My Most Admired KPop Idols Turned Into Actors

It's amazing that I'm interested watching dramas on Korean TV via KBS World (with English Subtitles) and SBS or online via live stream and English-subtitled replay sites or on Philippine TV via ABS-CBN, TV5 or GMA (Tagalog-dubbed) with Korean idols as cast. So, I list my most admired KPop idols turned into actors. (Well, I didn't include girls on this list!)

MinHo [SHINee]

(Salamander Guru, To The Beautiful You)

This year, the charisma member of SHINee became the handsome high-jump athlete Kang Taejoon in the Korean version of Hana Kimi called To The Beautiful You which is currently airing in SBS. But he also starred in the drama Salamander Guru with other KPop idols.

Siwon [Super Junior]

(Poseidon, Skip Beat)

Super Junior member took the spotlight in the dramas Poseidon as a SWAT officer and Skip Beat as a famous star Dun He Lian. Now, he’s busy doing a new drama to be aired either at the end of the year or next year.

Donghae [Super Junior]

(Skip Beat, Panda and Hedgehog)

Another Super Junior member starred in Skip Beat as Bu Po Shang. This year, he has latest drama called Panda and Hedgehog and it’s currently airing.

Zhoumi [Super Junior-M]

(When Love Walked In)

A handsome member of Super Junior-M accepted a role in When Love Walked In together with his co-label mate and f(x) member Victoria.

Yonghwa [CNBlue]

(You’re Beautiful, Heartstrings)

This CNBlue frontman showed his acting skill in the dramas You’re Beautiful and Heartstrings with Park Shin Hye. Now, he’s composing songs for his band and rookie artists Juniel and AOA.

Kwanghee [ZE:A]

(To The Beautiful You)

Watch out! The member of ZE:A casted in To The Beautiful You who was jealous and has evil plans for Jaehee (Sulli’s role) to reveal her true identity. The interesting part was he always put some Etude House Shinistar lip balm on his lips.

Siwan [ZE:A]

(Equator Man)

Another ZE:A member played a serious role as teen Jeric Kim (who played by Lee Joon Hyuk) in Equator Man. Now, he’s currently promoting a song with his co-members as a group.

Wooyoung [2PM]

(Dream High)

A member from 2PM showcased his skill in acting besides singing and dancing in the hit drama Dream High. Early this year, he released his solo album with hit track Sexy Lady.

Taecyeon [2PM]

(Dream High)
Like his co-member Wooyoung, he also showed his acting prowess in the drama 'Dream High'. Though his group's comeback postponed due to his another co-member's scandal, he will improve more on his skills, most especially in acting.

A Taiwanese Drama Review: Skip Beat!

“Ai wo ba bu!” Gong Xi proudly said that every time before she debut. It means “Love Me Section”.
That’s from the Taiwanese drama ‘Skip Beat’ that came from a manga and an anime of the same name. I just started to watch it last week and finished it few days ago. Taiwanese star Ivy Chen portrayed the role of Gong Xi who suddenly wants to be famous in entertainment industry in order to find revenge for her childhood friend Bu Po Shang which played by Super Junior’s Donghae who became a popular singer and treated her as a careless housekeeper. Also Siwon from Super Junior co-starred as the handsome actor Dun He Lian.

This drama had been postponed due to script and cast changes plus losses for its prior production with original cast Ariel Lin and Jerry Yan. When these Super Junior stars accepted the roles, they spoke in Korean during filming. In order for the Taiwanese viewers to understand the drama, the production used 2 voice actors to dub the parts of Shang and Lian.

I saw the low ratings posted on the site DramaWiki. I wasn’t used to the ratings from Taiwan. The figures shown are very different from the Philippines. 

I liked the story as it went through. But I was disappointed of the drama’s ending. It’s very plain and the viewers like me want to know who Gong Xi chose between Lian and Shang. I don’t agree with Gong Xi’s reason for entering the showbiz just to find revenge to Shang. But at least in the end, she didn’t feel revenge after seeing Shang and liked acting.

At first I don’t like Jiang Nan Qin (played by Taiwanese actress Bianca Bai). But as the drama went further, I started to like her after realizing that Gong Xi helped her though she don’t like Gong Xi’s personality.
As I was watching the drama I saw drama posters like ToGetHer, The X-Family, It Started With A Kiss, Hot Shot, and Tokyo Juliet. I also noticed familiar Taiwanese celebrities from previous drama: 

1 - Frances Wu played Maria, who is the talent company president’s daughter in the drama which I first saw her as sister of Ah Yi (Aaron Yan) in the drama Love Buffet.

2 - Bu Xue Liang, the comedian who played the role of Supervisor Shen which I saw him as the father of Xiao Mai (Angela Zhang) in Romantic Princess and Xiao Feng (Reen Yu) in Love Buffet.

3 - Chen Bo Zheng, the actor who portrayed as the restaurant’s male boss of Gong Xi which I saw him as the father of Wang Da Dong (Jiro Wang) in KO One and evil principal of Dong Han Academy in KO3anGuo.

4 - Cai Yi Zhen starred as Gong Xi’s friend and co-worker in the restaurant which I saw her as Wu Xiong in the drama KO One.

5 - Yi Zhen’s elder sister Cai Han Cen had a supporting role as Gong Xi’s co-actor in the play featured in the drama which I saw her in The X-Family as Han and Bing Xin.

