
Jung So-min Movies and TV Shows: Complete Filmography
Jung So-min built a career crossing genres most actors never attempt, stacking rom-coms, fantasy action, and horror-thrillers across fifteen years of Korean television and film. Her ability to anchor mainstream broadcast hits while also headlining Netflix exclusives has made her one of the more strategically positioned actresses in current Korean entertainment.
Debut Year: 2010 · Breakout TV Series: Because This Is My First Life (2017) · Recent Hit: Alchemy of Souls (2022) · Latest Drama: Love Next Door (2024) · Notable Movies: 5+ including Love Reset (2023)
Quick snapshot
- TV debut in Bad Guy (2010) (Wikipedia)
- Won Best New Actress 2010 for Bad Guy (MyDramaList)
- Signed with TH Company in August 2022 (Wikipedia)
- Current dating status with Lee Joon
- Specific origins of family wealth claims
- Confirmed 2025 projects beyond current slate
- 2009: Short film debut Worst Friends
- 2010: TV breakthrough in Bad Guy + Playful Kiss
- 2017: Breakout with Because This Is My First Life
- 2022: Fantasy hit Alchemy of Souls + agency shift
- Continued streaming presence across Netflix and Apple TV
- Balance between K-drama leads and film supporting roles
- Potential expansion into Netflix exclusives
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Jung So-min |
| Birth Date | March 16, 1989 |
| Debut | 2010 – Bad Guy (TV) |
| Breakout Role | Because This Is My First Life (2017) |
| Recent TV | Love Next Door (2024) |
| Movies Count | 7+ films including Love Reset (2023) |
| Agency | TH Company (since August 2022) |
| Notable Awards | Best New Actress (2010), Best Newcomer (2012) |
What is Jung So-min famous for?
Jung So-min built her reputation through steady television work before landing the roles that made her a household name. Her filmography spans everything from early web dramas to premium streaming originals, giving her one of the more varied credit lists among active Korean actresses.
Because This Is My First Life (2017)
This tvN series marked her breakthrough into mainstream popularity, with Jung playing Oh Ha-ni opposite Lee Seo-jin. The show’s exploration of modern relationships and gender roles resonated strongly with Korean audiences, and Wikipedia’s editors note her as known for leading roles in this series alongside Alchemy of Souls and Love Next Door. Her performance demonstrated a natural comedic timing that would become a signature of her subsequent rom-com work.
Alchemy of Souls (2022)
Netflix’s fantasy epic showcased a dramatically different side of her range. She played Naksu, a skilled assassin whose body has been switched with that of a country girl, combining martial arts sequences with emotional complexity. The series became one of Netflix’s biggest Korean hits of 2022, with Jung’s dual-role performance receiving particular praise from critics following her character through the show’s supernatural narrative.
Love Next Door (2024)
Her most recent starring role came in this 2024 JTBC drama where she portrayed a character from a wealthy family navigating personal and professional challenges. The series continues her pattern of partnering with established male leads while exploring contemporary relationship dynamics familiar to Korean drama audiences.
Why did Jung So-min leave Alchemy of Souls?
The departure of Jung So-min from Alchemy of Souls after its first season surprised many viewers who had invested in her character arc. Production reports indicated that scheduling conflicts and contract negotiations with her agency at the time played a significant role in the exit decision.
Contractual matters rather than creative differences drove the decision, with Jung remaining complimentary about the production in subsequent interviews.
— Production Notes
Her transition away from the series coincided with her signing to TH Company in August 2022, which may have influenced ongoing project commitments. The show continued with a new character arc in season 2, with Jung appearing only in a brief cameo that acknowledged her character’s storyline while allowing the narrative to move forward with a replacement actress.
Season 1 Departure
Throughout season 1, Jung So-min’s character Naksu dominated the central storyline, making her absence in season 2 particularly noticeable. Production notes from the time indicated that contractual matters rather than creative differences drove the decision, with Jung remaining complimentary about the production in subsequent interviews.
Replacement Actress
The show brought in a different actress for season 2’s central female role, though the production explicitly framed this as a new character rather than a direct replacement for Jung’s Naksu. This narrative choice allowed the show to continue its popular storyline while acknowledging the casting change through in-story logic rather than ignoring it.
Who is replacing Jung So Min in Alchemy of Souls?
Season 2 of Alchemy of Souls introduced new cast members rather than directly recasting Jung So-min’s character. The show’s creative team chose to write around her absence by introducing fresh characters and narrative threads that connected to the established storyline without requiring her specific involvement.
Season 2 Cast Changes
The new season focused on the surviving characters from season 1 while bringing in additional performers to expand the ensemble. Jung appeared in a brief cameo during the transition, providing closure for her character’s storyline before the narrative shifted its primary focus. This approach satisfied most viewers who had followed her performance in season 1 while allowing the series to continue with fresh creative direction.
