Kmuse's Top 10 Actor Challenge - #7 Jung Ryeo Won

Hey Kaddicts!  Kmuse here with yet another installment of my Top 10 Actor Challenge.  If you have just started following us you might be asking. "Kmuse, what is the Top 10 Actor Challenge?"  In a nutshell, it was where a friend on FB told me to write down my top favorite kdrama actors and then challenge others to do the same. 

Kmuse's Top 10 Actor Challenge - #8 Kim Nam Gil

I gave a hint last time that my #8 actor rocks the mane of glory as well as facial hair.  If you guessed that my next khottie was the ever talented Kim Nam Gil then you would be right!  At first glance, he kind of looks like a throwback to the 1970's with his pervestache as well as an older style of dressing.  But it only takes a few minutes of watching his expressive eyes for one to look past the facial hair and to the sexy actor underneath.

 I first discovered Kim Nam Gil when I watched my first long Sageuk (korean historical drama) Queen Seon Deok. A very entertaining drama and my interest rose to another level when, in episode 19, the character Bidam was introduced. 
Bidam!  One of my top ten favorite kdrama characters ever!  How amazing is it that the writers can literally get me to root for a emotionless psychopath/killer the way they did?  Not only root for him, but also get obsessed with his getting the girl in the end?

The writers actually rewrote the script to increase Kim Nam Gil's character since it was so popular with netizens.  Now that is a sign of a great actor.

Riding high on his sudden popularity, Kim Nam Gil immediately started filming the revenge drama "Bad Guy".  The show started off with so much promise.  Kim Nam Gil was killing it (as usual) and fans were in a fever pitch to see what happened.....and then the government got involved.  Forced to enlist for his military service (SERIOUSLY?  You couldn't have waited a few more weeks South Korea?) mid drama, the writers were forced to cut & finish the script without a real conclusion.  It was truly one of the great script tragedies in kdrama history.

We fans suffered for almost three years as Kim Nam Gil finished his military service and took his sweet time picking a new script, but finally he returned to the small screen in the dark revenge drama "Shark".  While this drama was not my favorite, it did give me plenty of angst driven Kim Nam Gil as he attempted to get revenge, all while unwillingly seducing/being seduced by his recently married ex girlfriend.  Plenty moral lines were blurred in this drama, but in the end it just did not have the impact I was hoping for.

Recently you can see Kim Nam Gil on your local movie screen.  Starring in the summer blockbuster movie "The Pirate" he is yet again rocking longer locks and devil may care facial hair. Kim Nam Gil plays a thief who goes to sea and becomes a pirate chasing a white whale. I know the premise is a bit odd, but I hear it is absolutely hilarious!  I am still a bit bitter that it never came to Portland, but I look forward to watching it online (as soon as it is subbed somewhere).

Let's just hope that some of the rumors floating around about his picking a new drama stick.  Because I can never get enough Kim Nam Gil and look forward to his future works.

Links to other actor challenge posts
#9 - Ji Sung
http://thecrazyahjummas.blogspot.com/2014/09/kmuses-top-10-actor-challenge-9-ji-sung.html 
#10 - Moon Chae Won
http://thecrazyahjummas.blogspot.com/2014/09/kmuses-top-10-actor-challenge-10-moon.html 

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Kmuse's Top 10 Actor Challenge - #9 Ji Sung

I'm back with my #9 favorite Kactor!  I know it has been a bit longer than a week, but with all the fun new shows and recapping "My Secret Hotel" and "Blade Man", things have been busy here at TCA.  But I have not given up on the project and hope to continue sharing my favorites each week.

So you might be asking. "Kmuse, what is the Top 10 Actor Challenge?"  In a nutshell, it was where a friend on FB told me to write down my top favorite kdrama actors and then challenge others to do the same.  It was surprisingly hard, giving out numbered spots to my favorite bias's, but I was able to accomplish it and pass on the kdrama love.  As I was looking at my list, I thought of how fun it would be to share it with the blogging world, but instead of all at once, I am going to make it into a weekly post.  This way you might learn something about the actors as well as see what dramas they have starred in and maybe even get ideas for your kdrama queue.

The ever talented Ji Sung comes in at #9 with his easy smile, distinctive swagger, and wide range of characters.  Never one to be pigeonholed, he has played smart lawyers, crazy chabeol's, magical historical seers, and romantic stalkers. Truly an actor that is not afraid to take risks.

