gosh, i wish i was on the same plane with them, i will latched on to their seats, not moved an inch even when the flight attendant pulling me with force, LOL

so was wondering, besides this four (and kwon sang woo JB mentioned), is there any male hallyu star that can be put in their caliber??

#42...

Taegukgi remains the best Korean movie ever. I remember how much i bawled over this movie. It deserves to be one of the most evergreen Korean movie in history! Those who haven't watch it just don't know what they are missing. I thought i saw the youtube link to this movie somewhere. Oh, the OST is great too!

"hmm I didn’t know Yoon Eunhye is THAT much of a star."

Yeah, I kinda go back and forth on it. Goong was very popular, and of course Coffee Prince may get remade into J-drama. Also, Son Yeh Jin is a 1st tier female Hallyu star. The Classic and Moment to Remember were both very popular internationally, and Japan LOVED Summer Scent and April Snow.

Lee Young Ae would be #2. I want to say #1 since she is still considered an ambassador of South Korea to the world, but nobody really knows because she didn't follow up Dae Jang Geum with another proper show, the film Sympathy for Lady Vengeance notwithstanding. Her semi-retirement has kinda taken her out of the Hallyu loop.

"Choi Ji Woo’s fans are predominantly middle aged women/wives/married women."

Yeah, in Japan, Choi Ji Woo will always be identified with her character in Winter Sonata. To her Japanese fans, she represents the regular woman (specifically in Japan --> middle-aged office lady-turned-mother/housewife) who was given the second chance at love and endures all in order to have that love. This is an especially, especially powerful archetype in a country where it's rare to hear the words "I love you" and less and less woman are now married. When I put on my Japanese housewife filter on (which I do whenever I go gaga over Yonsama), Choi Ji Woo's power to me is undeniable.

Choi Ji Woo is the 3rd most powerful figure in Hallyu next to Bae Yong Joon and Song Seung Heon (case could be made that SSH is #1 now.) Also, it's due to CJW that Lee Byung Hun, Ryu Shi Won, Kwon Sang Woo, and Park Yong Ha became mega-Hallyu stars. If you starred in a drama with Choi Ji Woo (hello Yoo Ji Tae!!), you got a shot at Japan.

"I prefer younger Hallyu generation such as Lee Dong Wook, Rain, Kang Ji Wan, Hyun Bin not these old chaps."

Yeah, the 2nd tier is extremely loaded. Rain is probably 1st tier in Japan. Lee Jung Ki (though LJK's ENORMOUSLY popular in China), Binnie (and pre-scandal Jo Jin Hoo) arguably lead the 2nd tier. But you also got Park Shin Yang (so tempted to make him 1st tier just on Lovers in Paris alone), Kang Ji Hwan (though KJH is bigger in China), Kang Dong Wan, Jo In Sung, Jo Hyung Jae, Jo Jin hee, Gong Yoo, Ji Sung, Jang Hyuk, Jo Seung Woo, Lee Dong Geun, Go Soo (though bigger in Taiwan thanks to Lee Dae Hae), etc. It's CROWDED. :D And on the female side, the 1st tier also includes Lee Young Ae and Ji Hyun. Then for 2nd tier you got Kim Ha Neul, Ha Ji Won, Jeon Do Yeon, Kim Jung-Eun, Kim Tae Hee (who's bigger in China),and Kim Sun Ah (bigger in Taiwan.)

You also have Hallyu popular who built a following in Japan before really hitting it big here. That includes Bae Doo Na, Kim Nam Gil, perhaps Kim Bum, etc.

JB:

"If I were a guy, I’d go gay for Jang Dong-gun. Also Won Bin. (Not Song Seung-heon.)"

Observer:

"because it is not funny. it makes no sense. I’m a guy…I wouldn’t go around saying “if I were a girl, I’d go lesbian for Song gye hyo”."

Dude, it makes perfect sense. I'm a guy and I would go gay for Won Bin. And yes, if I were a girl I would definitely go lesbian for Song Hye Kyo! Can I have them both? :D

@45 "hmm I didn’t know Yoon Eunhye is THAT much of a star. She’s big for sure, but as big as Choi Jiwoo and Song Hyekyo?"

I think belleza means Lee Young-Ae? I'm not sure, but I don't really see YEH is that much of a star either, perhaps maybe in China I guess.

@ 54 "I’m a guy and I would go gay for Won Bin."

ummmm, are you sure you aren't gay? cuz a straight guy wouldn't turn gay just because some dude is good looking.

For example, I consider Brad Pitt objectively handsome. But I wouldn't even entertain the thought of going gay for him...whatever the hell that means.

"I think belleza means Lee Young-Ae?"

To me, LYA's marriage signifies that she's retired from acting. She still gets plenty of offers, but there's no real interest on her side.

