Lots of people think an actor is great if they like his or her character, while others think acting is good if they like the movie/series. But those are often a function of good writing/directing rather that good acting! Also many people confuse an actor’s life with his work (he isn’t a saint so he’s a bad actor)!! I’m not even remotely saying such judgments are wrong. I’m just saying that people’s reactions to actors are often complicated and greatly influenced by their bias!! However, mediocre and fake acting is still bad and should not be regarded as outstanding!!
Korean pop culture tends to be more superstar based, which means “it’s easier for a production company to get funding for a project with a beautiful star than for a project exploring some new creative idea with unknown, but talented, actors”. Therefore, terrible acting is something most of the K-audiences got used to it, and sometime those horrible performance regarded as exceptional (e.g. You from Another Star, Hires, Moon Embracing the Sun, Signal, Moonlight, Legend of the Blue Sea, etc. and a very recent example Life on Mars)
I never understood the hype on the acting from You From Another Star. I liked the guy fine, but the girl was a horrible character and mediocre actress…
I find all the performances in that drama mediocre at its best!! I remember I laughed so hard when KSH was crying: https://www.koreaboo.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/tumblr_nettd6ccvb1s6qplao5_500.gif
However, I understand why the drama was so popular: the story was unique at that time + they poured money and luxury (fashion, decors, make-up, etc.) which always works on people…
really? I loooved the main actress from “You from Another Star” and instead found the main guy to be stiff as a board and really not much of a natural. as a matter of fact, I watched “the Producers” and came to the conclusion that he WAS a bad actor!
LOL
Maybe I should try watching her in something else? Part of it I think was that her character was so overhyped. Every time someone raved how badass she was, I just thought she was a spoiled brat who had no respect for anyone. When her world came crashing down, all I could think of was that she brought it upon herself.
I feel that both actors in You From Another Star were quite bad (I’m talking about acting only and not the actors, they might be excellent in other roles)… However, as @ghazaal mentioned, because their characters have been written interesting or unique, everyone praised them… I suggest watching some of the scenes without subs and only pay attention to their acting
Yes, I really feel two of the main actors in those two dramas had a terrible performance! It’s more glaring , because the rest of the main casts were decent or even really good (even their kid version were better)! Also I’m pretty sure that their characters were not written bad (considering how many audiences can overlook their bad acting) so it was most probably the actors’ misinterpretation of the role or lack of acting talent…
I don’t completely agree. I think a truly bad actor is going to be bad no matter the directing/writing. However, there are actors that have a very specific niche (usually character actors that do side roles but some find themselves in lead roles) and if they step out of that, they flail. I wouldn’t call them bad actors though. I would just say that they aren’t universally great actors. They just need a specific writing and directing style to do well. There are actors who can work with anything and often elevate subpar writing/directing, and those I would say are definitely magnificent actors that are on a totally different level. Those are rarer to find, and I think the industry benefits from having a range of talents although it stinks when they choose scripts that don’t match their skill.
I’m talking more about ‘bad acting’ rather than bad actors! I also don’t call anyone as a bad actor unless they’re too miserably bad! I agree that many actors can do alright under a better writing and directing style! But sometime acting is really bad, although the writing/directing is not bad (and it really annoys me when those bad acting regarded as exceptional!!)…
It amazes me too sometimes but acting is in the eye of the beholder. I get judgmental on other people’s taste in media, but I always have to tell myself that even the worst movie is someone’s favorite. It’s just a matter of different people connecting in different ways to the people on screen.
The opposite frustrates me when I think someone is amazing and everyone else is meh. I think I have pretty good taste. Lol
the very last GIF made me sad coz yeah, it DOES look terrible (can’t defend THAT. lol), but Jo In Sung is honestly very good in “It’s Okay, that’s Love”. the crying is more natural and less…
(damn! I can’t unsee this gif… lol)
as for the 1st gif: Hwang Jung-eum ! She truly is the Korean Female Nicholas Cage of overacting. in e v e r y single show I’ve seen her in. every single one!!
