TripZillaFrom his early days as an actor in Secret Garden to his career-defining role as Ri Jeong-hyeok in Crash Landing on You, Hyun Bin has spent nearly two decades playing different characters and making fans swoon. With dashing good looks and an amazing range of projects under his belt, the 38-year-old actor is one of the highest-paid South Korean actors working today, and so far, he shows no signs of slowing down.
If you’ve been missing Hyun Bin dearly but you haven’t seen this handsome oppa appear on your screen as of late, then allow us to remedy that. Here, we look back on the sweetest moments from the K-drama heartthrob that won us over — dimpled smile and all.
When Hyun Bin charmed us in his early acting days
From Secret Garden to Hyde, Jekyll, Me, Hyun Bin hasn’t been afraid to take on challenging projects. | Image credit: Viki (left); VAST Entertainment Official Instagram Page (right)
Let’s have a quick throwback to Hyun Bin’s earlier acting roles, shall we? Following his breakthrough role in the 2003 drama series Bodyguard, Hyun Bin was catapulted to global stardom when he starred in the rom-coms My Lovely Sam Soon and Secret Garden.
During his debut years, Hyun Bin was a cute and fresh-faced actor who was usually sporting a thick fringe or spiky hair — quite different from the way he looks now, but still charming nonetheless. (This look immediately dates him to the early 2000s in terms of fashion trends, but that’s okay, we still love him!)
Hyun Bin rocking a grey turtleneck at an event for Memories of the Alhambra in 2018. | Image credit: VAST Entertainment Official Instagram Page
After his mandatory military service from 2011 to 2012, Hyun Bin underwent a gradual style evolution into the muscular, suave, and debonair hunk who now makes our knees weak today. He looks amazing in turtlenecks and pomaded hair, as anybody with eyes will tell you.
When he takes the time to let his fans know how much he appreciates them
Hyun Bin interacting with a fan holding out flowers at a gathering. | Image credit: VAST Entertainment Official Instagram Page
One of the things we adore most about Hyun Bin? How much he respects and cherishes his fans.
International fans love Hyun Bin, and judging by the number of endorsement deals around the world that he’s willing to take on, he loves them right back. Throughout his decades-long career, Hyun Bin has attended numerous fan meetings and has even performed music numbers for his supporters.
That reminds us: Did you know that this multi-talented actor can sing? Believe it or not, he even sang a cover of Lady Gaga’s “Shallow” at a fan meeting in 2019.
Like most K-drama stars, Hyun Bin is grateful to his fans for his success — and he isn’t afraid to show his appreciation. In an interview with The Swoon, the actor had a special message for those who have been following him throughout his long acting journey:
“Thank you for watching and supporting me for so many years,” said Hyun Bin. “Since we’re all growing old together, I’ll try to play characters that fit my age and represent that time and the situations we face.”
Furthermore, he adds that his performances and projects are his way as an actor of giving back to his supporters. “All I can do to repay my fans is to deliver good performances. Just like with Crash Landing on You, I’ll repay your kindness with fun projects.”
More fun projects ahead? Truly, the “Hyun Bin phenomenon” is the gift that keeps on giving.
When he captured our hearts as Captain Ri Jeong-hyeok in Crash Landing on You
Hyun Bin captivated global audiences in his role as Captain Ri Jeong-hyeok in Crash Landing on You. | Image credit: tvN
But we can’t talk about Hyun Bin’s appeal without looking into a key aspect of his filmography. See, if there’s any K-drama that has enough staying power for everyone to still be talking about it a year later — thanks to recent events that have given it newfound relevance, which we will cover later on — it’s tvN’s Crash Landing on You.
Considered to be every casual fan’s gateway drug to the life-affirming magic of K-dramas, Crash Landing on You turned everyone and their mothers into die-hard fans of Hyun Bin. In the 16-episode series, Hyun Bin plays Captain Ri Jeong-hyeok, a North Korean soldier who crosses paths with South Korean heiress Yoon Se-ri (Son Ye-jin) when she has a paragliding mishap and accidentally lands in North Korea.
