The Korea Times
amn_close.png
amn_bl.png
National
  • Politics
  • Foreign Affairs
  • Multicultural Community
  • Defense
  • Environment & Animals
  • Law & Crime
  • Society
  • Health & Science
amn_bl.png
Business
  • Tech
  • Bio
  • Companies
  • World Expo 2030
amn_bl.png
Finance
  • Companies
  • Economy
  • Markets
  • Cryptocurrency
amn_bl.png
Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Thoughts of the Times
  • Cartoon
  • Today in History
  • Blogs
  • Tribune Service
  • Blondie & Garfield
  • Letter to the Editor
amn_bl.png
Lifestyle
  • Travel & Food
  • Trends
  • People & Events
  • Books
  • Around Town
  • Fortune Telling
amn_bl.png
Entertainment & Arts
  • K-pop
  • Films
  • Shows & Dramas
  • Music
  • Theater & Others
amn_bl.png
Sports
  • Hangzhou Asian Games
amn_bl.png
World
  • SCMP
  • Asia
amn_bl.png
Video
  • Korean Storytellers
  • POPKORN
  • Culture
  • People
  • News
amn_bl.png
Photos
  • Photo News
  • Darkroom
amn_NK.png amn_DR.png amn_LK.png amn_LE.png
  • bt_fb_on_2022.svgbt_fb_over_2022.svg
  • bt_twitter_on_2022.svgbt_twitter_over_2022.svg
  • bt_youtube_on_2022.svgbt_youtube_over_2022.svg
  • bt_instagram_on_2022.svgbt_instagram_over_2022.svg
The Korea Times
amn_close.png
amn_bl.png
National
  • Politics
  • Foreign Affairs
  • Multicultural Community
  • Defense
  • Environment & Animals
  • Law & Crime
  • Society
  • Health & Science
amn_bl.png
Business
  • Tech
  • Bio
  • Companies
  • World Expo 2030
amn_bl.png
Finance
  • Companies
  • Economy
  • Markets
  • Cryptocurrency
amn_bl.png
Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Thoughts of the Times
  • Cartoon
  • Today in History
  • Blogs
  • Tribune Service
  • Blondie & Garfield
  • Letter to the Editor
amn_bl.png
Lifestyle
  • Travel & Food
  • Trends
  • People & Events
  • Books
  • Around Town
  • Fortune Telling
amn_bl.png
Entertainment & Arts
  • K-pop
  • Films
  • Shows & Dramas
  • Music
  • Theater & Others
amn_bl.png
Sports
  • Hangzhou Asian Games
amn_bl.png
World
  • SCMP
  • Asia
amn_bl.png
Video
  • Korean Storytellers
  • POPKORN
  • Culture
  • People
  • News
amn_bl.png
Photos
  • Photo News
  • Darkroom
amn_NK.png amn_DR.png amn_LK.png amn_LE.png
  • bt_fb_on_2022.svgbt_fb_over_2022.svg
  • bt_twitter_on_2022.svgbt_twitter_over_2022.svg
  • bt_youtube_on_2022.svgbt_youtube_over_2022.svg
  • bt_instagram_on_2022.svgbt_instagram_over_2022.svg
  • Login
  • Register
  • Login
  • Register
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • all menu
  • Login
  • Subscribe
  • Photos
  • Video
  • World
  • Sports
  • Opinion
  • Entertainment & Art
  • Lifestyle
  • Finance
  • Business
  • National
  • North Korea
  • 1

    INTERVIEWAhn Hyo-seop wanted to share dedicated love with 'A Time Called You'

