10 Best Dramas of Kim Sun Young, Supporting Actress Specialist

Kim Sun Young may not be a name that all Korean drama viewers are familiar with, however, her face is instantly recognizable to fans. Despite often playing supporting roles, Kim Sun Young's acting skills and presence are outstanding.

Kim Sun Young proved that being a supporting actor can achieve great success. Kim Sun Young even won the Best Supporting Actress (TV) award at the Baeksang Arts Awards for her role in "Crash Landing On You" (2019). Curious about what dramas Kim Sun Young has starred in? Check out the list below!

1. Reply 1988

Reply 1988 (2015) skyrocketed Kim Sun Young to fame in the South Korean entertainment industry. Directed by Shin Won Ho, the drama revolves around the deep friendship of five people who have been inseparable since childhood.

The series is about neighborly life in the small neighborhood of Ssangmun-dong during the 1980s. Kim Sun Young plays Sun Woo's mother, a warm and friendly figure in a tight-knit community.

As a single parent of two children, Sun Young is portrayed as a caring and protective mother. She carries the burden of guilt and regret for Sun Woo, who does not have a father figure like his friends.

2. Crash Landing on You

This famous drama starring Son Ye Jin and Hyun Bin also features Kim Sun Young. Crash Landing on You (2019) portrays the chance meeting between Yoon Se Ri, the heiress of a large South Korean company, and Ri Jung Hyuk, a North Korean military officer.

Their paths cross when Se Ri's paraglider crashes, making her land in North Korea. Struggling to find her way back to South Korea, she seeks help.

During her stay at Captain Ri's house, a deep bond begins to form between them. Kim Sun Young plays Na Wol Suk, the leader of the North Korean People's Unit, who is often in conflict with Se Ri.

3. Crash Course in Romance

Kim Sun Young plays Cho Soo Hee, a devoted mother to her daughter Soo Ah, in the drama Crash Course in Romance (2023). Soo Hee is determined to make sure her daughter excels and stands out among the mothers at school.

The story follows Nam Haeng Seon (‎Jeon Do-Yeon), a former athlete, as she faces the challenges of raising her niece. Hae Yi, Soo Ah's schoolmate and Haeng Seon's niece, becomes the focal point of their efforts.

Haeng Seon tries hard to provide the best education for Hae Yi, by enrolling her in a prestigious institute taught by a star teacher, Choi Chi Yeol. Chi Yeol, a successful educator, struggles with a severe eating disorder that causes vomiting every time he eats. Surprisingly, the only food that suits him is from Haeng Seon's banchan shop.

Without Chi Yeol's knowing, Haeng Seon is the "mother" of one of his students. Eventually, their past memories are revealed, and a deeper connection begins to grow between them, taking their relationship in a more serious path.

4. When the Camellia Blooms

Kim Sun Young's role in When the Camellia Blooms, has sparked interesting conversations among viewers. The drama starring Gong Hyo Jin and Kang Ha Neul was awarded the prestigious Daesang, or Grand Prize, at the 56th Baeksang Arts Awards.

The storyline revolves around the life of Oh Dong Baek, a single mother who moves with her son, Kang Pil Gu, to Ongsan City and sets up a bar called Camellia. Being a single mother presents its own challenges for Dong Baek.

Throughout the series, Dong Baek meets a variety of complex characters, including Park Chan Sook, played by Kim Sun Young. Chan Sook is known for her blunt and disrespectful attitude, especially when it comes to Dong Baek.

Fortunately, Dong Baek has the support of her wonderful son and Hwang Yong Sik, a young police officer who loves her dearly and promises to protect her at all costs. Additionally, Dong Baek's safety is threatened by a mysterious and infamous murderer, which prompts Yong Sik to begin a quest to uncover the identity of the culprit.

5. Her Private Life

In the captivating series 'Her Private Life,' Sung Deok Mi holds the position of chief curator at the famous Cheum Art Museum. However, she keeps a secret identity as a devoted fangirl who runs a fan site dedicated to popular artist Cha Shi An of the band White Ocean.

When rumors start circulating about a romantic relationship between Deok Mi and Shi An, things take an unexpected turn. Then to blur the rumors and protect Deok Mi from relentless harassment by Shi An's fans, the newly appointed Art Director at the Cheum Art Museum, Ryan Gold, comes up with a plan: they must pretend to be in a romantic relationship.

