By Jae-Ha Kim
Kocowa
August 28, 2019
One of the things that really impresses me about Korea’s K-Pop idols is how many of them are exceptional actors. And that got me wondering … What would it be like if some of our favorite singers had been cast in some of our favorite K-Dramas?
“Healer”
Fans of BTS’ Jin have been waiting a looooong time for his acting debut. Yes, he has an acting degree from Konkuk University’s Department of Film and Animation. But even without that, he is such a natural showman that I suspect he would be pretty darned good in just about any role. It’s a small part, but I would’ve loved to have seen Jin playing the role of Ji-Chang Wook’s father in the flashbacks. Why? The role called for someone with effortless charm. And who could answer that call better than our Worldwide Handsome?
In his first leading man role, Jang Ki-Yong plays a police officer who has to grapple with his complicated past. His father is a serial killer. Yikes. The role calls for an actor who isn’t afraid to show his vulnerability. Though they don’t resemble each other in the least physically, both stars exude sensitivity that is enticing. And a brooding role could be just the thing to help launch an acting career and define Kang Daniel’s emergence as a solo artist.
Kim Ji-Won played the icy high school heiress engaged to Lee Min-Ho in “The Heirs.” It was a small but pivotal role. Tiffany Young (who has been studying acting in Los Angeles) has been vocal about wanting to act more. And if I could handpick a role for the Girls’ Generation star, I would put her in a role like Rachel Yoo (the character Kim played). Rachel isn’t a likable character, but good actors can make the role relatable. Young projects longing, love, vulnerability and humor in her music and music videos. She is a natural in front of the camera who could easily play the fresh-faced girl next door or the mysterious knockout with secrets to hide.
We already saw how V can light up a screen from his acting debut in “Hwarang: The Poet Youth.” We were supposed to fall in love with the main couple, but many of us fell in love with his character instead. Imagine him playing Lee Je-Joon’s role in “Where Stars Land.” (And that’s not to say that Lee didn’t do an amazing job, because he did.) Yes, V is a little on the youngish side for this part. But he is an old soul who has the gravitas to convincingly play the part of a mysterious man in his late 20s who’s looking for more in life than what he has. The character calls for an “ordinary” man. But despite his extraordinary good looks, V could have pulled it off.
“Still 17”
Apink’s Eun-Ji made her acting debut in 2012’s “Reply 1997.” I think she would’ve been great in “Still 17.” While she has matured into a fine actress, she retains the girlishness to convincingly play a 30-something woman who wakes up from a coma and believes she is still a teenager. Shin Hye-Sun played the role in the K-Drama with appealing, understated nuance. But if someone else had to play her part, I’m curious as to how Eun-Ji would’ve tackled the role.
One thought on “Idols Could’ve Played That Part”