  • 3

    SHINee launches first Japan tour in 5 years

  • 5

    Korea makes last-ditch bid to host World Expo 2030 in Busan

  • 7

    Heavy traffic jams mostly eased on 5th day of holiday

  • 9

    Public transit fares to increase in Seoul and Busan this week

  • 11

    Samsung chief visits Middle East to explore new businesses

  • 13

    Korea picks up 2 medals in table tennis as gold drought continues

  • 15

    Ruling party vows to investigate China's alleged influence operations

  • 17

    Shin-Hanul No. 2 nuclear reactor begins testing for full operation next year

  • 19

    4 injured in rockfall at tourist attraction on eastern island of Ulleung

  • 2

    Korea's Coast Guard apprehends 22 Chinese after illegal entry attempt

  • 4

    Distraught roller skater apologizes for costly premature celebration

  • 6

    S. Korea wins 1st table tennis gold in 21 yrs

  • 8

    Consumers to face higher prices for daily necessities after Chuseok

  • 10

    LA-based photographer captures Koreatown unfazed by pandemic

  • 12

    No regrets for roller skaters after taking silver in relay

  • 14

    National Assembly speeds up efforts to outlaw dog meat consumption in Korea

  • 16

    'Dr. Cheon and Lost Talisman' tops Chuseok holiday box office

  • 18

    Internet-only banks outperform legacy lenders in labor productivity

  • 20

    Genesis GV80 Coupe looks to compete with Mercedes-Benz, BMW

Close scrollclosebutton

Close for 24 hours

Open
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • all menu
  • Login
  • Subscribe
  • Photos
  • Video
  • World
  • Sports
  • Opinion
  • Entertainment & Art
  • Lifestyle
  • Finance
  • Business
  • National
  • North Korea
Lifestyle
  • Travel & Food
  • Trends
  • People & Events
  • Books
  • Around Town
  • Fortune Telling
Wed, October 4, 2023 | 19:07
Models rushing to small screen
Posted : 2014-03-21 16:43
Updated : 2014-03-21 19:30
Park Jin-hai
Print PreviewPrint Preview
Font Size UpFont Size Up
Font Size DownFont Size Down
  • facebook
  • twitter
  • kakaolink
  • whatsapp
  • reddit
  • mailto
  • link
Kim Woo-bin
Kim Woo-bin


Talent agencies tapping into models for next Kim Woo-bin, Lee Jong-suk


Kim Woo-bin
Lee Jong-suk
Kim Woo-bin
Sung Jun
By Park Jin-hai

Seoul Fashion Week, which opened Friday, is the most coveted event not only for the fashion industry but also talent agencies looking for the next Kim Woo-bin and Lee Jong-suk, the successful models-turned actors.

Although it is nothing new for models to break onto the small and big screens, for the last couple of years an increasing number is coming to prominence in TV dramas and films. They include Kim Woo-bin, Lee Jong-suk, Sung Jun and Ahn Jae-hyeon.
Their slim physiques and fashion sense are helping them lead a new trend in the entertainment business.

"Some 10 years ago, for male actors, 170 to 175 centimeters were considered ideal, since it fits within the camera angle nicely. That has changed. Now it seems like the taller you are, the more chances you have to land a leading role," said an entertainment business insider.

"There was a time we saw a lot of K-pop singers-turned actors/actresses on the screen. In terms of business, the images those stars are selling tended to be consumed too fast, since viewers see them everywhere in the music shows and dramas."

People in the entertainment business said that models are different from K-pop singers because they are "fresh" to viewers. Moreover, since the model industry places more value on individuality, models tend not to go under plastic surgery, keeping their natural looks, they say.

Kim Woo-bin, 24, is just a case in point. The rebellious teenager image he showed in the drama "School 2013" left a strong impression on viewers. Due to the success of the recent drama "The Heirs," he has leaped to global stardom.

But he has hit the runway for numerous fashion shows big and small, and has established his reputation in the industry. He received the New Star Award at the Asia Model Festival Awards in 2013.

"From the traditional point of view, I am not handsome. When the head of my agency first saw me he said that I have face that people of future, not today, might like," Kim said in a previous interview with the Korea Times.

With that one-of-a-kind image and charisma, in a recent vote by Chinese music and entertainment site Kugou.com he became one of the five most popular Korean actors in China, following Lee Min-ho, co-star of "The Heirs," Kim Soo-hyun of "My Love From the Star," Jang Keun-suk and Lee Jong-suk.

Kim has been on his first Asian fan meetings since last month and the latest one took place in Taiwan. During the two-day event, four major Taiwanese dailies, including the United Daily News, Liberty Times and The China Times, ran stories about his visit for three days. The United Daily News called him "God in Asia."

Lee Jong-suk, 24, is a model-actor who rose to the stardom over a couple of years. At the age of 15, he stood on the Seoul Collection catwalks, becoming the youngest male model in 2005. During those years he worked as a model, he was praised by many as a model who had the image of a boy and a grown man coexisting inside him.

