Even in this content era, these Korean actors are still rarely seen on TV programs outside their own dramas.
Not only TV channels, many new broadcasting platforms, such as Youtube and OTT, are producing more and more interesting programs. Even when the barriers to enter the entertainment world have been lowered, these actors and actresses still stubbornly insist on refusing all variety show offers and focusing solely on acting.
Actor Kim Yoon Seok is one of the rare stars who are not often seen on entertainment shows. Throughout his 40-year acting career, he has only made a brief appearance on KBS2’s “The Return of Superman” and MBC’s “Omniscient Interfering View”. Park Kyung Rim once mentioned Kim Yoon Seok on “Happy Together 3”, saying “He really likes variety shows. He doesn’t miss any programs. A true aspiring entertainer”. However, Kim Yoon Seok himself confessed, “I don’t have entertainment talent”.
In an interview when “The Classified File” premiered, the actor shared, “Some people can do well on variety shows, but others cannot. It’s not a crime”, adding “It doesn’t mean they are trying to be mysterious. There are many people who are good at everything these days, but there are also people who stick to their own path.”
Heo Joon Ho has also expressed his negative thoughts about appearing on entertainment shows. In an interview for the release of “The Divine Weapon” in 2008, the actor said, “If I mention my private life or ruin my image on an entertainment program, it will be hard for me to portray a character in the future. So I think I should control myself”. In fact, Heo Joon Ho is considered one of the actors who hardly appear on entertainment programs, except for the ones about current affairs and culture, such as MBC’s “Police Officers” and MBN’s “Real Situation”.
In the meantime, there are some top stars who used to participate in TV shows very often but have now become less active in entertainment activities to solidify their position as actors. For example, TaeHyeJi (Kim Tae Hee, Song Hye Kyo, Jeon Ji Hyun), Lee Min Ho, Jang Dong Gun, and Han Seok Kyu.
MBC’s “Infinite Challenge” and KBS2’s “Kim Seung Woo’s Win Win” are all of the past programs Kim Tae Hee joined. Later, she also appeared briefly on SBS’s “Healing Camp” and MBC’s “Omniscient Interfering View”. When Kim Tae Hee received an offer in the past, her husband Rain explained, “She feels very pressure about doing variety shows”.
Song Hye Kyo guested on many programs during her debut days, but her appearances have gradually decreased. Since her solo reality show “Song Hye Kyo in Paris”, which aired on Olive Channel, ended in 2007, the actress has only appeared as a documentary narrator. Similarly, Jeon Ji Hyun only participated in MBC’s “Park Sang Won’s Beautiful TV Faces”. After appearing on SBS’s “Good Morning” in 2013 for a drama/movie interview, she has been absent from TV shows.
After becoming a rising star thanks to the tremendous success of “Boys Over Flowers”, Lee Min Ho did many variety shows in both Korea and Japan. However, he has disappeared from TV programs since 2013. In this regard, the actor explained at the premiere event of the movie “Gangnam 1970”, saying “If an actor appears on variety shows and imprints a certain image in the mind of the public, it would affect their acting career later on”, adding “I will find other ways to communicate with my fans.”
Jang Dong Gun also expressed his reluctance to join entertainment programs several times. In various interviews, he stated, “I don’t have the personalities and talents that entertainment shows these days need. I don’t think I have the confidence to satisfy the intentions of the producers and viewers. I’m just trying to avoid hurting others”. In fact, Jang Dong Gun only made a few short appearances on programs at the requests of his acquaintances. He shared, “As an actor, I think expressing myself through acting is enough”. However, in 2021, he became a presenter and led TV Chosun’s special documentary “Jang Dong Gun’s Back to the Books”, in which he visited Europe’s most prestigious bookstores.
Han Suk Kyu, who carried out many entertainment activities during his heyday in the 1990s, has become difficult to see on shows since the 2000s. In 2013, he made headlines for making his first appearance on TV through SBS’s “Healing Camp” after such a long time. However, the actor has not joined any other programs since then.
Source: Daum
