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Shiny, bright new faces


“Legend”‘s Sujini, actor Lee Jia

 

“Which new talents shine most brightly in drama-land?”

My Daily asked three experienced industry insiders (drama manager at KBS Lee Sung Joo; SBS’s drama department chief Gu Bon Geun; and MBC’s CP Jo Joong Hyun) to help in assessing some of the more notable new faces to pop up in the past year.

One of the first names to come to mind has to be Lee Jia — for whom her current role as tomboyish Sujini in the hit fantasy-historical drama Legend is not only her first leading part, but her ever. (For those who aren’t familiar, Lee Jia studied graphic design in New York as her first career path.) In the words of Legend‘s director Kim Jung Hak, who spared no praise:

“Prior to filming the drama series, she underwent intense acting training. On top of that, Lee Jia is bold and has strong ambitions for her acting, and works very hard. She integrates into the cast so well that it’s difficult to believe she’s a new actor.”

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Lee Jia

 

She also rocks the pseudo-goth pretty well, considering her character(s) in Legend are alternately feminine (Black Phoenix Seoh) and exuberantly boyish (Sujini). At least they were in the first three episodes before I lost interest. Despite her lack of acting experience, Lee Jia’s performance has been strong enough to earn her all-around praise and widespread public interest:

In her debut role, she stands shoulder-to-shoulder with prominent stars and manages to display natural acting skill, rising to stardom and creating a huge sensation.

Not bad for a rookie.

Another new actress garnering just as much attention as Lee Jia this year is Park Min Young, whose debut role came as bimbo-riffic Yumi in the family sitcom Unstoppable High Kick. She followed that with a lead role in the drama I Am Sam, and although she still has yet to prove herself as a serious actor, she’s got stardom written all over her. That, and a gorgeous nose. *Envy*

 


Park Min Young, Kim Dong Wook

 

And, of course, we can’t forget Kim Dong Wook, perhaps better known as the cute, nosy Coffee Prince Jin Harim. Although he wasn’t necessarily the most traditionally good-looking of the three Princes (after all, he had to hold his own next to pretty-boy model Kim Jae Wook and tough-guy model Lee Eon), Harim stole the show with his goofy, adorable antics and good humor:

His character expressed himself with outrageous expressions, and his natural dialogue delivery and acting earned him lots of positive feedback.

Aside from these three front-runners, there were some other notable new stars, such as Song Chang Eui in SBS’s Golden Bride, who started out acting in musicals before earning a lead role in Golden Bride. Others include Park Chae Kyung, Jin Lee Han, and Kim Jisuk (wasn’t Kim Jisuk around for a while?).

But with all things come caveats:

If these new actors are unable to show growth into the next phases of their careers, their ascent as stars could tumble in a flash. That’s one reason there will be even more interest in seeing the shape of their futures.

Because who doesn’t love to witness a good fall from grace? Schadenfreude demands we enjoy the downward spiral even more than all the praise on the way up!

Source: My Daily

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Yay! First to comment!
AHHH!!! Lee Jiah!!!!! woot!
she is my all time favorite actress!
I can't wait until her next project after the Legend is done!
I thought she studied graphic design in Cali not New York?
Oh well who cares. Go Lee Jiah!

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hmm...black nail polish, acting ability, a graphic designer from new york, and looks similiar to boa (at least in the 2nd pic)....Lee Jia is pretty hot stuff.

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im glad Song Chang Ui is up there :) he's doing great in Golden Bride. i cant wait to see his new movie with Lee Wan

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hmm...i honestly didn't know much about these actors. thanks for the info!

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So it was Lee Ji Ah's first drama? No way!!!! I didn't know that! Thumbs up to her! I already found her good but knowing it's her first role ever It's even more praiseworthy!
Hope she keeps on rising ^^

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yea, i didn't realise Legend was Lee Ji Ah's first drama! she is very convincing and pretty too ^^

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yeah!! Lee Jia rocks!!
i like her a lot!! good actress! :)
Kim Dong Wook is my favorite coffee prince..
Aside from the master Gong Yoo of course..
ahhhh Song Chang Eui, i noticed him in Wedding first actually more than
Ryu Shi Won (dont hate me)
Who is Jin Lee Han btw?

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Lee Ji Ah is indeed a natural..
She's really good in The Legend..

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lee ji ah rocks! she's so natural and i really like her in 'legend'. the pd made the right choice in choosing her instead of other using another actress to play the role.

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ใคร

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lee jiah is indeed a goddess.....
she really rocksss!!!!!! she looks so inocent like a child yet she spells sensuality...

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waaaaa......yup2....she really a great actress!!!~~~~~ajaaaa ejiah!!!~~~~^-^

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Hi i crush in u y0u im ur avid fan i l0ve y0u

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Hre in d philippine i always watching high kick wh0oh i l0v u i want to meet y0u s0medy

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