GOKPOP | Exclusive K-News in Malaysia & Singapore

11 Cutest Roles K-POP Idols Took On (ft BTS' V, GOT7's YoungJae, Suzy, 2PM's Taecyeon and more)

Thursday, July 01, 2021

So cute and so multi-talented!

K-pop idol actors are truly multi-talented since they are able to act, dance, and sing or rap. Therefore, it’s no surprise how popular they can be. There are so many K-pop idols to love, but let’s take some time to appreciate those who have taken on super adorable characters. Check out some of the cutest roles that K-pop idols have taken on here.

Choi Young-jae and Minnie

GOT7’s Choi Young-jae and (G)I-DLE’s Minnie act for the first time in the fun sitcom So Not Worth It, but you wouldn’t know it due to their natural acting. Choi Young-jae portrays silly trickster Sam. Sam is full of bluffs, but he also has insecurities and a warm heart underneath that bravado. Minnie’s character who has the same name as her is a trendy fashionista who absolutely loves K-dramas. She’s cute, popular, and flirty. Sam and Minnie are cute separately, but they’re even cuter together when they’re bickering.

Ok Taec-yeon

Ok Taec-yeon's cutest and scariest role can both be found in Vincenzo. His cutest character yet has to be Jang Joon-woo before we realize his true identity. Prior to the revelation, Joon-woo is an innocent and clumsy intern who follows Cha-young around like a curly-haired puppy dog. He even dances and makes a reference to a 2PM song by saying, “Can you feel my heartbeat?” Unfortunately, the cuteness only lasts for four episodes or so and Jang Han-seok’s true identity is unveiled. Props to Ok Taec-yeon for depicting both cute and evil!

Cha Eun-woo

ASTRO member Cha Eun-woo is known for portraying tsundere characters who are a bit cold on the outside, but warm on the inside. However, his character Yi Rim from Rookie Historian Goo Hae-ryung is much more lively and arguably the cutest character he has yet to portray. Yi Rim is a prince who works underground as a romance novelist. Despite writing many popular romance stories, Yi Rim is an adorable newbie when it comes to real-life romance. His innocence as he falls head over heels in love is so cute and funny.

Lee Hye-ri

Lee Hye-ri of girl group Girl’s Day is known for portraying many cute and comical characters, but one of her most loved is definitely Deok-sun from Reply 1988. Since the show is set in 1988, her character brings a lot of nostalgia and relatable laughs as she suffers from middle child syndrome. Deok-sun is infamously ranked 999th at school and though she is not academically gifted, she is compassionate and cares deeply for her friends. Seeing Deok-sun go through growing pains makes her all the more endearing.

Kim Tae-hyung

Hwarang is full of cute characters, but the cutest has got to be Han-sung who is portrayed by BTS member Kim Tae-hyung. He’s the youngest of the warriors and has such a warm and friendly personality. With an innocent and bright disposition, he receives lots of love from the people around him. While he’s adorable and always cheerful, Han-sung also carries a heavy familial burden. You can’t help but fall for his cute, puppy-like charms and it’s all the more impactful when he makes a big sacrifice and puts others before himself.

Suzy and IU

Both Suzy and IU have become K-drama queens, but their cutest roles have to be their debut characters in Dream High. Bae Suzy acts as Hae-mi, a student who aspired to become an opera singer but is forced to pursue becoming a mainstream K-pop singer instead. Hae-mi's signature hair and headband are cute, but her sassy attitude and journey to growth makes her very appealing as well. Likewise, IU’s character Pil-suk is so adorable with her glasses and guitar. Shy and sweet, Pil-suk is a romantic who swoons at the littlest things.

Choi Si-won

Choi Si-won has a lengthy repertoire having debuted as both a singer and an actor in 2005. He pulls off sweet and zany characters remarkably well. So many of his characters stand out, but his character Shin-hyuk in She Was Pretty is such a delightful goofball. Free-spirited and playful, Shin-hyuk cares more about a person’s character than their appearance. Full of jokes yet very thoughtful, Shin-hyuk always knows how to make someone smile. You have to watch his pickled radish scenes, so weird yet funny and cute.

