Celebrating Korean star Bae Suzy’s birthday with some of her most iconic shows

It’s difficult to imagine that someone hasn’t heard of Bae Suzy while talking about K-pop idols. She began her career as an online shopping model before making her singing debut with the Chinese-Korean girl group “Miss A” in 2010 through JYP Entertainment. She continued to perform until the group broke up in 2017. Suzy then made the move to acting and was cast in a number of South Korean films and TV programmes. While she made her television debut in 2011 with the hit show Dream High, playing the part of Go Hye-mi, a gifted singer, Suzy Bae’s performance was hailed for its sincerity, which helped launch her to international prominence.

With her new show Doona! on the horizon, let’s take a look back at some of her memorable on-screen roles. Suzy Bae’s acting career has been nothing short of amazing, winning over audiences all over the world.

Dream High (2011)

Cast: Bae Suzy, Ok Taec-yeon, Kim Soo-hyun, Hahm Eun-jung, Wooyoung and IU

Dream High is a crucial turning point in Bae Suzy’s acting career and a drama that greatly aided in her ascent to popularity. The lives of a group of young aspiring musicians attending the esteemed Kirin High School of Art are the focus of this musical drama South Korean television series from 2011. The program’s blend of romance, drama, and music instantly won over fans, especially among the younger demographic.

Bae Suzy portrayed Go Hye-mi in Dream High, a gifted and aspirational young girl with aspirations of becoming a renowned classical singer. Her character first comes out as quite aloof and self-centred, but as the show goes on, she transforms, coming to understand the true meaning of love, friendship, and chasing one’s aspirations. Given that this was Suzy’s first significant acting role, the evaluations of her portrayal of Go Hye-mi were mostly favourable.

Suzy’s talent for successfully expressing complicated emotions was on display as her character changed from a slightly distant student to a more warm-hearted and passionate artist. She stood out among the great actors and K-pop idols in the ensemble cast thanks to her inherent charisma and on-screen presence.

Uncontrollably Fond (2016)

Cast: Kim Woo-bin and Bae Suzy

Uncontrollably Fond is a 2016 melodramatic romance that tells the story of two former lovers who are reunited after many years apart, their paths have taken them in very different directions.

In Uncontrollably Fond, Suzy played No-eul, a documentary producer who is tenacious and diligent despite experiencing several obstacles in life. She runs into Shin Joon-young (Kim Woo-bin), who was her first love and a successful actor. Their reunion brings back bittersweet memories, unspoken truths, and unresolved feelings, laying the groundwork for a passionate and devastating love story. Both spectators and critics praised Suzy’s performance in the drama.

Suzy expertly captured the complexity of her character, No-eul, as well as the character’s resiliency, tenacity, and inner anguish. The drama’s depth and emotional intensity were enhanced by her on-screen connection with Kim Woo-bin.

While You Were Sleeping (2017)

Cast: Lee Jong-suk, Bae Suzy, Lee Sang-yeob, and Jung Hae-in

In Bae Suzy’s acting career, While You Were Sleeping stands out as one of the most significant and well-regarded dramas. This South Korean television show, which premiered in 2017, blends aspects of fantasy, romance, and legal drama. It quickly gained enormous popularity both in South Korea and among viewers throughout the world.

Suzy plays Nam Hong-joo, a young woman in While You Were Sleeping who has the capacity to predict the future through her dreams. She feels helpless to stop them because these premonitions frequently result in tragic events. She meets Jung Jae-chan (Lee Jong-suk), a prosecutor with a similar talent as the narrative progresses. They attempt to solve the puzzles around their shared gift and avert fatal tragedies together.

Suzy received a lot of praise and won a lot of accolades for her depiction of Nam Hong-joo. Her portrayal of the character’s battle with her talents and desire to change people’s lives was well-received and appreciated for its emotional depth and realism. Another strength of the show was Suzy’s chemistry with Lee Jong-suk, who captivated audiences with their on-screen relationship.

Start-Up (2020)

Cast: Bae Suzy, Nam Joo-hyuk, Kim Seon-ho and Kang Han-na

Start-Up is a popular South Korean television series that marked another significant milestone in Suzy’s acting career. Airing in 2020, the drama falls under the romantic-comedy genre and revolves around the world of tech startups and entrepreneurship. In Start-Up, Suzy played the role of Seo Dal-mi, a young, tenacious woman who aspires to become a prosperous businesswoman. Like many young professionals in the real world, she is excited about starting her own business. Viewers connected closely with her character because of her tenacity, fortitude, and unwavering pursuit of her goals. Her on-screen chemistry with Nam Joo-hyuk, who portrayed Nam Do-san, the male protagonist, was one of the show’s highlights and deepened the romance element of the plot. Start-Up explores themes such as entrepreneurship, family, dreams, and the challenges faced by young professionals in the modern world. The drama’s mix of humour, romance, and personal growth resonated with viewers, making it a hit not only in South Korea but also among international audiences.

Doona! (2023)

Cast: Bae Suzy and Yang Se-jong

After starring in the web series Anna, Suzy is finally back on the screen with a romantic series. Based on the webtoon The Girl Downstairs, Suzy will portray the titular role of Lee Doo-na, a former Korean Idol, who meets an ordinary university student named Won-jun (Yang Se-jong) and shares a living space while also eventually falling in love with him. The series is one of the highly anticipated by Korean drama rom-com fans as it is also being helmed by Lee Jung-hyo who directed the 2020 renowned series Crash Landing On You which starred Son Ye-jin and Hyun Bin.

Talking about her character, Suzy said, “Doona is honest and outspoken, but she also has a wounded [heart] and loneliness, so she feels like a cat with sharp claws, but in reality, she is like a ‘dog-like cat’ who likes people.”

As we celebrate Bae Suzy’s birthday, we cannot help but admire her incredible journey in the world of Korean dramas. From her early days as an idol to her current status as an accomplished actress, Suzy has consistently captivated audiences with her charm and talent. Her ability to portray a wide range of characters in various genres has solidified her as a leading figure in the industry.

See Also: Doona! trailer sees Yang Se-jong and Suzy drawn to each other