Longing Heart Cast brings to life a heartfelt romance filled with time travel, destiny, and second chances. Featuring Lee Jung-shin as the charismatic protagonist, Seo Ji-hye as the beautiful and complex female lead, and Yoon Jong-hoon as a pivotal supporting character, the series blends emotional depth with compelling performances. The talented cast creates a captivating narrative about love, regret, and the possibility of rewriting the past.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Longing Heart is a South Korean romantic drama that blends elements of time travel, fate, and second chances. The story follows the character of Kang Shin-woo (played by Lee Jung-shin), a man who is given the rare opportunity to travel back in time to his high school days, where he attempts to change the course of his love life and undo the mistakes he made with his crush. As he navigates the complexities of the past, he encounters moments of love, regret, and self-discovery. Alongside him is Seo Ji-hye, who plays the love interest, a character who adds depth and emotional complexity to the story. With strong performances from the main and supporting cast, Longing Heart offers an emotional exploration of the choices we make and their consequences, making it a heartwarming and thought-provoking drama.
Longing Heart Cast
Lee Jung-shin (as Kang Shin-woo)
Lee Jung-shin, a member of the K-pop group CNBLUE, plays the lead role of Kang Shin-woo, a man who is caught in a cycle of regret over his unrequited love in his youth. Shin-woo is a 28-year-old man who, after being given the chance to travel back in time, decides to go back to his high school years to fix the mistakes he made with his first love, Han Ji-soo. Lee Jung-shin’s performance is a blend of emotional vulnerability and charm, capturing the internal struggle of a man trying to alter the course of his life while grappling with the complexities of love and fate. His portrayal of Shin-woo is both relatable and heartfelt, making him the emotional core of the series.
Seo Ji-hye (as Han Ji-soo)
Seo Ji-hye portrays Han Ji-soo, the object of Shin-woo’s affections. Ji-soo is a strong and independent woman who is intelligent, confident, and unafraid to speak her mind. In the present timeline, she is older and more self-assured, but her past with Shin-woo remains complicated. As the drama progresses, Ji-soo’s relationship with Shin-woo deepens, with both characters discovering more about their feelings, their past choices, and their desires. Seo Ji-hye brings an emotional depth to the role, portraying a woman caught between her past and present, and navigating the challenge of reconciling lost love with new possibilities.
Yoon Jong-hoon (as Kim Min-gyu)
Yoon Jong-hoon plays Kim Min-gyu, a key supporting character and Shin-woo’s close friend. Min-gyu plays a pivotal role in both the present and past timelines, providing emotional support to Shin-woo as he navigates his journey of self-reflection and second chances. As Shin-woo’s friend, Min-gyu is a steady and loyal figure, though he also harbors his own feelings and emotions that come into play as the story unfolds. Yoon Jong-hoon delivers a nuanced performance, balancing moments of lighthearted camaraderie with the more dramatic and tense moments of the show.
Kim So-eun (as Kang Shin-woo’s high )
Kim So-eun plays the younger version of Han Ji-soo in the past timeline, when Shin-woo travels back in time. Her portrayal of Ji-soo in high school offers an additional layer to the character’s development, showing the youthful innocence and idealism that contrasts with the more mature, emotionally complex Ji-soo in the present day. Kim So-eun’s performance allows viewers to see the growth of the character, making Ji-soo’s journey and Shin-woo’s attempts to change the past even more impactful.
Supporting Cast
1. Park Ji-hwan (as Han Ji-soo’s Father)
Park Ji-hwan portrays Han Ji-soo’s Father, a figure whose interactions with his daughter add emotional weight to the storyline. His relationship with Ji-soo is essential in providing context for her character’s motivations and past. As a supporting character, he helps to develop Ji-soo’s background and how her family dynamics shape her present choices and relationships.
2. Kang Bu-ja (as Shin-woo’s Mother)
Kang Bu-ja plays Shin-woo’s mother, a warm and caring presence in Shin-woo’s life. Although her role is more subtle, she serves as a grounding influence on Shin-woo. Her love and support for him provide a sense of stability, especially when he faces difficult emotional decisions during his time-traveling journey. Her character adds tenderness to the story, showing the importance of family and unconditional love.