Yook Sung-jae

Yook Sung-jae’s cutest roles have to be a toss-up between Deok-hwa from Guardian: The Lonely and Great God and Kang-bae from Mystic Pop-up Bar. Deok-hwa is spoiled thanks to his family’s wealth, but he’s got a good heart and helps out Kim Shin. Kang-bae lives a lonely life since he needs to keep his distance from people otherwise they involuntarily confess their deepest secrets. Kang-bae is more sweet and innocent, but both Kang-bae and Deok-hwa are adorably confused and shocked when discovering otherworldly things.

Park Hyung-sik

Park Hyung-sik’s character in Strong Girl Bong-soon, Ahn Min-hyuk, is a successful game company CEO. What makes Min-hyuk so appealing is his utter fascination and adoration of Bong-soon. The fact that he finds Bong-soon’s superhuman strength and confidence attractive is just so cute. Min Min, as he’s affectionately called, is so sweet and accepting you’ll be absolutely smitten. If you want more cute Park Hyung-sik, check out What Happens to My Family where he acts as the immature youngest son of the family.

Which of these cute roles do you find the cutest? Be sure to check them all out on Netflix!

Image Courtesy of Netflix

K-drama

7 Reasons to Rewatch Start-Up or to Watch If You Have Not

Thursday, December 17, 2020

Popular drama Start-Up has recently wrapped up, and it’s an ideal time to start the series for those of you who prefer to watch without any interruptions, or rewatch if you’re experiencing Start-Up withdrawal. Here are some reasons to check out Start-Up!

1. The Leads

Suzy and Nam Joo-hyuk make a very gorgeous couple. They’re also the same age and have the same agency, so we can see a more natural type of comfortableness between the pair. In Start-Up, we see a sweeter and sillier side of Suzy compared to her previous character in Vagabond. Nam Joo-hyuk has grown in popularity since The Light in Your Eyes and The School Nurse Files, so it’s a great treat to get to see him so soon after his latest series.

2. The Strong Second Lead

Kim Seon-ho as Han Ji-pyeong makes for the most swoon-worthy and heart-wrenching second lead in recent K-drama history. Whether you’re #TeamDoSan or #TeamJiPyeong, you’ll experience some degree of second lead syndrome. Ji-pyeong has a moving backstory, and seeing him come to terms with his feelings will make you sincerely wish for his happiness. Kim Seon-ho’s puppy dog eyes and adorable dimples are a sweet bonus.

3. Amazing Cast Members

In addition to the main love triangle, the rest of the cast is also quite amazing. Dal-mi’s grandmother (Kim Hae-sook) is simply the best and so full of love. Even characters who might not be immediately endearing like In-jae (Kang Han-na), Sa-ha (Stephanie Lee), and Do-san’s father (Kim Won-hae) will eventually win you over. And who could forget the adorable best friends Yong-san (Kim Do-wan) and Chul-san (Yu Su-bin)?

4. Solid Friendship

Speaking of the best friends, the original Samsan Tech trio is definitely friendship goals. The plaid-clad nerds stick together through thick and thin. Although they genuinely care for one another and are full of loyalty, they do have their adorable squabbles from time to time. You’ll be able to relate when they’re fighting one moment and bawling their eyes out due to concern for each other the next moment.

5. Inspirational Stories

Each character is vying for their own kind of success. There are some characters like Ji-pyeong who have become financially successful and living a very different life since he left his orphanage. Samsan Tech’s team strives to make it big and prove themselves. Similarly, In-jae wants to have success on her own and not have it tied to her stepfather’s name. While financial success is a part of their goals, the young entrepreneurs also seek to help people and make the future a better place.

6. Start-Up Info

In addition to the motivational and romantic stories, Start-Up offers a lot of knowledge about the world of business for those who are unfamiliar with the tech industry. Whether you’re interested in starting a new business or not, it’s fascinating to learn important terms and things to look out for. A lot of innovation comes from start-up companies, so you can get a better idea of what goes on behind the technology that makes life easier.

