Melancholia Cast brings an emotionally charged and thought-provoking story to life. Starring Im Soo-jung as the brilliant but troubled math teacher, Ji Yoon-soo, and Lee Do-hyun as the talented yet mysterious student, Baek Seung-yoo, their performances create a powerful dynamic of love, secrets, and intellectual rivalry.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Melancholia is a South Korean television drama that delves into the intense and complex worlds of mathematics, education, and human emotions. The story centers around Ji Yoon-soo, a passionate and unconventional high school math teacher played by Im Soo-jung, and Baek Seung-yoo, a brilliant student portrayed by Lee Do-hyun, who has a troubled past. Together, they form a unique bond as they navigate the challenges of societal pressures, secrets, and academic rivalry. The series explores themes of genius, societal expectations, and the struggles that come with pursuing perfection in an often flawed world.
Melancholia Cast
Im Soo-jung as Ji Yoon-soo
Im Soo-jung plays Ji Yoon-soo, a passionate and unconventional math teacher at a prestigious high school. Yoon-soo is deeply dedicated to her students, believing that math is more than just numbers, but a way to think critically and explore the world. However, her life takes an unexpected turn when she gets caught up in a controversial relationship with one of her students, Baek Seung-yoo. Im Soo-jung brings a sense of warmth, complexity, and vulnerability to the character, portraying Yoon-soo as a teacher struggling with both professional integrity and her own personal dilemmas. Her portrayal adds depth to the series, exploring the balance between passion for teaching and the boundaries of student-teacher relationships.
Im Soo-jung is known for her versatility in both film and television, with notable roles in films like I’m a Cyborg, But That’s OK and The Lake House. Her experience in bringing both emotional depth and subtlety to her characters enhances the complexity of Yoon-soo in Melancholia.
Lee Do-hyun as Baek Seung-yoo
Lee Do-hyun plays Baek Seung-yoo, a genius student who excels in math but has a troubled and mysterious past. Seung-yoo is portrayed as someone who has been scarred by a series of traumatic events, yet his intellectual brilliance sets him apart from his peers. His bond with Ji Yoon-soo forms the heart of the series, as their relationship grows from student-teacher to something more complex.
Lee Do-hyun brings a magnetic presence to the role, capturing Seung-yoo’s internal struggles, intelligence, and emotional turmoil. His portrayal of a gifted yet emotionally distant student is both compelling and heartbreaking. Lee Do-hyun is widely recognized for his standout performances in dramas such as 18 Again and Youth of May, and he continues to shine in his portrayal of Seung-yoo in Melancholia.
Ryu Ju-hyun as Oh Ji-young
Oh Ji-young, played by Ryu Ju-hyun, is a fellow teacher and close friend of Ji Yoon-soo. While not at the forefront of the series, Ji-young provides valuable emotional support and acts as a sounding board for Yoon-soo. Her character brings a more grounded perspective to the otherwise intense world of academia and the high-stress environment of the school.
Ryu Ju-hyun brings a sense of warmth and relatability to her role, providing a contrast to the intense emotional arcs of the main characters. She plays a key role in Yoon-soo’s journey, offering advice and assistance as they navigate both professional and personal challenges.
Park Hyo-joo as Lee Seon-joo
Lee Seon-joo, played by Park Hyo-joo, is another key character in the story, contributing to the personal and academic dynamics at the school. Her character adds to the narrative’s complexity, with her interactions with the lead characters playing a significant role in their development. While her role is more supportive, she adds emotional layers and contributes to the evolving relationships among the core group.
Choi Dae-hoon as Kang Kyung-jae
Kang Kyung-jae, portrayed by Choi Dae-hoon, is a faculty member who plays a more antagonistic role. His involvement in the school’s administration and his views on education challenge Yoon-soo’s ideals. As the story progresses, his character becomes a key player in the conflict and struggles that arise from the pressures of academic life and institutional politics.
Supporting Cast
Lee Ki-young as Lee Sang-woo
Lee Ki-young plays Lee Sang-woo, a high-ranking member of the school’s administration who holds significant power within the institution. He is a character deeply tied to the political and organizational dynamics of the school. As a figure of authority, Lee Sang-woo serves as a foil to Ji Yoon-soo’s more idealistic approach to teaching. His character becomes involved in the various challenges and conflicts that arise, often pushing the boundaries of educational integrity.
Kim Hyo-jin as Choi Seung-yeon
Choi Seung-yeon, portrayed by Kim Hyo-jin, is a teacher at the school who acts as a supportive but sometimes critical figure in Ji Yoon-soo’s life. Seung-yeon is well-meaning but often caught in the crossfire of the school’s politics and academic pressures. Her role provides an additional layer to the emotional landscape of the series, offering insight into the challenges teachers face in such a competitive and demanding environment.
Yoon Seo-hyun as Seo Joo-hyun
Seo Joo-hyun, played by Yoon Seo-hyun, is a student at the school whose relationship with Baek Seung-yoo is a key subplot in Melancholia. Her character is not only involved in the academic rivalry but also serves as an emotional anchor to Seung-yoo’s troubled past. As a student who experiences the pressures of being in a high-achieving institution, Seo Joo-hyun’s presence in the storyline adds layers to the central theme of academic excellence versus personal well-being.
