#7 Hwang Tae-Kyung
Drama: You’re Beautiful
Country: Korea
Tae-Kyung’s a wealthy, popular K-Idol with thousands of devoted fans. Of course, his mother rejected him and left him with a broken soul. He broods because he’s a rebel. And really, a little guy-liner never hurt anyone.
#8 Rurouni Kenshin
Films: Rurouni Kenshin trilogy
Country: Japan
Despite a painful past killing as a samurai, Kenshin isn’t angry or vengeful. Instead, he quietly broods to himself in his little corner, hoping to live life quietly and peacefully. Yet Japan needs the deadliest and most heroic warrior to save the day and Kenshin is too polite (and compassionate) to say no.
#9 Oh Jin-Rok
Drama: Flower Boy Next Door
Country: Korea
Jin-Rok is just an adorable grumpy next-door-neighbor. He speaks sarcasm fluently. Why is he so cranky, you ask? He probably never thought about it. And yet none of us want him to change.
#10 Yin Zhen/4th Prince
Drama: Bu Bu Jing Xin
Country: China
Yin Zhen is a royal prince living in the biggest, most lavish palace in the world. The only cons: he’s got dozens of half-brothers who want to fight him for the throne and a mother who loves his younger brother better because this is what royal women do, amirite? Yin Zhen doesn’t talk much and he certainly doesn’t laugh or smile (that’s for peasants). He’s just an expert brooder which is probably why he gets the kingdom.
#11 Kanade Takakura
Drama: Tokyo Dogs
Country: Japan
Kanade Takakura lived most of his life in the States, which means as a police officer he’s not afraid to use a gun. Not to mention, he’s dead serious. His buddy cop isn’t used to firearms and he can’t get why this guy can’t take a joke. But the deadpan brooding is seriously the funniest, best part of this show.
#12 Lee Eon-Oh
Drama: Arang and the Magistrate
Country: Korea
You guessed it! The tragic history of a mother disappearing plus his illegitimate birth turn Eun-Oh into a brooding hero who doesn’t give a darn about anyone or the world. But a ghost girl and a few friends manage to get under the skin of this crusty young man and reveal that, yes indeed! There is definitely a tender, compassionate heart underneath! We all knew it, but we sure enjoyed watching everyone (and himself) find out.
Have you seen any of these dramatic brooding heroes? Do you have a favorite smoldering Asian drama hero not on the list? Feel free to gush about it in the comments below!
Photos: Viki, Dramafever
Editorial Note: This article is from our contributor archives and has been lightly edited and updated by us. Since 2021, The Silver Petticoat Review has been exclusively written by Amber & Autumn Topping. See About Us.
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LOLLLL I DIEEEDDDD AT THE SMOLDERS…need to watch these to get in on this beautiful angst…your captions were hilarious lolololollll!!!
The smolders can be deadly! 😉 And thanks!! I had a lot of fun writing the captions.
Woo Jin in Liar Game totally blew me away! I so need a season 2 of that drama already.
Yes! I was sold on the show the moment Woo Jin walked onto the screen! I definitely wish we could have a second season. Not sure if TvN is going to deliver on that front or not but here’s hoping!!
4th Prince Wang So gets some serious brooding done in Scarlet Heart Ryeo. Oh yes. AND a mask. That is proper brooding/smouldering material. Scarred in body, scarred in experience – its all there!