#FangirlGuide: 8 must-watch films and K-dramas starring ‘Little Women’ actress Kim Goeun
There’s something about Kim Go-eun’s acting that makes each role seem so real that you get completely immersed with her characters—only to be hit with a reminder that she’s just portraying someone after all.
In fact, Go-eun’s acting debut in the 2012 erotic romance film A Muse was a powerful introduction. She initially didn’t want to act but she was able to catch the eye of director Jung Ji-woo amid a sea of 300 aspiring stars.
Her career may have started as a twist of fate but her talent is impossible to be denied. From romantic comedy, fantasy, and mystery to thriller projects, she’s one of her generation's most versatile Korean actresses.
As she continues to make waves as Oh In-ju in Little Women, allow us to revisit eight of her most memorable films and K-dramas.
Memories of the Sword (2015)
Revenge is spiteful yet addictive especially if it’s rooted in the ghosts of the past. Set in the Goryeo Dynasty, the film stars Go-eun as Hong-ee, a woman with an affinity for the sword. She was trained to the “master of the sword” by her adoptive mother Seol-rang (Jeon Do-yeon) but she’s more interested in discovering what happened to her father Poong-cheon (Bae Soo-bin).
Hong-ee soon competes in a match and makes it to the end, unaware that it’s her destiny to kill her adoptive mother and Deok-gi (Lee Byung-hun), the man who betrayed her father.
Coin Locker Girl (2015)
Coin Locker Girl is a film that shows Ma Il-young’s (Kim Go-eun) mental and emotional growth until her inevitable fall into the dark side. Il-young is a poor woman who helps a detective called Mother (Kim Hye-soo) run a shady business that specializes in collecting illegal loans and harvesting organs in Chinatown, Incheon.
Il-young’s life changes once she meets and falls in love with Suk-hyun (Park Bo-gum) which ends in tragedy. This film shows off Go-eun’s ability to transition from a cold-hearted “coin locker girl” to a woman who finally lets go of her emotions.
Canola (2016)
Films revolving around familial bonds tend to be too one-dimensional at times, but Kim Go-eun’s role as Hye-ji in Canola is far from it. The 2016 film revolves around Hye-ji who reunites with her grandmother Gye-choon (Youn Yuh-jung) on Jeju Island after being separated for 12 years.
Sunset in My Hometown (2018)
It takes a unique skill to turn a role in a film brimming with nostalgia into one that isn't too overbearing. Go-eun masterfully did that in Sunset in My Hometown.
The actress stars as Sun-mi, the childhood classmate of the film’s main character Hak-soo (Park Jeong-min) who returns to the town of Byeonsan after an unsuccessful attempt to be a rapper.
Cheese in the Trap (2016)
You’re probably living under a rock if you haven’t heard of this webtoon adaptation yet. But if you haven’t, its kilig-inducing plot starred by Go-eun will definitely get you hooked.
The Hallyu star takes on the role of university student Hong Seol who’s devoted to being a good daughter and older sister. She crosses paths with the mysterious Yoo-jung (Park Hae-jin) who suddenly asks her out even if she’s convinced that he doesn’t like her at all.
Cheese in the Trap may be Go-eun’s first foray into K-drama land, but she embodied the spirit of Seol so well. And if we can choose one highlight, it is probably the moments where her inner monologues were shown since she delivered them with so much emotion.
Guardian: The Lonely and Great God (2016-2017)
“Ahjussi, saranghaeyo!” This sweet nothing might be familiar to K-drama fans since it’s one of Go-eun’s most memorable lines in Guardian: The Lonely and Great God. Helmed by screenwriter Kim Eun-sook, this fantasy romance solidified the actress’ strong spot in the K-entertainment industry.
While it’s common knowledge that her costar Gong Yoo is a master of chemistry and kiss scenes), Go-eun is one of his leading ladies who managed to show off her acting chops really well. It’s not easy to be paired with a rom-com veteran but the actress made it look so easy.
The King: Eternal Monarch (2020)
Being a tough cookie who ultimately opens her heart to love is such an overdone trope, but Go-eun made it her own. In her second Kim Eun-sook drama, the actress pulls off the dual roles of Jeong Tae-eul and Luna from the fictional Republic of Corea with so much grace.
A far cry from her school roles in K-dramas, Tae-eul is a police officer who’s dedicated to getting the job done. Unbeknownst to her, she has a counterpart in Corea named Luna who turns out to be a criminal abandoned in the slums of Busan. Tae-eul finds herself on a whirlwind journey of love and tragedy after meeting Emperor Lee Gon.
Yumi’s Cells (2021-2022)
Yumi’s Cells is not a typical office drama—and Yumi is far from being ordinary. The two-season series is Go-eun’s second webtoon adaptation where she takes on the role of an employee through the point of view of her own cells.
The drama is a refreshing change of pace from Go-eun’s usual works since it shows herself as an adult going through the notions of the day. But even so, she was able to display realistic moments throughout its two seasons—you can almost feel that you’re part of her cells themselves.