K-rush of the Week: Ahn Bo-hyun

That stunning physique and chiseled jaw may have gotten him more attention than other actors. Still, Ahn Bo-hyun’s surprising ability to take on a wide range of roles — from wholesome boyfriend vibes to chilling chicken killer — cements this rising star’s reputation in Hallyu. This man has such a lethal combination of intensity and charm that his mere presence onscreen — even before he utters a word of dialogue — makes viewers sit up, notice, and inevitably swoon.

And swoon we did.

But in real life, Ahn Bo-hyun is a proud softie despite his intimidating profile and radiant masculinity. He has appeared as a fun guest in several variety shows, showing his impressive cooking, camping, and fishing skills. When he's not making us swoon in K-dramas, he can be found in his fun vlogs. As a certified YouTube star, he has also received the Silver Play Button for his channel “Bravo Hyun.”

He has since achieved leading man status in last year’s Military Prosecutor Doberman, and currently continues his journey as a Hallyu leading man in Netflix’ See You in My 19th Life and Disney's Flex X Cop.

Descendants of the Sun (2016)

Available on AppleTV, iQIYI, Netflix, Viki

Ahn Bo-hyun’s path to stardom has been long and certainly not been easy. He began acting in 2014 and featured in several small roles, most notably in Descendants of the Sun (2016) where he played First Sergeant Im Kwang-nam (code name: Piccolo). But he still needed part-time jobs, even doing construction work to help pay for his living expenses. However, he did make an impression and kept going to casting calls until the tide turned for him in a significant way… when he would be cast in both as Itaewon Class and the critically acclaimed Kairos.

Kairos (2020)

Available on AppleTV, Viki

Four years passed since his small role in Descendants of the Sun, and things were still looking bleak for Ahn. But when it rains, it pours, and suddenly, he landed the second lead role in the time-travel mystery Kairos, where he plays a two-faced secretary with his own nefarious plans.

Itaewon Class (2020)

Available on Netflix

Ahn Bo-hyun’s profile immediately shot to the stratosphere when he landed the role of saturnine chaebol (conglomerate) heir Jang Geun-won in Itaewon Class (2020). His unforgettable turn as a slick villain who blended the persona of a reprehensible bully with that of the desperate son seeking his father’s acknowledgment earned him a nomination for Baeksang Best New Actor for TV that same year.

My Name (2021)

Available on Netflix

After playing a besotted but troubled boyfriend in Yumi’s Cells (which he reprised in its second season), Ahn did a 180 and returned to his boxing roots for his role as a narc detective in My Name. He even delicately handled the risqué scene with Ji-woo (Han So-hee). We hear his fans have still not recovered.

Read our review.

Yumi's Cells 1 & 2 (2021 & 2022)

Available on iQIYI, Prime Video, Viki

But before anyone could pigeonhole him as "the bad guy from Itaewon Class," Ahn did a complete 180 and even generously flaunted his tanned muscles to woo Yumi (Kim Go-eun) in the semi-animated hit Yumi’s Cells. As the awkward yet adorkable Woong, he was again a premium blend of the lovable and smart boyfriend everyone wished they had (Ji-soo, you lucky girl!)

See our review of Season 1.

Military Prosecutor Doberman (2022)

Available on iQIYI, Netflix, Viki, Viu

Six years after donning fatigues in Descendants of the Sun, Ahn returns to army life as a soldier-prosecutor in Military Prosecutor Doberman. The drama took full advantage of his physique and fighting skills while wrangling in some personal demons for good measure. Costumers on set also ensured they were fulfilling fans’ requests of seeing him dressed to the nines in three-piece suits and military fatigue. TBH, we don’t think there was a bad shot of him in the drama.

Check out our full review.

See You in My 19th Life (2023)

Available on Netflix

Ahn returned to soft drama territory in Netflix's See You in My 19th Life, where he starred as the main male lead Moon So-ha, who is Ban Ji-eum's (Shin Hye-sun) recurring love interest in all her past lives. We can't say we blame her!

Flex X Cop (2024)

Available on Disney+

This year, Ahn Bo-hyun flexes his athleticism and detective skills as a chaebol cop in Disney's Flex X Cop. He plays a spoiled chaebol heir once again, but this time he’s not wringing chickens' necks like in 2020’s Itaewon Class. In Flex X Cop, Ahn channels his sense of humor and athleticism as Jin Isoo, the enviable second son of the Hansu Group.

On the surface, Isoo is a reckless man-child who can charm or buy his way out of any bind. So until his dad's mayoral bid is sealed, his family has asked him to work as part of a humble detective squad. Soon, Isoo realizes that his privileged background gives him valuable insight and skills in order to solve some of Seoul's most high-profile cases.

See our review here.

Which of his K-dramas is your favorite?