If you’ve been watching K-dramas for a while, there’s a good chance you’ve already seen Kim Min Ha steal the spotlight. After her breakout role in Pachinko, her career skyrocketed — and honestly, she’s been unstoppable ever since. She’s one of those rare actresses who doesn’t just act; she feels her characters. You can see it in her eyes, her tone, even in the smallest gestures.
Over the past few years, Kim Min Ha has shown that she’s more than just a pretty face in the industry. She’s versatile, passionate, and always takes risks with her roles. From heartbreaking love stories to emotional family dramas, she’s mastered them all. And let’s be real — her performances stay with you long after the final episode rolls.
If you’re planning your next K-drama binge and want to explore her best works, this list will guide you straight to her most powerful performances. Grab your snacks, open your streaming app, and let’s dive into the world of Kim Min Ha.
Typhoon Family
When it comes to emotional depth, Typhoon Family delivers in every way. Set in 1997 during South Korea’s economic crisis, this drama captures the pain, pride, and perseverance of a family trying to survive a financial collapse.
Lee Joon Ho stars as Kang Tae Poong, a man who once lived a carefree life thanks to his wealthy father’s small company, Typhoon Trading. But when tragedy strikes and his father passes away, everything changes overnight. Tae Poong is suddenly faced with the responsibility of saving his late father’s company — a task that forces him to grow up fast.
And this is where Kim Min Ha comes in as Oh Mi Seon, the company’s accountant who becomes both his anchor and emotional support. Their chemistry is quiet yet powerful. You can feel the tension between ambition and affection as they rebuild their lives amid chaos.
What makes this drama stand out isn’t just its story about survival; it’s how it portrays resilience and unexpected love in times of hardship. Typhoon Family is heartfelt, grounded, and beautifully acted. If you love period dramas with emotional stakes, this one’s worth every minute. You can stream it on Netflix.
Way Back Love
Here’s one for anyone who believes love can transcend time — and even death. Way Back Love brings together fantasy, romance, and raw emotion in a way that hits straight to the heart.
Kim Min Ha plays Jung Hee Wan, a 24-year-old woman who’s completely lost her spark for life. She lives in isolation, cut off from the world, until one day, her childhood friend and first love, Kim Ram Woo (played by Gong Myung), appears before her. The twist? He’s been dead for six years and is now a grim reaper.
Crazy, right? But here’s the thing — when they were alive, they both had feelings for each other but never confessed. So, this second chance in the afterlife becomes both a reunion and a reckoning.
Kim Min Ha delivers a beautifully restrained performance here. You can feel her grief, confusion, and quiet longing in every scene. Way Back Love isn’t your typical romance; it’s a story about closure, forgiveness, and rediscovering the meaning of life. It’s tender, emotional, and full of bittersweet moments. You can catch it on Vidio.
Light Shop
If you thought Kim Min Ha only excels in romantic roles, Light Shop will change your mind completely. This mystery drama dives deep into themes of trauma, regret, and redemption — all wrapped in an eerie, supernatural atmosphere.
The story revolves around a group of strangers, each haunted by their own painful pasts. They find themselves drawn to a small, dimly lit lamp store hidden at the end of a dark alley — a place that seems to exist somewhere between reality and the afterlife. The store is run by a mysterious man, played by Ju Ji Hoon, whose calm demeanor hides secrets of his own.
Kim Min Ha plays Yoon Seon Hae, a screenwriter who moves into an old house and begins to experience strange, unexplainable events. As her world starts blending with the supernatural, she begins to confront her inner darkness and the regrets she’s long buried.
It’s haunting, poetic, and surprisingly healing. Light Shop is less about jump scares and more about the quiet pain people carry — and how light can find its way even through the darkest corners of the soul. For those who loved Hotel Del Luna or The Light in Your Eyes, this one will hit home. Stream it on Disney+ Hotstar.
Pachinko
No list of Kim Min Ha’s best dramas would be complete without mentioning Pachinko. This masterpiece from Apple TV+ isn’t just a show — it’s an experience. Based on the bestselling novel by Min Jin Lee, it’s a sweeping, multigenerational saga about love, resilience, and identity.
Kim Min Ha plays the young version of Kim Sun Ja, a woman born in Busan during Japan’s occupation of Korea. Her story begins with an innocent love — she falls for Koh Han Su (Lee Min Ho), a wealthy and mysterious man whose charm hides dangerous secrets. Their relationship changes the course of her life forever.
