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The grass is always greener…


Star or Serious Actor? Go So Young and Song Kang Ho

 
Just as a sidebar, this article is horribly written but interesting in content if not execution. I tried to preserve the wording (which often smacks of juvenile rhetoric) but I did gloss over some redundant word repetition, and such as, for readability’s sake.

Also, on a more relevant note, the word “actor” used throughout the article doesn’t just refer to the general profession — it’s used in the context of serious acting, acting as an art form. Kind of like what we’d call a “character actor” in Western cinema terms.

Stars dreaming of being actors vs. Actors dreaming of being stars

Kim Tae Hee, Jeon Ji Hyun, Go So Young… They’re the top stars enjoying the most popularity these days. They have nothing to envy in terms of looks or wealth. They’re Korea’s top stars, but it’s not quite easy to call them actors. And that’s because of their fatal weakness: acting ability. And they aren’t the only ones, either. Most of the young top stars these days succeed based on their looks, but have been unable so far to receive recognition for their acting. …

 


Pretty stars Jeon Ji Hyun, Kim Tae Hee

 

Sol Kyung Gu, Song Kang Ho, Hwang Jung Min… By no means are they pretty boys. The reason they earn affection from fans is because of their acting. As a result of their superior acting talents, they earn money and popularity. Of course, they weren’t stars from the outset; they underwent periods of being cold and hungry as theater actors, without the money or popularity they enjoy now. They had to take parts in films that made them easily approachable by the mainstream in order to advance from actors to stars.

Stars and actors. There’s a definite difference between the two.

First off, let’s consider stars. All one needs is popularity in order to be called a star. However, if one proves to be lacking in acting skill, the title “actor” will never be applied in front of one’s name.

Then there are serious actors. A person can be called an actor as long as the acting is good. But without popularity, that’s all you are.

Stars and actors are different, but share some common points: They often long to be on the other side. Stars dream of being actors, and actors dream of being stars. It’s no surprise, since stars may earn money and popularity but have no glory. By the same token, an actor may earn praise for his performance, but lacks money and popular favor.

And so, stars yearn for acceptance as actors, and actors exert themselves to become stars. That’s why countless stars seek out Daehakro [theater district], and countless actors seek out Chungmuro [Korean Hollywood]. Actors seeking to become stars, and vice versa. Something both share are their ceaseless efforts in search of their goals.

 


Han Chae Young rehearsing for her theater debut

 

Stars dreaming of becoming actors! “Go, Daehakro”

Recently, glamorous star Han Chae Young knocked on the gates of Daehakro. She’d decided to perform in director Jang Jin’s play Awkward People, for one sole reason: to quench her acting thirst. Recently, she gave an interview with Sports Chosun, saying, “The pay is nothing compared to a movie or a drama series. But what I need isn’t money… I want to upgrade my acting skills by learning properly on the theater stage.”

In truth, stars heading to Daehakro are not such a strange sight. Bae Doona, Yang Dong Geun, Kim Hye Soo and others sharpened their acting skills on the theater stage. There are many instances in which stars like Ha Heera and Chae Shira chose theater as their comeback project after maternity leave. Ha Heera said recently in an interview with this paper, “When acting in a play, you realize what true acting is. It was the most difficult but also most valuable experience I’ve had.” She explained that it was through acting in theater that she felt she’d been reborn as a genuine actor.

Compared to the salaries stars earn normally, the performance fees for theater work are practically nothing. It’s as though one momentarily forgoes thoughts of money for the sake of becoming a true actor. One theater source explained, “Theater is an actor’s home ground, a foundation for acting. … A certain type of star will seek theater without care for money. What they seek is more valuable than money — it’s the title of actor.”

On one hand, there are some top stars who may not head to the stages of Daehakro but still give up something to improve their craft. Jang Dong Gun and Lee Junki are two such examples. In their respective films, Nowhere to Hide and May 18, they learned by taking supporting roles under more seasoned and skilled actors such as Park Joong Hun and Ahn Seon Ki. They contrast with the majority of young top stars, who are reluctant to step back from leading roles. But it’s because these stars want to become serious actors.

 


“Nowhere to Hide,” “May 18”

 

Actors who dream of being stars! “Go, Chungmuro”

There are many actors who gain the fundamentals from Daehakro, then approach Chungmuro. Sol Kyung Gu [Voice of a Murder, Silmido, Fight], Song Kang Ho [Secret Sunshine, The Host], and Hwang Jung Min [Bittersweet Life, Charming Girl, The Man Who Was Superman] are some such examples. They’re actors who rose to the position of stars on the basis of their excellent acting abilities. Of course, they didn’t have everything from the start. They had the skills for theater acting work, but no money and no popularity. They earned the rest by performing in films that would be easily accepted by the masses.

These days, there are more and more of these kinds of actors, who gain distinction on the theater or musical stages, then advance to television or film and become stars. Oh Man Seok [Vineyard Man, King and I] and Park Haemi [The Unstoppable High Kick] were stars in the world of musicals, but became even more famous by their television work. Oh Man Seok made the jump to TV and film belatedy and now shines.

By transitioning to TV or movie actors, they can bring in ten times or more money than they did on the stage, and enjoy popular favor on top of that. For this reason, many theater actors continue to knock on Chungmuro and Yoido doors. Of course, the money and celebrity don’t come merely because they choose to pursue it — their skills make that possible.