I'm trying to decide if observer is being an idiot on purpose or if he (she?) just doesn't understand the concept of slang. Either way, I am entertained!!! hehe

@7 - Samsooki
Did he want a later flight because he was busy, or because he wanted a singular spotlight…. like stars in the night sky, you can see hallyu stars better if there are no other ambient light sources nearby…

He was still filming the finale of IRIS until Wednesday night, the 16th (had just returned from Jeju, around 9pm for the another scene at Han River). If it's confirmed update, it would be nice if JB had mentioned this too.. at least.

He would've joined them if he could. He already left for Japan early this morning. . maybe in time for rehearsals before the concert.

---

If I recalled the one star who'd always wanted singular spotlight to himself was/is KwonSangWoo during the Hallyu All Star Summit in 2005 -- when others had no problem sharing the stage were JDG, LBH, Kim Seung Woo, Rain at the time.

They recall me of my first touch with Hallyu! The first Korean drama I watched is Autumn's Fairy Tale in which I was strongly attracted by Song Seunheon and Won Bin, and the second Korean I watched is Eva's Temptation in which I also started to love Jang Dongun. Till now, I still love them so much, although during these years, many lovely stars emerge and get my attention. But they are still deep in my heart!

I think that's understandable for middle-aged women going crazy for these men.

Younger star can't be compared to "the prince" you fell in love with when you was 18 or 20s. ^^

Even I think that they are hotter than all these younger actors... and I'm just 22 yrs.

I watched their dramas in my early teen years. They really did give me a deep impression. (though my most favourite was Cha In Pyo ^^)

My current love is Kim Heechul and he's nothing like these men. So I can't put them in the same cataloge.

@ 59 jonah

same thought here.. LOL..

JDG is still my favourite ahjusshi.. too bad he's not doing drama anymore

@observer,
The concept of "going gay" is an American slang -- and a fairly new one, I think, so if you are not from here (here being America), I can see why it might sound strange. It's also a fairly hip, urban, upper middle class (dare I say, white?) slang (I remember hearing it on college campuses first).

-------------------------
I hope a lot of fans show up for LBH, just to show him that they still support him. It astonishes me how much fan-service these actors do. Showing up for a fan meeting while in the middle of godawful schedules that are Korean dramas is commitment.

Hallyu wave king in Japan will always go to Bae Yong Jun hands down.

People have made numerous cases that Song Seung Hun fans can easily outnumbered Bae's fans, well, if you add not only metropolitan cities in Japan but the cities and towns towards the outreach of the country side, yes, Song's fans can easily outnumbered Bae's fans. And also Lee Byung Hun's fans just exponentially grew after GI JOE amongst younger generations.

But seriously, Japanese fans overlaps in their support regarding these hallyu stars. They all support or fans of more than a few stars, not just one.

@64

ok, thanks for the clarification.

Im actually American myself (well, not born here)...I've never heard the slang "going gay".

@65

Did GIJOE really get LBH any fans?

I find that hard to believe. Not that he was bad in it, but it was a forgettable role in a forgettable movie.

@ 66
Well, I am not American nor is English my first language (self-evident, I think, from my comments), so I kind of sympathize when slang and idioms make no sense. I am still figuring out American vernacular; damn kids keep slanging it up all the time. Get off my lawn! :-)

Cheers.

@ 67

There was not much of a warm reception regarding LBH's role as Storm Shadow before the movie. Feelings and critics changed after people has seen it. For Paramount pictures to ink LBH to another sequal in GI JOE 2, there must be a big reason as to why he should be invited back. LBH's limited screen time and presence in GI JOE was enough to trump that of the American actors big time.

New fans of LBH? why should he be in the sequal if there isn't a market to sell his Storm Shadow fighting figures and posters in toy stores and walmart across America and no doubt all of Asia. LBH is money, Paramount pictures see him plastered all over with American dollars period.

won bin my dear!!!! all i can say is.....

ohhhhlalalala!!!!

AAAAAAAAAAAAAHHH!!!
*SSSSPPPLLLLLAAARGHHHHHHHHKT!!!*

sorry, my ovaries just exploded.

SSH is "oooooooooooooohhhhh" (he gets better looking with age in my opinion ey!?)
WB is good looking but lately he's been a bit emo-ish. He got really thin(noooo..!) and is a bit on the shy side (at least what i've seen of him in interviews)
JDG .. uh No Comment hehe (not really a fan of his don't ask me why-just no spark for me when it comes to him--truly sorry)

But Overall: Yum-O! (RR)

Won bin side way glance look like the lead actress Lovers in Paris.
Don't you like men hairstyle and real men clothes ?

what is that hand gesture ? an opera singer ? eeeh! so so girlie! .
Telling viewers this is the new generation hallyu?

@61 tuyettu

I think that’s understandable for middle-aged women going crazy for these men.

Younger star can’t be compared to “the prince” you fell in love with when you was 18 or 20s. ^^

Even I think that they are hotter than all these younger actors… and I’m just 22 yrs.

Sweetheart, you are forgiven for using such a stereo typical calling name like "middle aged women" since you are younger than my kid...

