5 Extremely Ill-fitting K-drama Castings of Leading Female Characters (ft. Kim Yoo-jung)
Due to their poor choice of leading female characters, the 5 K-dramas mentioned below received heavy criticism from netizens.
For K-dramas, casting plays a crucial role in the quality of the production. In fact, there have been many cases where viewers find miscasting in K-dramas significantly affecting their viewing experience, leading to heavy criticism.
Below are 5 notable instances of poor casting choices for leading female characters in recent K-dramas.
1. Hong Su-zu – “The Impossible Heir”
Hong Su-zu took on her first leading role as Na Hye-won in “The Impossible Heir”. She played a beautiful and hardworking young woman from a poor background who becomes entangled in the battle for inheritance between two male leads.
After airing, “The Impossible Heir” failed to become a hit and received much criticism from viewers. Hong Su-zu’s performance was seen as the most disappointing aspect of the project. Her acting was criticized for being wooden and expressionless throughout the show. Korean media even compared her dialogue delivery to reading from a textbook.
2. Jeon Do-yeon – “Crash Course In Romance”
Jeon Do-yeon is renowned for her versatile acting skills in Korean cinema. However, many viewers felt she was miscast in “Crash Course In Romance”. The story revolves around Nam Haeng-seon, a former national handball player who turns to cooking and raising her niece after retiring from professional sports.
Despite her acclaimed performance, many viewers felt Jeon Do-yeon did not look the part of a woman in her early thirties with a teenage niece. Additionally, her pairing with the much younger Jung Kyung-ho in this romantic comedy left many viewers questioning the director’s casting choices.
3. BoA – “Marry My Husband”
In the hit drama “Marry My Husband“, BoA played the antagonist Oh Yu-ra, a beautiful yet cunning businesswoman. Her portrayal drew widespread criticism, not just for her acting but also for her appearance.
At the time, most viewers felt that the “Queen of Kpop” did not fit the image of a wealthy heiress. BoA’s character appeared overshadowed by her co-stars, and her swollen lips and unnatural expressions sparked further debate. Some viewers even admitted to wanting to turn off the TV whenever BoA appeared on screen.
4. Go Ara – “Hwarang”
The historical drama “Hwarang” was notable for its strong performances by male actors like Park Hyung-sik, Park Seo-joon, and V from BTS. However, Go Ara’s casting as the female lead received much negative feedback. Her limited acting skills made her seem out of place among the vibrant male cast. Many viewers suggested that the show would have been better without a female lead at all.
5. Kim Yoo-jung – “My Demon”
While “My Demon” was praised for the visual appeal of its leads, Kim Yoo-jung’s performance was considered a major letdown. The actress, born in 1999, had an appearance too young for her role of a cold heiress, leading to some criticizing Kim Yoo-jung as a miscast.
Source: K14
