The Top K-Drama Star for All Times?

Posted: Mon Sep 24, 2007 10:01 am Post subject: Post Rating: 0

I'd go for Yoon Eun Hye... Wahaha! Though she's not on the list.
Just give her enough time and we'll all be astounded to see what else she can do.

Posted: Mon Sep 24, 2007 10:09 am Post subject: Post Rating: 0

If we're talking THE biggest star in Korea, I think the #1 is Kong Sang-Ho (The Host.) But I don't know whether he's done TV. Maybe Kim Min Jong.

On that list, I *think* the top stars are Kwong Sang-Woo and Lee Young-Ae. I imagine Park Shin-yang (Lovers in Paris, Money Warfare) is up there too. Kim Sun Ah is the reigning queen of comedy.

Running through the list. I'm going to assume we're talking about the last 5-10 years.

Bae Yong-Jun and Choi Ji-Woo . . . I'm sorta biased here, because BYJ and CJW is still my favorite couple of all-time. Even when they do commercial spots together, I get that oogly, tingly feeling inside.

That said, it's really hard to tell with both because their popularity were distorted and extended by Winter Sonata's success (and thus Hallyu) in Japan. I wouldn't say BYJ was "has-been" by the time of Winter Sonata, but he was kinda stepping down from A-list status for the next generation. Winter Sonata was reunion of BYJ/CJW from their First Love soap, which was extremely popular when they were both up and coming actors. Up to 2003, CJW was viewed as the Queen of the Tearjerker, but tearjerker dramas are no longer fashionable. Air City didn't do well, and so it's hard to say whether she's truly "A-list" anymore.

Song Hye Kyo . . . I have mixed feelings over SHK, because she's without question the most overestimated actress in our demographic of K-drama. And, this coming from a fan of her and many of her dramas. It's just that there's bigger draws and more critically lauded actresses (of similar age), and that even from a typical Korean's perspective, she doesn't fit the "classic beauty" standards of the super, super top-tier beauties. (Though it should be noted that the rest of Asia disagrees with the Koreans on this issue. ;) )

But, one also has to put SHK's career into perspective. Eun Hye is currently 22 years old, and is arguably the hottest rising star in K-drama. Well, at 22 years old, Song Hye Kyo already finished her last K-drama. This, after international hits Autumn Tale, All In, Full House, and Hotelier. And then . . . almost nothing. While her peers have all gone to have successful movie careers, gain critical respect, and star in little known dramas like Jumong, she at a very young 26 years old is viewed as an actress on the comeback. Which may already be happening. Hwang Jini, which didn't do well but her performance nevertheless gained attention from critics.

Son Ye Jin . . . I'm biased because she's one of my favorite leads. I think she's a brilliant, brilliant actress who can play anything . . . except that she hasn't had the body of work yet to prove this. It's easy to forget that, though she seems to only get paired with 30-something leads and she has an elegant, sophisticated image -- girlie's only 25 years old. Give her another 4-5 years and I think she'll be considered one of the great actresses of her generation.

So Ji Sup . . .And again biased because he's one of my favorite leads. Sure, over the past 3 years, it's been fun being charmed with your Joo Ji Hoon, Lee Jung Ki, Hyun Bin, and Rain, and rooting for actors like Gong Yoo and Eom Tae Wong (who has greatness written all over his recent performances.) But if I want to know what love is, if I want somebody to show me . . . it's all about muthaf***ing So Ji Sup!!! That said, even though he ran 3 hits in a row prior to his service -- 1000 Years of Love, What Happened in Bali, and MiSa -- it's really Cain and Abel, hyped as the next SBS blockbuster, that'll determine his viability.

Rain . . . Hard to say, because Rain mostly has chosen unconventional roles outside of Full House. Even Cyborg (as much of director Park Chan-wook's recent stuff) was as much art film as romantic comedy. He's undoubtedly Korea's biggest celebrity, but the jury's still out on his draw as an actor. Even in Korea, where every pop singer seems "retire" into acting, there's still a stigma for acceptance. Rain can be the next Kim Ming Jong, though.

Won Bin . . . Mmm, not really in the running. He's well regarded as one of the most handsome Korean actors and he's relatively popular in Japan due to Autumn Tale and Friends.

Kim Hee-Sun . .. Yeah, I think The Most Beautiful Woman of Korea is up there, by virtue of her popularity in China. I think she is to China what Choi Ji Woo is to Japan. That said . . .

Lee Young Ae . . . Yeah, I think she is #1. Jewel in the Palace is the defining drama of our time, and she is the cultural ambasaddor of Korea to the Asian world.

Kwon Sang-Woo . . . Definitely still an A-list lead and -- judging by a recent poll -- the Hottie of all Hotties

Posted: Tue Sep 25, 2007 2:06 am Post subject: Post Rating: 0