10 Best Movies Starring Jeon Do Yeon

Starting her career in television in 1992, Jeon Do Yeon became famous in Chungmuro, establishing her status as a respected South Korean actress. In 1997, she made her film debut as the lead in "The Contact" together with actor Han Suk Kyu, known for his role as Kim Sa Bu in "Dr. Romantic" (2016).

Her reputation continued to grow as a successful film actress. As of today, Jeon Do Yeon is the only South Korean actress to win the Best Actress award at the Cannes Film Festival. Curious about her best movies? Showpoiler presents a summary of her best works in this review!

1. Secret Sunshine

In the movie "Secret Sunshine" (2007), Jeon Do Yeon won the Best Actress award at the 60th Cannes Film Festival. Also, her outstanding performance earned her many awards, including the prestigious Grand Bell Awards and Blue Dragon Award, the peak of recognition in the South Korean film industry.

In this movie, Jeon Do Yeon plays the role of Lee Shin Ae. After tragically losing her husband, Lee Shin Ae moves with her son, Jun, to Miryang. There, she gets help from a local mechanic named Kim Jong Chan, who helps her find a plot of land for a new home.

Actually, Shin Ae's words about finding land to build her house was a lie. She just wants to look rich when she doesn't have a single penny. Until one day her son disappeared and turned out to be kidnapped. This makes Shin Ae very confused about how to pay to release her son.

Things turn worse when the police find Jun's body in a reservoir. Surprisingly, when Jun is buried, the absence of Shin Ae's tears leaves many astonished, hinting at her emotional state.

2. Beasts Clawing at Straws

Beasts Clawing at Straws (2020) starring Jeon Do Yeon, adapts the 2011 Japanese novel by Keisuke Sone and marks Kim Yong Hoon's directorial debut. The movie tells the story of Joong Man, who works hard at a sauna, struggling to make ends meet while caring for his ailing mother.

His turning point comes when he finds a large sum of cash in the sauna's changing room. This sets off a chain of events, which involves Joong Man with dangerous people. Among them is Yeon Hee (Jeon Do Yeon), a sociopath who is determined to obliterate her past in favor of a fresh start.

In order to erase the traces of her murders, she sets Joong Man's house on fire and takes his money. However, as the plot unfolds, Yeon Hee's plan takes an unexpected turn and she ends up in the hands of a lieutenant.

3. Kill Bok Soon

Kill Bok Soon (2023), directed by Byun Sung Hyun, who also directed the movie "The Merciless" (2017). Premiering at the 73rd Berlin International Film Festival in 2023, the movie later gained a global audience through Netflix.

The storyline revolves around Gil Bok Soon, a single parent who carries out a dual role. While fulfilling her responsibilities as the mother of her teenage daughter, Bok Soon (Jeon Do Yeon) also has a reputation as a famous assassin.

Known for her never-fail work, one day Bok Soon feels shaky. Bok Soon, who hid her work from her daughter, secretly began to worry. That concern turned out to be a threat that endangered her life.

4. Emergency Declaration

Jeon Do Yeon's movie "Emergency Declaration" (2022) gathered a great cast of South Korean stars including Song Kang Ho, Lee Byun Hun, Kim Nam Gil, and Yim Si Wan. This suspenseful movie revolves around an airplane that is being terrorized.

Park Jae Hyuk, a retired pilot, is forced to take a flight after a decade of retirement due to his son's health condition. An encounter at the airport with a suspicious man named Jin Seok triggers a warning for Jae Hyuk.

Unexpectedly, the mysterious Jin Seok ends up on the same plane as the father and son. He reveals himself to be a dangerous scientist, armed with a deadly poison who intends to release it into the plane.

When Jin Seok's evil intentions are revealed, Sook Hee, played by Jeon Do Yeon as the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, and Transportation, quickly assembles a team to strategize a safe landing for the plane.

5. The Housemaid

The Housemaid (2010) is an erotic psychological film that features big names as its cast. Other than Jeon Do Yeon as the lead, there are also Lee Jung Hae, Youn Yuh Jung and Seo Woo.

The movie is a modern interpretation of director Kim Ki Young's 1960 classic, "The Housemaid". It competed for the prestigious Palme d'Or award at the 2010 Cannes Film Festival.

The narrative centers on Eun Yi, who acts as a nanny and housekeeper in a wealthy household headed by Hoon. Eun Yi is able to work there as she is offered a job by a woman named Byeong Sik.

