Few expected an actor who once faced criticism for his appearance to become one of Korea’s hottest rising stars. But thanks to the success of the BL drama The prosecutor’s proposalYoon Do Gun is now conquering audiences both in Korea and abroad.
Recently, the drama of love between boys The prosecutor’s proposalstarring Yoon Do Gun and Park Si-woo, it has become one of the most talked about series among viewers. The drama attracted attention with its gripping plot and introduced its two protagonists to a much wider audience.
Among them, Yoon Do Gun’s portrayal of prosecutor Ju Tae-seon received widespread praise for both his good looks and convincing performance. In addition to South Korea, the drama also drew enthusiastic reactions from viewers in Vietnam and China, where both the series and Yoon Do Gun quickly gained popularity.
Set against the backdrop of a murder case that occurred 15 years earlier, The prosecutor’s proposal follows prosecutor Ju Tae-seon (Yoon Do Gun) and investigator Lee Chae-ha (Park Si-woo), whose families are linked by a tragic past. Ju Tae-seon’s father was murdered, while Lee Chae-ha’s father was convicted as the murderer. Despite lingering prejudice as the son of a murderer, Lee Chae-ha works hard to become an investigator under Ju Tae-seon. What begins as a relationship defined by resentment and emotional scars gradually evolves into mutual understanding and ultimately romance.
In the drama, Ju Tae-seon is portrayed as a reserved and emotionally guarded prosecutor who keeps others at a distance. Yoon Do Gun was praised for rendering the character’s sharp dialogue and subtle emotional expressions with notable restraint. His mature and composed performance has become one of the main reasons why audiences have taken notice of the actor since the series premiered.
Many viewers may not realize this at first The prosecutor’s proposal became a hit, Yoon Do Gun had already faced criticism over his appearance. Born Kim Yoon-sik on May 18, 1998, he made his acting debut in the 2019 film Exchange your love. He later appeared in popular productions including Hospital playlist 2 AND Twenty-five Twenty-one. However, it’s only recently that his career has really started to take off.
In 2025, Yoon Do Gun appeared in the school drama I’m a running buddy. At the time, his deliberately simple style and shy student character led some viewers to criticize his appearance, some even arguing that he lacked the visual appeal typically expected of leading actors.
These opinions quickly changed once fans saw Yoon Do Gun outside of his on-screen roles. Standing 1.87 meters tall, the actor possesses a warm smile, an approachable personality and a kind demeanor. The stark contrast between his friendly image in real life and the cold, distant prosecutor he portrays on screen surprised many viewers, while also highlighting his versatility as an actor.
On Chinese online forums, numerous netizens commented that it had been a long time since they had seen a young Korean actor with such a “classic drama actor” face. Rather than fitting into the refined “pretty boy” trend that dominates today, Yoon Do Gun’s balanced facial features and masculine charm have been described as increasingly attractive the longer people look at him. Some even say that his appearance is reminiscent of a previous generation of Korean actors known for their natural, understated good looks.
Beyond his visuals, Yoon Do Gun’s acting has also been recognized for its constant improvement with each project. Many viewers believe that the actor, born in 1998, is best suited to mature, psychologically layered characters like prosecutor Ju Tae-seon, rather than youthful high school roles like the one he played I’m a running buddy. His composed gaze, tailored suits and calm charisma seem to maximize both his acting strengths and his physical presence.
Thanks to his extraordinary performance in The prosecutor’s proposalYoon Do Gun is now considered one of the most promising young actors in the Korean entertainment industry. If he continues to choose projects that play to his strengths and further develop his ability to play mature characters, many believe his career is only just beginning.
Sources: K14
