From ‘Dream High’ to ‘Vincenzo’, Ok Taec-yeon’s essential K-dramas to watch before the much anticipated ‘Soul Mate’

Ok Taec-yeon has built a steady acting career that runs parallel to his work in 2PM, moving between genres without leaning too heavily on any one persona. His filmography spans school dramas, supernatural comedies, historical series and darker thrillers, with roles that shift from earnest leads to antagonists. That range has shaped how Ok Taec-yeon is cast, often placing him in narratives that hinge on moral ambiguity or emotional restraint. From early projects that introduced him to mainstream audiences to more recent series that foreground character psychology, these dramas map a clear progression.

His upcoming mini series Soul Mate (2026), co-starring Hayato Isomura, shifts into a cross-border romance that spans a decade. Ok Taec-yeon plays Johan Hwang, a Korean boxer who rescues Ryu Narutaki, a Japanese expatriate, during a life-threatening incident in Berlin. Their encounter forms the basis of a long-term connection shaped by personal trauma, distance and time, with the narrative moving across cities including Berlin, Seoul and Tokyo. The series follows how their relationship develops under changing circumstances, positioning the bond between the two men as the central thread of the story.

For viewers approaching Ok Taec-yeon’s work, the titles below offer a structured entry point across tone, period and genre, each anchored by a distinct narrative premise and a defined co-star dynamic.

‘The First Night With the Duke’ (2025)

Ok Taec-yeon plays a prince whose encounter with a modern-day outsider disrupts the fixed storyline of a fictional world

This fantasy romance begins with a modern university student who suddenly wakes up inside a romance novel, inhabiting a minor side character rather than the heroine. Her attempt to stay unnoticed collapses after an unexpected encounter with Prince Yi Beon, played by Ok Taec-yeon, who insists on marrying her after a single kiss. The story unfolds within palace politics, where the altered narrative disrupts the original plot of the novel. As the protagonist navigates her new identity, Yi Beon’s rigid sense of duty clashes with his growing emotional attachment, creating tension between predetermined fate and personal choice.

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‘Heartbeat’ (2023)

Ok Taec-yeon takes on a half-vampire caught between states, navigating cohabitation and emotional shifts in an unfamiliar human life

In this romantic fantasy, Ok Taec-yeon plays Seon Woo-hyul, a half-human, half-vampire who has spent centuries trying to become fully human. His plan fails by a single day, leaving him caught between two states. He crosses paths with a pragmatic woman struggling financially, and they begin living together under uneasy circumstances. The series uses cohabitation to explore contrast, with Woo-hyul’s heightened emotions and longing set against her practical worldview. Their relationship develops through small negotiations of daily life, while external threats tied to his past complicate the balance he is trying to maintain.

‘Blind’ (2022)

Ok Taec-yeon leads as a detective drawn into a case that links present-day murders to a buried history of abuse

This crime thriller centres on a series of murders targeting jurors, drawing attention to systemic injustice within the legal system. Ok Taec-yeon plays Ryu Sung-joon, a detective who becomes directly involved in the investigation. The narrative gradually reveals links between the victims and a shared past tied to abuse and institutional neglect. As Sung-joon works alongside his brother, a judge, the story layers personal history over procedural structure. The drama relies on withheld information and shifting perspectives, positioning its central characters within a network of suspicion rather than clear moral categories.

‘Secret Royal Inspector Joy’ (2021)

Ok Taec-yeon portrays a reluctant inspector whose investigations pull him into corruption cases across Joseon society

Set during the Joseon era, this historical comedy follows Ra Yi-eon, an unwilling government official who prefers a quiet life but is assigned to work as a secret royal inspector. Ok Taec-yeon plays Yi-eon as a reluctant participant in political affairs, whose investigative duties force him into cases involving corruption and local governance. He teams up with a divorced woman seeking independence, and their partnership drives the narrative. Each case introduces new characters and conflicts, while their evolving alliance reshapes Yi-eon’s sense of responsibility within the rigid social hierarchy.

‘Vincenzo’ (2021)

Ok Taec-yeon appears as a seemingly minor figure whose role evolves within a larger conflict involving power and control

This legal crime drama follows Vincenzo Cassano, a mafia consigliere who returns to South Korea and becomes entangled in a battle against a powerful conglomerate. Ok Taec-yeon plays Jang Jun-woo, initially presented as an inexperienced intern working at a law firm. As the series progresses, his role shifts significantly, revealing a more central position within the conflict. The drama blends dark humour with corporate intrigue, using legal disputes as a framework for power struggles. Ok Taec-yeon’s character operates within dual identities, contributing to the series’ tension and pacing.

‘Save Me’ (2017)

Ok Taec-yeon plays a young man who becomes involved in efforts to rescue a woman from a tightly controlled religious group

This psychological thriller focuses on a young woman trapped within a religious cult, and the group of outsiders attempting to rescue her. Ok Taec-yeon plays Han Sang-hwan, the son of a local politician who becomes involved after recognising the danger she faces. The narrative examines manipulation, isolation and authority, using the cult’s structure to explore how control is maintained. Sang-hwan’s position gives him access to resources but also places him under scrutiny, complicating his efforts to intervene. The drama builds tension through its confined setting and escalating stakes.

‘Bring It On, Ghost’ (2016)

Ok Taec-yeon stars as a student exorcist whose partnership with a ghost leads to episodic cases and a central mystery

This supernatural romantic comedy follows Park Bong-pal, played by Ok Taec-yeon, a university student who can see ghosts and uses this ability to earn money as an exorcist. He meets a high school ghost with no memory of her past, and they form a partnership to solve lingering cases. Each episode introduces a new spirit, gradually uncovering the mystery behind her death. The series balances episodic storytelling with an overarching plot, using humour and action sequences alongside emotional reveals tied to memory and identity.

‘Dream High’ (2011)

Ok Taec-yeon plays a student navigating ambition and personal history within a competitive performing arts school

Set in a performing arts high school, this drama follows students aiming to enter the music industry. Ok Taec-yeon plays Jin-gook, a troubled but talented student with a complicated family background. The narrative tracks his development alongside classmates with varying ambitions, focusing on training, competition and personal growth. Relationships between the students evolve through shared challenges, with the school acting as both a stage and a testing ground. The series combines performance sequences with coming-of-age arcs, marking an early point in Ok Taec-yeon’s acting career.

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From ‘Dream High’ to ‘Vincenzo’, Ok Taec-yeon’s essential K-dramas to watch before the much anticipated ‘Soul Mate’