Eun Yi's relationship with the residents of the house, including Hoon's pregnant wife, Hae Ra, seems smooth. However, the intrigue deepens when the head of the household seems to start flirting with her and Eun Yi responds.

As the forbidden relationship unfolds, Byeong Sik discovers their secret, leading to his exposing it to Hae Ra and her mother. Amidst their efforts to break the forbidden relationship, a dangerous threat emerges, increasing the tension of this drama.

6. Untold Scandal

Untold Scandal (2003), starring Jeon Do Yeon, takes inspiration from the 1782 French novel "Les Liaisons dangereuses" by Pierre Choderlos de Laclos, which nicely transports the narrative to Joseon in the late 18th century. The movie intricately weaves the scandalous intrigues of the citizens of that era.

Madame Joh, who appears to be a dutiful wife, turns out to have affairs with many men. Among her mistresses is Jo Won, a scholar and martial arts expert with a flirting habit. Their feelings for each other remain hidden.

Joh arranges Jo Won's relationship with So Ok, who is meant to be his concubine. However, Lady Sue, played by Jeon Do Yeon, catches Jo Won's eye. Lady Sue is not a careless woman because after losing her husband nine years ago, she still keeps her virginity. So, would he be able to conquer Lady Sue?

7. Happy End

In "Happy End" (1999), Jeon Do Yeon shared the screen with Choi Min Sik, playing a married couple. In this cinematic tale, Jeon Do Yeon plays Choi Bora, a woman who thrives in her professional life. Unfortunately, her household is far from satisfied.

Bora's husband, Seo Min Ki, deals with unemployment during their child's growing years. While Min Ki struggles to find a job, Choi Bora gets involved in a relationship with her former lover, Il Beom.

Unexpectedly, Min Ki discovers this secret affair and begins to secretly search for evidence. Interestingly, Min Ki's response changes unexpectedly-he accepts the situation, recognizes his own shortcomings and allows himself to experience injustice.

8. A Man and a Woman

In "A Man and a Woman" (2016), Jeon Do Yeon and actor Gong Yoo meet as a couple involved in an forbidden relationship while both are abroad.

Sang Min (Jeon Do Yeon) meets Gong Yoo's Ki Hong as they accompany their children to a youth camp in Helsinki, Finland. Following their offspring to the camp site, Sang Min and Ki Hong develop a relationship.

However, a snowstorm forces them to stay overnight at an inn, leading to mutual intimacy. At daybreak, they parted ways, unaware of each other's names. A few months later, Sang Min and Ki Hong meet again in Korea as strangers who do not know each other.

9. Memories of the Sword

In "Memories of the Sword" (2015), Jeon Do Yeon, Lee Byung Hun, and Kim Go Eun were the lead actors. The movie introduced Jeon Do Yeon as Seol Rang, one of the famous warriors of the Goryeo era.

Seol Rang, along with Deok Ki and Poong Chun, emerged as guardians amidst the turbulent government situation. Unfortunately, their friendship crumbles after learning of Deok Ki's betrayal. As Poong Chun prepares to take his revenge, Seol Rang - Deok Ki's lover - takes a stand against him.

The fighting that ensues kills Poong Chun and his wife, while their infant daughter, Hong Yi, suffers terrible injuries. Overcome with regret, Seol Rang sacrificed her sight. She changed her name to Wol So to take care of Hong Yi until the girl became good at martial arts.

Seol Rang's mysterious history remains hidden until Hong Yi meets Deok Ki. The question arises: Will Deok Ki reveal Seol Rang's hidden truth? Amidst this revelation, how will Hong Yi deal with the painful truth?

10. The Way Back Home

Jeon Do Yeon is Jung Yeon, the devoted wife of Jong Bae (Go Soo). Together, they raise their daughter, Hye Rin, while running a workshop. Their beautiful life turns dark when Jong Bae's friend tragically commits suicide.

Things go from bad to worse when Jong Bae becomes a guarantor for his friend's loan, a heavy debt burden ensues, forcing them to give up their workshop to cover the dues.

In the middle of the hardship, Jong Bae receives a job offer from a friend. Without his knowledge, his decision pushes him into an unexpected mess, leading to his arrest by the French authorities.

As you delve into Jeon Do Yeon's filmography, you will discover a series of South Korean cinematic gems. Her performances often shine as commercial successes and critics' darlings.

To fully appreciate her artistry, consider embarking on a cinematic journey through the ten Jeon Do Yeon films we recommend in this article!