As Extraordinary Attorney Woo continues its incredible rise in ratings, we're taking a tour into Park Eun-bin's amazing filmography this week!
Hello, My Twenties! / Age of Youth Seasons 1 and 2 (2016, 2017)
The JTBC slice-of-life series realistically depicts the youth’s growing pains, such as transitioning to college life, facing financial struggles, and dealing with romantic relationships. But more than a relatable barkada drama, it contains serious discussions on social justice and women's rights. Park Eun-bin flexes her comedic skills as the bubbly Song Ji-won, a Journalism major living with four other young women in Belle Epoque. She had more screentime in season 2, but was as adorably chaotic as ever in her interactions with her flatmates and her male friend Im Seung-min (Son Seung-won, Welcome to Waikiki).
*Trigger Warning: Violence against Women, Sexual Abuse on Minor, Mental Health Issues
The Ghost Detective (2019)
While Choi Daniel takes the lead here as the titular private investigator who catches ghosts, Park Eun-bin is his smart assistant who aids him in solving all the cases, including the mystery of her own younger sibling's death. Adding to the fun is a mysterious Red Ghost who keeps appearing at every crime scene they investigate. Who is she and why is she helping them in their cases?
Do You Like Brahms? (2020)
Park Eun-bin is Chae Song-ah, a talented, introverted, and soft-spoken violinist who enters music school pretty late for her age. There, she meets a Joon Young (Kim Min-jae), a gifted pianist, and thus begins a romance that entwines melodrama and music.
Hot Stove League (2019)
Hot Stove League, the first k-drama about professional baseball, has a cast of about 20 ahjussis plus Park Eun-bin as Lee Se-young—the baseball fan-turned-operations manager of the struggling, bottom-ranked Dreams.
The only female manager in the league, she’s such a feisty little firecracker, and never lets herself be intimidated by the men around her. Although she gets off on the wrong foot with the unconventional new general manager (and male lead, Namgoong Min) she ultimately turns into his ally, using her wits to help him transform the team into winners.
As most workplace romances have a side of romance, it was so refreshing to see a strong female lead play opposite a very attractive male lead without even the slightest hint of attraction or anything more than a professional relationship based on mutual respect.
The King's Affection (2021)
Park Eun-bin portrays a princess forced to live first, as a poor girl, then later, as her twin brother Crown Prince Lee Hwi. She realizes early on that she must guard her treasonous secret with her life to keep her people alive. Growing in wisdom, she vows to take down the corrupt and powerful—but she falls in love with her teacher (SF9’s Rowoon, Tomorrow). Will she eventually have to choose between love and looking after the kingdom?
The plot of this 20-episode KBS2/Netflix rom-com sageuk (historical show) is infused with ironies, non-toxic romance, and complex characters brought to life by skillful actors, making it one of 2021's highest-rated k-dramas. Park Eun-bin made the gender-bender more believable by deepening her voice and displaying her horseback riding, archery, and sword fighting skills. Nominated Baeksang Best Actress, she embodied the Ice Prince who warms up only to a few people she trusts. And her undeniable chemistry with Rowoon fueled their swoon-worthy moments, punctuating the serious and stressful atmosphere of the palace.
Extraordinary Attorney Woo (2022)
The heartwarming legal series features Park Eun-bin as Atty. Woo Young-woo, the first lawyer in Korea with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Every time she handles a case, she draws on her unique strengths, complementing the skills of her high-performing team led by Atty. Jung Myung-seok (Kang Ki-yong, Moment at Eighteen). As the rookie lawyer in the country’s second largest firm navigates her way through society, she adds more allies by her side, especially litigation team member Lee Jun-ho (Kang Tae-oh, Run On).
Park Eun-bin received positive reviews for depicting a person with ASD delicately and realistically. Her character knows a lot of whale facts, but that’s precisely how she learns about life (and the metaphors turn out be spot on!). Though aware of how smart she is, she bravely and humbly learns from others. And for a character that is supposed to have difficulty interacting with others, she has been relentlessly tugging at viewers’ heartstrings in every episode.
While Atty. Woo has been collecting allies, the Netflix/ENA k-drama has been gaining fans week over week, topping the Non-English TV shows in the Netflix chart from July 4 to 10. It certainly deserves its reward for fearlessly tackling sensitive topics such as suicide, fraud, bullying, assault, discrimination, and abandonment.
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