The Latest Trend in Korean Dramas: “Double Roles for Leading Actors”—The Allure of Portraying ‘Two Lives’ on Screen

Since 2020, the Korean drama industry has seen a rapid rise in the trend of lead actors taking on double roles.

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Whether as twins, characters with multiple personalities, or those possessed by other entities, the technique of having a single actor portray multiple personalities or lives brings an added depth and intensity to the work.

Viewers are captivated by the luxury of experiencing “two lives” within a single drama, and this approach has become an increasingly solid trend.
※Clicking the drama titles below will take you to the detailed pages of each work. Here, you can find deep-dives to enjoy the dramas twice as much, full episode summaries, streaming and broadcast information, related articles, and more..

Highlights: The Fascination of Double Roles

For example, the range becomes clear when considering specific works where the protagonist plays more than one person:

- “River Where the Moon Rises”（달이 뜨는 강：2021)
Kim So-hyun delicately portrayed two roles with historical backgrounds, adding complexity to the heroine’s character.

-“The Tale of Lady Ok: Disguised Identity, True Life” (옥씨부인전：2024–2025)
Choo Young-woo took on the challenge of playing both an entertainer and an upright official with opposite social standings, demonstrating his acting versatility.

-“Our Unwritten Seoul” (미지의 서울：2025)
Park Bo-young played twins, depicting both a cheerful younger sister living freely in the countryside and a cool-headed elite older sister working at a public corporation in Seoul. The drama also showcased complex performances where the twins switch identities, earning her praise for what is called “playing four roles in one.”

Next are stories where the main character is possessed by an evil spirit:

-[“Demon Palace” (귀궁：2025)
Yook Sung-jae portrayed both the heroine’s first love—a righteous prosecutor—and a self-indulgent serpent god Imugi who possesses him. His instantaneous “switch acting” received acclaim, creating intense psychological drama and serving as a vital narrative device.

-“The Fairy and the Star” (견우와 선녀：2025)
Once again, Choo Young-woo took on multiple roles, playing both an unlucky high school student and the evil spirit possessing him, further increasing his presence.

All these works share the characteristic that double roles are not mere gimmicks but crucial devices that add narrative depth.

Beyond Trends—Exploring Contemporary Themes

Such portrayals not only resonate with viewers who wonder, “What if I lived a different life?” but also delve into modern and universal themes, such as:

- Parallel worlds
- Possession
- Personality switching
- Symbols of family and blood ties

For talented actors, these roles become a proving ground as well as a chance to reveal new facets of their star quality.

Reevaluating Earlier Hits

This trend is not limited to recent works. Older productions that made a strong impression include:
Yoon Shi-yoon taking on dual roles in “Your Honor” (친애하는판사님께：2018–2019) and “Train” (트레인：2020). “Your Honor” featured him as both a cold-blooded judge (the “computer judge”) and his delinquent younger brother. In “Train,” he portrayed a righteous detective and a corrupt cop in parallel worlds, deeply immersing viewers in the story.

In addition, Yeo Jin-goo’s drama “The Crowned Clown” (왕이 된 남자：2019) adapted the story famously played by Lee Byung-hun in film, drawing attention for its foundation on the double-role concept.

Looking Ahead

Going forward, the “double-lead” trend in Korean dramas will continue to evolve. It is expected to grow beyond mere novelty into a core element that underpins more complicated human dramas and innovative story structures. Without a doubt, this device will further solidify its status as a defining feature of contemporary Korean dramas.

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