Cha Seung Won, who currently plays a star detective Seo Pan Suk in "You're All Surrounded," has successfully made the transition from model to actor. He will make the most of that experience by teaming up with YG Entertainment and the global modeling company K-Plus in a school that trains new actors.
He will be in charge of an acting class at YG's K-Plus Actor School, which opens this month.
The school offers lessons in walking, posing, dancing, musical and acting vocals for applicants between the ages of 14 and 29.
K-Plus represents models Nam Joo Hyuk, Park Hyung Sup, Joo Woo Jae, Jang Gi Young, Lee Sung Kyung, Stephanie Lee and Choi Sora.
The first K-Plus model to debut as an actress is Lee Sung Kyung, who will appear in the SBS drama "It's Okay, It's Love."
Nam Joo Hyuk, who performed in the Akdong Musician music video 200 Percent will also debut this year when he appears in the tvN drama "The Mermaid."
YG, which represents such musical acts as Big Bang, Psy, 2NE1 and Lee Hi, recently expanded its stable of established actors.
In February the agency signed actress Choi Ji Woo, who will soon star in the drama "Temptation." They also represent Gu Hye Sun, Lim Ye Jin Jang Hyun Sung, Jang Hye Young and Yoo In Na.
And the agency has helped one of its top k-pop stars make a smooth transition to acting. With YG's guidance, rapper Choi Seung Hyun, also known as Big Bang's T.O.P., landed roles in dramas such as "Iris" and films such as "Commitment." YG represents many of the top k-pop acts, including Big Bang, Psy, Epik High 2NE1 and Lee Hi. But as dramas increasingly feature k-pop idols so there is a lot of crossover potential and more entertainment companies encourage their idols to branch out into acting. Actor idols that appeared in dramas this year include Kim Jaejoong, Ok Taecyeon, Kim Hyun Joong, Park Yoochun, Jung Yuri and Im Si Wan.
JYP Entertainment also helped a few of its idols successfully transition to acting. They helped 2PM's Chansung, Taecyeon and Junho add acting credentials and helped miss A's Suzy become a sought after actress when the agency produced the KBS drama "Dream High."
SM Entertainment, which absorbed AM Entertainment, represents actors Jang Dong Gun, Kim Ha Neul and Han Chae Young. FNC Entertainment signed Lee Dong Gun and Lee Da Hae and last year produced the drama "Future's Choice," starring Yoon Eun Hye and Jung Yong Hwa.
The application deadline for the K-Plus Actor School is July 18. After applicants complete the six-month program, they can audition for TG and K-Plus.
For more details, visit K Plus (www.kplusmodel.com) and the official Facebook page (www.facebook.com/KplusModelManagement).