6 - Qiu Er had also a supporting role as Gong Xi’s co-actor in the play featured in the drama which I saw her in Love Buffet as Da Lin, one of Xiao Feng’s best friends.

As the drama ended, I saw on DramaWiki (or Wikipedia) site that Skip Beat will be having its second season and the production will start around next year. Though its ending is quite disappointing, for sure it’ll continue and find out who will be Gong Xi’s prince. Will it be her childhood friend Bu Po Shang or her senior Dun He Lian?

My Favorite Idol Group Members in KPop

Korean pop music is still in demand. When I say KPop, the first thing in mind is idol groups such as Big Bang, 2NE1, Super Junior, Girls' Generation, 2PM, and Wonder Girls. I have biases if I'm a fan of a group and I have favorites if I'm not a fan of them. Here are the KPop idol stars from some groups who I liked and the reason why.

Jonghyun (SHINee): He's sexy and handsome. First noticed him in the MV 'Ring Ding Dong'.

Ryeowook (Super Junior): Adorable smile and cute face. First noticed him on the MV 'Sorry Sorry'.

Siwon (Super Junior): Sexy abs and handsome face. Second bias after Ryeowook.

Sungmin (Super Junior): Adorable smile and handsome face. Third bias after Siwon.

Taeyeon (Girls' Generation): First noticed her in their KBS Music Bank comeback performance 'The Boys' which we had the same hairstyle.

Tiffany (Girls' Generation): During the press conference of 2011 Mnet Asian Music Awards held in Singapore, she answered MYX VJ Chino's question in English.

Jessica (Girls' Generation): I watched their guest appearance in an American TV show during 'The Boys' English version promotion that was featured in The MTV Show. She talked in English. In addition, Fahrenheit's Calvin Chen said before that she is his favorite member in Girls' Generation.

Amber (f(x)): Her boyish look. I thought she's the only guy in the group then found out that she's a girl!

Luna (f(x)): Her voice most especially when she's hitting high notes.

 Yunho (TVXQ): Charismatic face. When he dances, he's so sexy.

Kai (EXO): First noticed him in their MV 'MAMA'.

Soyeon (T-ARA): We're both born on October 5. But she's 2 years older than me. 

Chunji (Teen Top): We're both born on October 5. But he's 4 years younger than me.

Dara (2NE1): She was a famous actress in the Philippines after the talent search called Star Circle Quest. Though she's already a KPop idol star, she didn't forget her second home which is the Philippines. In fact, she can still speak Tagalog when she was interviewed by MYX VJ Bianca during Etude House promotion that was held in Korea few months ago. 

TOP (Big Bang): Handsome face and his fashion style. I always love his hair since their MV 'Blue'.

Yonghwa (CNBlue): First noticed him in the drama 'You're Beautiful' with Park Shinhye but I didn't know that time that he's the CNBlue's frontman. I liked him more in his recent drama 'Heartstrings' and his contribution in composing songs for KPop newbies Juniel and AOA.

Daniel (Dalmatian): He's currently hosting Arirang TV's Pops in Seoul.

My Top 7 Korean Stars That I Want To Date This Valentines

Nowadays, I noticed some male Korean celebrities that are good-looking. Because Korean wave is still in demand not only in Asia but also worldwide, female fans like me want to date with whoever is her bias. When I watched Showbiz Korea Year-End special on Arirang channel, they conducted an online survey for viewers to know who were on top 7 among Korean male celebrities that they want to date. Thus, I also made a personal list in who are my top 7 male idol stars in Korea that I want to date because next week is Valentines Day.

 7. Adrien Lee

He’s one of the emcees of Arirang’s Showbiz Korea. When I watched this show, I noticed him because he’s so handsome and can speak in English. Because of that, we could easily communicate with each other if we’re in dating status.

6. Rain

Jung Ji Hoon is his real name; I saw him as an actor in Korean drama hit Full House before I knew him as a singer. He’s more handsome when he cut his long hair for his album Rainism. Though he’s older than me, age doesn’t matter. I would prefer to date a guy that is older than me.

5. Kim Jonghyun (Shinee)

He’s the most handsome among Shinee members. I recognized him in the music video Ring Ding Dong. He’s cute and has a shining smile with amazing moves. If he would invite me to dance in a romantic dinner, I would definitely say yes and enjoy the time that I’m with him.

4. Jung Yonghwa (CNBlue)

I liked him when ABS-CBN recently aired Heartstrings in the Philippines. Before, I didn’t recognize him as a vocalist in his band CNBlue neither as one of the cast in his drama You’re Beautiful with FT Island’s Lee Hongki, Jang Geunsuk, and female lead Park Shinhye. Because he can play guitar and sing with his whole heart, I would easily fall in love with him.

3. Sungmin (Super Junior)

He’s one of the most handsome and cute member from my favorite Korean boyband Super Junior. I noticed him in the music video Mr. Simple. Though he’s my latest bias, I made him in third rank that I want to date.

2. Choi Siwon (Super Junior)

He’s my second bias in Super Junior. The reason was both my eyes and my heart were melted when I saw his sexy body. I would be the luckiest ELF if he will ask me for a date.

1. Kim Ryeowook (Super Junior)

He is the first Korean celebrity that I liked and loved. His charming personality and cute smile caught my attention. Also he is a good dancer and has an awesome voice. I would scream if he would sing my favorite Super Junior song No Other before asking me either to date me or better to marry me.