The ultimate goal is to ward off threats and dangers from Shi An's fanatical followers. However, Um So Hye (Kim Sun Young), the manager of Shi An's fan site, is determined to expose Ryan and Deok Mi as a fake couple.

As circumstances press in on them, Ryan and Deok Mi find themselves compelled to continue the charade, ultimately discovering genuine feelings of love along the way.

6. Because This Is My First Life

Ji Ho (Jung So Min) works as an assistant screenwriter. She had to leave her home after her brother got married. In need of affordable accommodation with no down payment, Ji Ho decides to rent a room from someone named Se Hee.

Without Ji Ho's knowledge, Se Hee is a socially awkward man and computer designer. Se Hee, who bought a townhouse and rents out rooms to cover the mortgage, is unaware that the new tenant is a woman.

As time goes by, they eventually agree to a two-year contract marriage. In this drama, Kim Sun Young plays Kim Hyun Ja, Ji Ho's mother.

7. The Guardians

The Guardians (2017) is an action-packed thriller drama that features an impressive cast, including Kim Sun Young, Lee Si Young, Kim Young Kwang, Kim Tae Hoon, Kim Seul Gi, and Key.

The story revolves around a group of people who join forces to uphold justice after experiencing the loss of their loved ones to crime. Their mission involves monitoring criminals around the clock, saving potential victims before a crime is committed. Also, they specifically target corrupt prosecutors, ensuring that criminals face appropriate consequences for their actions.

Kim Sun Young plays Lee Soon Ae, an experienced cop who lends her expertise to The Guardians in pursuit of justice. Driven by testimonies of the unjust death of a colleague's daughter, whose culprit has yet to be caught.

8. Queenmaker

Queenmaker (2023) is a Netflix original series with a political theme. The drama stars Kim Hee Ae and Moon So Ri as the leads. The storyline revolves around Hwang Do Hee, a strategist working for Eunsung Group, a reputable conglomerate in South Korea. Do Hee's responsibility is to cover up the wrongdoings of the company's family members.

One day, Do Hee witnesses the tragic death of a young girl, a victim of abuse at the hands of Eunsung Group's son-in-law, Baek Jae Min. Overcome with guilt, Do Hee decided to resign from the job that had been his source of livelihood.

Over time, Do Hee went from ally to enemy, especially when Eunsung Group was involved in her father's death. Seeking justice, Do Hee contacts Oh Kyung Sook, a human rights lawyer and women's rights advocate, to join forces and run as a Seoul mayoral candidate.

Kim Sun Young acts as Kim Hwa Soo, Kyung Sook's partner in fighting for the rights of women workers. Hwa Soo becomes the target of Baek Jae Min's dirty campaign, manipulated to ruin Oh Kyung Sook's reputation.

9. Shopping King Louie

Kim Sun Young was part of the romantic comedy drama Shopping King Louie (2016), which featured Seo In Guk and Nam Ji Hyun as the leads. The drama revolves around a man named Louis, who comes from a wealthy family and has a tendency to pamper himself by buying luxury items. However, one day Louis loses his memory and meets Bok Sil, a feisty girl from a village.

Bok Shil is surprised by Louis' extravagant lifestyle and wanted to teach him about the value of frugality, encouraged him to prioritize essential and affordable items.

Over time the two develop feelings for each other, and their love story becomes inevitable. In this drama, Kim Sun Young plays Heo Jung Ran, the assistant to Il Soon and Louis' grandmother, who is the Chairman of Gold Group. She is also involved in a romantic relationship with Kim Ho Joon, who plays Louis' butler.

10. Romance is a Bonus Book

Cha Eun Ho is a successful writer who has risen to the position of editor-in-chief at a book publishing house. In his childhood, he was indebted to Kang Dan I, who sparked his love for writing and books. They became close as friends until Dan I entered into a romantic relationship. Despite his initial hesitation, Dan I eventually married his partner.

Now, Dan I is a divorced mother who went from being a successful advertising copywriter to a housemaid. After learning about Dan I's situation, Eun Ho reached out to provide support. Their relationship is re-established when Dan I applies for a job at Eun Ho's publishing house. In this drama, Kim Sun Young plays Seo Young Ah, the marketing team manager.

Playing a supporting role does not reduce the quality of Kim Sun Young's performance, as she consistently leaves a deep impression through her acting. Among the ten characters she portrayed in these dramas, which one is your favorite? Let us know in the comment sections!