7. Heartfelt Lessons

There’s a lot of character growth all around which means heartfelt lessons for everyone. Nam Do-san overcomes his self-confidence issues while Han Ji-pyeong becomes able to maintain close relationships. We also see Dal-mi become self-assured and In-jae figure out her identity. It’s satisfying to see all the characters grow from the kind of people they were at the beginning of the series.

Enjoy watching Start-Up on Netflix!

Image Courtesy of Netflix

K-drama

"Start-Up" Stars Suzy, Nam Joo Hyuk, Kim Seon Ho and Kang Ha Na Share Their On-Set Chemistry

Tuesday, October 13, 2020

Netflix upcoming Korean series 'Start-Up' starring star-studded cast - Nam Joo Hyuk, Bae Suzy, Kim Seon Ho and Kang Ha Na is set to premiere on 17 October. Set in a sandbox, a fictional Silicon Valley in South Korea, the romantic comedy-drama centers around four young characters passionately pursuing their dreams in the world of the startup companies.

During the online press conference held yesterday, Director Oh Choong Hwan further explained that the drama series is about "encouraging people who want to grow up or go up as they start out." "It's about love but not just about love. It's about having a vision for your life and working hard for a vision," said director Oh. Check out the highlights of the virtual press conference with Start-Up stars Suzy, Nam Joo Hyuk, Kim Seon Ho and Kang Han-Na.

Q: What's your first impression upon reading the script and what made you accept the role?

Suzy: I was drawn to the topic of start-ups. It begins with a complex relationship between the characters, which really got me excited. I really looked forward to seeing how the story would unfold. I also wanted to encourage other youths of my age, because that’s the message of this show. It’s a very heartwarming story, which is why I decided to join this project. I worked with director Oh and writer Park Hye Ryun in the past, and hopefully, with this project, we will showcase more exciting chemistry as well. I worked with writer Park Hye Ryun for my first TV drama, and we have a meaningful relationship, so I’m very happy to work with her again, and hopefully this time, as a more mature actress.

Nam Joo Hyuk: When I first read the synopsis of the story, I felt that the character, Do-san was incomplete and lacking in something. So I felt that if I take the role, I could add more and help this character to be more complete. As the story unfolds, he will grow and I wanted to portray that. And personally, I also feel a lot of emotions and feelings in my life, so I saw a sort of overlapping relationship between me and my character. I really wanted to grow together with the character as I played him.

Kim Seon Ho: Well, I think Suzy and Joo-hyuk already mentioned it, but I would explain a little more. When I read the script, there was a lot of excitement. But this show was quite different from others because the characters and their line, including the ending scene of each episode, just compelled me to keep reading on. As I was reading, I felt very comfortable about the story and the characters. Other dramas have a very spicy and juicy storyline, but our drama is very heartwarming and encouraging.

Q: Suzy and Nam Joo Hyuk, how do you feel when you first heard two of you would-be partners? And how would you rate your chemistry?

Nam Joo Hyuk: When I heard I'll be acting with Suzy, because we call our series a youthful coding romance, I thought it would be a great story and I really looked forward to it. (The story also reflects) on something that I could only do at this age and at this time. In the beginning, we didn’t have many scenes together and we had to act separately. At one point when we got to meet and I thought our chemistry was really good. That's also something the director would know about.

Suzy: When I first heard that he would be my on-screen partner and when I first met him on the set, there was a great energy. He had a lot of great energy as well and that created a lot of synergy for me and between us. Like I said before he was Do-san himself, so thanks to him, I was able to really immerse myself in my role. He’s so bubbly, bright and I think the scenes with both our characters are just bubbly and beautiful. And it makes you want to cheer for them.

Q: Han-na, you changed your physical style and even had a haircut to play the role. Any common traits between you and the character Won In-Jae?

