More idols are making the transition from the performance stage to the k-drama set. Idols such as JYJ's Park Yoochun and Kim Jaejoong, Shinhwa's Eric Moon, Girls Generation's Yoona and Sooyoung, BigBang's T.O.P., 2PM's Taecyeon and Hwang Chansung and miss A's Suzy Bae boost ratings when they join the cast of dramas and films. And music has even become the theme of dramas such as "My Lovable Girl," which starred singer-actors Rain, f(x)'s Krystal Jung and Inifinite's L.
As drama producers make script choices based on potential singer star power, that transition may happen even more often in the future. Mnet recently revealed the lineup for its new music drama "Perseverance, Goo Hae Ra. It's a story about music and the cast features several idols.
The lineup includes B1A4′s Jinyoung, Super Junior-M′s Henry, Ulala Session′s Park Kwang Sun and Yu Seong Eun. Since this will be a drama about the music industry, everyone in the cast has to excel at both singing and dancing.
The heroine of the drama is Goo Hae Ra. She wants to get signed to an agency, so she can introduce her father's work to the public. She and twins Kang Sae Jong and Kang Sae Chan think the best way to achieve success is to sign up for Superstar K.
B1A4's Jinyoung plays Kang Sae Chan and it won't be his first time acting. The composer and singer last starred in the drama "Can't Take It Any More" and appeared in the film "Miss Granny."
Henry will play a character named Henry, who like his real life personality is lovable and charming.
Park Kwang Sun of Ulala Session actually became a star through Superstar K, so the drama script will cover family territory. In "Perseverance Goo Hae Ra," he plays Jang Goon, a person who suffers from OCD or obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Also in the drama is Yu Seong Chu who first attracted notice in Voice Korea. Yu will play Lee Woori.
With so much singing and dancing talent cast in one drama can viewers expect musical performances? Director Kim Yong Bum hinted at as much.
According to Kim, "It took a while to gather all these talented musicians in one place. We′ve revealed Jinyoung and Henry, who are breaking stereotypes about idols, and Yu Seong Eun and Park Kwang Sun, who both have powerful voices, as the first line up of actors for the drama. We put our hearts and souls into gathering this amazing group. We′ll continue to work hard to create great music and a moving story for this music drama."
The drama begins filming in November and will air in January 2015.
