Choi Min Soo criticizes singer-turned-actors

[imienazwisko.livejournal.com]

Actor Choi Min Soo does not mince words. At the recent press conference for the upcoming drama "Pride and Prejudice," actor Choi Min Soo made a statement that might not make him very popular. He said he was not fond of singers-turned-actors.

"I don't like actors who were originally singers," he said.

With idol singers-turned- actors currently appearing in dramas such as "My Lovable Girl," "My Spring Days," "Night Watchmen" and "Three Musketeers," he potentially insulted a lot of actors.

And among that crop of actors, he may also have offended his "Pride and Prejudice co-star Lee Tae Hwan, who is a member of the acting-singing group 5urprise. (and the male lead Choi Jin Hyuk too, he was supposed to debut as a singer)

As a group, 5urpise is unusual in that the five members are working at becoming actors and singers at the same time. Lee Tae Hwan, who recently had a role in "High School King of Manners," started out as a singer. He plays Kang Soo in the courtroom drama "Pride and Prejudice," which also stars Choi Jin Hyuk and Baek Jin Hee.

Choi Min Soo went on to say that he did not like the idea of "dogs and cows and everyone acting." Comparing singers-turned-actors to cows and dogs might hurt some feelings.

However, he did clarify his statement and made an exception for Lee Tae Hwan.

"Tae Hwan needs to know it's a good thing I first met him as an actor on set," said Choi Min Soo.

So, it's okay if Choi Min Soo does not know you were originally a singer?

He also said he did not like actors who work on two projects at the same time, managing to insult veteran actors such as Park Young Kyu, who is currently juggling roles in "My Lovable Girl" and "The Three Musketeers."

Maybe he was just making a statement about how hard it is for actors to land good roles. Choi Min Soo may have issues with singers turned actors because they are often handed roles that actors must wait years to get.

He was born into one of Korea's most famous acting families. Choi Min Soo is the son of actor Choi Moo Ryong and actress Kang Hyo Shil. His grandfather Kang Hong Shik was an actor and a director. His grandmother Jeon Ok was an actress, known as the "Queen of Tears." And he has an aunt who is a famous actress in North Korea.

Choi Min Soo has appeared in dozens of films and dramas, with his most recent drama roles being in "Faith: The Great Doctor" and "The Blade and the Petal."

What do you think about Choi Min Soo's comments? Do you think singers-turned-actors have an unfair advantage? Does it matter when it comes to producing good dramas and getting the best ratings?

Choi Min Soo: "I really hate singer-turned-actors. I really don't like how everybody goes onto acting. I also don't like it when an actor does two projects at a time."
=====

- I think he said it because they're bad at acting... And it's true that the singers are stealing the actors' careers

- It could be... But this is too straight-forward...

- There are more singers who can't act than those who can

- I wouldn't mind it if they're good at acting but I hate it when they're bad ㅠㅠ

- As long as the singers get their talents verified like Siwan, Kyungsoo, and Lee Joon ㅋㅋ

- Well he also released an album, too...

- He's saying this because there are many cases of bad acting by singers and idols

- Releasing an album is done individually whereas acting roles are done as a group. How are they the same?
source: kdramastars, kpopkfans, instiz

what about model turned actors then? they get a pass?

Comments

[rm-casablancas.livejournal.com]

I loved her performance in Reply 1997, it just came so naturally, plus I love her husky voice and the fact she didn't try it to hide it.

That drama gave me such a warm feeling just like Dream High did :')

[torontok.livejournal.com]

Now, I can understand to a certain extent the resentment some actors may feel at seeing idols get the easy way into the acting world :roles handed over easily even when talent doesn't reflect that (See:Myungsoo whom I adore but no)
But at the same time, the acting world isn't some sacred circle where only the best are accepted, like c'mon, there's plenty of actors/actresses who are 'legit' (i.e non-idols) and still suck hard but get roles due to popularity.
And face it:dramas will purposely cast idols to get higher ratings.Its sucks but it's whats considered necessary.
And dismissing idols hard work, when they're juggling several projects is just low.Look at Krystal for example.
and yeah,Sung Joon is one of my favortie actors and he was a model.Seo In Guk for chrissake, he was a singer first,

[tempestdance.livejournal.com]

well that's just the thing he's pissed about - they shouldn't juggle acting and singing when it affects both projects. it really is the agency's fault in a lot of situations like this but i don't think it's so low to complain about shootings being delayed and schedules going haywire to acommodate for one person who got his or her role due to popularity and not really talent.

the thing about sung joon and seo in guk is when they act in one drama they only act.

[rennehollic.livejournal.com]

Choi Min Soo may have issues with singers turned actors because they are often handed roles that actors must wait years to get.

