Reply 1988, Hospital Playlist and more: K-dramas that introduced us to the best abeojis aka fathers who won our hearts (2024)

In K-dramas, dads come in all flavors: from the high-powered chaebol dad who conquers the boardroom but forgets his kid's birthday, to the lovably flawed dads who stumble through life but always come through with a warm hug and sound advice. As we sift through dramas, we're rounding up our favorite appas and abeojis who've left us chuckling, tearing up, or scratching our heads - sometimes all at once. Keep reading until the end to find out if your favorite K-drama dad made it onto the list!

Jo Jung Suk's portrayal of Ik Jun in ‘Hospital Playlist’ has won hearts for his endearing role as a dedicated single father to U Ju. Despite his demanding career as a doctor, Ik Jun ensures his son feels like the center of his ‘uju’ (universe in Korean). Whether bonding over Egg Drop sandwiches or sharing moments with corn dogs, Ik Jun cherishes every opportunity to spend some quality time with U Ju. U Ju is growing up to be a mix of cute and cheeky, and it's clear that Ik Jun's parenting style deserves some credit for that.

In ‘Itaewon Class’, Park Saeroyi's relationship with his father, Sung Yul, played by Son Hyun Joo, may have been brief on screen, but its impact can be seen throughout the series. Sung Yul emerges as a principled man who fiercely defends his son against injustice, even at the cost of his career. Though his presence is limited, Sung Yul becomes a driving force behind Saeroyi's determination to pursue his dream of owning a restaurant. Saeroyi's upbringing under his father's guidance shapes him into the resilient and principled individual who rises above challenges to prove his worth to those who underestimated him.

In ‘Reply 1988’, where every parent deserves recognition for their roles, Sung Dong Il's portrayal of Bo Ra, Duk Seon, and No Eul's father stands out as both loud and lovable. Known for his boisterous nature and frequent scoldings, Sung Dong Il's character initially appears strict and often neglectful of his own family in favor of helping others. Yet, beneath his gruff exterior lies a deeply caring father figure, fiercely protective of his children. Despite not displaying affection in conventional ways, he quietly shows his love through thoughtful gestures, like remembering Duk Seon's forgotten birthday with a cake or wearing oversized shoes gifted by Bo Ra at her wedding.