| Jisoo, playing in tvN's 2019 period fiction 'Arthdal Chronicles,' has been cast as the female lead in JTBC's 'Seol Kang Hwa,' her first major role. Capture from tvN website |
By Ko Dong-hwan
BLACKPINK's Jisoo revealed Tuesday that she has been cast as the female lead in a new series on JTBC.
Tentatively titled “Seol Kang Hwa,” the drama is the singer's debut as a television heroine.
It also reunites writer Yoo Hyun-mi and program director Cho Hyun-tak, the duo behind “Sky Castle.” Last year's TV megahit, the satirical thriller from the same network was about extravagant, cold-blooded parenting with the aim of sending their kids to top universities.
News of Jisoo's stint in the highly anticipated series came as she continues to enjoy global fame from K-pop fans. The four-member YG Entertainment band recently said it will release a new single ― a collaboration with American musician Selena Gomez ― on Aug. 28. The band's first full-length album is expected to drop in October.
Jisoo has built a few film credits. In 2019, she played the ex-lover of the male lead in tvN's epic period fiction “Arthdal Chronicles.” In 2015, before her debut with BLACKPINK, she had a cameo role in the KBS drama “The Producers.” Her pre-debut public exposure also includes several ads and minor roles in two music videos.
Some fans have been anticipating Jisoo's major acting debut. She is believed to have pursued acting at high school in Gwacheon, Gyeonggi Province, as a member of the acting club. And her favorite stars are American actress Natalie Portman and Son Ye-jin.
| From left: Lee Seung-gi from 'Vagabond,' Jung Ji-hoon from 'Ninja Assassin' and Yoon Kye-sang from 'The Outlaws.' |
Many K-pop idols have taken up the challenge of acting for TV dramas and movies, and public evaluation of their performances has set the course of their careers. Some even left the music industry to be actors, while others have pursued both fields. Some received embarrassing critiques, putting their acting futures in doubt.
Among those who fans can no longer see on music stages is Lee Seung-gi. He debuted as a teenage singer in 2004 and became active in TV and movies soon after. His transition to acting is partly attributable to playing the main character in his music videos ― a rarity for most other singers. His consistent public exposure on TV variety shows also allows him to keep his fandom happy.
Starting with a sitcom on MBC in 2004, Lee has been cast consistently, nailing leads in eight TV series and two movies. Most recently he secured a lead role in a tvN drama that will air in 2021.
After serving his mandatory military duty, which ended in 2017, it didn't take Lee long to resume his show business career.
Yoon Kye-sang, 41, who debuted with now-defunct popular boy band G.O.D in 1998 and stayed with it until 2004, has been busy since 2006 in dozens of TV dramas and movies. He is considered one of a few quality singers-turned-actors, garnering initial high recognition as an actor in 2011 in the movie “Poongsan.” He played a “person delivery” man who surreptitiously crosses back and forth over the inter-Korean border.
His most memorable roles include the 2017 cop movie “The Outlaws,” playing villain Jiang Chen, a ponytailed crime lord from China wreaking havoc in Seoul's Chinatown, and the 2019 period film “Mal Mo E ― The Secret Mission,” set during World War II when Japan occupied the Korean Peninsula.
| From left: IU from 'Hotel del Luna,' Park Cho-rong from 'Road Family' and Bae Suzy from 'Vagabond' |
Among those more agile in Korean show business is singer Jung Ji-hoon, better known by the stage name Rain. He has entertained the public with credible performances as an actor ― though with mixed reviews.
Jung debuted with boy band Fanclub in 1998 and launched his solo act in 2002. He started his acting career with a lead role in KBS' 2003 drama “Sang Doo! Let's Go To School.”
While not neglecting fans of his singing and renowned dancing, he built acting credentials to the point of being cast in Hollywood, with a supporting role in “Speed Racer” (2008) and, rarely for an Asian, the lead in gore-action film “Ninja Assassin” (2009).
Although his 2019 period film “Race to Freedom: Um Bok Dong” was a major flop due to a historical controversy regarding the historical figure the film is based on, his MBC TV drama “Welcome 2 Life” from the same year drew positive reviews, offsetting criticism of his role from the movie as a Korean cyclist rivaling Japanese competitors during the occupation era.
Soloist IU, boasting all-lead credits in four movies and seven TV dramas, and Jeong Eun-ji from girl band Apink, who had a successful acting debut in tvN's “Reply 1997” in 2012, have also established acting careers while flying high on the K-pop scene.
Some musicians have weathered harsh evaluation of their professional transition. Apink leader Park Cho-rong's film debut with “Road Family,” which hit theaters in July, garnered criticism for her “unnatural” acting. But the star, who previously played female leads in the 2014 tvN drama “Plus Nine Boys” and the 2017 web-drama “Special Law of Romance” on Naver TV, reacted humbly, saying she “learned a lot” from her first movie role.
Bae Suzy from girl band missA has also accumulated some negative reviews after signing up for acting. Debuting with the JYP Entertainment idol group in 2010 and venturing into acting the following year, she successfully proclaimed her acting potential in the 2012 romance flick box office success “Architecture 101.” But critiques of her performances in follow-ups, including 2016 KBS drama “Uncontrollably Fond” and SBS' “Vagabond” in 2019, have not been so kind.