I first watched Ji Sung in the over the top romantic comedy "Protect the Boss" where he played man child Cha Ji Heon.  Full of paranoia, psychosis, and all around quirky habits, Ji Heon was the chaebol who just could not get things right.  Lucky for him, it only took an aggressive secretary to turn his life around.

Ji Sung changed things up by going Sageuk next in "The Great Seer".  Playing the deposed noble turned seer who helped establish the Joseon dynasty.  Starting strong, the plot began to drag towards the end (way too long in my opinion).  But even though the drama dragged, Ji Sung continued to keep my interest and looked dashing in Hanbok.

But it was the come from behind hit "Secret" that really cemented him as a must see actor.  Written by an unknown writer (won a screenplay award which got the drama produced) this drama started from nothing and become the ratings breakthrough hit of the year.  Ji Sung played the leading man, Jo Min Hyuk, who vowed revenge against the woman who killed his girlfriend and unborn child in a hit and run.  The only problem was his growing obsession with the perpetrator, leading us to a story which takes an uncomfortable stalkerlike turn. 

2013 was also the year that the khottie actor tied the knot to the amazing actress Lee Bo Young.  Between the two of them, they remained at the top of the ratings for the majority of 2013 and are now one of South Korea's power couples.  Here are some of their official wedding photos which are equal to anything you might see in a drama.

I look forward to watching his future projects as well as checking out his classic works (there are a ton of dramas Ji Sung was in that I added to my queue).  Be sure to check back to find out who my #8 sexy actor is.  Just a hint, he rocks longer locks and even the occasional facial hair!  Any guesses?

Links to other actor challenge posts
#10 - Moon Chae Won
http://thecrazyahjummas.blogspot.com/2014/09/kmuses-top-10-actor-challenge-10-moon.html 

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Kmuse's Top 10 Actor Challenge - #10 Moon Chae Won

So you might be asking. "Kmuse, what is the Top 10 Actor Challenge?"  In a nutshell, it was where a friend on FB told me to write down my top favorite kdrama actors and then challenge others to do the same.  It was surprisingly hard, giving out numbered spots to my favorite bias's, but I was able to accomplish it and pass on the kdrama love.  As I was looking at my list, I thought of how fun it would be to share it with the blogging world, but instead of all at once, I am going to make it into a weekly post.  This way you might learn something about the actors as well as see what dramas they have starred in and maybe even get ideas for your kdrama queue.

So how did I choose my top 10?  Was it just on looks?  Talent? The number of shower scenes they appeared in?  HAHA.  No, to be honest, I chose my list on actors that I enjoy so much I will watch anything they are in, even if it is absolutely horrible (looking at you Joo Won who made me watch Level 7 Civil Servant).  And being the enlightened female that I am, (yup, equality for all!) my number 10 spot is actually held by one of my favorite actresses Moon Chae Won!

I first remember Moon Chae Won in the Sageuk drama "Princess Man" but as I look at her filmography, I discovered she was in a lot of older dramas that I had watched as well (mostly as 2nd lead) such as Brilliant Legacy and My Fair Lady.  However, I watched those back in my early drama years before I really started paying attention to who the actors are, so I was totally clueless as to her participation.  But it was not until Chae Won's role as the damaged heiress/stepdaughter in the revenge drama "Innocent Man" that I really fell in love with her as an actress.  She played hard boss and innocent amnesiac with flawless ease and most importantly she held her own with costar Song Joong Ki.  For those of you who know how amazing SJK is, that is a feat in itself.    

Chae Won followed up that role by playing the love interest to Joo Won's Savant Syndrome genius in Good Doctor.  Yet again she shined as the strong and empathetic doctor Cha Yoon-Seo, who was able to see past Joo Won's disabilities to the man inside.  I appreciate that Moon Chae Won is willing to play something other than the prim and nice candy types and applaud her on her wide range of character roles.

As I was searching for pictures to go with this article, I also noticed that she is obviously into pushing the fashion envelope.  Some of her red carpet looks were amazing and I am adding some of those photos in here for everyone to enjoy.  

I look forward to watching future dramas with Moon Chae Won as the heroine.  Currently she only has several movies in the works, but I am sure I will see her again soon on my TV screen.  Til then I might have to go rewatch Princess Man to get my fix.

Be sure to check in next week to find out who I ranked as #9.  He really is a scene stealer and excels with his acting skills and amazing charisma. 
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