Updated: November 16, 2023
One of the engaging parts of a drama is when a cameo or special appearance by a well-known celebrity is included. It may or may not contribute to the plot but cameos in unexpected scenes somehow provide a fun and thrilling experience to the viewers.
So far, here are eleven most epic K-drama cameos of 2023:
1. Rowoon | A Time Called You
Idol-actor Rowoon’s special appearance and chemistry with Ahn Hyo-seop in Netflix’s A Time Called You (2023) had viewers go wild across social media, becoming the most epic and talked-about cameo of the year. He played Tae-ha, a close friend of Koo Yeon-jun (Ahn Hyo Seop) who sits next to him at a tutoring school and appears to be struggling with bottled up emotions whenever they are together. Unexpectedly, their friendship takes a turn towards BL (boys love) the moment they hold hands for the first time, affirming mutual attraction and giving viewers an electrifying experience in a short time.
2. Kim So-yeon | Taxi Driver 2
Kim So-yeon left viewers stunned with her powerful special appearance as the badass savior in the finale episode of Taxi Driver 2 (2023). The whole squad of Rainbow Taxi Company is in danger and a woman in all black driving a black car suddenly crashes the scene, firing a loaded shotgun and taking down the villains seamlessly. She also surprised everyone with her identity as the original deluxe taxi driver of Rainbow Taxi Company.
3. Namgoong Min | Taxi Driver 2
Namgoong Min’s cameo appearance in Taxi Driver 2 (2023) thrilled fans when he suddenly walks into the room in his character from One Dollar Lawyer (2022), asking Kim Do-gi (Lee Je-hoon) the epic question, “Excuse me, can I borrow a coin?” Dressed in his trademark checkered suit, sunglasses, and wavy hair, the legal hero (Namgoong Min) introduces himself to Kim Do-gi (Lee Je-hoon), gives him a business card, and a legal advice.
4. Lee Junho | Celebrity
Lee Junho made a surprise appearance in the final episode of Netflix’s Celebrity (2023). He took the cameo role of a cleaning crew staff who arrives at the apartment of BBBFamous to clear out her belongings. An iPad lying on a table catches his attention and he checks it only to find himself browsing through Seo Ari’s (Park Gyu Young) Instagram feed, looking suspicious with his smirk.
5. Park Bo-young and Park Hyung-sik | Strong Girl Nam Soon
The special appearance of Park Bo-young ang Park Hyung-sik in Strong Girl Nam Soon (2023) delighted fans when they reunited to play roles as Do Bong-soon and Ahn Min-hyuk from Strong Woman Do Bong Soon (2017). Now a married couple, Park Hyung-sik arrives at the police station while Park Bo-young is being investigated for beating up two men who abused abandoned dogs. Kim Hae-sook who plays Gil Joong-gan also arrives at the police station, introducing each other as family relatives with supernatural powers. She tells Park Bo-young, “I heard you married a catch! You two make a great couple!”
6. Moon Chae-won | Taxi Driver 2
Moon Chae-won’s cameo appearance in the final episode of Taxi Driver 2 (2023) created buzz online and various speculations about her mysterious identity. The last scene takes place a year after when Kim Do-gi (Lee Je-hoon) in military uniform meets a female military personnel named Oh Mi Seo (Moon Chae-won) who makes a formal salute to him but he ignores her. She then turns around to see him walk away with sad-looking eyes, raising curiosity.
7. Yoo Yeon-seok | Dr. Romantic 3
Yoo Yeon-seok caught everyone by surprise when he appeared in the third season of Dr. Romantic (2016-2023). In the first season in 2016, he played Kang Dong-joo, the first mentee of Doctor Kim Sabu at Doldam Hospital. He left the countryside hospital for the mandatory military service and traveled to United States of America for a medical training. Several years later, Doldam Hospital has expanded and built a new trauma center. Amid the tension between Doldam and the government, Kang Dong-joo (Yoo Yeon-seok) suddenly arrives at the hospital as the new head of trauma center. However, he imposes new changes and rules, causing commotion among staff and colleagues.
8. Jin Seon-kyu | King The Land
Jin Seon-kyu made a comical cameo appearance in JTBC’s King The Land (2023). He played a policeman who approached Goo Won (Lee Junho) in a car for littering on the road who ends up being a love coach, giving practical dating advice to the chaebol heir. He even sang a love song while sharing about his own personal heartbreaking experience, making viewers laugh.
9. Seol Inah | Celebrity
Seol Inah made a scene-stealing cameo role in Netflix’s Celebrity (2023). She played Song Yeon-Woo, a rising star who hopes to extend her endorsement contract under the prestigious beauty company of CEO Han Jun-kyung (Kang Min Hyuk) who is rumored to be dating Seo Ari (Park Gyu Young). So she intentionally approaches the famous social media influencer during a prestigious event trying to get closer to her but another influencer suddenly humiliated her for her hidden motive, causing commotion in public.
10. Yuqi | Celebrity
Yuqi, a member of South Korean girl group (G)I-DLE, delighted fans with her special appearance in Netflix’s Celebrity (2023). She played Zhang Wei, a Chinese influencer who collaborates with Seo Ari (Park Gyu Young) for a huge project that plays a significant role for the career success of the rising star.
11. Lee Sang-yi | Crash Course In Romance
Lee Sang-yi made a special appearance as a live streamer called “Mr. Popular” in tvN’s Crash Course In Romance (2023). To gain a higher count of subscribers, he took advantage of a star teacher-parent scandal and entered the side dish shop of Nam Haeng-Seon (Jeon Do Yeon), exposing her identity.
By KORB Blog
KORB 