Chun Woo-hee is currently starring in two of the most exciting Netflix K-dramas of 2024 so far, and they could not be more different from one another. The first half of 2024 has provided some incredible K-dramas already, with shows such as Parasyte: The Grey and Queen of Tears becoming some of the best K-dramas of all time. Netflix’s K-drama schedule does not appear to be slowing down any time soon, with many upcoming K-dramas releases on the horizon. However, Chun Woo-hee’s latest works both happen to be released in May and showcase just how talented she is as an actress.

Chun Woo-hee is a veteran in the Korean entertainment industry. Though she primarily works in film, Chun is no stranger to the K-drama world. She most recently starred in Delightfully Deceitful (2023) alongside Kim Dong-wook and Yoon Park, as a genius scam artist who lacks empathy for her targets. This ironically sets up her next two roles perfectly, with one being a con artist and the other being an unempathetic free spirit. However, the trajectories of these two characters are completely different and are products of their genres, which could not be further from each other.

Chun Woo-hee Is Currently Starring In The 8 Show & The Atypical Family On Netflix

She Plays “8” In The 8 Show And Do Da-hae In The Atypical Family

Chun Woo-hee first appearance on Netflix in 2024 was as a member of The Atypical Family’s cast. Here, Chun plays con artist Do Da-hae who aims to scam the wealthy Bok family for the gain of her adoptive mother (Kim Geum-soon). Not long after The Atypical Family‘s premiere, the long-awaited The 8 Show also aired on Netflix. The 8 Show acts as Squid Game’s replacement by providing a new twist on the survival show genre. Chun joins The 8 Show‘s cast as the artistic free spirit “8”, who enters the arena for money and fun.

The 8 Show Is Completely Different To The Atypical Family

They Utilize Their Genres For Alternative Purposes

There are very few similarities between The 8 Show and The Atypical Family, with the major ones being that they both star Chun Woo-hee, and air on Netflix at the same time. They both also make commentaries on problems within society, and how that has an impact on people. However, the comments they make are extremely different, and The 8 Show and The Atypical Family utilize their respective genres in alternative ways to create shows that oppose one another in more ways than one.

The 8 Show is a dark satire that makes a stark commentary on capitalism within society, and how despite everyone being born seemingly equal, it is clear that equality is nothing but a fantasy. Though The 8 Show and Squid Game share many similarities, The 8 Show is much slower. It is only when things quickly take a violent and sadistic turn that The 8 Show‘s message becomes apparent. The 8 Show’s main characters’ contrasting personalities each play key roles in the Netflix series, and show a darker side to human nature that can be hard to stomach.

Comparatively, The Atypical Family feels like Encanto and is much more lighthearted. Though the Bok family is stooped in gloom, having lost their powers to modern problems such as depression, obesity, and insomnia, The Atypical Family builds on an initial spark between Do Da-hae and Bok Gwi-ju (Jang Ki-young) to keep viewers guessing as to why Da-hae has become the key to the Bok family regaining their powers. The Atypical Family‘s traditional 16-episode rom-com format gives a sense of security for avid K-drama viewers, while The 8 Show’s 8-episode limit thrives on making its audience and characters uneasy.

8 In The 8 Show & Do Da-hae In The Atypical Family’s Character Development Is The Reverse Of Each Other

Chun Woo-hee Is An Incredibly Versatile Actress

8 and Do Da-hae have a lot in common. They are both morally ambiguous characters who desire money and resort to extreme means to get what they want. 8 enters a survival show that could never end, while Da-hae scams wealthy families through marriage to pay off her father’s debts. However, throughout The 8 Show and The Atypical Family, they develop into characters that are ultimately the opposite of one another and provide a showcase Chun Woo-hee’s incredible acting range.

The 8 Show initially sees 8 on the same playing field as the rest of the contestants, but it is apparent she enjoys this unique survival show much more than the others. The 8 Show quickly sets up 8 as the wealthiest contestant, which makes her unpredictable nature turn from fun to terrifying as she uses her wealth to take advantage of the contestants on lower floors. 8’s greed and love for the finer things in life soon turn her into one of The 8 Show‘s main villains, with Chun Woo-hee’s eccentric performance heightening the tension in every episode.

On the other hand, The Atypical Family is currently setting up Do Da-hae as the Bok family’s hero. Though Da-hae’s initial intentions are less than heroic, her appearance is what has started to bring the Bok family’s superpowers back and could see them return to their former glory. Chun Woo-hee’s performance as Do Da-hae is a stark contrast to The 8 Show, as Da-hae is a softer character who has become trapped in a system through no fault of her own and serves as an excellent showcase of Chun Woo-hee’s range as an actress in these vastly different K-dramas.