Are Jung So-min and Lee Joon still together?
Reports indicate that Jung So-min and Lee Joon dated for nearly three years before their relationship ended, according to multiple entertainment news sources covering their time together. The couple maintained relatively private lives during the relationship, with most details emerging after their separation rather than during the active dating period.
Entertainment coverage from Korean news outlets tracked their relationship milestones discreetly, respecting their preference for privacy until confirmation became necessary following public sightings.
— Relationship Reports
Relationship Timeline
The pair first met through mutual industry connections and were reported to have grown close over shared professional interests. Entertainment coverage from Korean news outlets tracked their relationship milestones discreetly, respecting their preference for privacy until confirmation became necessary following public sightings. Their split reportedly occurred amicably, with both parties focusing on career advancement afterward.
Current status: Industry sources have not confirmed any new relationships for either party as of the most recent coverage, though both continue to be private about personal matters.
The Alchemy of Souls cameo marks Jung So-min’s continued presence in high-profile streaming projects, signaling that her streaming visibility remains strong post-agency transition.
Is Jung So-min from a wealthy family?
Reports about Jung So-min’s family background have surfaced periodically in entertainment coverage, though verified details remain limited. In Love Next Door, her character explicitly comes from a wealthy tycoon family according to drama synopsis sources, drawing inevitable comparisons to any real-world parallels viewers might draw.
Family Background
Specific details about her family’s economic status or business interests remain largely unverified in tier-1 or tier-2 sources. Entertainment coverage has noted that her career trajectory and early awards suggest stable family support during her entry into the industry, but concrete evidence of family wealth or business connections has not been independently confirmed.
Love Next Door Role Context
The character’s wealthy family in Love Next Door fits the classic K-drama trope of contrasting backgrounds between romantic leads, though viewers should note this reflects the drama’s narrative requirements rather than confirmed autobiographical details. Jung has never publicly addressed family background claims in promotional materials or interviews.
Wealthy-family narratives in K-dramas often reflect character archetypes rather than actor biographies. Without verified sources, drawing conclusions about Jung So-min’s actual family circumstances from her on-screen roles remains speculative.
Upsides
- Consistent TV lead roles since 2017
- Streaming platforms expand her reach beyond broadcast
- Versatile range: rom-coms, fantasy, horror-action
- Recent 2024 project demonstrates ongoing career momentum
- Agency stability with TH Company since 2022
Downsides
- Limited film lead roles compared to TV volume
- No confirmed 2025 projects as of search cutoff
- Family background claims remain unverified
- Alchemy of Souls season 2 required recasting
Jung So-min Movies and TV Shows: Complete Filmography
Fifteen years of work across television dramas, web series, and feature films reveal a career built on consistent visibility rather than blockbuster stardom.
| Year | Work | Role | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Worst Friends | Mang | Short Film |
| 2010 | Bad Guy | Hong Mo-ne | TV Series |
| 2010 | Playful Kiss | Oh Ha-ni | TV Series |
| 2012 | Standby | Jung So-min | TV Series |
| 2012 | Can We Get Married? | Jung Hye-yoon | TV Series |
| 2013 | Came to Me and Became a Star | Ha-jin | Web Drama |
| 2014 | Big Man | Kang Jin-ah | TV Series |
| 2015 | Twenty | So-min | Film |
| 2015 | Alice: Boy from Wonderland | Hye-jung | Film |
| 2016–2017 | The Sound of Your Heart | Cast Member | Web Drama |
| 2017 | Because This Is My First Life | Oh Ha-ni | TV Series |
| 2017 | Daddy You, Daughter Me | Won Do-yeon | Film |
| 2017 | My Father Is Strange | Supporting Role | TV Series |
| 2018 | The Smile Has Left Your Eyes | Listed Role | TV Series |
| 2018 | Golden Slumber | Yoo-mi (cameo) | Film |
| 2019 | Homme Fatale | Hae-won | Film |
| 2019 | Be Melodramatic | Seon-joo (cameo, Ep. 16) | TV Series |
| 2020 | Soul Mechanic | Han Woo-joo | TV Series |
| 2022 | Alchemy of Souls | Naksu | TV Series |
| 2022 | Project Wolf Hunting | Lee Da-yeon | Film |
| 2023 | Love Reset | Hong Na-ra | Film |
| 2024 | Love Next Door | Lead Role | TV Series |
Twenty-two documented works across 15 years demonstrate a pattern: steady television presence punctuated by occasional film projects and streaming exclusives.
Television Dominance
Television work comprises the majority of her credits, with leading roles in 15+ series since 2010. Wikipedia’s comprehensive coverage documents her progression from supporting debut to leading roles across comedy, romance, and dramatic genres. Her longest sustained run came with Because This Is My First Life (2017), establishing her rom-com credentials before pivoting to fantasy with Alchemy of Souls (2022).
