The best of actor Kim Soo Hyun: Cherishing the characters that made him the Hallyu superstar he is today

The undisputed King of Korean film and television, a Hallyu top star like no other, Kim Soo Hyun turns 33 today, and what better way to celebrate this incredible day than by charting some of the most cherished characters the actor has played on screen. For Kim Soo Hyun in particular, there is a certain flair to his acting which conveys thoroughly to viewers that he is embodying his character, not just playing it. This allows viewers to establish a connection with his character as an entity independent of his person, which is unbelievably rare in the industry. We laugh along with Kim Soo Hyun and cry all the same and in the process, we feel closer to him than ever before. 

Secretly Greatly

Kim Soo Hyun is duality incarnate in one of the highest-grossing films to come out of the Korean entertainment industry, Secretly Greatly. What is apparent is his character as a double agent but what lies beneath the surface is a layered personality that one will struggle to decode till the very end. His character is multi-dimensional, well rounded but still rough at the edges, which allows for a huge scope of personal touches that Kim Soo Hyun masterfully adds. No other actor would have been able to execute performance of this level, if not Kim Soo Hyun.

My Love From The Star 

The character which made very real humans fall for a very fictional alien from another world, setting their standards as high as the sky, Do Min Joon was fated to be brought to life by Kim Soo Hyun. His cold aura and heart of gold brought out humanity in the direst of situations and My Love From The Star will go down in K-Drama history as one of the most inimitable classics ever.

The Producers

True beauty lies in the ordinary and that is the message that Kim Soo Hyun carried in his role as Baek Seung Chan in The Producers. Ordinary characters are some of the hardest to perfect because their essence does not lie in brave acts of undeniable heroism but rather in the courage it takes to go through life with honesty. This honesty is evident just by looking at Kim Soo Hyun's eyes. 

The Moon Embracing The Sun

Period dramas are some of the hardest to execute and while heavy is the head that wears the crown, even heavier is the responsibility on one who has to act like it. A fantasy historical drama is no piece of cake and this drama wouldn't have reached the peaks of success that it did without the incredible Kim Soo Hyun.

It's Okay To Not Be Okay

 Mental health is a difficult topic to tackle, especially considering the sensitivity it demands. It's Okay To Not Be Okay, in and of itself, was revolutionary in its discussion of mental health and its importance. In this regard, Kim Soo Hyun did more than incredible justice as Moon Kang Tae, a figure of vulnerability, repressed emotions, recovery and ultimate healing, perfectly charting the eventual way to happiness for someone who hasn't seen even a ray of sunshine in his life. 

Pinkvilla wishes actor Kim Soo Hyun the happiest birthday and all the love and success for the future!

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Which Kim Soo Hyun drama is your favourite? Share your birthday wishes for the actor and your thoughts in the comments section down below!