K-dramas have given us some of the most unforgettable villains ever. Their amazing acting and perfect roles create all the tension and thrills that make a show a total hit. But lately, something fun is happening: our favorite on-screen villains are taking on “green flag” roles—and honestly, we are absolutely here for it!
This doesn’t mean we forgot their iconic villain eras. We love them as scary bad guys AND as charming good guys because, let’s be real, their incredible range is what makes the stories so good. So, let’s talk about the actors who can do both perfectly.
1. Lee Jun-young
The Villain Era
For a while, if you saw Lee Jun-young in the cast list, you could bet he was about to play a chilling villain. He really became the go-to guy for dangerous characters. In D.P., he was super intense as the deserter Jung Hyun-min, and OMG—in Mask Girl? He was terrifyingly unforgettable as the awful Choi Bu-yong. These roles proved he could play characters filled with so much rage, making him a truly scary guy on screen.
The Green Flag Pivot
Just when we thought we knew him, Lee Jun-young completely flipped the script. In the sweet fantasy drama May I Help You?, he played Butler Kim, a guy who runs errands and helps a funeral director who sees ghosts. His character was so warm and kind—the total opposite of his villain roles! Fans went crazy seeing his gentle, romantic side. With his new dramas Melo Movie and When Life Gives You Tangerines coming up, it’s clear his “green flag” era is just getting started.
2. Park Hae-joon
The Villain Era
Park Hae-joon played maybe the most hated villain in all of K-drama history: Lee Tae-oh in The World of the Married. Wow. His role as a cheating husband who just kept lying made the entire country’s blood boil, haha. He wasn’t just a simple bad guy; he was so realistic that his actions made the drama a total phenomenon. Then recently, in The 8th Show, he again played a desperate character, showing us he’s a master of playing flawed men.
The Green Flag Pivot
Even though he’s amazing at being the bad guy, Park Hae-joon has a much softer side. In the masterpiece drama My Mister, he played a monk. It was such a quiet and peaceful role, so different from his intense characters. He brought this feeling of calm to the screen that was just so memorable. Now, we’re all looking forward to seeing him in When Life Gives You Tangerines as the older Gwan-sik. The role promises to show a warm-hearted side, and we can’t wait to see him bring that perfect husband energy to life.
3. Park Sung-hoon
The Villain Era
Okay, let’s be real—when you think of a villain these days, you probably think of Park Sung-hoon, right? He was just SO scary as the rich bully Jeon Jae-joon in The Glory. I mean, that performance was just bone-chilling. And just when we thought he couldn’t get any more evil, he showed up as the super obsessive Yoon Eun-seong in Queen of Tears! It’s crazy how he can make you hate his character so much but also think, “wow, his acting is incredible.” His villain era? No doubt, it’s been absolutely outstanding.
The Green Flag Pivot
Just as we were getting used to hating him, he showed us his green flag side in the cute comedy Not Others. In this drama, he was a local police chief who was awkward, shy, and super sweet. Seeing him go from a terrifying villain to a flustered guy trying to ask a girl out was such a refreshing change and proved he can do anything. Now, with his role in Squid Game Season 2 coming up, the whole world is watching to see what he does next!
4. Cha Woo-min
The Villain Era
As a rising star, Cha Woo-min got famous fast by playing strong, scary bullies. He was an unforgettable bad guy in Weak Hero Class 1, where his tough presence made him a perfect foe. He kept this up in the thriller Night Has Come, where he once again played a character you would not want to mess with. His ability to own the screen in these roles made everyone pay attention to him.
The Green Flag Pivot
While he’s known for those intense roles, Cha Woo-min is showing us a much gentler side, and it looks like a “green flag” future is coming. In the new romance drama Melo Movie, he’s playing a more emotional character—a struggling but talented young actor. It will let him show off a softer, more vulnerable side. Fans who have followed him are so excited to see him play a sweet character, proving he can be a scary villain and a charming lead.
That’s All!
Whether it’s a villain role or a green flag role, we love these actors for their amazing talent. A great villain is so important for making a drama exciting, and we have nothing but love for their iconic performances. It just makes it even more special when we get to see them charm us as the good guys.
Let us know your opinion in the comments! Which actor’s “green flag” transformation is your favorite?
Till then, keep exploring Wavies
