It wasn’t until after I finished BOF (and had my heart ripped out) and went to learn more about KHJ that I found Playful Kiss, WGM, and that he was the leader of a boy band. Given that he seems to be the (slightly older) Justin Bieber of Korea, it’s not surprising that the opinions of him are so disparate. I have never been one to fawn over pretty boys/boy band types, not even when I was a teenager. (I never was a huge fan on New Kids on the Block when other girls my age were….now that’s dating myself!) By the time I learned that KHJ falls into that category, though, I was already smitten by his smile and nice-guy persona.

Anyway, my first post on DramaBeans–will probably be my last. Except, this kdrama thing is so addicting!

As for his looks, I’ve noticed changes . . .every 2 years it seems his face changes and I’m a little baffled what he did this time around. I’m pretty sure it’s his nose but also I think from exercising, his jawline is wider or more angular now. But then again, his face changes it seems in every photo. . .one photo he’ll look very angular with thicker jaw line, then a month later, his face seem to shrink down to a more softer look. I find it quite insane that someone can look so different depending on the angle of his face.

I do prefer his look in his younger days and I still see a glimpse of it in his current photos but something has clearly changed but can’t quite pin point exactly what it is.

I find him to be a very dynamic person. . .and it appears he wants to do the best he can in what ever challenges they give him and I truly admire someone like that. I think it’s horrible that everyone is so mean to someone who wants to succeed in their field whether acting, singing, dancing, etc. and is working very hard to do well. I just watched a documentary on Rain and he talked about how he was rejected by the industry so many times because of how he looked. Through perseverance and someone giving him a chance, he catapult himself to where he is today. One of the most successful entertainer that Korea has had to offer thus far. I think that is what is going to happen with KHJ if continues to work hard, ignore trolls who criticize his every move, and do what ever it is he needs to do to succeed.

He seem to be a very nice person who truly appreciates his fans. It also appears that his peers whether it’s other idols, show host, directors, and others that he has had contact/relation with really like him and admire him as a person. I’ve seen countless interviews of his peers who always say how they admire him as a person. I think that is what matters so I think we all should be kinder and not be so terribly mean to him.

I wish him the best in his new drama. I’m sure he will do well. . .:) I’m looking forward to watching it.

In particular, the following two points should explain the situation quite well.

(overseas broadcast rights were sold for an amazing amount of money just with KHJ’s name)
Q ‘도시정벌’이 이미 해외 선판매만 118억 원에 육박한다는 소식을 들었다. 축하와 함께 소감을 전한다면?

나도 놀라울 따름이다. 생각보다 현중이가 차지하는 아시아 시장은 무한대다. 도시정벌은 일본만으로도 미니멈 개런티 400만 불과 옵션계약이 따로다. 중국, 대만, 홍콩과는 계약서를 주고받고 있는 단계이다. 아마도 도시정벌의 해외 판매액은 150억 가량이 되지 않을까 예상해본다.

(global market and KHJ’s popularity):
Q 한류에도 큰 영향을 미칠 것이라 생각된다. 해외시장을 염두에 두고 김현중을 캐스팅 한 것인가?

물론 그렇다. 얼마 전 미얀마를 다녀왔는데 김현중이 출연한 “꽃보다 남자”가 미얀마 국영방송 시청률이 55%라고 하더라. 일본을 비롯한 아시아 국가에서의 김현중의 인기는 단연 최고라고 확신한다. 아마도 이번 작품에서 그동안의 김현중의 연기를 생각한다면 큰 오산이다. 드라마 “도시정벌”에서의 백미르는 김현중이 100점이라고 확신한다.

Oh, not at all. I actually completely agree with you. But I don’t see this phenomenon as something negative. Yes, he is so hot and popular, that his new drama pre-sold for 11.8 billion won even before the director, the 2nd male lead, and the leading lady were signed in, long before the filming is scheduled to begin. All of this regardless of his mediocre acting ability. His (numerous) fans are happy, the producers are happy, markets are happy, so this seems to be a win-win situation, no?

IMHO, there’s a market for “proper quality” dramas with good acting and clever plots (that don’t always sell very well), and then there’s a market for “popular” dramas that focus on big stars and famous idols that sell very well globally. To a casual drama fan like myself, it seems strange that (the highly critical of KHJ) prominent drama connoisseurs on this forum fail to recognize this clear difference in the target demographic. We don’t normally walk into an Olive Garden restaurant and complain that their Béchamel sauce is a little lumpy, do we? So why do drama fans endlessly complain about famous idols/stars not acting well in the “big market” dramas? Acting well was – pretty much – not in their job description, anyway. They are there to provide the wider popular appeal and… sell themselves, more or less. And it works.