3. Choi Sung-joon (as Teacher Kim)
Choi Sung-joon plays Teacher Kim, a mentor figure in the high school timeline who plays an important part in Shin-woo’s past. He offers wisdom and guidance to Shin-woo, though his role also underscores the challenges Shin-woo faces in trying to alter his destiny. Teacher Kim’s presence adds an authoritative and wise influence in the young Shin-woo’s life.
4. Lee Gyu-han (as Min-gyu’s friend)
Lee Gyu-han plays Min-gyu’s friend, a secondary character who adds some comic relief and lighthearted moments to the drama. His character is often seen in the background, supporting Min-gyu and providing another layer to the friendship between Min-gyu and Shin-woo. His presence helps balance the emotional gravity of the story.
5. Hong Seung-hee (as Shin-woo’s Classmate)
Hong Seung-hee plays one of Shin-woo’s classmates in the high school timeline. While her role is more minor, she provides a backdrop to the high school setting and plays a part in the narrative’s exploration of Shin-woo’s past. Her interactions with the main characters offer insight into the social dynamics of their younger years.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Longing Heart is a heartfelt and emotionally engaging drama that explores themes of love, second chances, and the impact of choices on our lives. Through the compelling performances of its main cast—Lee Jung-shin, Seo Ji-hye, and Yoon Jong-hoon—viewers are taken on an emotional journey as the characters navigate the complexities of time travel and the pursuit of rewriting their pasts. The supporting cast further enhances the narrative, adding depth and richness to the storyline.
With its blend of romance, nostalgia, and thought-provoking moments, Longing Heart offers a touching exploration of regret, redemption, and the possibility of altering the course of one’s life. The series beautifully highlights the idea that while we cannot change the past, we can always learn from it, and sometimes, the love we long for might just be worth a second chance.
The One And Only Cast & Their Role (2021) Korean Drama
(FAQs)
Who plays the lead role in Longing Heart?
Lee Jung-shin plays the lead role of Kang Shin-woo, a man who travels back in time to his high school days to change the course of his love life and correct past mistakes.
Who is the female lead in Longing Heart?
Seo Ji-hye portrays Han Ji-soo, the love interest of Kang Shin-woo. Her character is intelligent, strong-willed, and holds a key emotional connection to the plot.
What is Lee Jung-shin’s role in Longing Heart?
Lee Jung-shin plays Kang Shin-woo, a 28-year-old man given the chance to go back in time and fix the mistakes he made in his youth, particularly in his relationship with Han Ji-soo.
What other dramas has Seo Ji-hye been in?
Seo Ji-hye is known for her roles in popular dramas like Crash Landing on You, where she played the role of Seo Dan, and 24 Hours: The Making of a Killer. Her performance in Longing Heart further showcases her versatility and depth as an actress.
Who plays Kang Shin-woo’s best friend in the drama?
Yoon Jong-hoon plays Kim Min-gyu, Shin-woo’s loyal friend. Min-gyu plays a key role in the storyline as a supportive yet emotionally complex character who helps navigate the ups and downs of Shin-woo’s time-traveling journey.
Is Lee Jung-shin known for any other roles besides Longing Heart?
Yes, Lee Jung-shin is also a member of the K-pop group CNBLUE. He has appeared in other dramas, including The Package and The Cinderella and Four Knights, where he showcased his acting range alongside his music career.
What is Yoon Jong-hoon’s character like in Longing Heart?
Yoon Jong-hoon portrays Kim Min-gyu, Shin-woo’s friend, who is a steady and loyal figure throughout the drama. Min-gyu’s role as a confidant and emotional anchor to Shin-woo adds depth to the relationships in the series.
Who plays the younger version of Han Ji-soo?
Kim So-eun plays the younger version of Han Ji-soo in the past timeline, showing Ji-soo’s more innocent and idealistic self before the complications of adulthood and lost love.
What role does Park Ji-hwan play in the drama?
Park Ji-hwan portrays Han Ji-soo’s father, a supporting character whose relationship with Ji-soo offers insights into her character’s development and background.
Where can I watch Longing Heart?
Longing Heart is available for streaming on platforms such as Viki and other services that offer Korean dramas with English subtitles.
Does Longing Heart explore any other themes besides love?
Yes, aside from romance, Longing Heart explores themes such as regret, destiny, self-discovery, and the impact of decisions made in the past. The characters’ emotional journeys provide a deeper exploration of how choices shape our lives.