Following last year's "School 2013," he starred in a series of movies and dramas last year including "Hot Young Bloods," "No Breathing," and "I Hear Your Voice." He has been having a good time, placing his drams and films high on the viewership ratings.

Although not as big as those two, others are rising fast in hopes of becoming the next Kim and Lee. Former model Sung Jun was cast in the drama "Gu Family Book" last year in a supporting role, and this year he starred in the drama "I Need Romance 3."

Recently, former model Ahn Jae-hyeon is emerging as up-and-coming star. Ahn, better known for his role as the brother of Chun Song- i in the recently ended "My Love From the Star," is a veteran model, who received the New Star Award in 2009 as well as the Fashion Model Award in 2013 at the Asia Model Festival Awards.

Due to the former models' strong presence in drams and films, now the runways have become a new recruiting site for aspiring talent.

YG Entertainment made a strategic partnership with a model management company, K PLUS, last month, while another model, Esteem, signed a memorandum of understanding with HB Entertainment and Namoo Actors last year.

"Local models have enormous growth potential as much as K-pop and hallyu dramas. Through the partnership and investment, I want to secure a pool of talented models and diversify YG's global businesses," said Yang Min-suk, CEO of YG Entertainment upon the signing.


Emailjinhai@koreatimes.co.kr Article ListMore articles by this reporter
 
wooribank
LG
Top 10 Stories
1Public transit fares to increase in Seoul and Busan this week Public transit fares to increase in Seoul and Busan this week
2Ruling party vows to investigate China's alleged influence operations Ruling party vows to investigate China's alleged influence operations
3Genesis GV80 Coupe looks to compete with Mercedes-Benz, BMW Genesis GV80 Coupe looks to compete with Mercedes-Benz, BMW
4Korean steelmakers on alert over initiation of EU carbon border tariff Korean steelmakers on alert over initiation of EU carbon border tariff
5Korean shipbuilders seek lead over Chinese rivals in selling LNG carriers to Qatar Korean shipbuilders seek lead over Chinese rivals in selling LNG carriers to Qatar
630 out of 74 major financial companies lack female board member 30 out of 74 major financial companies lack female board member
7Hyundai, Kia to extend earnings rally on strengthening dollar, solid sales Hyundai, Kia to extend earnings rally on strengthening dollar, solid sales
8Lawmakers want chairmen of financial firms held accountable over misconduct Lawmakers want chairmen of financial firms held accountable over misconduct
9Dong-A Socio Group’s honorary chairman passes away at 96Dong-A Socio Group’s honorary chairman passes away at 96
10Returning home from Chuseok holiday Returning home from Chuseok holiday
Top 5 Entertainment News
1TREASURE takes flak for excluding Dokdo from its Japan tour map TREASURE takes flak for excluding Dokdo from its Japan tour map
2Two artists' windows to light and serenity Two artists' windows to light and serenity
3Crime thriller, romance series set to roll out in October Crime thriller, romance series set to roll out in October
4Korean literature featured as animation works at Incheon Airport Korean literature featured as animation works at Incheon Airport
5[INTERVIEW] Ahn Hyo-seop wanted to share dedicated love with 'A Time Called You' INTERVIEWAhn Hyo-seop wanted to share dedicated love with 'A Time Called You'
DARKROOM
  • Turkey-Syria earthquake

    Turkey-Syria earthquake

  • Nepal plane crash

    Nepal plane crash

  • Brazil capital uprising

    Brazil capital uprising

  • Happy New Year 2023

    Happy New Year 2023

  • World Cup 2022 Final - Argentina vs France

    World Cup 2022 Final - Argentina vs France

CEO & Publisher : Oh Young-jin
Digital News Email : webmaster@koreatimes.co.kr
Tel : 02-724-2114
Online newspaper registration No : 서울,아52844
Date of registration : 2020.02.05
Masthead : The Korea Times
Copyright © koreatimes.co.kr. All rights reserved.
  • About Us
  • Introduction
  • History
  • Contact Us
  • Products & Services
  • Subscribe
  • E-paper
  • RSS Service
  • Content Sales
  • Site Map
  • Policy
  • Code of Ethics
  • Ombudsman
  • Privacy Statement
  • Terms of Service
  • Copyright Policy
  • Family Site
  • Hankook Ilbo
  • Dongwha Group