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7 Lee Jae-wook K-dramas to revisit after Netflix’s “Dead-End Job”
Lee Jae-wook is back on Netflix with “Dead-End Job,” and this time, even a part-time job could cost him his life. In the mystery-horror series, he plays Hyeok-jun, a debt-ridden young man who stumbles upon a mysterious employment agency offering jobs that pay 50 times the usual hourly wage. Sounds tempting, right? There’s just one catch: every assignment comes with terrifying, life-threatening encounters. From fantasy romances and historical mysteries to corporate thrillers and heartwarming love stories, Lee has played plenty of memorable characters over the years. If “Dead-End Job” has left you wanting more, here are seven of his K-dramas worth revisiting
Alchemy of Souls (2022)
Arguably Lee Jae-wook’s most iconic role, Alchemy of Souls takes us to the fictional kingdom of Daeho, where forbidden magic allows souls to switch bodies. Lee plays Jang Uk, a young nobleman whose magical abilities have been sealed since birth. His life takes an unexpected turn when he meets Mu-deok (Jung So-min), a seemingly ordinary servant whose body houses the soul of a powerful assassin. She secretly becomes his master, helping him unlock his powers as romance begins to blossom between them. Across two seasons, their love story unfolds amid dangerous conspiracies, heartbreak and plenty of unexpected twists.
Extraordinary You (2019)
Before becoming a leading man, Lee Jae-wook caught viewers’ attention in the fantasy romance Extraordinary You. He plays Baek Kyung, a wealthy, arrogant high school student engaged to Eun Dan-oh (Kim Hye-yoon), who discovers she’s actually a minor character in a comic book, destined for a tragic ending. Refusing to accept her fate, she grows close to a mysterious student named Haru (Rowoon), hoping to rewrite her story. But as Baek Kyung begins to realise his true feelings for her, he finds himself caught between jealousy, regret and his own struggle to escape their scripted destiny.
Also see:5 things to know about Lee Jae-wook, the star of Netflix’s “Dead-End Job”
Dear Hongrang (2025)
If you enjoyed the mystery in Dead-End Job, Dear Hongrang is another Lee Jae-wook drama worth checking out. Set during the Joseon era, the Netflix series follows Hongrang, the heir to a wealthy merchant family who mysteriously disappears at the age of eight. When he suddenly returns 12 years later with no memory of his past, his half-sister Jae-yi (Cho Bo-ah) isn’t convinced he’s who he claims to be. As she searches for answers, their growing attraction becomes tangled in family secrets, power struggles and a dark conspiracy surrounding his disappearance.
The Impossible Heir (2024)
Taking things from historical mystery to corporate revenge, The Impossible Heir sees Lee Jae-wook playing Han Tae-oh, a brilliant young man determined to escape his troubled past as the son of a murderer. He teams up with Kang In-ha (Lee Jun-young), the neglected illegitimate son of a powerful conglomerate chairman, to help him take over the family empire. Joining them is Na Hye-won (Hong Su-zu), an ambitious young woman struggling with her mother’s debts. Together, the three plot their way to the top, but their alliance soon faces the ultimate test as greed, betrayal and conflicting ambitions threaten to tear them apart.
Last Summer(2025)
In Last Summer, Lee Jae-wook takes on his first dual roles, playing identical twin brothers Baek Do-ha and Baek Do-yeong, who grow up apart after their parents’ divorce. Every summer, Do-ha returns from the US for 21 days, spending time with his brother and their childhood friend Song Ha-gyeong (Choi Sung-eun), who secretly develops feelings for him. Years later, Do-ha returns as a successful architect, stirring up old feelings and painful memories of an incident that changed their lives. As long-buried secrets begin to surface, their complicated past threatens to change their relationships once again.
Do Do Sol Sol La La Sol(2020)
For something a little lighter, Do Do Sol Sol La La Sol shows off Lee Jae-wook’s softer, more charming side. The romantic comedy follows Goo Ra-ra (Go Ara), a cheerful pianist whose privileged life falls apart after her father’s death leaves her penniless. Hoping for a fresh start in a small town, she meets Sunwoo Joon (Lee Jae-wook), a mysterious part-time worker who helps her get back on her feet and open a piano academy called LaLa Land. As their unlikely friendship slowly blossoms into romance, Joon’s hidden past threatens to complicate their growing relationship.
Search: WWW (2019)
One of Lee Jae-wook’s earlier roles, Search: WWW follows three ambitious women navigating their careers and relationships in South Korea’s competitive web portal industry. Lee plays Seol Ji-hwan, a struggling actor who portrays a villain in a popular TV drama but is surprisingly gentle and sweet in real life. After an unexpected encounter with Cha Hyeon (Lee Da-hee), an executive who becomes a fan of his work, she begins supporting his acting career. What starts as an unlikely friendship gradually turns into a sweet romance, with their adorable chemistry bringing a refreshing, lighthearted touch to the workplace drama.
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