Currently ranking as the third highest-rated K-drama on cable television history, Crash Landing on You has earned accolades for its moving storytelling, a lovable ensemble cast, and the irresistible chemistry between the two leads.
Crash Landing on You earned accolades for its irresistible chemistry between the two leads: Yoon Se-ri (Son Ye-jin) and Captain Ri Jeong-hyeok (Hyun Bin). | Image credit: tvN
But not to be ignored, of course, is Hyun Bin’s talent and charisma as an actor. From a scene with a scented candle that left audiences sobbing to the slo-mo shot of Hyun Bin swooping in on his motorcycle to rescue Yoon Se-ri, the role of Captain Ri Jeong-hyeok was a career-defining performance for the actor, who played the North Korean soldier with sympathy and warmth.
Moreover, it’s a role that best utilises Hyun Bin’s penchant for action-packed moments and drama, as well as his subtle delivery and heart-wrenching vulnerability whenever a scene calls for an emotional punch in the gut.
It’s the character’s bravery, his romantic gestures, and the willingness to show emotion that makes Hyun Bin appear to many as the ideal man. Who can possibly not fall in love with him after seeing how he risks his life time and time again for the woman he loves?
When Hyun Bin slayed the red carpet at the 56th Baeksang Arts Awards
Looking every bit the leading man, Hyun Bin attended the 56th Baeksang Arts Awards in a classic navy suit and bowtie. | Image credit: VAST Entertainment Official Instagram Page
Naturally, Hyun Bin sizzles as much off-screen as well as on it. With those broad shoulders and his flawlessly smooth complexion, it doesn’t take much for Hyun Bin to turn heads at awards ceremonies and look dapper as hell.
During the 56th Baeksang Arts Awards, the 38-year-old actor looked sharp and every bit the leading man when he showed up at the red carpet in a navy suit from Ralph Lauren and a black bowtie.
The Crash Landing on You star looked dressed to kill with his sleek hair brushed back, a white button-down shirt, and a pair of dress shoes from Christian Louboutin. Trophy or none, this is one of Hyun Bin’s most iconic fashion moments, and it makes a strong visual argument for why he’s one of the most highly sought-after brand ambassadors and endorsers in South Korea today.
When Hyun Bin and Son Ye-jin broke the internet by making their relationship public
We’re not crying, you’re crying. | Image credit: tvN (left); yejinhand (right)
Deep down, many of us probably already suspected that Hyun Bin and Son Ye-jin were in a relationship. Then again, we knew, but we couldn’t claim to know for sure until it was made official at the start of the year.
On 1 Jan 2021, Hyun Bin and Son Ye-jin put all speculation to rest after both their agencies confirmed that the two of them have been dating since March 2020. That makes eight months that the pair has managed to keep their relationship a secret. #BinJin fans, you were right all along.
Now that the cat’s out of the bag, we can’t help but notice that all of their scenes together (including the behind-the-scenes outtakes) as Ri Jeong-hyeok and Yoon Se-ri suddenly hit different. It’s no wonder they fell for each other. Their chemistry in Crash Landing on You is just that good.
Life imitates art: Hyun Bin and Son Ye-jin were confirmed by their agencies to be dating. | Image credit: tvN
Needless to say, a relationship announcement between two of our favourite actors is an unforgettable way to kickstart the year. Many fans around the world are sending the couple flowers and rooting for Hyun Bin to find his lifelong happiness with Son Ye-jin. Fingers crossed for these two!
Also read: Watch Hyun Bin All Day: Here’s A List Of All His Netflix Shows!
If there’s one thing we know about this Korean heartthrob, it’s that he has yet to disappoint his fans. Whether it’s serving looks left and right or keeping his fans on their toes with exciting projects to come, Hyun Bin has a way of making us wonder what he might do next.
Here’s to more swoon-worthy moments with this handsome K-drama actor in the future!
