Few expected an actor who once faced criticism over his appearance to become one of Korea’s hottest rising stars. But thanks to the success of the BL drama The Prosecutor’s Proposal, Yoon Do Gun is now winning over audiences both in Korea and abroad.

Recently, the boy-love drama The Prosecutor's Proposal, starring Yoon Do Gun and Park Si-woo, has become one of the most talked-about series among viewers. The drama has attracted attention with its compelling storyline while introducing its two leads to a much wider audience.

Among them, Yoon Do Gun’s portrayal of prosecutor Ju Tae-seon has received widespread praise for both his handsome appearance and convincing performance. Beyond South Korea, the drama has also generated enthusiastic reactions from viewers in Vietnam and China, where both the series and Yoon Do Gun have rapidly 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 connected by a tragic past. Ju Tae-seon’s father was murdered, while Lee Chae-ha’s father was convicted as the killer. Despite enduring 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 eventually 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 has been praised for delivering the character’s sharp dialogue and subtle emotional expressions with remarkable restraint. His mature and composed portrayal has become one of the biggest reasons audiences have taken notice of the actor since the series premiered.

Many viewers may not realize that before The Prosecutor’s Proposal became a hit, Yoon Do Gun had previously faced criticism about his looks. Born Kim Yoon-sik on May 18, 1998, he made his acting debut in the 2019 film Trade Your Love. He later appeared in popular productions including Hospital Playlist 2 and Twenty-Five Twenty-One. However, it is only recently that his career has truly begun to take off.

In 2025, Yoon Do Gun appeared in the school drama I Am A Running Mate. At the time, his deliberately plain styling and shy student character led some viewers to criticize his appearance, with some even claiming he lacked the visual appeal typically expected of leading actors.

Those opinions quickly changed once fans saw Yoon Do Gun outside of his on-screen roles. Standing at 1.87 meters, the actor possesses a warm smile, approachable personality, and gentle demeanor. The stark contrast between his friendly real-life image 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 have commented that it has been a long time since they had seen a young Korean actor with such a “classic drama actor” face. Rather than fitting the polished “pretty boy” trend that dominates today, Yoon Do Gun’s balanced facial features and masculine charm have been described as becoming more attractive the longer people look at him. Some even said his appearance recalls an earlier generation of Korean actors known for their natural, understated good looks.

Beyond his visuals, Yoon Do Gun’s acting has also been recognized for steadily improving with each project. Many viewers believe the 1998-born actor is especially well-suited for mature, psychologically layered characters like prosecutor Ju Tae-seon, rather than youthful high school roles such as the one he played in I Am A Running Mate. His composed gaze, tailored suits, and calm charisma appear to maximize both his acting strengths and his physical presence.

Thanks to his standout performance in The Prosecutor’s Proposal, Yoon Do Gun is now regarded as one of the Korean entertainment industry’s most promising young actors. If he continues choosing projects that play to his strengths and further develops his ability to portray mature characters, many believe his career is only just beginning.

Sources: K14