One Bin's as good as another
The Electric New Paper
December 06, 2005
LAST Tuesday, South Korean heart-throb Won Bin bid showbiz a temporary farewell as he reported for his much-delayed military service in Chuncheon, Gangwando. About 400 media people and fans saw him off.
The 28-year-old star of hit movie Brotherhood is the latest to join the growing group of A-list Korean male celebrities to enrol for mandatory two-year military service after repeated deferments.
The others include Song Seung Hun, Jang Hyuk and Ji Sung.
Industry watchers had earlier voiced concerns that the country would face a drought of leading men, but it seems to be raining hunks on TV instead.
They may be younger, but are winning just as many fans as their predecessors.
Waiting to step into the vacuum left by Won Bin is 23-year-old Hyun Bin.
It may be pure coincidence that they share the same last name, but the younger Bin seems to be a natural successor to Bin Senior.
Since starring in the mid-year chart-topping drama serial My Lovely Samsoon, the boyish-faced Hyun Bin has become the next big thing among fans and advertisers alike in Korea, along with his hunky Eurasian co-star Daniel Henney.
Both former models are the newest hotties on the block.
But while Daniel, 26, is viewed as the perfect result of exotic Korean-British parents, Hyun Bin scores for his more local charm and sunny disposition.
Not only has Hyun Bin replaced Won Bin in the new series of TV commercials for LG's Cyon phone, his name also keeps popping up in all kinds of online fan forums and popularity polls.
An Asia break is also being planned in line with his first celluloid project, The Millionaire's First Love, which is scheduled for release early next year.
But a good start is that the Hong Kong edition of Esquire magazine has picked him for the cover of its upcoming 17th anniversary special issue.
And it will feature him as the next big Korean actor likely to conquer Asia.
Recalling how he started out, the sunshine boy said he went against his parent's wishes to secretly enrol for acting classes in high school.
But he finally obtained their permission when he got into the prestigious Chung Ang University to study film and drama.
On his sudden rise to fame, the newly-appointed spokesman of a Korean cable channel confessed that he is still not used to the attention that he gets on the streets, especially from fans and the paparazzi.
'Never in my wildest dreams did I think that so many people would watch My Lovely Samsoon and support me now. I feel great, but I also find it unbelievable!'
Maybe that is why he also admitted to feeling shy in front of the camera. This is why he has a subconscious habit of looking down instead.
Bashfulness was also Won Bin's trademark. Coincidence?
credit soompi
new thread about his new drama, trailer, interview and pix:
http://www.d-addicts.com/forum/viewtopi ... 367#311367