Now Is The Perfect Time To Watch Song Kang’s Most Underrated K-Drama

Song Kang's most recent K-dramas show how adept he is at delving into the supernatural, but his most underrated series shows an entirely different side to the actor. Song Kang is one of Netflix's biggest K-drama stars, having been a prominent figure in shows such as Love Alarm, Sweet Home, and My Demon. He has also starred in a number of K-dramas outside the streaming platform that have helped showcase the actor's array of talents in an entirely new light.

Song Kang made his K-drama debut in 2017 in The Liar and His Lover and featured in several supporting roles before appearing as Hwang Sun-oh in Love Alarm. Song Kang's K-dramas range from steamy romances of Nevertheless to dark supernatural thrillers like Sweet Home, with the actor becoming known for his passionate on-screen relationships and engaging characters. Yet, Song Kang's most underrated K-drama takes him away from what he is best known for, resulting in a stand-out performance worth revisiting.

Navillera Is Completely Different From Song Kang’s Most Recent K-Drama Roles

It's His Only K-drama Not Centered On Romance Or Action

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Before leaving for his mandatory military service, Song Kang's two 2024 K-drama roles have become memorable additions to the year's K-drama calendar, despite being different from each other. His portrayal of Jeong Gu-won in My Demon shows the actor's charismatic appeal in full force. On the other hand, in the third and final season of Sweet Home, Song's dynamic and twisted presence as Cha Hyun-su anchors the thriller K-drama's conclusion. While these shows are significant additions to Song's short but packed career, Song Kang's performances in My Demon and Sweet Home don't have the same impact as Navillera.

Related 8 K-Drama Genres & Characters I Wanna See Song Kang Tackle After Sweet Home From a ballet dancer to a demon who gets married, Sweet Home’s Song Kang has tackled a lot of roles already, so what’s next for the K-drama star?

Navillera is one of Song Kang's only K-dramas that does not revolve around romance or action, already making it a unique addition to his filmography. In the series, the actor plays Lee Chae-rok, a 23-year-old with a waning passion for ballet who finds his love for the dance style reignited after meeting 70-year-old Shim Deok-chul (Park In-hwan). What then ensues is a warm and nostalgic story that shows that no barrier is too big to be broken, whether it be age or circumstance, and that dreams may take time, but they are always worth pursuing.

Song Kang Is Great As A Romantic Lead, But Navillera May Be His Best K-Drama

He Really Shines In The Non-Romantic K-drama Genre

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Throughout his career, Song Kang's K-drama couples have helped to put his name on the map. The actor has a knack for bringing the best out of one of the most sought-after parts of K-dramas, creating lasting depictions of love that fans continue to revisit. His romantic characters are extremely varied, with Forecasting Love and Weather's Si-woo being endearing, while Nevertheless's Jae-eon is a huge red flag. However, what is more impressive is how the absence of one of Song Kang's biggest strengths makes Navillera all the more engaging.

Navillera Cast Character Song Kang Lee Chae-rok Park In-hwan Shim Deok-chul Na Moon-hee Choi Hae-nam Hong Seung-hee Shim Eun-ho

Song Kang and co-star Park In-hwan deliver beautiful performances in Navillera that perfectly mirror the nature of ballet. They use the art form to explain the complexities of life, which can sometimes be hard to share using words alone. This results in something extraordinary and entirely unique. Chae-rok and Deok-chul's relationship in Navillera is not often seen in K-dramas, especially as the focus of a series. However, Navillera proves it was a risk worth taking, especially given Song Kang's passionate performance.

Related Song Kang’s 2 Best K-Drama Romances Couldn’t Be More Different From Each Other Two of Song Kang’s K-dramas stand out when it comes to romance, yet his best on-screen couples couldn’t be more different from each other.

Lee Chae-rok could have easily become a stereotype. He is young but in constant battle with the emotions of the past. This is a stark comparison to his co-star, who is pursuing his dreams despite the limits society has placed on his age. Yet, Song Kang ensures that Chae-rok is just as multifaceted as Deok-chul. As a result, the unfolding story feels decidedly human and the vividness of Song Kang's character makes him one that is an underrated gem in the actor's stellar career.

Song Kang’s Next K-Drama Should Be A Grounded Story After My Demon & Sweet Home

His Performance In Navillera Is Too Good Not To Be Repeated

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While his performances in Sweet Home and My Demon deserve the praise they have received, the brilliance of Song Kang's performance in Navillera makes it clear that the actor should return to similar shows in the future. In the slice-of-life K-drama, he shows such an innate understanding of his character that Chae-rok lifts off the screen, delivering a story that is entirely different from other shows he has done throughout his career.

Song Kang began his mandatory military service on April 2, 2024. His return date is unknown, but he is expected to serve as an active-duty soldier for 18–22 months.

Unfortunately, it will be a while before Song Kang returns to the small screen. His military enlistment isn't due to end until 2025 or 2026, which makes the wait for Song Kang's next K-drama longer than most. When he does, it would be great to see the actor return to what he does best and deliver another intoxicating performance that rivals My Demon or Sweet Home. However, Song Kang's return to the slice-of-life genre is well overdue. Hopefully, his next project will see him match the incredible performance he gives in his most underrated K-drama to date.