he made his big breakthrough in 2000 with drama "tough guy's love" ("kkokji") and "autumn in my heart". his role as a rebellious youngest son in "kkokji" proved his acting potential and his role in the widely successful drama landed him on the a-list for korean performers. "autumn in my heart" gained wide popularity in asia and he became one of the most popular korean actors in korea and asia as well. in 2002, won bin was involved in the first south korea and japan joint production drama "friends".