Equally enjoyable or twice as problematic? The recurring and well-known cliche of dual parts is also prevalent in K-dramas, where several instances of the leads having their own lookalikes contribute to the narrative’s twists and turns. Sometimes it’s an extension of their personality; other times it’s a good or evil twin, a doppelganger in space and time. Another approach to illustrate the ultimate struggle between strong and weak, or good and evil—which can be two sides of the same coin—is through duality. These are seven K-dramas where the main characters impressed us with memorable dual roles.
The Chronicles of Arthur
The native clan Wahan and the legendary region of Arth once faced a terrible end during the Bronze Age. The dominant tribe lays siege to their resources, arrests their people, and oppresses and trafficks them. Born from the mating of a human and a Neanthal, a supernatural blue-blooded creature, Eun Seom (Song Joong Ki) is an Igutu who was nurtured by the Wahan clan and is now one of them. Eun Seom is a hunter of the highest caliber and possesses incredible strength. He has feelings for Tan Ya (Kim Ji Won), a Wahan high priestess descendant. Eun Seom resolves to lead the charge to liberate his people after the tribe is invaded and Tan Ya is taken prisoner. He has no idea that his long-lost twin brother Sa Ya, who looks just like him, is hiding in the opulent hallways of the very people who are oppressing him. Sa Ya had a lonely upbringing after being raised by the aspirational Ta Gon (Jang Dong Gun). He is a cold-blooded, complicated young man who is just as much a tool of Ta Gon as the other is. Mythology and fantasy abound as the two engage in a bloody struggle for supremacy.
With easily, Song Joong Ki conveys the contrast between the two characters—the beautiful but callous Sa Ya and the raw and tough Eun Seom. “Arthdal Chronicles” has a captivating visual style, lots of romance, and strong acting to keep you watching.
“The Clown with a Crown”
A wave of horror has been unleashed against his own people by King Lee Heon (Yeo Jin Goo). Known for being unstable and insane, his drug-induced inebriation has caused chaos for everyone in the castle. Because of the numerous assassination attempts and plots against him, Lee Heon is an insecure young man who experiences continual terror. His devoted advisor Lee Kyu (Kim Sang Kyung) feels saddened by his circumstances. When Lee Kyu sees a clown by the name of Ha Seon making fun of the King one day, she is shocked to see how much the two look alike. Lee Kyu finds the ideal counterbalance and replaces Lee Heon with Ha Seon once Lee Heon becomes unwell. Ha Seon had not expected to fall in love with Yoo So Woon (Lee Se Young), the Queen, as he begins to trick everyone into thinking he is King. Ha Seon aspires to advance the kingdom and the nation with his newly acquired power. What transpires, though, when the real and the phony engage in a conflict over love and power?
“The Crowned Clown” is a gripping drama with a clever storyline. It is action-packed, dramatic, fast-paced, and full of shocks; its momentum never wanes. Pitch-perfect and delivering a nuanced performance, Yeo Jin Goo juxtaposes the delicacy and honesty of the clown, Ha Seon, with the paranoia and madness of Lee Heon.
“Me, Jekyll, and Hyde”
More advantageous than one Hyun Bin? In one drama, two Hyun Bins! Rich, attractive, and incredibly conceited, Seo Jin (Hyun Bin) is the CEO of a theme park. He’s a control freak who makes everything his own way and controls everything. But few people are aware that it’s all a lie! A dissociative personality disorder affects Seo Jin. Robin is a charming personality that is a component of his fractured personality. He has a youthful sense of humor. On her first day of work, Ha Na (Han Ji Min), the new manager of the circus that performs at the amusement park, has a bad meeting with Seo Jin. However, when she meets the endearing Robin—the complete antithesis of the stiff Seo Jin—things start to get complicated. Ha Na is swept off her feet by Robin, but when he disappears without explanation, she realizes that Robin is actually Seo Jin, who needs urgent assistance to deal with his trauma.
“Hyde, Jekyll, Me” combines romance and suspense with a dash of psychology. With easily, Hyun Bin conveys the different characters of the cute Robin and the melancholy Seo Jin. You enjoy both of his avatars, and anyway, you can never have too much Hyun Bin?
