Moon Sang-min Solidifies His Status as a Leading Actor in His 20s with 'Beloved Bandit'

Moon Sang-min, an actor born in 2000 who debuted in 2019, has firmly established himself as a leading actor in his 20s through 'Beloved Bandit'. Known for his physical profile of 191cm and 80kg, he has proven his rising popularity by starring in three consecutive projects this year, including 'Beloved Bandit', 'Pavane', and 'Beauty in the Beast'.

In the final episode of KBS 2TV's weekend mini-series 'Beloved Bandit', which concluded on the 22nd, Moon Sang-min played the role of Lee Yeol, captivating audiences with his intense performance until the very end. He has risen to become a 'representative leading actor in his 20s', surpassing the title of 'romantic comedy prince'.

On this day, Moon Sang-min's character, Lee Yeol, took on the role of a hero for the people, confronting Lee Gyu (played by Ha Seok-jin) and showcasing his strong presence, which heightened the drama's tension. Particularly, the scene where he successfully changes the world with public sentiment rather than force conveyed Moon Sang-min's profound dramatic energy.

Even after becoming a true monarch, Lee Yeol's ultimate choice was Hong Eun-jo. The poignant ending, where he abdicates the throne to Lee Gyu's son and chooses Hong Eun-jo, left a significant impact. Years later, when he reunites with Hong Eun-jo and places flower shoes on her feet, Moon Sang-min's sweet narration, "My dream, my salvation, my beloved bandit," marked the pinnacle of the romantic historical drama, leaving a lasting impression.

Through this project, Moon Sang-min showcased all his capabilities in the historical drama genre. From his comedic performance as a carefree prince to his nuanced dual role after a soul change, and even executing high-level action scenes flawlessly, he has cemented his reputation as an 'all-rounder actor' who excels across genres.

His tender romantic chemistry with co-star Nam Ji-hyun, as well as his dynamic relationships with various characters, stood out. His flexible acting, which adjusted to the relationships between characters, offered viewers a range of emotions, enhancing the drama's immersion.

Moon Sang-min, who captured both the weightiness of traditional historical dramas and the trendy romantic comedy vibe, has solidified his presence as a leading actor with his unique character portrayal. By proving his boundless potential in his first lead role on a major network, he has carved out his own niche, and there is growing anticipation for his future endeavors.

Moon Sang-min is currently meeting global audiences as Kyung-rok, a young man who gives up his dream of becoming a dancer to face reality, in the Netflix film 'Pavane', released on the 20th.

Lee So-jung, TenAsia Reporter forusojung@tenasia.co.kr