Kang Han-Na: I think I can have a strong resolve once I decided to do something. I think that’s the similarity between me and the character Won In-jae. And once I decided to do something, I will follow through and get it done, so I think this is another common trait between me and Won In-jae. Regarding my hairstyle, when I had a meeting with our director and writer, they suggested that Won In-jae would look better in short hair, so without hesitation, I got a haircut. Won In-jae is an amazing businesswoman but deep down, I feel sympathy towards her. So I hope the audience will be able to relate to that. Won In-jae might look sharp and successful as a businesswoman but I hope people can really cheer for her on her personal happiness.

Q: How do you prepare for your role?

Kim Seon Ho: My character is kind of the epitome of a young, rich, and successful person. So basically my character is about flashing a great watch and showing a nice hairstyle, those are the preparations I did (laughs). And as Han-na mentioned just now, our writer is very thorough, so she also gave me lots of details to refer to for my preparation for the character. I studied them and thought about what kind of speaking style my character will have.

Q: In the drama, there’s a conflict between In-jae and Dal-mi. How was it on set?

Kang Han-na: Yes, in the drama, my relationship with Dal-mi (starring Suzy) is a rival and there is also lots of subtle conflict going on between two of us. But as well all know, Suzy is so lovable and it's very difficult for me to really bring my claws out to the character Dal-mi. On-screen we are sisters that hate each other, but on-set, we have a great friendship and I hope that you can look forward to the chemistry between us.

photo by Netflix

2019 Lee Seung Gi Asia Fan Meeting 'VAGABOND VOYAGE' in Kuala Lumpur

Spy Action Melodrama, Vagabond Featuring Lee Seung Gi & Suzy Is Off To A Good Start

Monday, September 30, 2019

photo by SBS

Lee Seung Gi and Suzy teamed up for the second time in a drama and this time round is for the spy action melodrama 'Vagabond'. 'Vagabond' centers around Cha Dal-gun (starring Lee Seung Gi), an experienced stuntman who goes all the way out to uncover the truth of a mysterious plane crash that killed all 211 passengers on board, including his beloved nephew. As he digs deeper into the case, he finds out about the hidden conspiracy behind the plane crash that led to a massive national corruption case.

The first two episodes have received great feedback from many viewers and according to Nielson Korea, the drama has drew up to 1.78 million viewers nationwide, marking the highest viewership ratings in its time slot across all public broadcast networks. The intense storyline paired with the cinematic action scenes and impressive visual effects have increased our anticipation for the upcoming episodes.

2019 Lee Seung Gi Asia Fan Meeting 'VAGABOND VOYAGE' in Kuala Lumpur

The anticipation towards 'Vagabond' has also triggered the excitement towards Lee Seung Gi Asia Fan Meeting Tour 'VAGABOND VOYAGE' which is set to take place in Bangkok (October 19), Singapore (October 26) and Kuala Lumpur (November 30). Fans are in for an exciting and fun-filled show that’s promised to be a memorable one at each city, where the actor and heartthrob will be sharing personal stories about his Vagabond experiences on top of showcasing his singing and variety skills at the fan meeting. This tour will also mark the 15th anniversary of the artiste’s debut, giving fans another reason to celebrate the important milestone with Lee Seung Gi.

2019 Lee Seung Gi Asia Fan Meeting 'VAGABOND VOYAGE' in Singapore

Catch the Vagabond star in action at 2019 LEE SEUNG GI ASIA FAN MEETING in BANGKOK, SINGAPORE & KUALA LUMPUR! Tickets to the Kuala Lumpur show are available via regional ticketing agent AirAsia RedTix as well as ticketing platform TicketCharge. For tickets to the Singapore show, however are available via SISTIC and AirAsiaRedTix SG. All VIP ticket-holders will be entitled to a HI-TOUCH session with Lee Seung Gi, receive a mystery gift from the artiste himself, and get enrolled into a lucky draw to win autographed posters.

For the latest show information and updates, please visit http://www.facebook.com/IMCLiveGlobal.

Greetings from Lee Seung Gi: