There are quite a few idol singers that do not fit this negative stereotype and these singers include Kang Min Hyuk (CN Blue), Jung Eun Ji (A-Pink), and Lee Joon (MBLAQ). But these were the names that popped up a couple of years ago. Nowadays boy group members Lim Si Wan (ZE:A) and D.O. (EXO) are acclaimed for their acting while for girl group members Suzy (missA) and Hyeri (Girls' Day) are. There are still so many more singers who are part of either a boy group or girl group who have impressed us all with their acting.
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| Suzy (miss A) in KBS mini series "Dream High" episode 1 (Click here for source) |
The truth is that almost all K-pop groups have at least one member try their hand at acting. If the member(s) are good at acting, then the group's fame can rise also. Even if the role they play is a lovable character, if the acting is poor, they will only receive criticism.
I found in my research that drama producers often use these idol-actors because drama sets are less safe than movie sets, so veteran actors and actresses prefer to be in movies over dramas. And still the producers prefer to feature idol-actors, who are already known by the public audience, over newly debuted actors. This is not necessarily fact but more of a claim.
I personally have mixed feelings about Korean singers acting. If he or she is just a singer, so not categorized as an "idol singer", then I tend to have more of an open heart to them. I also hold the prejudice that it's the idol singers who can't act. Of course, if the singer is good at acting despite the fact they're actually a singer, then I support their acting career.
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| Si Wan (ZE:A) in MBC mini series "The Moon Embracing the Sun" (Click here for source) |
The rest of Korea and myself, however, cannot help but pose doubts over any idol singer acting for the first time. In fact, we tend to doubt the drama itself will be any good if there's an idol singer in it. There have been plenty of cases where the idol singer's acting was of low quality. These idol singers who are poor at acting may just take away a possible role for an actual actor or actress to play. This is one of the reasons why idol singers are highly distrusted and even detested as a whole. Sometimes, the plot may be genius but the idol actor's don't uphold it with their acting.
That is why I am greatly impressed when idol singers can act well. They break the prejudice that they can't act. And it is always a delight to learn that the gorgeous idol singer who can sing and dance well also can act. I think it's this rare group of idol actors who really stand out as celebrities because they have many talents.
I think idol singers should only be allowed to act, while they are still part of their idol group, if they can actually act. Not every member in a typical K-pop group have the vocal skills to stand alone if the group is to disband, so typically, these members who were loved for their looks rather than their singing start their acting career after their singing career ends. I don't think there's anything wrong with that; there are actors and actresses today who are active only as actors/actresses who used to be part of a K-pop group in the nineties, and they usually have acquired professional-level acting skills. So I'm not discouraging previous members of K-pop groups from starting anew with acting.
But if the group hasn't disbanded and the members are active in a group, then I think only the members who can act should be given opportunities to do so. However, idol singers still do bring their group attention by appearing in dramas even if they can't act. So I doubt that all of a sudden only those who have the acting skills in K-pop groups will be in dramas. But if a K-pop group member who is awkward at acting is going to be in dramas, they should play minor roles in the dramas and not the lead role where they will have the most camera time. This has all been my humble opinion on Korean singers acting.
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