Actor Hyun Bin Becomes Top Hallyu Star in Japan

The new-generation actor Hyun Bin will likely become the representative top-class hallyu star overseas. In December of last year, Hyun appeared as a cover model for the Hong Kong edition of the world-renowned men's magazine "Esquire," a first for a South Korean actor. This time, Hyun has recently become a top hallyu star in Japan, overtaking other South Korean celebrities. Hyun ranked first in the "Third Poll on Hallyu Stars" conducted on readers for the February issue of the "South Korean TV Drama Magazine" published by Kyodo News.

In the poll, Hyun was followed by Kwon Sang-woo, Bae Yong-joon and Lee Byung-heon, in that order. Other hallyu stars selected included Ryu Si-won, Song Seung-heon, Kim Rae-won, Park Yong-ha, So Ji-sup and Park Sin-yang.

Hyun's ranking in the poll has stunned all people concerned, as South Korean TV dramas he has acted in have never been aired by terrestrial networks in Hong Kong or Japan.

South Korean TV dramas are normally broadcast by cable TV networks in Japan ahead of terrestrial networks. Through KNTV, a fee-based channel in Japan, the drama "Ireland" aired from January through March of last year, and another drama "My Name Is Kim Sam-soon" from August through October of last year, winning great popularity there. After those dramas were broadcast, Hyun has attracted a growing number of Japanese female fans because of his handsome and gentle appearance.

Last year, "My Name Is Kim Sam-soon" was sold to Japan at the highest price for a South Korean TV drama. The film "Love Bottle," the first film Hyun ever acted in, was sold to Japan for 1.5 million dollars, foretelling his rise to the top spot as a hallyu star. The February issue of "South Korean TV Drama Magazine" features a story on "My Name Is Kim Sam-soon" in celebration of Hyun becoming the top hallyu star.

Sachiko Maruyama, the editor of this magazine which became famous for giving the title of "Yonsama" to Bae Yong-joon, said, "It is very exceptional that Hyun Bin has become the top hallyu star, although he has never appeared as a cover model for our magazine. Hyun will form a core of hallyu stars alongside Bae Yong-joon and Kwon Sang-woo in the future."

Hyun had a busy schedule last month to promote his film "Love Bottle." He is now taking a rest, while thinking of what film he should act in next.

Posted: Sun Mar 05, 2006 11:00 am Post subject: Post Rating: 0

coool ^_^ Hyun Bin is so cool Big Smile

i like him ^^

Posted: Fri Mar 31, 2006 1:27 pm Post subject: Post Rating: 0

He's SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO cute!
But SOOOOOOOO young.... *sigh*

Posted: Fri Mar 31, 2006 1:29 pm Post subject: Post Rating: 0

Congratulations to Hyun-Bin. Thanks for providing info. =)

Posted: Thu Apr 06, 2006 6:58 am Post subject: Post Rating: 0

wow, Thanks for sharing. I love this guy. He is so cute and adorable. Love him ever since "MNIKSS."
And his dimples, omg. Whenever he smile, I'm speechless. He is so so so cute when he's smiling. Hope see him soon in k-drama. Can't get enough of him

Posted: Tue Apr 11, 2006 6:19 am Post subject: Post Rating: 0

A Millionaire's First Love - Lee Yeon Hee , Hyun Bin - Ggot Cheul Deun Nam Ja Q10 Sheetpak of So Mang Cosmetic

[/img]

Posted: Tue Apr 11, 2006 4:30 pm Post subject: Post Rating: 0

oh wow very interesting... thanks for the news!! i loved hyun bin like wayyyy before he became a huge superstar. i first saw him a long time ago in a Tae Kwon Do movie with one of the guys from Shinhwa in it... that's where i fell in love.

Posted: Tue Apr 11, 2006 5:04 pm Post subject: Post Rating: 0

[quote="sorasora"]oh wow very interesting... thanks for the news!! i loved hyun bin like wayyyy before he became a huge superstar. i first saw him a long time ago in a Tae Kwon Do movie with one of the guys from Shinhwa in it... that's where i fell in love.[/quote]

hehe same here...I think it was Spin Kick...

thanks for sharing the news...