Actor Kim Yoon-bae is fast becoming the face of the Friday-to-Sunday TV block.
In JTBC’s Manager Kim ― which premiered Oct. 25 and is short for the literal title “The Dream Life of Mr. Kim” ― Kim plays Dal-jae, a production-line worker at ACT’s Asan plant, where Kim Nak-soo (Ryu Seung-ryong) lands after a demotion. Teaming with Lee Joo-young (played by Jung Eun-chae), Dal-jae keeps a wary eye on the new arrival but proves a one-man army who gets every job done.
Over on MBC’s period fantasy romance "Moon River", the actor shifts gears again as a Hanyang trading post errand boy named Cha Eun-woo. He makes an instant impression with a bold beauty mark and a name worthy of an idol, playing up the contrast for laughs as the show’s stealth scene-stealer. The series centers on a joyless crown prince and an amnesiac peddler who swap souls and stumble into love from the other’s point of view.
From factory helmets to a traditional gat, Kim toggles between contemporary and historical settings with ease, coloring each role with his own flair and cementing himself as the guy to watch on weekend nights.
Looking ahead, the breakout “Fri-Sun” star is lining up back-to-back film and TV projects for 2026, on track for his busiest year since debut.
Photos= JTBC’s "The Dream Life of Mr. Kim" and MBC’s "Moon River"
(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Kyung-youn)