[Hankyoreh 21] [What to watch on TV]
Another acting evolution of acting-dol (Idol-turned-actor)
Watching Kim Jaejoong in <Triangle>, I think about Kim Hyunjoong in KBS “Age of Feeling” and Park Yoochun in SBS <Three Days>. They are the representatives of 2nd generation of “acting-dol”. Kim Jaejoong and Park Yochun was in TVXQ, Kim Hyunjoong was in SS501. If Jung Ryeowon-Hwang Jungeum-Yoon Kyesang ect., the 1st generation of idol-turned-actors, replaced their idol image by actor image; the 2nd generation still owes to the halo of idol image. The reason why I think about Kim Hyunjoong and Park Yoochun while watching Kim Jaejoong is that, I feel that their pace this year will be a turning point in their career. These actors, who have debuted with the roles which borrowed their idol image – Prince-like characters – came back one by one with blockbusters. While Kim Hyunjoong and Park Yoochun showed off weighty acting, Kim Jaejoong doesn’t fall behind Lee Bumsoo in terms of strong presence, which is another evolution. His transformation is also the most shocking. Kim Hyunjoong and Park Yoochun emitted tough masculinity. Nevertheless, they still maintain good-natured and heroic image. The character Huh Youngdal of Kim Jaejoong is pure gangster. His remarkable determination shone from the scene he ran for his life wearing only boxers due to a secret love affair with a married woman. However, through this scene, that he exposes his pain while saying, “Have you ever seen a dream coming true? When I was panhandler, I’ve had countless dreams. But never once did any of my dreams ever come true,” seeing how he spoke with restraint, which doubled the sadness, I can tell that his acting definitely matured. The idol-turned-actors who suffer from various reasons such as prejudice against idol, lack of self-effort, etc., another example worth taking as role model, was born.
– Written by Kim Seonyoung, TV critic –
Let the wild nature explode
Nowadays, it’s not strange that idols pop out over and over again in dramas and that their “foot acting” (t/n: Bad acting skills, usually a term used on idol actors) makes our hands and feet all shriveled up. In addition, as they keep running to the point that their “feet” sweat, I must prepare myself not to be surprised even by shockingly good acting from an idol. This is not a metaphor. Kim Jaejoong’s new challenge starts with taking off his top in Beef Tripe Hot Pot restaurant and running barefoot on the street wearing dragon-patterned red boxers. Obviously, it might be a trick to use an idol’s nice body to attract the viewers in the beginning of the drama. However, beyond that, something was exposed. Kim Jaejoong’s eye-acting is very good. When he said, “If I were afraid of that, I wouldn’t be Huh Youngdal. Let’s just die together then,” after having done a trashy act. When he begged for his life with his face covered with coal dust, while being burried. The way that handsome young man struggle in the bottom moves my heart. Maybe it’s the same feeling as the moment I saw Jung Woosung and Lee Jungjae in the late 1990s. Of course, now comes the problem. It’s Okay that Youngdal is a neighborhood gangster who blinks his huge eyes while seeking help from a detective, or even a lodger who is happy just with a midnight dining table. But that alone is not enough. How should his manly image be showed now? The key is to make his wild nature explode. I expect Lee Bumsoo – Kim Jaejoong’s close chemistry, just like Son Hyunjoo – Park Yoochun in <Three Days>.
– Written by Lee Myungseok, pop culture critic –
Copyrights ⓒ Hankyoreh newspaper
Posted at Naver Main
Translated by: Hannah @ PrinceJJ (@The_Little_Pear)
Shared by: PrinceJJ + JYJ3
So proud of Jaejoong.
He is simply amazing as YoungDal.
It’s a complex character and is not all together a ‘very nice person’ but we root for YD and we want him to do better and be better.
If you are not watching Triangle then you are definitely missing out on Jaejoong’s tour de force acting.
So proud of you IDOL,,,,,,,JAEJOONG IS WONDERFUL!! TRIANGLE FIGHTING
So intrigued by KJJ’s acting that I find it hard to follow the drama like I would otherwise with any drama.
My heart flutters when JJ appears on screen…
My heart aches when JJ’s in trouble…and on & on…
lol, I’ll have to re-watch each episode over!
Ah, the power of KJJ! ❤
@nickie sunba
yes, it’s more hectic for me following #Triangle than i do with other dramas. every scene of YD makes me anxious as to how he will deliver but each time he convinced me more than what i hoped and expected. KJJ the actor is truly born. 🙂 each epi consisting of 4 parts lead me to almost two hours of watching & re-winding in order to read subs and catch his emotion/expressions. Proud of his achievement, “ah the power of KJJ ❤ "
true…sisters. because of jaejoong’s acting the story become more and more interesting. he put up so well 🙂
love every word you said. just how i feel. you have to watch at least twice, once to catch the subs for the story and once to just watch his acting and expressions! each time he effortlessly emoted and acted his role out to convincing others he was really heo young dal. so proud of him.
Agree,jaejoong’s eyes caught me at PTB which turned me into TVXQ and now JYJ and Jaejoong’s fan.
His transformation is also the most shocking. It takes a lot of guts and risks for JJ being an idol(?) (but is not seen on tv as an idol for 4 years) at his first major role in Kdrama to go out from good-natured and heroic image (safety zone) which 99% of idols are taking, this approach may either break or make an aspiring actor. But luckily, he is grabbing critics/experts/media and non-fans praise and acknowledgement.
another example worth taking as role model, was born. A+++
Kim Jaejoong’s eye-acting is very good. This is not the first time an expert lauded his eye-acting, a huge vouch of his great potential as a drama/movie actor. Directors/producers take note , top quality acting performance guaranteed.
“The way that handsome young man struggle in the bottom moves my heart.” Lee Myungseok, pop culture critic
It’s noteworthy that not only his crazy fangirls were moved through his acting 😀
so proud of you jaejoongie!!
triangle fighting!!! and the rating, go to hell cuz i couldnt care less anymore 🙂 🙂
Reblogged this on shwekjj's Blog.
Haha I can imagine Jaejoong looking up reviews of his acting and getting happy from this. I hope he finds solace in these reviews despite the less than ideal ratings.
” another example worth taking as role model was born.” You see, ladies, why that other mention of “idol-turned actor … seems to be acting well” got me so hot under the collar? Because it wasn’t enough for the superb acting Jaejoong has shown in the role of HYD. Now this is what I wanted to see. I can applaud because this is what JJ deserves. Now I am happy, even moreso because this comes from two experts; so no more commotion from this here gal. 🙂
Kim Jaejoong and Park Yuchun became true actors!!!