By Jae-Ha Kim
KOCOWA
October 15, 2021
“Squid Game” and “Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha” are two of the hottest recent K-dramas. While the former deals with a dystopian society where the poor literally fight to the death for the promise of a big payoff, the latter is an idyllic rom-com with seemingly little conflict. (But, oh, the plot has already hinted at issues to be delved into.)
Not long ago, we talked about some of the “Squid Game” stars here. But how much do you know about Shin Min A and Kim Seon Ho, the incredibly charming, talented and photogenic stars of “Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha”? I refer to the duo as Team Dimples, because of their impossibly cute 보조개 (dimples)!
As a reminder, KOCOWA airs Korean content that originally aired on the Big 3 networks (KBS, MBC and SBS) in South Korea. We picked a few series that star Min A and Seon Ho (separately!) that we think fans will enjoy right here on KOCOWA.
SHIN MIN A
Birthday: Born Yang Min A on April 5, 1984, she later changed her last name to Shin. In Hangul, her name is spelled 신민아.
Education: She studied performing arts at Dongguk University.
Modeling: As a young teenager, Min A started modeling. Her first big job was for the Korean teen magazine Kiki in 1998. Even after she had already established her acting career, she modeled Calvin Klein clothing alongside actor Jamie Dornan for a spread in Elle Korea. She was also the first Asian model selected to represent the Rag & Bone line.
Partner: Min A has been in a long-term relationship with actor Kim Woo Bin (“The Heirs,” “School 2013“) since 2015.
Where to see her work on KOCOWA: “My Girlfriend is a Gumiho” is one of her most well-known early series, where she starred as a nine-tailed fox opposite Lee Seung Gi (“The King 2 Hearts,” “Master in the House“). You may also catch Min A in “The Lucifer,” “Tale of Arang,” and “A Love to Kill,” which are all must-sees. And for those of you who are are pondering if “Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha” will end with a proposal, all I can say is: I don’t know how any series can top the engagement vignette between Min A’s and So Ji Sub’s characters in “Oh My Venus.” It was top notch and oh-so romantic!
KIM SEON HO
Birthday: Born Kim Seon Ho/김선호 on May 8, 1986, he attended the Seoul Institute of the Arts and studied broadcasting and entertainment.
Theater: Though he’s a natural on screen, Seon Ho spent his early acting years performing on stage. But he hit bonafide stardom after appearing opposite Bae Suzy and Nam Joo Hyuk in the 2020 Netflix K-drama “Start Up.”
Where to see his work on KOCOWA: He didn’t actually make his K-drama debut until 2017’s “Good Manager,” which also starred Namkoong Min (“The Veil“). Some other series where you can catch Seon Ho are “You Drive Me Crazy” and “Two Cops.”
Reality TV: Seon Ho is one of the cast members of the popular reality series, “2 Days and 1 Night 4.” And he’s in demand as an emcee as well. Did you catch him hosting the “2020 MBC Music Festival” with Girls’ Generation’s Yoona?
Have you watched any of these series already? I like to revisit some of their older work while I wait for the next episode of “Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha.” Right now, I’m rewatching the classic “My Girlfriend is a Gumiho,” followed by an episode of “2 Days and 1 Night 4.” You know — that way I get my fill of Team Dimples!
