WHo's the best idol actor/actress?

Big Bang’s TOP was rated to have the best current acting career as well as the one with the highest potential in his future as an actor amongst idols in the acting scene.

Three major broadcasting company directors (MBC, SBS, and KBS) along with 7 professionals were surveyed to rate the 11 idols that have been featured in dramas or movies in the past2 years. Idols were rated for their ‘acting career up to date’ and ‘potential for growth’; TOP was rated the highest of everyone, averaging 7.6 and 8.0 out of 10, respectively. Professionals praised that “[TOP's] sharp and bold image is appealing” (Ahn Hyuk Mo) and also advised that “it is time for [TOP] to broaden his acting career” (Huh Woong). TOP starred in the movie “‘71: Into the Fire”, winning the Best Male Rookie Actor award at the prestigious 47th Baeksang Arts Awards.

Following TOP, JYJ’s Park Yoochun placed 2nd scoring 7.0 and 7.7, and 2PM’s Ok Taecyeonplaced 3rd scoring 6.6 and 7.6. Park Yoochun debuted in the acting scene through “Sungkyunkwan Scandal” and followed through in MBC’s all-new-series “Miss Ripley“, whereas Ok Taecyeon debuted through “Cinderella’s Sister” and followed that up by starring as a lead role in “Dream High”.

Reviewers commented about Park Yoochun saying that “he needs to keep his dry smoothness” (Yoon Suk Jin) and that “he shows a potential in melodrama” (Lee Daeyoung). Concerning Ok Taecyeon, reviewers stated that he is “serious [about acting] and has that star quality, but because of his busy schedule he lacks the time to put that much effort into acting” (Lee Moon Won).

Amongst female idols, T-Ara’s Ham Eunjung who was also featured in “Dream High” received the highest score. Eunjung received a 6.3 in ‘acting career up to date’, placing 4th, but she placed 5th in ‘potential for growth’ with a score of 6.4. She was criticized, “her strong point is her everyday, next door type appearance, but she needs to gain experience” (Ahn Hyuk Mo).

T-Ara’s Jiyeon placed 7th in ‘acting career up to date’ but tied at 6th with CNBLUE’s Jung Yonghwain ‘potential for growth’. Kara’s Goo Hara who is currently acting in SBS’s “City Hunter” scored the lowest in both categories. Professionals coldly criticized that “she needs to escape the shade of being an idol” (Yoon Suk Jin) and that “she is better fit as a singer” (Ahn Hyuk Mo).

Afterschool’s UEE placed 10th in ‘acting career up to date’ and tied with Goo Hara for 10th in ‘potential for growth’. She received criticisms that “she fits the current trend, but ultimately will fall behind” (Ko Young Tak) and that “she needs serious consideration in what else she could show other than her healthy appeal” (Huh Woong).

Kim Hyun Joong of SS501, who received big spotlights as one of the top upcoming Hallyu Stars through his roles in “Boys Before Flowers” and “Playful Kiss” tied for 5th in ‘acting career up to date’ with Super Junior’s Choi Siwon, but fell to 9th place in ‘potential for growth’. Kim Hyun Joong received harsh criticisms from the reviewers that “he needs more stable acting to receive lead roles”(Ko Young Tak) and “the fact he sells despite his downside was his strength, but even that is becoming blurry now” (Lee Moon Won).

Choi Siwon, who placed 5th in ‘acting career up to date’ and higher as 4th in ‘potential for growth’, received criticism that although his acting is somewhat stable, he is trapped in his roles within his handsome appearance.

There are mainly three routes in which idols enter their acting career.

First, the historical drama route: Fin.K.L’s Sung Yuri in “Thousand Years Love”, JYJ’s Park Yoochun in “Sungkyunkwan Scandal”, and Afterschool’s UEE as young Misil in “Queen Seon Duk”. Historical dramas carry a specific tone for lines, and the recent rise of fusion-historical dramas make it easy for rookie actors and actresses to pull lines off. Historical dramas, rather than trendy dramas, also give the impression that the idol actors/actresses are taking acting more seriously.

Second, the musician role route: Jung Yonghwa of CNBLUE and Lee Hong Ki of FT Island in “You’re Beautiful” along with Miss A Suzy in “Dream High” are typical cases. Idols can showcase their talent and act naturally. In MBC’s “Fall In Love” which will air its first episode on the 29th of June, Jung Yonghwa will play the lead role as a college student who is majoring guitar in music school.

Lastly, debuting outside of Korea using their international popularity. Kara’s Goo Hara debuted as an actress in “UraKara” in Japan and then recently kicked off her acting career in Korea in SBS’s “City Hunter”. Super Junior’s Donghae will debut in acting with a lead role in Taiwan through “Glamorous Challenge”, set to start sometime this year. MBC’s “Playful Kiss” in which Kim Hyun Joong was featured in had very low ratings in Korea, but it went on out to Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and many other countries to gross a total of approximately 4 million dollars.