Explore dual personalities/roles with these Korean dramas where identities change and chaos follows!
Korean dramas with dual personalities roles have become a hallmark of the industry, showcasing its versatility in exploring a wide range of genres, themes, and mind-bending plot twists. Among these are stories that delve into psychological issues, including dual identities, alongside fascinating themes like twins, parallel worlds, and more.
Here’s a list of 10 must-watch K-dramas that expertly explore dual personalities/roles, highlighting the incredible talent of actors in portraying such complicated characters.
Also Read: 10 Korean Dramas For Thriller Enthusiasts
1. Hyde Jekyll, Me (2015)
Hyun Bin plays two distinct characters in the SBS drama Hyde Jekyll, Me: Koo Seo Jin, a cold and ruthless businessman, and Robin, a kind-hearted and free-spirited personality. Seo Jin suffers from Dissociative Identity Disorder (D.I.D), and his other persona, Robin, emerges when his heart rate exceeds 150. He avoids relationships to prevent triggering this change.
However, Han Ji Min plays Jang Ha Na, who caught Robin’s attention, making him appear more often than ever.
You can watch Hyde Jekyll, Me on Viu and Netflix.
2. Who Are You: School 2015 (2015)
Kim So Hyun’s portrayal of identical twin sisters Lee Eun Bi and Lee Eun Byul in the KBS2 drama Who Are You: School 2015 is a testament to her acting versatility. Eun Bi, who is bullied and attempts to take her own life, is saved and hospitalized but loses her memory. Eun Byul’s adoptive mother mistakes Eun Bi for her daughter, and she begins living as her twin sister, who has gone missing.
The twin sisters are completely different from one another: Eun Bi is gentle and seemingly weak, while Eun Byul exhibits confidence and resilience. Despite these contrasting traits, Kim So Hyun skillfully brings both characters to life.
You can follow the story as it unfolds on Netflix and iQIYI.
Also Read: Rediscover the Magic of Love with Kim Sohyun and Chae Jonghyeop’s Serendipity’s Embrace
3. The King: Eternal Monarch (2020)
In a world where two parallel realms exist, as showcased in SBS’s The King: Eternal Monarch, characters adopt vastly different personalities in each world, reflecting contrasting lifestyles. A portal connects the Kingdom of Corea and the Republic of Korea, allowing characters like Lee Gon (played by Lee Min Ho), Jo Yeong (played by Woo Do Wan), and Jeong Tae Eul (played by Kim Go Eun) to travel between them.
The main and supporting characters all have counterparts, but the two notable characters, Jo Yeong and Jo Eun Sup, both played by Woo Do Wan, win the hearts of many. In the Kingdom of Corea, Yeong is a serious, disciplined royal guard and a childhood friend of Lee Gon. On the other hand, Eun Sup is a cheerful and laid-back one, with a strong dialect.
You can stream anytime on Netflix.
4. Are You Human Too? (2018)
In this KBS2 drama, Are You Human Too?, Nam Shin, played by Seo Kang Joon, is a wealthy man who falls into a coma after an accident. To protect him, his mother, a renowned scientist, creates a humanoid robot named Nam Shin III, which is designed to look and behave exactly like him. The robot is programmed to replicate human mannerisms and emotions, taking the place of the real Nam Shin and fulfilling his duties.
Seo Kang Joon portrays dual personalities/roles that were contrasting characters: the sweet, innocent, and emotionally learning robot Nam Shin III, and the cold, arrogant, and distant human Nam Shin.
You can watch them on Netflix and iQIYI.
Suggested Read: 10 Must-Watch K-dramas Led By K-pop Idols
5. I’m Not a Robot (2017)
If in Are You Human Too?, the robot takes the place of a human’s life, then in the MBC drama, I’m Not a Robot, the human takes the place of a robot’s role.
Kim Min Kyu, played by Yoo Seung Ho, lives a secluded life due to a severe allergy to human contact. Professor Hong, who created the humanoid robot AG3 (Aji 3), sends it to Min Kyu, but the robot malfunctions before delivery. In a desperate move, Professor Hong asks his ex-girlfriend, Jo Ji Ah (Chae Soo Bin), who looks exactly like the robot, to impersonate Aji 3 for a large sum of money. Ji Ah agrees, and as she pretends to be the robot.
