Wi Ha-joon (also romanized as Wi Ha-jun) has been on fire since 2022. Whether it was leading a film as a psychotic serial killer, playing a second male lead that melts your heart, or a mob boss with a penchant for violence, his depth as an actor is always on display. Like every other actor in the Squid Game series, Wi’s Kdrama credits show that he’s more than just Squid Game.
In Squid Game, he plays detective Jun-ho. Like the series’s protagonist, Gi-hun, Jun-ho is focused on revenge and ending Squid Game forever. The determination he shows in the role is echoed throughout his filmography, but in the Kdrama series he’s appeared in, he also exercises depth. If you’re looking for something to watch next, check out these series and one film that highlights Wi Ha-joon’s talent.
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The Worst of Evil
Showrunner: Han Dong-wook
Genre: Crime Thriller
Where to Watch: Hulu/Disney+
The Worst of Evil is a success because it doesn’t just lean on shocking moments or hard-hitting action. It has those two elements in spades, but it always takes time to develop dynamic characters who are at the center of every choice and mystery. A crime drama, a gangster story, and even a childhood romance, every single aspect of the series is wound tightly together around compelling characters who draw you in immediately and hold you there.
For his part, Wi Ha-joon, like Jung Gi-cheol, is intimidating. This isn’t the first time that we see actor Wi as an intimidating man capable of violence, with his performance in Midnight standing out. But even with his past roles, this performance in The Worst of Evil feels special. A mob boss, Gi-cheol is cool, calculating, and ruthless without a second thought. But he’s also deeply loyal and with just enough emotion to make certain choices come from feeling and not a grab for power. In a world of gangsters, he still allows himself to have his own code, and when allowed to have connections to his past, he embraces them.
Midnight
Director: Kwon Oh-seung
Writer: Kwon Oh-seung
Genre: Horror
Where to Watch: Prime Video
As the only film on this list, Midnight is a must-watch for thriller fans. Wi Ha-joon’s portrayal of Do-sik is spine-chilling. He is a bonafide scenestealer. A man who spots weakness and exploits it to the fullest extent for his own pleasure, Wi Ha-joon massages the utmost terror out of his role. At almost every step of the way, he explores all the nuances of this serial killer, crafting someone charming until the mask of decency is giddily tossed away.
Midnight is a strong feature debut outing for Kwon Oh-seung. The tension-build delivered through the story, the performances, and below-the-line elements like the score, sound design, and camerawork all come together to create a fulfilling thriller.
Jin Ki-joo delivers a compelling performance as Kyung-mi and is guaranteed to break the hearts of viewers, especially once they reach her big monologue. She creates an innocent contrast to the diabolical Do-sik. Wi Ha-joon’s performance is chilling; his character highlights how easy it is to exploit the system and knows exactly what they can get away with. Midnight is a must-add if you need a new thriller to keep you on your toes.
Little Women
Showrunner: Kim Hee-won
Genre: Crime Thriller
Where to Watch: Netflix
Loosely based on Louisa May Alcott’s novel of the same name, Little Women (2022) is a Netflix KDrama series that once again places Wi Ha-joon in a dark and dangerous role. While the original novel was transfixed on the sisters’ resiliency and their world as displayed through a slice of life, this series is more about corporate conspiracy and thrilling attempts to navigate the death of a friend close to the family.
Primarily focused on the Oh sisters, the series is one to watch immediately. Brilliantly acted, the Kdrama series presents a layered mystery that gets deeper as it gets darker. With nothing as it seems, Wi Ha-joon’s portrayal of Choi Do-il is a standout. A thrilling meditation on inequality, the Oh sisters push the viewers to navigate how we relate to the world and our positions in life. As they take on Korea’s wealthiest family, you can’t do anything but root for them.
Gyeongsyeong Creature
Showrunner: Chung Dong-yoon, Roh Young-sub
Genre: Horror/Sci-fi
Where to Watch: Netflix
Gyeongsyeong Creature was my favorite Kdrama of 2023. It offered a pointed look at Japanese imperialism and its impact on Korea, using genre storytelling to do so. A hero in this story, Wi Ha-joon plays Kwon Jun-taek, a prominent son in a wealthy family who has the option to turn a blind eye to occupation. Instead, he rebels.
While actor Wi’s Kwon Jun-taek seems underused at the start of the Gyeongseong Creature‘s Part 1, his character shines in a humbling and somber way by the time they enter the hospital. We see him cling to hope in tragedy and also watch it fall away. Genre is at its strongest when unpacking the horrors of the world. In this science-fiction/horror hybrid, we see Korea’s historical trauma presented, confronted, and retold by highlighting the resiliency of the Korean people.
Romance Is A Bonus Book
Showrunner: Jung Hyun-jung
Where to Watch: Netflix
While Wi Ha-joon isn’t the main male protagonist in the series, he’s still a fascinating character, as Ji Seo-joon, especially when it comes to his relationship with our female lead, Kang Dan-i (Lee Na-young). A workplace romantic comedy between two childhood friends, actor Wi gave me a solid case of second lead syndrome. The series sets him up to turn the office romance into a love triangle. It’s hard not to be swept off your feet by Wi as a young book designer who has a way with words.
One of the first times I saw Wi Ha-Joon in a role that showed his softer side as an actor with a filmography packed full of antagonistic and villainous depth. And I mean, you have to be something absolutely special to pull attention away from the series’ leading man, Lee Jong-suk.
Bad & Crazy
Showrunner: Yoo Seon-dong
Where to Watch: Netflix
An absolutely action-packed series, Bad & Crazy is best entered with very little information. It follows a corrupt detective and the man terrorizing him. Of course, that person is Wi Ha-joon. As K, actor Wi is chaos and violence personified.
A high-octane series, Wi showcases his physicality as much as his charm and humor. Arguably the most fun role on this list of what to watch next list, Wi Ha-Joon playing opposite Lee Dong-wook is perfection. The duo has friction as much as chemistry, which works from start to finish. It doesn’t hurt that the two are inherently linked to one another whether they like it or not.
This is just a sampling of Wi Ha-joon’s work to get you started on seeing the depths of his talent outside of Squid Game. Did your favorites not make our list? Did we leave one off? Let us know on social media @butwhytho.net on Bluesky.
Squid Game Season 1-3 are available now, exclusively on Netflix.