I agree that JIS has been decent in most of his other roles including IOIL… I think these are example of bad acting rather than bad actors… Acting like any other job can be done good/bad with the same actor, depending on the actors’ interpretation of the role and PD skills… they are only few super-talented actors who can be good in every single role, even the worst written characters…
Your’re right @kethysk
And I mean bad acting, not bad actors!! I think most of actors can do a decent job in the hand of a good PD and/or writer!! But as you also mentioned, some are always and extremely overacting!! Netizen would crush idols for mediocre acting (e.g. IU in Moon Lover), but I wonder why nobody criticize those veteran actors who are always bad (either with extreme overacting or fake/wooden acting)!!
Speaking of the K-Drama tropes, I really dislike it when writers try to make the 2nd lead an absolutely \’awful\’ character, in order for audiences to appreciate the 1st lead… Lazy writing ugh…!
I tried Life On Mars this weekend! Perhaps, I expected too much from it because I feel quite disappointed! The acting, in most part, is very mediocre, while the supposedly \”nerve-wracking\” plot lines often seems pretty unbelievable!
I’m just so tired of lazy writers who use the same plot over and over and over: accidental kiss, amusement park date, claw machine, eating late-night ramen, wrist-grab, kidnapping-related phobia or other phobia followed by sudden healing of that very long-term phobia, lying/abusive parents, psychopath parents/siblings, blind dates to make the 1st lead jealous, … Can’t the writers be more creative?! For example, can’t they write a date scene which is unique?! Can’t they write a character who’s grown up normally, without any super tragic past, who is still interesting? Is every person in Korea either Chaebol or paying for his/her parents debt?
I would say this. In recent years, there are more varieties in dramas. If you continue to watch the same genre each time, then yeah those topes will feel repetitive. And tropes are meant to do that. Romcoms will always be romcoms. It is very rare that they will bring something new. Oftentimes, they will feel like you’ve seen them before. If you are looking for something unique, you will unlikely find it in romcoms.
For me, I am very picky of my dramas and I watch dramas from different genres, except weekend dramas. I will not watch romcom dramas consecutively. I will not watch a serious drama after I just finished a drama with a similar themes and tone. Diversification is key, so I can continue enjoying them. Otherwise, it will lose the appeal. If there are no kdramas i like, then I watch Americans dramas.
K-Drama still have All Answer Me/Reply series, Prison Playbook, Go Back Couple, Father is Strange, to name a few.
Or branch out into series from other countries. Japanese, Chinese, Spanish, British, Turkish, Latin America telenovela, Danish, Swedish even Iceland have interesting tv series. You have many options.
@drawde2000@manohira you both have a very good point about diversification! I loved fresh dramas like Reply series, Forest of Secret, or recently Lawless Attorney!! But I believe romcom is what made K-drama an international entertainment! I hope writers stop copying and pasting basically the same thing over and over, and try to be more creative!! In the meantime I’ll try to watch some other foreign series: e.g. Swedish series sounds interesting (I love their movies), any idea where I can find them?!
Netflix or illegally (torrent). I believe Netflix has The Killing and The Tunnel two of the most popular swedish series. The second one has been remade by American and British. I personally enjoyed the American remake version, but the rating was not that good so it’s cancelled.
LJK
July 17, 2018 at 1:59 PM
Lots of people think an actor is great if they like his or her character, while others think acting is good if they like the movie/series. But those are often a function of good writing/directing rather that good acting! Also many people confuse an actor’s life with his work (he isn’t a saint so he’s a bad actor)!! I’m not even remotely saying such judgments are wrong. I’m just saying that people’s reactions to actors are often complicated and greatly influenced by their bias!! However, mediocre and fake acting is still bad and should not be regarded as outstanding!!
persianrose❤️战哥
July 17, 2018 at 2:40 PM
Korean pop culture tends to be more superstar based, which means “it’s easier for a production company to get funding for a project with a beautiful star than for a project exploring some new creative idea with unknown, but talented, actors”. Therefore, terrible acting is something most of the K-audiences got used to it, and sometime those horrible performance regarded as exceptional (e.g. You from Another Star, Hires, Moon Embracing the Sun, Signal, Moonlight, Legend of the Blue Sea, etc. and a very recent example Life on Mars)
Jig
July 17, 2018 at 3:14 PM
I never understood the hype on the acting from You From Another Star. I liked the guy fine, but the girl was a horrible character and mediocre actress…
persianrose❤️战哥
July 17, 2018 at 3:32 PM
I find all the performances in that drama mediocre at its best!! I remember I laughed so hard when KSH was crying: https://www.koreaboo.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/tumblr_nettd6ccvb1s6qplao5_500.gif
However, I understand why the drama was so popular: the story was unique at that time + they poured money and luxury (fashion, decors, make-up, etc.) which always works on people…
KSKalways
July 18, 2018 at 7:23 AM
really? I loooved the main actress from “You from Another Star” and instead found the main guy to be stiff as a board and really not much of a natural. as a matter of fact, I watched “the Producers” and came to the conclusion that he WAS a bad actor!
