Let’s find out how Korean actors have been doing after playing the two main roles in 2021.
With the growing popularity of Netflix and huge investment in Korean dramas, actors now can easily play more than one lead role in a year compared to before. This not only helps them improve their acting ability, but also promotes their image widely. Especially, they can get their reputation back in the next project if the previous drama unfortunately fails.
Song Kang
Song Kang, the rising handsome actor born in 1994, actually had 3 main roles on the Korean screen in 2021. The first is his role in season 2 of “Love Alarm” on Netflix, followed by tvN’s “Navillera” and finally, “Nevertheless” of JTBC.
With such diligence, Song Kang‘s coverage has also increased significantly in 2021. With the exception of “Navillera,” whose content is quite hard to digest so it didn’t do well in Korea and abroad, the other two dramas have been helping Song Kang gain a large fan base in both Korea and international markets.
In general, although all 3 projects have not gained outstanding achievements, starring in 3 dramas in 2021 has helped Song Kang gain more than he lost. Now he just needs to improve his acting skills a little more and have a hit production and he will become a top Hallyu star in the Korean filming industry.
Tang Joon Sang
Many paid attention to Tang Joon Sang when he became a part of the North Korean F4 in “Crash Landing on You. “ 2021 is a year when Tang Joon Sang has shown his star potential with two notable dramas “Move to Heaven” and “Racket Boys.”
The two roles of this 2003-born actor have completely different styles, but he has played them to the fullest extent and received a lot of compliments from the public.
In terms of commercial performance, both of these dramas only have humble achievements. But the most important thing is that Tang Joon Sang has gained more reputation and love. He has become a potential actor to look forward to in Korean movies and dramas in the coming years.
Lee Je Hoon
Tang Joon Sang‘s uncle in “Move to Heaven,” Lee Je Hoon, also appeared in another drama after this work. Coincidentally, the following productions of both actors were SBS’s projects. The drama “Taxi Driver” in which Lee Je Hoon played the main role was a continuation of the “Penthouse” season 2 and had surprised everyone with a more stable rating than expected.
“Taxi Driver” had an average rating of 12.6% and the highest rating of 16%, an impressive achievement for SBS this year. The actor’s acting in this production was also much more convincing than “Move to Heaven.” The Grand Prize (Daesang) given to Lee Je Hoon at the 2021 SBS Drama Awards will be a great year-end gift for this male actor.
Han So Hee
Despite being a “flop” in terms of domestic ratings, Nevertheless still receives much attention internationally. Therefore, both Song Kang and Han So Hee gain more fame and fans after the drama ends.
Han So Hee came under mixed reviews for both her acting and image in Nevertheless. Many viewers claim a naive character does not seem to suit Han So Hee. Her acting is also deemed stiff and lacking emotions.
However, My Name has turned the tables for Han So Hee. She successfully captures the audience’s heart with her charming portrayal of an edgy and feisty female lead in Netflix’s action thriller. Although her acting is not exceptional, she gets praised for performing stunts all by herself and not being afraid to transform her image. Han So Hee is now a Korean “sweetheart” and one of the most popular actresses of the new generation.
Kim Hyun Joo
Glass Slippers star Kim Hyun Joo proves 2021 is still her year. Her first small screen comeback was alongside Ji Jin Hee in Undercover. 5.229% is not an excellent rating, but enough to make Undercover enter the list of JTBC’s highest-rated dramas this year.
Later this year, Kim Hyun Joo leaves a strong impression with her role in Netflix’s Hellbound. From emotionally challenging scenes to action sequences, the 44-year-old actress shows a flawless performance. Without Kim Hyun Joo‘s outstanding contribution, Hellbound would not have been so successful.
Jung Hae In
Jung Hae In is the only case in this list whose latter drama ruins the success of the previous one. After drawing much praise with his role in Netflix’s D.P., Jung Hae In lands in hot water for starring in JTBC’s Snowdrop. The drama is facing severe backlash from the Korean public over alleged distortion of history. In the past few days, there have been protest trucks running around Seoul, petitions with hundreds of thousands of signatures sent to the Blue House to demand the broadcast of Snowdrop to be ceased completely.
Jung Hae In is seeing his reputation damaged with his decision to join the cast of such a controversial drama. If only in 2021, he only acted in D.P., his fans would have nothing to worry about.
Jung Hae In is an actor with both talent and visuals, so if his career was heavily affected after Snowdrop, it would be such a pity. That’s why it’s not always smart to take on 2 leading roles in the same year. If actors don’t consider the offers carefully, their hard work might go down the drain.