The crossover of theater actors into the Chungmuro scene is also a cause for rejoicing for audiences. The audiences, broadcast world, and the film industry also benefit, with the chance to see the skills these actors have accrued from their extensive stage work. Park Haemi gave viewers lots of big laughs in Unstoppable High Kick, and the absence of Sol Kyung Gu, Song Kang Ho, and Hwang Jung Min into the film world has left a void [in theater].

Actors wanting to become stars, and stars wanting to become actors. Both groups deserve praise just for attempting to make up for their weaknesses, because their tireless efforts will help them somehow. So, one thing must be kept in mind: These are actors who must put forth ceaseless efforts before becoming stars. Stars are forgotten but true actors last forever.

 


Character actors Sol Kyung Gu, Hwang Jung Min

Source: Sports Seoul

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I really enjoyed this article, dramabeans. thanks

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I think this is a great article ~ your blog doesn't just talk about the really superficial aspects of the KPOP world compared to other ones and it actually has some substance.

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Very nice article indeed. I love this article's approach in separating what an actor and a star are.

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i don't know why, but this article really didn't grab my attention. i mostly just skimmed. one point i disagree with is when the article said that stars are only popular because they're pretty. yea, that's true for about 99% of a star, but there's also something in that 1% that makes them popular, and different from just another pretty face. but who knows if that's talent.

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thanks for the article! i enjoyed reading it and totally agree that stars are forgotten and actors last forever. this article makes me wanna appreciate or give more credits to good actors even if they're not the lead or look the best.

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I enjoyed this article, very good approach. Thanks Dramabeans for another great work.
And I agree that both actors and stars deserve praise for their tireless efforts.

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interesting article... but i have to admit that i struggled through the whole thing, cuz...ugh...the writting is lacking...but he brought up 1 or 2 interesting points...kudos!

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I'll comment on the Lucid Falls track - finally one other song to add to my loop of Kio, You Are So Beautiful!! thanks!
Of course, Lucid Falls makes me think of "the voice" and his cellphone ringtone in Coffee Prince! memories....

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great article - thanks for sharing!

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Seems like the carbon copy of the kpop world -- where the dismal "talent vs. popularity" ratio is probably much more apparent. =/

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You’re so right, javabeans. We can say the same about some musicians. It’s the entertainment industry’s obsession with style over substance.

Dunno, things probably are different in Korea. Just a side note, I have mixed feelings about this theater vs. television thingy. In the US, there appeared to be more weight given to theater or movie as opposed to television roles. While it’s true that theater work appeared to be more challenging and craft-oriented, it still is unfortunate that television works are sometimes considered inferior. Why should that be so? I agree that, in general, it probably is more difficult to find interesting acting roles on television; but I think some do exist? And perhaps different mediums require actors to flex different acting muscles. So to be versatile, actors should be able to excel in all mediums? There are some stellar US television shows out there. It’s nice to see more theater actors crossing over to do television works. Good example is Pushing Daisy's Kristin Chenowich. It’s even better if it happened not because these actors need more exposure, but because they respond to the challenging roles. And recognize that television do sometimes provide quality programming.

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hasn't it alway been looks before talent in korean entertainment?
And TW for that matter. If you have a pretty face or been to a drama school, it is the pretty face that well get you the lead, while the other get the supporting role so to cover up the lead lack of talent.
It is good that once they become 'stars' that they can recognize they lack of acting skill and try to improve.
I often read that Jang Nara was so lucky to have become a big star in korea because she was so plain looking, seemingly forgetting that she may of had real talent.
One wonders how many really good actors or singers have missed their chances because of a lack of the ' pretty face' and how many have gone under the knife to compensate, to their lose....
The tragic end of Jung Da Bin comes to mind, who seemed a very good actress but
lacked the so called 'Pretty face' .

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this was a nice read. very insightful. thanks sarah , nice job :)
i never really thought about the star vs the actor in that aspect.
true enough, both have their own goals. and few really make it.
to be both a star and actor. so kudos to them who try to be more than
just a pretty face and those who are humble from the beginning then
reap what they sow. anyhow, im sure both have stressful jobs.
i find that in this industry many do other ways to achieve their goals (ie. surgery, etc).. in a way i think it deters from the original plot too. im pretty sure there are actors/singers etc who are really talented but never get to make it really cause they arent the type that is liked by all or doesnt reach the standard..

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"Stars are forgotten but true actors last forever."

here! here! totally agree with this. i won't deny that i like looking at cute actors but in the end those with real talent are the ones who are able to hold my attention and get my respect.

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very intresting article ^^

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Theater is highly regarded in America, is what I think. Television roles, not so much. Cause, I mean, there are SOOO many shows, its hard to get recognized. Movies....mmm yeah.

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I've seen Malaysian and Singaporean Stage actors that went on to do TV work, some cannot blend to it properly as they retained the required more pronounced/exaggerated facial expressions and pronounced diction required on stage so that the audience can "see" their expressions and "hear" them from far away - unlike tv, where even the slightest glaze or lilt of the eyes to a semi-blink can be detected to show change of emotion/reaction. But over time these stage actors/actresses acclimatize themselves and prove themselves invaluable to the success of their TV shows - and fame and fortune to themselves.

OH MAN SEOK *Winks at Dongseng* heard tell he is doing a fab performance in The King and I !

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