This year have been a good year for the beloved "acting idols" (members of idols groups that have become actors). In 2012 many idols from many groups have participated in about 50 different dramas from all genres.
As it has become very important to have idols in dramas, nowadays drama directors are more and more interested in idols who can act. This is manly to get viewers' attention and specially young people's interest and curiosity, which will create the buzz that that certain drama needs, and this will later result in higher ratings.
Fortunately, acting idols have been a great surprise for directors, fans and viewers. Idols who are capable to put up an impressive act, get more attention from the public, are able to spark the interest in non-fans and often receive many "love calls" from producers. It is a perfect win-win situation for both the idol and the drama.
In 2012 alone, various members from about 20 idol groups have participated in dramas. One of the most noticed idol group is CNBLUE. CNBLUE's four members have successfully become "acting idols". The leader Jung Yong Hwa started in 2009, drummer Kang Min Hyuk in 2011 and guitarist and bassist Lee Jonghyun and Lee Junshin in 2012. Fashion magazine @star1 in its December 2012 issue, ranked CNBLUE, as the #1 idol group who have been 100% active in acting. Besides CNBLUE, JYJ, T-ara, 2PM, Infinite, Girl's Generation, and Super Junior have had many members in acting projects this year.
K-Drama Stars created a list of acting idols active in 2012, and it goes as follows:
Lee Jong Hyun, Kang Min Hyuk, and Lee Jung Shin- CNBLUE
Im Yoona, Choi Soo Young, Kang Yuri, and Jessica Jung- Girl's Generation
Choi Siwon, Lee Dong Hae, and Kim Ki Bum- Super Junior
Park Yoo Chun, and Kim Jaejoong- JYJ
Choi Sulli, Victoria Song, Krystal Jung- f(x)
Lee Joon, and G.O- MBLAQ
Hoya, and L- Infinite
Jiyeon, Eunjun, Soyeon, and Dani- T-ara
Im Siwan, and Kwanghee- ZE:A
Hyorin and Dansom- Sistar
Jung Eun Ji, and Son Na Eun- A Pink
JB and JR- JJ Project
Suzi- Miss A
Narsha- Brown Eyed Girls
Chio Minho- SHINee
Jinwoon- 2AM
Daesung- BIGBANG
UEE- After School
Kim Hyun Joong- SS501
IU
It is also worth to mention, that acting idols do not only participate in dramas, but also in movies and musicals. For example FTISLAND's Lee Hongki, BIGBANG's T.O.P, Miss A's Suzi, MBLAQ's Lee Joon, B2ST's Doojoon, and A Pink's Na Eum, have participated in movies in 2012.
Taeyeon, Sunny and Jessica from Girl's Generation, Sunggyu and Woohyun from Infinite, Song Seung Hyun from FTISLAND, Junsu from JYJ, Key from Shinee, Sungmin, and Kyuhyun from Super Junior, Yoseob, and Hyunseung from B2ST, and Jung Eunji from A Pink have appeared in musicals in 2012.
Hopefully, 2013 will be another great year for acting idols. 2013 is looking good so far with DBSK's Yunho, 2PM's Chansung, B2ST's Doojoon, MBLAQ's Lee Joon, and A Pink's Eunji, already confirmed for upcoming drama starting in the first part of 2013.
Many more idols are and will be interested in acting and will definitely put great performances for fans and non-fans alike. People interested in both K-Dramas and idol groups will be delighted in the years to come.
