| Lee Jini / Courtesy of YG Entertainment |
Fashion models-turned-actors have been seen from time to time in Korean entertainment for a long time. Cha Seung-won of YG Entertainment is a successful model-turned-actor who burst onto the runway in the 1990s and achieved stardom on the screen through his appearance in the 2001 film “Kick the Moon.” After Cha, models have begun to pursue in earnest both film and broadcasting careers, as acting pays much better and has a longer lifespan. In fashion, age is important, and models are likely to disappear from magazines and catwalks after they pass their mid-20s.
One of the country's top record labels, YG has recognized the potential of the market and hired a number of popular models-turned-actors to expand its cinema influence. Now, half of their 31 contracted actors were, or still are, fashion models including Gang Dong-won and Lee Jong-suk.
In September 2014, YG merged with model management company K-plus to better transition its models into YG's acting division. Cha coaches the K-plus models to become future actors. The talent agency successfully debuted male model Nam Joo-hyuk in the TV drama series “Who Are You: School 2015” and female model Lee Sung-kyung in “It's Okay, That's Love” in 2014.
YG's next models-turned-actors
| Lee Jini / Courtesy of YG Entertainment |
“I was a supporting actor,” said Jang during an interview with the Korea Times earlier this month. “I only had three days to rehearse before I started shooting because I got on board late. I had not received any acting training until then and my goal was to cause no harm during the shooting. In spite of my bad acting I learned I was cast because I am tall and my voice and image fit the character.”
That year, he acted in three more drama series. Although he was mostly cast in minor roles, it was important that he consistently appear on TV and improve his acting. The next year Jang added two more entries to his filmography including the web series “We Broke Up,” in which he took the leading role with YG singer Sandara Park of 2ne1 and Kang Seung-yoon of Winner. The 10-episode web drama garnered over 16 million views and became the fourth-most-watched web drama in 2015.
| Lee Jini, left, and Jang Ki-yong are seen on fashion runways in these file photoes |
Jang confessed that he did not aim to become an actor when he entered modeling. But he gradually became interested in acting as he developed his talents and skills while modeling.
“Since I was young, I liked watching movies. I always wanted to act in scenes in which I thought that I could express myself differently than actors in the original,” said Jang.
He wishes to try playing a psychopath one day, as that kind of character is often calm but leaves a strong impact on the audience. Actor Ha Jung-woo is another reason Jang wants to try playing that kind of character, after having risen to stardom with his serial killer role in the 2008 hit movie “The Chaser.”
“I like film better than TV dramas. Soap operas require the actor to play characters from real life and it must be natural. And often it is really hard to play a character with a personality totally opposite from yours,” Jang said. “On the other hand, a character in a movie is comparatively easier, roles such as a serial killer or a corrupt CEO.”
| Jang Ki-yong / Courtesy of YG Entertainment |
Most notably, Lee's mother is popular actress Hwang Shin-hye who also debuted as a cosmetics model in the early 1980s.
Lee was raised in California and Connecticut in the United States for six years until returning to Korea in the ninth grade.
Just as many celebrities started appearing on the runway, Lee followed a friend of hers to a one-day lesson at a modeling academy and fell in love with the job. She passed the audition and started her career straight off.
“I did not know I would become a professional model. I was only 168 centimeters tall and heavier back then, but I lost 10 kilos and grew four centimeters,” said Jini.
The young model debuted in a show for Korea's top designer Jung Kuho when she was only 15. This is her third year as a fashion model and Lee swept popular catwalks of Steve J & Yoni P, Kiok, Miss Gee and fashion brands such as Lucky Chouette and Metrocity.
Last year, her company recommended that she start training to become an actress and she took a leading role in the two-episode drama “Mysterious Freshman.”
Lee also wants to play characters with personalities similar to her own and she prefers movies to the small screen as a character in a movie can craft a strong image with a brief appearance.
Her role model is actress Hwang Jung-eum, as her natural acting of a sly character in “High Kick: Through the Roof” in 2009 left a strong impression on her.
“Later, I want to become a diverse actor with my own personality,” said Jini. “I want to digest various characters and get recognized as a skilled actor.”