The 8 Show Cast & Character Guide (2024)

The newest addition to Netflix's K-drama collection features an all-star cast that brings The 8 Show to life in spectacular fashion. The 8 Show acts as Squid Game's replacement as it combines the unlikely worlds of reality TV and survival shows together. Contestants in The 8 Show are encouraged to partake in the mysterious, simplistic game, and the longer they can last in the game, the more money they will win. Though, of course, things are never quite that simple.

The 8 Show is a K-drama based on the webtoonsMoney Game and Pie Game, written by Bae Jin-soo, with director Han Jae-rim's (The King, Emergency Declaration), aesthetic vision evident from The 8 Show's trailer. Though there were some initial changes to the cast just before production, with idol-actress IU (Lee Ji-eun) initially cast as the female lead of The 8 Show before pulling out due to scheduling, the current cast is a great mix of experience and new faces that promises to make this new Netflix dark comedy a thrilling watch.

Ryu Jun-yeol as "3" / Bae Jin-su

Ryu Jun-yeol Was Born on September 25, 1986

• Active since: 2012

Actor: Ryu Jun-yeol got his start in independent movies such as Socialphobia (2014) before being cast as one of the leads in the record-breaking K-drama, Reply 1988, the highest-rated cable TV K-drama of its time. Throughout his career, Ryu would mainly delve into films, with notable box office hits including The King (2017), A Taxi Driver (2017) and Alienoid (2022). The 8 Show is his first K-drama in three years, following his appearance in Lost (2021).

Character: Ryu Jun-yeol's "3" resides on the 3rd floor, and sees The 8 Show as a lifeline after falling victim to fraud.

Chun Woo-hee as "8"

Chun Woo-hee Was Born on April 20, 1987

• Active since: 2011

Actor: Chun Woo-hee has won many awards for her acting abilities, including a Blue Dragon Award for Best Actress in 2013 for her role in Han Gong-ju as the titular character. Though her most critically acclaimed work comes in the movie industry for movies such as The Anchor (2022) and The Wailing (2016), Chun has starred in several K-dramas including Be Melodramatic (2019) and Delightfully Deceitful (2023). Chun is also currently starring in The Atypical Family (2024) on Netflix.

Character: Unlike other characters, Chun Woo-hee's "8" joined The 8 Show for entertainment, as well as money. She is unpredictable and free-spirited.

Park Jeong-min as "7"

Park Jeong-min Was Born on March 24, 1987

• Active since: 2011

Actor: Park Jeong-min is a critically acclaimed actor with a vastly successful career. The first turning point in Park Jeong-min's career came with the independent film Bleak Night (2011), before his performance in Dongju: The Portrait of a Poet (2016) would see him a plethora of awards for Best New Actor. Most recently, Park Jeong-min appeared in Hellbound (2021) as production director Bae Young-jae and the action crime thriller Smugglers (2023).

Character: Park Jeong-min's character "7" resides on the 7th floor and acts as the brains of the group, making him a pivotal player.

Lee Yul-eum as "4"

Lee Yul-eum Was Born February 16, 1996

• Active since: 2013

Actor: Despite debuting as an actress in 2013, Lee Yul-eum is a relatively new face in the Korean entertainment industry, with her role in The 8 Show being her biggest to date. Lee Yul-eum is best known for starring in Nevertheless as Yoon Seol-a, the former ex-girlfriend of son of Netflix Song Kang's Park Jae-eon. Following the release of the movie Urban Myths in 2022, The 8 Show marks Lee Yul-eum's first onscreen appearance in two years.

Character: Lee Yul-eum's "4" has a knack for reading people, which makes her both likable and practical.

Park Hae-joon as "6"

Park Hae-joon Was Born June 14, 1976

• Active since: 2000

Actor: Born Park Sang-woo, Park Hae-jun began to find success in his career in 2014, thanks to his roles in the office K-drama Misaeng: Incomplete Life (2014) and Doctor Stranger (2014), where he played North Korean official Cha Jin-soo. However, Park Hae-jun's biggest success would be playing the role of aspiring director Lee Tae-oh in The World of the Married (2020), which remains the most-watched cable K-drama in South Korean history.

Character: Unlike "7", "6" uses brawns over brains as his preferred method of conflict resolution, which adds tension to the game.

Lee Zoo-young as "2"

Lee Zoo-young Was Born April 24, 1987

• Active since: 2016

Actor: Not to be confused with Itaewon Class' Lee Joo-young, Lee Zoo-young (also known as Lee Joo-young) is another newer face in the Korean entertainment scene. Most recently, Lee Zoo-young starred as Joo-young in Believer 2 (2023), alongside Han Hyo-joo and Cho Jin-woong. Lee Zoo-young is best known for her portrayal of police officer Song Hye-ri in the K-drama Live (2018).

Character: Lee Joo-young's "2" acts as the voice of reason within the group, and her moral code is a driving force for her actions within the game.

Moon Jeong-hee as "5"

Moon Jeong-hee Was Born January 21, 1976

• Active since: 1998

Actor: Moon Jeong-hee made her debut as an actress in 1998 in the stage production of Blood Brothers, and would make her onscreen debut in the movie I Wish I Had A Wife (2001). Over a decade after her debut, Moon Jeong-hee would find consecutive success with her movies Deranged (2013), Hide and Seek (2013) and Cart (2014) which would earn her both notoriety and several award nominations and wins at the Baeksang and Blue Dragon Awards. The 8 Show is her first K-drama in three years after Times (2021).

Character: Though Moon Jeong-hee's "5" is a keen advocate for peace, the intensity of the game leaves her unraveling.

Bae Seong-woo as "1"

Bae Seong-woo Was Born November 21, 1972

• Active since: 1999

Actor: Bae Seong-woo initially first started his acting career in musicals before working his way into film and television in the K-drama Conspiracy in the Court (2007). Since moving to the screen, Bae has starred in several award-winning movies, including Office (2016) and The King (2017). Bae Seong-woo will also be starring in the K-drama Light Shop alongside Park Bo-young and Ju Ji-hoon, which is set to be released on Disney+ later this year.

Character: Unlike other members of The 8 Show, "1" has limited foot mobility, yet focuses on what he can add to the group.

The 8 Show (2024)

Cast

Anzu Lawson , Rich Ting , Ryu Jun-yeol , Chun Woo-hee , Min-Jung Park , Park Hae-joon , Bae Sung-woo , Moon Jeong-hee

Release Date

May 17, 2024

Seasons

1

Main Genre

Drama