But Pachinko isn’t just about romance. It’s about survival, family, and the pain of displacement. Sun Ja eventually marries a kind minister, Baek Isak (Noh Sang Hyun), and moves to Japan, where she faces discrimination and hardship as an immigrant. Through it all, her strength and quiet dignity shine.
Kim Min Ha’s performance is breathtaking. She captures the heartbreak and hope of a woman who carries her entire family’s future on her shoulders. It’s no exaggeration to say that Pachinko made her an international star. Both seasons are available on Apple TV+, and they’re absolutely worth your time.
Partners for Justice
Before she became a household name, Kim Min Ha appeared in Partners for Justice, a crime procedural drama that mixes forensic science with human drama. And while her role as Park Mi Young isn’t a lead, it’s still one that showcased her early potential.
The drama follows Baek Beom (Jung Jae Young), a skilled but abrasive forensic doctor who’s been solving cases for over a decade, and Eun Sol (Jung Yu Mi), a rookie prosecutor with a bright personality and a strong moral compass. Together, they uncover the truth behind complex and often gruesome crimes.
Kim Min Ha’s supporting role adds texture to the story — her character helps bridge the emotional gap between the cold science of autopsies and the human side of justice. Watching her here is like finding an early gem before it gets polished — you can already see the emotional intelligence that defines her later work. You can stream Partners for Justice on Netflix.
School 2017
Long before the prestige projects and international acclaim, Kim Min Ha made her mark in School 2017. This youthful, relatable drama takes us back to the chaotic yet meaningful days of high school — full of friendship, crushes, and the pressure to fit in.
The story follows Ra Eun Ho (played by Kim Se Jeong), an optimistic student who dreams of becoming a webtoon artist. But when a mysterious figure known as “Student X” starts exposing corruption within the school, Eun Ho finds herself wrongly accused.
Kim Min Ha plays Yeo Sung Eun, one of the students caught in the emotional whirlwind of teenage rebellion, identity, and growing pains. Even in a smaller role, she brings sincerity and charm to the screen. You can tell she understood the unspoken struggles of youth — the fear of not belonging, the hope of being seen.
School 2017 is light, heartwarming, and perfect if you want something nostalgic yet meaningful. You can watch it on iQIYI.
Watching Kim Min Ha’s Growth
What makes Kim Min Ha such a standout actress is her emotional precision. She doesn’t overact. Instead, she immerses herself so deeply in her roles that you forget she’s acting. Whether she’s portraying a quiet accountant, a haunted writer, or a young woman carrying the weight of her family’s history, her performances always feel authentic.
She’s also fearless when it comes to challenging herself. Some actresses play it safe once they find a “type” that works — but not Kim Min Ha. One year she’s tackling historical melodrama in Pachinko, and the next, she’s diving into psychological mystery in Light Shop. It’s like she’s constantly reinventing herself, proving that growth isn’t about fame — it’s about range.
And honestly? That’s what makes watching her so satisfying. You’re not just seeing her play roles. You’re witnessing a young actress evolve in real-time.
Which Kim Min Ha Drama to Start With
If you’re new to Kim Min Ha’s filmography and don’t know where to begin, here’s a quick guide based on your mood:
- For emotional storytelling and deep historical context: Pachinko
- For heart-fluttering romance with a twist: Way Back Love
- For mystery and a touch of the supernatural: Light Shop
- For office drama and resilience: Typhoon Family
- For nostalgia and youth energy: School 2017
- For crime-solving intrigue: Partners for Justice
Each one highlights a different side of her — and that’s the beauty of it.
Kim Min Ha A Star Who Keeps Shining
Kim Min Ha’s journey in the K-drama world is just getting started, but she’s already built an impressive resume. Her acting feels personal, layered, and honest — the kind that makes you pause, replay a scene, and whisper, “Wow.”
As she continues to take on new roles, it’s exciting to think about where she’ll go next. Whether she’s leading a major production or lending quiet strength in a supporting role, she’s always magnetic.
So, the next time you scroll through Netflix or Disney+, remember this list. Pick one Kim Min Ha drama, press play, and let yourself get lost in her world. Just be warned — once you start, it’s hard to stop.