But for the next time, what about something less blatant like mature ladies, adult female audience? Just a suggestion...

sweet! 4 of a kind in japan! YAY!

oh Bin-ah (as KSA called him, Jump '99).....he's looking girlie nowadays. But l still adore him. :)

not a fan of SSH, but the man is hot!!!

Dong-Gun looks best. What was Won Bin thinking.

I started watching K drama all thanks to these stars, so its good to see them together. WB and SSH have changed so much from Autumn in my Heart days. I miss their old simple, casual, trim looks.

Tokyo Dome will explode..i'm a groupie for Jang Dong Gun! We should have fun before he's married...

@74 celestialorigin

I'm sorry if my words were rude.

It's just my English writing skill is kind of bad (if not, worst). Because couldn't find the right word, I copied & pasted the word from a previous comment.

What I wanted to say is just that "women in all ages are the same when it comes to their love in young days". (^^ Like I could never get over Cha In Pyo).

And again, sorry.

one missing hottie has got to be So JiSub..
someday i'll move to Japan..

@81 tuyettu

LOL! I didn't mean to scare you... Don't worry, you didn't offend me. it was simply a reminder...

@Life is not Fair,

"And also Lee Byung Hun’s fans just exponentially grew after GI JOE amongst younger generations."

Probably not in Japan though. LBH already enjoyed that J-mainstream visibility when he was part of Kimataku's Hero movie. That's huge.

"People have made numerous cases that Song Seung Hun fans can easily outnumbered Bae’s fans, well, if you add not only metropolitan cities in Japan but the cities and towns towards the outreach of the country side, yes, Song’s fans can easily outnumbered Bae’s fans."

Yeah, I'm kinda back and forth between SSH and BYJ as top dog. The one significant advantage I feel SSH has is that he's kinda the Danny Ocean/George Clooney of Hallyu. Two of his best friends are So Ji Sup and Park Yong Ha, and he's good friends with Kwon Sang Woo and Lee Byung Heon. And obviously he's done projects with all of them.

However, Yonsama has a unique mystique in Japan. He shows up, and it's like the Grateful Dead Tour of Winter Sonata! :D

omg..song seung hun..is such a hottie..whee, love him so..oh my gosh..

GAH Won Bin just take off your damn scarf will ya! You're obviously hiding your beautiful face! And what's with the Prof Snape hairstyle? You look like a geek. Dang. I miss your old hair style just like when you're in Friends with Fukakyon. >.<

Em...strangely, I have no comments.

Am just comparing the crowds with banners awaiting thier idols to the crowd now in Copenhagen waiting for another round of demonstrations.

Just realise the world is getting really really strange...ocular observations revealed that 60-70% of the participants are indeed overweight, and they are going to may history to reduce greenhouse gas emission??? Then, you see three stars in Korea arriving in a chartered plane with warm welcome from fans. This really make you think what's the purpose of counting carbon footprint or doing much work. May be being a star is better?

Song seung hun and won bin...i known them when i watched "Autumn Hearts"^^

@67

Absolutely. He has many fans in the U.S. as a result of G.I. Joe. I, and others I know, had no clue who he was and now we own a library of his movies and dramas! lol!

He's a brilliant actor (even in G.I. Joe) and hot too!! I'm so sad that IRIS is ending today!! I'll miss seeing him weekly. T_T

what's with Won Bin's hair?

One of the first dramas I have watched when I was a kid was Autumn Tale, and Won Bin was my first Korean crush. (I think I was 13 back then? haha) <3

Hope to see him more! :)

PS- Won Bin with that hair and clothing seriously reminds me of Johnny Depp o.o hey I'm not complaining. haha

@ onam
"JDG is too big a star for IRIS sequel" I second that but still hope to see him in a drama. It's been way too long my JDG.

I remember I used to go crazy about him. My room was full of his pictures. Now the fever is down but I still like him best.

just saw some pictures of the real concert! Ahh, my JDG is so gorgeous with his short hair and casual western looks! It's so sweet how the 4 of them cheers for their friendship on the stage and sang some songs. I guess the 3 of them are showing their support to LBH. They are all good friends afterall..:)

@94

do you have a link to where we can see them? thanks in advance

I have just finished watching IRIS Finale. It is quite unexpected, but I like the ending. LBH is indeed a very good actor. The recent scandal did not derail his acting a single bit!!

Nevertheless, I noted that in the last 2 episdoes that his face looks yellowish i.e. liver may be overworked or too much soju lately?

O__O

Gah~ if I was there, I'd nosebleed myself to death.

@ #95, if you're logged in to Soompi, you might check those 4 guys' threads in the kdrama/movies subforum...that's where i saw.

Is wonbin becoming feminine coz his facial expression is telling me something, don't u think?

lee byung hun!!! lee byung hun!!!....he is the best actor!!!though he is not the best good looking among the 4 stars!...fighting!!