He's completely right in this and there's no pointing on fighting. Many idols venture to acting as leads right away when really good actors stay in a little corner doing a secundary character while they could probably do a better job. I think that idols turning into actors is just fine (look at Eunji and Hoya, they are pretty good and I've to admit, they were better than what I imagined, but I think they were a total shot in the dark) but they should start with cameos, then smaller characters and build their career, going up gradually and then, after some experience they should work like any actor for the lead. they shouldn't be given the lead right away. But then again many think about the ratings, not quality, so they are willing to have a mediocre drama if it means having hundreds of teenagers tunning in to see their oppas/noonas

[kaninasan.livejournal.com]

they should start with cameos, then smaller characters and build their career

but most idols do that though?

i mean the only idol i can remember being cast as a lead in his first drama is Yoochun, but he had done tons of cameos and stuff (and a toooooon of stuff in Japan) before that happened.

(btw imo idol dramas like Dream High and To the beautiful you don't count because ... well they're idol dramas)

[laeryn.livejournal.com]

I'm generally not here for anyone shitting on anyone to begin with. That said, being annoyed at BAD singers turned actors is understandable, but hating all singers turned actors is irrational. If a singer turns out to be a good actor, then why not. In the long run, the good ones are the ones that will get a legit acting career (yes, there are exceptions). My opinion.

Also, many times the idols don't get a saying. And even if they did, they are not the ones deciding to give themselves the roles, are they? I get it, but it's the industry that is to blame in this, I think. And as somebody mentioned, it's not like there are not really bad legit actors out there.

[mlmello.livejournal.com]

and actor releasing singles?
people should be judged only by their talents. there are a lot of idols who got lead roles because of their popularity, but we also have bad actors.

[purpleglaceon]

mte

[kaninasan.livejournal.com]

ugh i can't stand choi minsoo

i think most idols are pretty terrible actors, but the reason why they get these roles instead of lesser known actors with more talent is because they bring attention (and possibly funding) to a project. so i don't mind it if an idol is in a supporting role.

[hipployta.livejournal.com]

This statement is too broad...

[the-erotomanic.livejournal.com]

"Tae Hwan needs to know it's a good thing I first met him as an actor on set," said Choi Min Soo.

lol!

[rennehollic.livejournal.com]

it's like he's threatning him or something...

[purpleglaceon]

While some of them are bad and should never turned actors, some of them ARE good though. I think he should have expressed himself better.

[waves-of-light.livejournal.com]

Sure, there are singers who turned sucky actors, but there are also just plain sucky actors. To say that he doesn't like all of them just seems ridiculous to me. And if a person can juggle two projects at the same time, then good for them. I'm a Virgo, give me everything!

[lysblack.livejournal.com]

can he fucking not?

as if idols are what is making (rookie or not) actors not get jobs in the industry (but i am aware it makes more difficult for them), when there are actors that just because they debuted as it only, but have no skills or other quality, are headlining projects and are a thousand times worse than any idols.

in the current state of the leading men and ladies of korean movie and drama industry, very few worked a lot in smaller parts to get their positions, when most started from second leads to quickly shot up to main leads positions. most of the actors of the current stars that you can see that worked a lot to get where they are right now in smaller roles and what not, are the older generation and the youngest ones (aka senior and child actors).

so don't blame the idols to take advantage of an industry that has been broken for a really long time.

and lol hasn't he released a song or something like that? he should be forbidden of doing anything outside acting!

[kaninasan.livejournal.com]

yeah lbr looks are more important than talent when it comes to getting the lead role

long bitter rant

[imienazwisko.livejournal.com]

As someone who is studying movie production at university, I can say that casting people based solely on talent is nothing but a common misconception. Dramas and movies are business, not art. To make an artsy movie (that probably won't make much money and is usually deemed a commercial failure) a movie studio needs to release at least three blockbusters. There's a reason why show-biz isn't called a show-art instead.
When you cast actors, you rather focus on their market value than talent. Who cares if your drama is well acted by rookies if no one is actually watching it because them rookies don't bring an audience with them. The pros of casting idols is that fact that they have a fanbase and their fans would show interest and naturally promote the drama their bias is acting it. Of course there are cases that unknown actors sudenly shot to fame with one drama but most of the times barely anyone wants the take the risk of casting unknown faces. Even relatively unknown second lead is a potential "risk". Some actors have to play secondary characters for years before they get a lead, other shoot to fame right away. It's all about luck at this point.
I'm all in for talented actors playing all parts in movies but from a producer's point of view it doesn't matter if the actor can act. What matters is if he's helping the movie at least receover the costs. Marketable actors that hit the target audience are a treasure. If they can act - it's a bonus.

I'm basically repeating what I learned at film school so far, it sounds like a pile of bs but that's the way it is. At least where I work.

Re: long bitter rant

[chimpansee.livejournal.com]

This was interesting to read, thank you. Never thought about that.