“Death Me, Save Myself”
Ji Sung’s genius is most evident in the psychological drama “Kill Me, Heal Me.” With his emotional and mental problems, Do Hyun (Ji Sung) appears to be the company’s greatest enemy despite being the heir apparent to a large business. With six distinct personas that emerge based on the circumstances, Do Hyun is undergoing treatment for dissociative identity disorder. His use of these personas is a coping strategy for the horrific and brutal childhood he had, which left him with lasting scars. The arrogant and irresponsible rockstar Shin Se Gi is one of the numerous characters that Ri Jin (Hwang Jung Eum), a mental health resident, encounters. Ri Jin discovers Do Hyun’s various facets as she draws nearer to him, and she may hold the key to unlocking the numerous memories that have been stashed away in his deepest thoughts. Additionally, there is Ri Oh (Park Seo Joon), who aims to look into Do Hyun, expose his cover, and open a secret Pandora’s box.
Ji Sung is the driving force behind the drama and gives a fantastic performance. He can quickly alter his attitude and pitch to fit each of his various personas, which include the overly dramatic teenage fangirl Ahn Yo Na, the acerbic Se Gi, the cool Ferry Park, and the extremely cautious Do Hyun. The actor switches between roles with ease, but what always constant about these characters is their underlying loneliness and melancholy, which he skillfully brings to light.
“Duel”
A police officer named Jang Deuk Cheon (Jung Jae Young) finds himself in a dangerous circumstance. To pay the man who stole his little daughter a ransom, he needs money. Knowing full well that Deuk Cheon is a vulnerable man who will do everything it takes to save his child, the kidnapper manipulates him. Deuk Cheon is prepared to follow the lead of the man holding his child captive, even when the prosector exposes the kidnapper’s tail. He encounters Lee Sung Joon (Yang Se Jong), whom he recognizes as the kidnapper, while he carries on looking for his daughter. Sung Joon is shocked because he doesn’t know why he was beaten up until he and Deuk Cheon notice a man who resembles Sung Joon smirking at them. He is the one at fault and escapes detection from Deuk Cheon, who discovers afterwards that he and the man he beat up, Lee Sung Joon, as well as the man who escaped, are involved in a cloning operation.
The suspenseful drama “Duel” is plenty of mystery and high-octane action that will have you on the edge of your seat. As the helpless father, Jung Jae Young is amazing, while Yang Se Jong plays two very different roles—the naive Sung Joon and the terrifying psychopath Sung Hoon—with remarkable skill. The performer infuses the good into the bad role and strikes the appropriate tone and tenor.
“Who Are You: 2015 School”
Lee Eun Bi and Lee Eun Byul, twins who were split up when Eun Byul was adopted to Seoul, are portrayed by Kim So Hyun. Eun Bi, on the other hand, dropped out of school after experiencing a lonely upbringing and being viciously tormented by classmates. However, Eun Bi takes over for Eun Byul after she vanishes inexplicably. The school’s top swimmer, Han Yi Ahn (Nam Joo Hyuk), who had stood in for Eun Byul, believes Eun Bi to be her. As things get more complicated, Gong Tae Kwang (Yook Sungjae), a lovely student who develops feelings for Eun Bi, shows up. In addition to providing Eun Bi with the family and friends she so desperately needed, her peculiar circumstances aid in her recovery. However, what occurs if and when Eun Byul doesn’t return? Is Eun Bi able to maintain her double identity?
“Who Are You: School 2015” is a standard high school drama that is intriguing to watch because it covers a lot of ground, including misidentifications, growing pains, teenage struggles, friendships, and more. Viewers find it tough to pick between the two male stars, while Kim So Hyun is endearing in her dual role.
“Are You Also Human?”
Nam Shin (Seo Kang Joon), the affluent son of a powerful family, suffers an accident that leaves him in a coma. His distraught mother builds a robot called Namsin III. The robot replaces the bedridden Nam Shin and has his exact appearance as well as his human mannerisms. However, as Namsin III, the robot, adopts the actions of his human namesake, things become peculiar when he befriends and eventually falls in love with Gong Seung Yeon’s character, Kang So Bong. Namsin III becomes a catalyst for the people around him to examine within, despite the fact that he is merely a stand-in for Nam Shin and does not intend to have feelings. In a society where power and greed rule, even Namsin III’s safety appears to be in jeopardy.
Including a number of enjoyable moments, “Are You Human Too?” is not your typical drama. The story revolves around a robot and artificial intelligence, yet the human perspective is fundamental to the whole narrative. Seo Kang Joon is a talented actor who does a fantastic job portraying Nam Shin as both a person and a robot.
