Kim Soo Hyun's drama "You Who Came From The Stars" has done well in the ratings. The competition, "Miss Korea" and "Pretty Man," have not managed to claim its number one place in the time slot.
As a leading man, Kim Soo Hyun has so far outranked Jang Geun Suk and Lee Sun Kyun. His drama's ratings exceeded 24 percent.
However, when "Inspiring Generation" starts next week, the competition may be tougher. Kim Soo Hyun's alien-human romance will be up against Kim Hyun Joong's dramatic saga about 1930s Shanghai.
Both actors are handsome, charming and have a huge fan base, so will it come down to alien vs. comic book fighter?
Kim Hyun Joong is sure that Kim Soo Hyun is more popular than he is.
"Although we are with the same agency, he is the popular star," said Kim Hyujn Joong. "Also Jun Ji Hyun is very popular. Since our dramas are competing, I do feel a little uneasy."
The two actors, who are both represented by Key East Entertainment, have discussed their respective dramas.
"I told him not to worry about it," said Kim Hyun Joong. "But I think both of us will be nervous while filming. However ultimately the viewers will have the final say."
Kim Soo Hyun recently appeared in the successful film "Secretly, Greatly" about North Korean spies. His last drama was "The Moon Embracing The Sun" in 2012.
Kim Hyun Joong has not starred in a drama since 2010 when he appeared in "Playful Kiss," which did not earn high ratings. He was up for a role in the drama "City Conquest" which failed to find a time slot. In "Inspiring Generation," he plays a man who fights to earn money for his sister's medical bills. Its' the actor's third manga-adaptation, the first being "Boys Over Flowers" and the second "Playful Kiss." "City Conquest" was also based on a manga.
But his image in the new drama is different than anything fans have seen before.
Inspired by the manga "Bang Hak Gi," "Inspiring Generation," is a melodrama with plenty of action scenes.
"Before, the spotlight was on my pretty boy image," said Kim at the drama's recent press conference. "So I was eager to show my masculine side."
According to the drama's director Kim Jung Kyu, it's perfect casting.
"Kim Hyun Joong himself is really a man's man," said Kim. "He has a real knack for delivering those macho lines."
So, who will win the ratings war? The soft-spoken alien or the comic-book fighter? What do you think?