Kim Jung-young as Jo Gyu-hee
Jo Gyu-hee, portrayed by Kim Jung-young, is a family member or close acquaintance of one of the main characters, adding depth to the personal relationships that unfold throughout the drama. Her role in the series is to provide a more grounded and emotionally charged presence, especially when it comes to dealing with the familial and societal pressures the characters face. Jo Gyu-hee’s interactions with Ji Yoon-soo and the other characters provide insight into the personal costs of striving for perfection.
Kang Bu-ja as Jung Mi-sook
Jung Mi-sook, played by Kang Bu-ja, is another teacher at the school who contributes to the administrative and pedagogical aspects of the story. Although her role is more secondary, her interactions with the main cast help to highlight the institutional dynamics and the challenges teachers face within a high-pressure school environment.
Lee Jae-woo as Kim Young-suk
Kim Young-suk, portrayed by Lee Jae-woo, is an important supporting character in the school, who often crosses paths with the main characters. His role, though not as prominent as others, serves as a catalyst in the evolution of the plot, especially when it comes to revealing secrets about the school’s hidden truths and the academic world’s darker undercurrents.
Im Se-mi as Choi Kyung-mi
Choi Kyung-mi, played by Im Se-mi, is a character whose involvement in the school’s more political elements adds an additional layer of complexity to the story. She is a teacher whose actions have ripple effects on the school’s educational culture and the emotional dynamics between students and faculty. Her role as a secondary character adds depth to the show’s exploration of how education is influenced by societal pressures and the personal stakes for the characters.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Melancholia is a compelling drama that masterfully blends the complexities of academia with deeply personal and emotional journeys. Through the brilliant performances of its main cast, led by Im Soo-jung and Lee Do-hyun, the series navigates the intricate dynamics of teacher-student relationships, the pressures of education, and the emotional toll that societal expectations can have on individuals.
The supporting cast adds further depth and nuance to the narrative, highlighting the institutional struggles, personal challenges, and moral dilemmas faced by those involved in the educational system. From the classroom to the complicated emotions that arise from personal and professional entanglements, Melancholia creates a rich tapestry of human experiences.
Chief Of staff Cast & Their Role (2019) Korean Drama
(FAQs)
Who plays the lead role of Ji Yoon-soo in Melancholia?
Im Soo-jung plays Ji Yoon-soo, a passionate and unconventional high school math teacher who forms a deep and complicated bond with her student, Baek Seung-yoo. Her portrayal of Yoon-soo showcases the emotional and professional challenges she faces as a teacher caught up in a controversial relationship.
Who is Baek Seung-yoo and who plays him?
Baek Seung-yoo is portrayed by Lee Do-hyun. He is a brilliant but troubled student who excels in math yet carries a heavy emotional burden from his past. His character develops a complex relationship with Ji Yoon-soo, making him one of the central figures in the story.
What role does Ryu Ju-hyun play in Melancholia?
Ryu Ju-hyun plays Oh Ji-young, a fellow teacher and close friend of Ji Yoon-soo. She serves as a support system for Yoon-soo throughout the series, offering emotional guidance and helping her navigate the challenges she faces both personally and professionally.
Is Lee Do-hyun’s character, Baek Seung-yoo, similar to his role in Youth of May?
While both characters in Youth of May and Melancholia showcase Lee Do-hyun’s depth as an actor, Baek Seung-yoo is much more emotionally complex and intellectual. Unlike his role in Youth of May, where his character was deeply involved in historical and political turmoil, Seung-yoo in Melancholia is more focused on personal and academic struggles, dealing with his genius and personal trauma.
Who plays the antagonistic character, Lee Sang-woo?
Lee Ki-young portrays Lee Sang-woo, a key character who holds significant power in the school’s administration. He is a central figure who complicates Ji Yoon-soo’s life, often acting as an antagonist who represents the institutional pressures that challenge the main characters.
What is the role of Kim Hyo-jin in the series?
Kim Hyo-jin plays Choi Seung-yeon, a teacher who offers support to the main characters but also reflects the struggles faced by faculty members within a competitive educational system. Her character helps emphasize the pressures that teachers experience in the school’s high-stress environment.
Who is Seo Joo-hyun, and who plays her?
Seo Joo-hyun is portrayed by Yoon Seo-hyun. She is a student at the school and plays an important role in Baek Seung-yoo’s life, adding depth to his backstory. Her character highlights the impact of academic pressure on students and serves as an emotional anchor for Seung-yoo.
What is the significance of the character played by Park Hyo-joo in Melancholia?
Park Hyo-joo plays Lee Seon-joo, a character who adds emotional and thematic layers to the story. Although her role is more secondary, she contributes to the unfolding narrative, particularly when it comes to the interpersonal relationships and conflicts within the school.
How does the supporting cast contribute to the drama?
The supporting cast of Melancholia plays a crucial role in enriching the story by exploring the institutional, social, and emotional pressures faced by the characters. Characters like Kim Jung-young (Jo Gyu-hee) and Choi Kyung-mi (Im Se-mi) provide insight into the academic world’s complexities, creating a well-rounded narrative that reflects the struggles of both students and teachers.
Is Melancholia Im Soo-jung’s first role in a K-drama?
No, Im Soo-jung has been active in both film and television. Before Melancholia, she had notable roles in dramas like Chicago Typewriter and The Smile Has Left Your Eyes. Her experience in portraying complex characters in various genres helps bring depth to her portrayal of Ji Yoon-soo.