Chae Soo Bin‘s performance as both Jo Ji Ah and Aji 3 in I’m Not a Robot is impressive, as she masterfully distinguishes between the two roles, despite their identical looks and voices. As Jo Ji Ah, she captures the warmth and humanity of a person, while as Aji 3, she conveys robotic precision with more rigid and controlled expressions and movements.
Check them out on Viu and Netflix.
6. Oh My Ghost! (2015)
In tvN’s Oh My Ghost!, Park Bo Young portrayed Na Bong Sun, a shy and timid assistant chef at Sun Restaurant with a weak immune system and low self-esteem. However, due to her low immunity, she becomes possessed by a lustful virgin ghost named Shin Soon Ae, played by Kim Seul Gi.
As Soon Ae takes over Bong Sun’s body, her personality changes dramatically, transforming from a quiet, introverted person to an outgoing, confident, and bold one. This sudden change of behavior becomes highly noticeable, creating a striking contrast to Bong Sun’s usual nature.
You can catch them on iQIYI and Amazon Prime Video.
You Might Also Like: 10 K-drama OSTs by K-pop Idols
7. Mr. Queen (2020)
Since we’re already on the topic of possession, let’s dive into the highly entertaining tvN K-drama Mr. Queen, a perfect watch for this holiday season!
In the K-drama Mr. Queen, modern-day head chef Jang Bong Hwan, played by Choi Jin Hyuk, finds himself in a troublesome situation where he falls into a pool and wakes up in the body of Kim So Young, the Queen, portrayed by Shin Hye Sun, during the Joseon Period. While So Young is known for her modest and sophisticated behavior, Bong Hwan’s possession of her body brings out a carefree and reckless attitude, a stark contrast to the Queen’s usual demeanor.
Shin Hye Sun flawlessly portrays both characters, seamlessly shifting from the dignified queen to a carefree, free-spirited version of her, bringing chaos to the palace.
Catch Hye Sun playing a chaotic queen on Viu and Netflix.
8. Alchemy of Souls (2022)
tvN’s Alchemy of Souls is a fantasy drama centered around the concept of soul-shifting, a forbidden magical spell that allows mages to switch souls. Naksu, portrayed by Go Youn Jung, is an elite warrior who uses this and accidentally ends up possessing the body of Mu Deok, a blind and weak woman, played by Jung So Min.
Mu Deok, once a fragile, blind woman, transforms into a free-spirited individual after Naksu’s soul inhabits her body. Jung So Min expertly captures the shift from the timid Mu Deok to the bold, outgoing one.
Watch them anytime and anywhere on Netflix.
Check This Out: Kim Jaejoong Shares “Bad Memory Eraser” Filming Experience
9. Kill Me, Heal Me (2015)
We’ll start being extra, starting here. MBC’s Kill Me, Heal Me did not just explore dual personalities, but seven!
Kill Me, Heal Me follows Cha Do Hyun, portrayed by Ji Sung, a man suffering from Dissociative Identity Disorder (D.I.D) caused by suppressed childhood trauma. He manifests six distinct personalities, each with their own unique characteristics. Ji Sung’s exceptional performance brings each character to life, with their distinct behaviors, appearances, and mannerisms, making it easy for the viewers to differentiate between them.
You can watch the series on Netflix.
10. The Judge From Hell (2024)
In Episodes 5-6 of SBS’s The Judge From Hell, the character Yang Seung Bin, portrayed by Yang Kyung Won, claims to have multiple personalities that he seems unable to control. These personalities include Koo Do Wan, a dangerous and violent murderer, and Kim Seo Yul, a child who tries but fails to stop him. Seung Bin’s true identity appears unaware of the murder of his family linked to the other personalities. These personalities shift back and forth throughout the trial court of Kang Bit Na, a judge that Justicia possesses, portrayed by Park Shin Hye.
Yang Kyung Won delivered an exceptional performance in portraying multiple personalities, seamlessly switching between them in a matter of seconds with remarkable distinction. His ability to change his aura, behavior, and voice made it easy for viewers to identify which personality he was portraying at any given moment.
You can catch Justicia, as it sends those murderers to hell on Disney+.
Suggested Read: A Tidal Wave of Love and Fun with Love Sea Cast in Manila
Korean dramas surely have all stories, even within the niche of dual personalities/roles. So, indulge yourself by watching these 10 masterpieces and witness the incredible talent of actors as they expertly bring two and/or multiple personalities/roles to life in a single drama!
Source: tvN, MBC, KBS, SBS