LOL
but indeed, I shall respect your opinion… 🙂
Jig
July 18, 2018 at 8:45 AM
Maybe I should try watching her in something else? Part of it I think was that her character was so overhyped. Every time someone raved how badass she was, I just thought she was a spoiled brat who had no respect for anyone. When her world came crashing down, all I could think of was that she brought it upon herself.
persianrose❤️战哥
July 18, 2018 at 12:38 PM
I feel that both actors in You From Another Star were quite bad (I’m talking about acting only and not the actors, they might be excellent in other roles)… However, as @ghazaal mentioned, because their characters have been written interesting or unique, everyone praised them… I suggest watching some of the scenes without subs and only pay attention to their acting
greenfields
July 17, 2018 at 6:05 PM
Are Signal and Life on Mars poorly acted? Let’s say we agree to disagree then on what constitutes good acting.
persianrose❤️战哥
July 18, 2018 at 12:32 PM
Yes, I really feel two of the main actors in those two dramas had a terrible performance! It’s more glaring , because the rest of the main casts were decent or even really good (even their kid version were better)! Also I’m pretty sure that their characters were not written bad (considering how many audiences can overlook their bad acting) so it was most probably the actors’ misinterpretation of the role or lack of acting talent…
Jig
July 17, 2018 at 2:50 PM
I don’t completely agree. I think a truly bad actor is going to be bad no matter the directing/writing. However, there are actors that have a very specific niche (usually character actors that do side roles but some find themselves in lead roles) and if they step out of that, they flail. I wouldn’t call them bad actors though. I would just say that they aren’t universally great actors. They just need a specific writing and directing style to do well. There are actors who can work with anything and often elevate subpar writing/directing, and those I would say are definitely magnificent actors that are on a totally different level. Those are rarer to find, and I think the industry benefits from having a range of talents although it stinks when they choose scripts that don’t match their skill.
LJK
July 17, 2018 at 3:01 PM
I’m talking more about ‘bad acting’ rather than bad actors! I also don’t call anyone as a bad actor unless they’re too miserably bad! I agree that many actors can do alright under a better writing and directing style! But sometime acting is really bad, although the writing/directing is not bad (and it really annoys me when those bad acting regarded as exceptional!!)…
Jig
July 17, 2018 at 3:12 PM
It amazes me too sometimes but acting is in the eye of the beholder. I get judgmental on other people’s taste in media, but I always have to tell myself that even the worst movie is someone’s favorite. It’s just a matter of different people connecting in different ways to the people on screen.
The opposite frustrates me when I think someone is amazing and everyone else is meh. I think I have pretty good taste. Lol
Stranger
July 17, 2018 at 4:34 PM
Korean viewpoint of what makes for great acting and storytelling is definitely different from the western ideal… Korean actors generally over-react all their emotions and over-dramatic acting is quite standard… Yet, some of those over-dramatic acting are really horrendous: https://pa1.narvii.com/6186/fcff3e7d1d583366369ca00e3b9c45c31a75ce9f_hq.gif
https://www.wenba.ca/uploads/article/20160911/2beb0a68cb84c0e8072c0c6d492b71da.gif
https://i.pinimg.com/originals/4c/29/77/4c29775a29f1c10ce94696b057391916.gif
https://data.whicdn.com/images/62589197/original.gif
https://www.dramafever.com/st/news/images/Bridal_mask_crying2.gif
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9VC6LFvVWhc/UoVC1nIgv8I/AAAAAAAABDc/eISBuF6gNyc/s1600/tumblrm4wwqfcjw51qbbn0s.gif
KSKalways
July 18, 2018 at 7:27 AM
the very last GIF made me sad coz yeah, it DOES look terrible (can’t defend THAT. lol), but Jo In Sung is honestly very good in “It’s Okay, that’s Love”. the crying is more natural and less…
(damn! I can’t unsee this gif… lol)
as for the 1st gif: Hwang Jung-eum ! She truly is the Korean Female Nicholas Cage of overacting. in e v e r y single show I’ve seen her in. every single one!!
