—and has all it takes to be one of the best K-dramas of 2025, especially considering the positive reception it has had since its release.
Jinyoung’s Lee Dong-jin is a man who will stop at nothing to save the woman he loves. The actor with ease pulls off the character’s emotions on his expressive face through the episodes, lending credibility to him and his deep feelings for Roh Jeong-eui’s Park Mi-jeong—Dong-jin’s one true love since school days.
The thing is, Mi-jeong is cursed; anyone who pursues her suffers or dies. As these tragedies become regular, people label her “the witch.” Naturally quiet and hesitant, Mi-jeong is overcome by sorrow and obligated to isolate herself, subsequently fleeing her hometown to live in the city, where she confines herself to her room lest others be harmed.
Dong-jin, on the contrary, has never once been able to do away with Mi-jeong’s thoughts, and after experiencing a personal loss, he resolves to break the curse that haunts her life. As a data miner, he analyzes the patterns behind the deaths and accidents of those who tried to get close to her. His effort ultimately leads him to quit his job and do everything possible to save her, even if it means putting his life on the line multiple times.
Source:https://rollingstoneindia.com/jinyoung-five-best-k-dramas-of-the-got7-star/