[leopolitan.livejournal.com]

i see his point in that it must be frustrating for rookie actors but all celebrities kind of have that unfair 'in' to other markets, u cant exactly ban them... also this doesnt mean as much coming from someone who was born into an acting family.

[tempestdance.livejournal.com]

i only get annoyed when the said idols have very little experience in acting or just no talent or is so damn busy that they're promoting an album while shooting a drama already running behind on shooting - but then again that's really the agencies and drama production companies putting money over quality so it's understandable.

i do get frustrated that when the idols say outright that their goal is to be a famous actor or something just rude and unappreciative about acting - which has happened - because then i have to ask, why are you an idol?

also having a popular idol does not affect the ratings at all - it does make the overseas sale much more easily though.

[dirrtypony.livejournal.com]

yoon eun hye is a better actress than singer so i am happy she made the jump. the way she connects with her costars on screen is ridic. she has chemisty with everyone. loooove her. eric from shinhwa was fucking brilliant in discovery of romance. lee joon is pretty damn decent as well. he did really good in gap dong

[princetabi.livejournal.com]

I love her too. I just wish she would choose better dramas tbh.

[asnindie.livejournal.com]

He sounds like a bitter man. Why blame actors and idols when it's mainly agencies that are controlling everything. Esp if they're working two projects at at time.

Don't get me wrong. Certain idols should never ever see the light of day, Yunho and KHJ come to mind. And yeah sure try to hone your art before taking on acting but you have an audience for that to make judgements.

[benihime99.livejournal.com]

Although I can somehow understand his position I think it's a bit unfair
Some singer turned actor are actually better actors than singer and better than "original" actors too
People should be judged on talent

[caramelorchoco.livejournal.com]

bit too broad of a statement to make, and incredibly bitter too

regarding idol turned actors, i feel that it's fair to criticise idols who clearly don't take their acting seriously and/or are generally terrible actors. After a few tries at it, you really should try to improve as you go along.

But I don't necessarily blame a lot of idols who focus more into acting sometimes because I feel like the entertainment system in korea has managed to push a lot of these aspiring actors/MC into becoming an idol first? idol groups get more attention and they get them very quickly too, if you were to start out purely as an actor, it would take ages before anybody noticed you or you were given more opportunities

i don't really blame a lot of these young kids wanting to debut as an idol first just to get their name out there

not saying its right, but thats just the way it is really

[jeliza]

SM at least definitely has a crop of kids that wanted to be actors but were put into idol groups to raise their profile even when they didn't necessarily want to be - Kim Kibum and Sulli being the most up front, but it seems like that might have been part of the plan for Siwon and Minho as well?

[ultimaaa.livejournal.com]

I wonder how he feels about idols who originally wanted to become actors but we're advised to debut as idols first to "cheat" a system that ignores rookie actors (unless they started as a child actor). :>

[sadistic-dance.livejournal.com]

a lot of actors can't act either. work tho.

[dot-rose.livejournal.com]

"Tae Hwan needs to know it's a good thing I first met him as an actor on set," said Choi Min Soo.

Wow. So if he met Tae Hwan as a singer, he would have judged more harshly of his acting skills?
There is nothing wrong with diversifying. Although yes there is a saturation of idol actors. Some have proven their skills and some have not. Same with actors, even those who were training to be actors for years as their first choice can still be horrific at acting.

"he did not like actors who work on two projects at the same time"
So basically he just doesn't like people who work 2 jobs at the same time. Singer and Actor or actor with 2 roles in the same period.

Well too bad. Directors/producers do not necessarily cast based on skills. He sounds so bitter.

[prlsb4swiine.livejournal.com]

Why is this post not filled with Crying Actor Minho gifs?
omona you've disappointed me

[leighbee333.livejournal.com]

[nandexdame.livejournal.com]

"He was born into one of Korea's most famous acting families."

Oh, I get it now. Wonder where he'd be today if this weren't true.

For the most part, the dramas stuffed with idol actors or singers are generally speaking not quality dramas anyway. They are there to satisfy a certain segment of the drama viewing population. Any exposure can be valuable to up and coming actors, of course, but I highly doubt this guy was clamoring to get a lead role in She's So Loveable or To The Beautiful You or You're Beautiful.

[ultimaaa.livejournal.com]

It's funny that no one calls out the amount of nepotism in the Korean acting industry, but I guess since most of their big shot actors and actresses benefit from it it's nbd right?

"I don't like actors who were originally singers,"

[itsnvrcldinhell.livejournal.com]

I agree especially if they have no talent in it whatsoever

except Jared Leto he shall pass but not leighton

Re: "I don't like actors who were originally singers,"

[leighbee333.livejournal.com]

Wasn't Jared Leto originally an actor? My So-Called Life, anyone?

[threebits.livejournal.com]

lol. it's the system that needs to be criticised and fixed, not the idols' fault that they cost less + bring in higher overseas revenue