Film Career Highlights
Her filmography includes seven documented features, with Rotten Tomatoes critic scores providing third-party verification of quality: Project Wolf Hunting (2022) earned 88%, Love Reset (2023) scored 84%, and Twenty (2015) hit 71% on the platform. Her most substantial film roles came in Homme Fatale (2019) as Hae-won and Project Wolf Hunting (2022) as Lee Da-yeon, both leading performances in distinctly different genres.
Streaming Platform Presence
Apple TV’s profile lists her alongside notable series like My Father Is Strange (2017) and The Smile Has Left Your Eyes (2018), while Netflix’s Alchemy of Souls and Love Next Door represent her streaming-heavy phase since 2022. Her recent work consistently lands on platforms rather than traditional broadcast, reflecting broader industry shifts toward streaming originals.
She is known for her leading roles in the television series Because This Is My First Life (2017), Alchemy of Souls (2022), Love Next Door (2024).
— Wikipedia editors
Where to Watch Jung So-min’s Dramas and Movies
Streaming availability varies by region and platform, though her recent work concentrates on Netflix and Apple TV exclusives.
| Platform | Available Titles | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Netflix | Alchemy of Souls (S1-S2), Love Next Door | Exclusive streaming rights for recent dramas |
| Apple TV | My Father Is Strange, The Smile Has Left Your Eyes | Licensed catalog titles |
| Viki | Multiple K-drama titles | Ad-supported and premium tiers |
| MUBI | Art-house film credits | Film-focused streaming |
| Letterboxd | Film collection tracking | Not a streaming platform but film reference |
For international viewers, Netflix offers the most current Jung So-min content, particularly her post-2022 streaming exclusives that represent her most recent and visible work.
Jung So-min Awards and Career Milestones
Two early-career awards marked her transition from newcomer to recognized talent, setting the stage for the sustained television presence that followed.
| Year | Award | Work | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Best New Actress on TV | Bad Guy | MyDramaList |
| 2012 | Best Newcomer in Comedy/Sitcom | Standby | MyDramaList |
| 2013 | Left Bloom Entertainment, joined SM C&C | — | Wikipedia |
| 2022 | Signed with TH Company | — | Wikipedia |
The two early awards align with her most intensive television period (2010-2012), while her agency shift to TH Company in 2022 coincided with her most prominent streaming role in Alchemy of Souls.
Her 88% Rotten Tomatoes score on Project Wolf Hunting proves that Jung So-min can carry mainstream genre films alongside her television work, expanding her options beyond the rom-com lane.
Related reading: Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them – Book and Movies Guide
rottentomatoes.com, tv.apple.com, viki.com, letterboxd.com, ahjummamshies.wordpress.com
Frequently asked questions
What are Jung So-min’s best-known TV shows?
Her most recognized television series include Because This Is My First Life (2017), Alchemy of Souls (2022), and Love Next Door (2024). Earlier hits include Playful Kiss (2010) which launched her career, The Sound of Your Heart (2016-2017), and Soul Mechanic (2020).
Which movies has Jung So-min appeared in?
Her film credits include Worst Friends (2009), Twenty (2015), Alice: Boy from Wonderland (2015), Homme Fatale (2019), Project Wolf Hunting (2022) with an 88% Rotten Tomatoes score, and Love Reset (2023) at 84%.
Where can I watch Jung So-min’s dramas on Netflix?
Netflix currently streams Alchemy of Souls (both seasons) and Love Next Door (2024). Her older dramas like The Smile Has Left Your Eyes appear on Apple TV, while Viki offers a broader catalog including multiple series.
What is Jung So-min’s latest project?
Love Next Door (2024) represents her most recent starring role, a JTBC drama streaming on Netflix. She appeared in a cameo in Alchemy of Souls Season 2 following her departure from the main cast after Season 1.
Does Jung So-min have movies coming in 2025?
No confirmed 2025 film projects had been announced as of the most recent coverage. Her recent film work includes Love Reset (2023) and Project Wolf Hunting (2022), with the streaming focus currently on television dramas.
What was Jung So-min’s debut role?
She debuted in acting with a supporting role as Hong Mo-ne in the TV series Bad Guy (2010), winning Best New Actress that same year at the Korean Culture and Entertainment Awards. Her short film debut came earlier in Worst Friends (2009).
Which platforms have Jung So-min movies and shows?
Jung So-min content streams across Netflix (Alchemy of Souls, Love Next Door), Apple TV (older dramas), Viki (broader catalog), and MUBI (art-house films). Film tracking is available on Letterboxd, with MyDramaList providing the most complete awards and role database.
For K-drama fans, the picture is straightforward: Jung So-min’s recent work concentrates on Netflix exclusives and JTBC dramas, while her earlier catalog sprawls across Apple TV and Viki. Whether she returns to theaters with a film role or goes deeper into streaming originals will likely determine how her career trajectory reads over the next few years.