[thank you for letting me share my opinion 🙂 ]
persianrose❤️战哥
July 18, 2018 at 12:44 PM
I agree that JIS has been decent in most of his other roles including IOIL… I think these are example of bad acting rather than bad actors… Acting like any other job can be done good/bad with the same actor, depending on the actors’ interpretation of the role and PD skills… they are only few super-talented actors who can be good in every single role, even the worst written characters…
LJK
July 18, 2018 at 1:15 PM
Your’re right @kethysk
And I mean bad acting, not bad actors!! I think most of actors can do a decent job in the hand of a good PD and/or writer!! But as you also mentioned, some are always and extremely overacting!! Netizen would crush idols for mediocre acting (e.g. IU in Moon Lover), but I wonder why nobody criticize those veteran actors who are always bad (either with extreme overacting or fake/wooden acting)!!
LJK
July 13, 2018 at 1:02 PM
Speaking of the K-Drama tropes, I really dislike it when writers try to make the 2nd lead an absolutely \’awful\’ character, in order for audiences to appreciate the 1st lead… Lazy writing ugh…!
natzillagorilla
July 13, 2018 at 8:27 PM
Extremely lazy writing!! If your lead is written well enough, why use another character for comparison? I love awesome 2Ls because of this!
LJK
July 9, 2018 at 3:07 PM
I tried Life On Mars this weekend! Perhaps, I expected too much from it because I feel quite disappointed! The acting, in most part, is very mediocre, while the supposedly \”nerve-wracking\” plot lines often seems pretty unbelievable!
LJK
July 4, 2018 at 3:39 PM
I’m just so tired of lazy writers who use the same plot over and over and over: accidental kiss, amusement park date, claw machine, eating late-night ramen, wrist-grab, kidnapping-related phobia or other phobia followed by sudden healing of that very long-term phobia, lying/abusive parents, psychopath parents/siblings, blind dates to make the 1st lead jealous, … Can’t the writers be more creative?! For example, can’t they write a date scene which is unique?! Can’t they write a character who’s grown up normally, without any super tragic past, who is still interesting? Is every person in Korea either Chaebol or paying for his/her parents debt?
drawde2000
July 4, 2018 at 7:42 PM
I would say this. In recent years, there are more varieties in dramas. If you continue to watch the same genre each time, then yeah those topes will feel repetitive. And tropes are meant to do that. Romcoms will always be romcoms. It is very rare that they will bring something new. Oftentimes, they will feel like you’ve seen them before. If you are looking for something unique, you will unlikely find it in romcoms.
For me, I am very picky of my dramas and I watch dramas from different genres, except weekend dramas. I will not watch romcom dramas consecutively. I will not watch a serious drama after I just finished a drama with a similar themes and tone. Diversification is key, so I can continue enjoying them. Otherwise, it will lose the appeal. If there are no kdramas i like, then I watch Americans dramas.
mano
July 4, 2018 at 8:04 PM
K-Drama still have All Answer Me/Reply series, Prison Playbook, Go Back Couple, Father is Strange, to name a few.
Or branch out into series from other countries. Japanese, Chinese, Spanish, British, Turkish, Latin America telenovela, Danish, Swedish even Iceland have interesting tv series. You have many options.
LJK
July 5, 2018 at 10:33 AM
@drawde2000 @manohira you both have a very good point about diversification! I loved fresh dramas like Reply series, Forest of Secret, or recently Lawless Attorney!! But I believe romcom is what made K-drama an international entertainment! I hope writers stop copying and pasting basically the same thing over and over, and try to be more creative!! In the meantime I’ll try to watch some other foreign series: e.g. Swedish series sounds interesting (I love their movies), any idea where I can find them?!
mano
July 5, 2018 at 7:51 PM
Netflix or illegally (torrent). I believe Netflix has The Killing and The Tunnel two of the most popular swedish series. The second one has been remade by American and British. I personally enjoyed the American remake version, but the rating was not that good so it’s cancelled.
LJK
July 4, 2018 at 2:25 PM
Lawless Lawyer thank you for creating such a memorable character!
LJK
July 4, 2018 at 2:14 PM
This lady elegance and unique aurora made me a big fan of her!