Taxi Driver: This video clearly display how important acting skills are and the power of experience. For the first bit of dialogue, you could argue that maybe the context was different (it appears to be shot for a character teaser rather than part of a conversation). However, the second bit of dialogue was clearly shot from the script reading where you’re supposed to act as though you’re actually filming (yes its rehearsal and whatnot but it shouldn’t be that far off). What makes it potentially worse was that the character has significant screen time alongside Lee Je Hoon: you’re going to look like a laughing stock if you can’t act.

Lee Na Eun‘s acting resume (https://mydramalist.com/people/19695-lee-na-eun) shows that her only significant role (I only count primetime dramas and movies) was in Extraordinary You and even there she didn’t have a big part where she had to demonstrate acting range. So how did she get a female lead role starring alongside someone like Esom? Even the replacement actress Pyo Ye Jin has supporting roles across multiple primetime dramas to show for!

In the end, it’s stunning to realise that if not for the bullying scandal we might have had to watch an inexperienced actress (I don’t want to use the term idol since there are also actors who also can’t act for their lives) get hard-carried by the other leading cast. It’s one thing to cast someone who’s not good at acting but another to give opportunities away to those who shouldn’t even be in contention for these roles. Whether it be pretty privilege or the economic benefits of pre-existing fanbases, casting for lead roles should stop placing value on these factors. Production, you can always utilise looks and fame by using supporting roles (maybe even a major supporting role if they’ve exhibited desirable acting qualities).

Leading roles should be given to those who are capable of elevating a script and direction. And no, an audition isn’t enough to judge this: what matters is the end product which audiences actually watch.