top of page
Search

You’ll Understand Ji Chang-wook’s Hype After Watching These K-Dramas!

Ji Chang-wook in his most powerful K-drama roles over the years (Credits: Spring Company)
Ji Chang-wook in his most powerful K-drama roles over the years (Credits: Spring Company)

Ji Chang-wook has built one of the strongest careers in K-dramas, moving effortlessly between action thrillers, emotional romances, crime stories, and darker, morally complex roles.


In 2025, his return with The Manipulated once again proved why he remains one of the most versatile actors in the industry. From iconic action heroes to deeply flawed characters, these seven dramas showcase the best of Ji Chang-wook!


1. The Manipulated (2025)


The Manipulated (Credits: Disney+)
The Manipulated (Credits: Disney+)

Jang Tae-ho (Ji Chang-wook) is an ordinary man whose life collapses overnight after being falsely accused of a violent crime. As he struggles to survive inside a brutal system, he slowly uncovers a larger scheme that turned him into a scapegoat. The story follows his transformation from a powerless victim into someone determined to expose the truth and take revenge on those who destroyed his life.


  • Aired: Nov 5, 2025 - Dec 3, 2025

  • No. of Episodes: 12

  • Cast: Ji Chang-wook, Do Kyung-soo

  • Streaming Platform: Disney+


2. Healer (2014–2015)


Healer (Credits: KBS2)
Healer (Credits: KBS2)

Known only by his codename, Seo Jung-hoo (Ji Chang-wook) works as a night courier who handles dangerous missions for the right price. While investigating a decades-old conspiracy, he crosses paths with passionate reporter Chae Young-shin (Park Min-young). As secrets from the past resurface, Jung-hoo is forced to confront his own identity and hidden trauma.


  • Aired: Dec 8, 2014 - Feb 10, 2015

  • No. of Episodes: 20

  • Cast: Ji Chang-wook, Park Min-young, Yoo Ji-tae

  • Streaming Platform: Viki




The Worst of Evil (Credits: Disney+)
The Worst of Evil (Credits: Disney+)

In 1990s Seoul, undercover detective Park Jun-mo (Ji Chang-wook) infiltrates a powerful drug syndicate led by Jung Gi-cheol (Wi Ha-joon). As Jun-mo climbs higher within the criminal organization, his personal life and moral boundaries begin to crumble. The drama explores how far someone can go before losing themselves completely.


  • Aired: Sep 27, 2023 - Oct 25, 2023

  • No. of Episodes: 16

  • Cast: Ji Chang-wook, Wi Ha-joon, Im Se-mi

  • Streaming Platform: Disney+


4. Empress Ki (2013–2014)


Empres Ki (Credits: MBC)
Empres Ki (Credits: MBC)

Set during the Goryeo and Yuan Dynasty era, the story follows Ta Hwan (Ji Chang-wook), a weak and insecure emperor who slowly grows into a ruler shaped by power and loss. His complicated relationship with Ki Seung-nyang (Ha Ji-won) drives much of the emotional tension, as love, ambition, and survival collide within the royal court.


  • Aired: Oct 28, 2013 - Apr 29, 2014

  • No. of Episodes: 51

  • Cast: Ji Chang-wook, Ha Ji-won, Joo Jin-mo

  • Streaming Platform: Viki


5. Suspicious Partner (2017)


Suspicious Partner (Credits: SBS)
Suspicious Partner (Credits: SBS)

Sharp prosecutor No Ji-wook (Ji Chang-wook) finds his career derailed after meeting trainee lawyer Eun Bong-hee (Nam Ji-hyun), who becomes entangled in a murder case. As they work together to uncover the truth behind a serial killer, their professional partnership slowly turns into a complicated romance filled with tension and trust issues.


  • Aired: May 10, 2017 - Jul 13, 2017

  • No. of Episodes: 40

  • Cast: Ji Chang-wook, Nam Ji-hyun, Choi Tae-joon

  • Streaming Platform: Viki, Netflix


6. Backstreet Rookie (2020)


Backstreet Rookie (Credits: SBS)
Backstreet Rookie (Credits: SBS)

Choi Dae-hyun (Ji Chang-wook) runs a small convenience store and lives a quiet, uneventful life until bold and outspoken Jung Saet-byul (Kim Yoo-jung) starts working there. As they navigate misunderstandings, social judgment, and personal growth, the drama balances light romance with themes of independence and self-worth.


  • Aired: Jun 19, 2020 - Aug 8, 2020

  • No. of Episodes: 16

  • Cast: Ji Chang-wook, Kim Yoo-jung

  • Streaming Platform: Netflix


7. Lovestruck in the City (2020–2021)


Lovestruck in the City (Credits: Kakao TV)
Lovestruck in the City (Credits: Kakao TV)

Architect Park Jae-won (Ji Chang-wook) cannot forget a woman he met during a summer vacation, unaware that she has reinvented herself to escape her own emotional scars. Told through interview-style storytelling, the drama explores modern relationships, heartbreak, and how people cope with love in different ways.


  • Aired: Dec 22, 2020 - Feb 16, 2021

  • No. of Episodes: 17

  • Cast: Ji Chang-wook, Kim Ji-won

  • Streaming Platform: Netflix


Final Thoughts


Ji Chang-wook’s filmography reflects an actor unafraid to evolve. From iconic action roles like Healer to the raw intensity of The Manipulated, he continues to push boundaries with each project. Whether you enjoy romance, thrillers, or dark revenge stories, his dramas offer something for every kind of viewer.


Which Ji Chang-wook drama is your all-time favorite, or did The Manipulated top your list? Let us know in the comments!


bottom of page