Miscast
by javabeans
Moon Sori in Legend
I haven’t seen many of the dramas mentioned (they’re mostly historical dramas, which I’ve noted is not something I regularly watch). Some of the following reasons are downright silly, but it also seems there’s a grain of truth in some of the grumblings. What do you think?
Criticism for Drama Miscasting; How Far Will It Go?
It’s time for a star news briefing. Watching the current dramas, it occasionally seems like this role and that actor don’t quite match. It’s surely discouraging to hear this kind of casting for the actors who are working so hard. However, it’s uneasy as well for the viewers watching along. Today, I’ll examine the criticism of this kind of drama miscasting. No Cut News’ reporter Oh Min Jung is on the case.
Who are these actors most recently criticized for being miscast?
Answer
As there are many sageuk [historical] dramas these days, many of these actors can be found in those series. In MBC’s Legend, Moon Sori, playing the role of Kiha, is one such actor. In her role, she plays fire sorceress Kajin reborn as Kiha, and many viewers have pointed out that Moon Sori’s personality and strong image are an ill fit with the mysterious and pitiful Kiha role.SBS’s King and I has been criticized for miscasting all its leading actors, perplexing the producers. They’ve heard negative comments that actor Oh Man Seok, in the Kim Cheo Seon role, doesn’t look good in his braided hairstyle. The role of Sung Jong, played by Go Joo Won, has also been pointed out as ill-suited to his sophisticated image, which doesn’t fit a sageuk drama. The same comments have been uttered of Gu Hye Sun in the So Hwa role by some fans.
Airing at the same time is MBC’s Yi San, whose Lee Seo Jin has been noted by audiences as not matching the tone of the series.
Lee Seo Jin in “Yi San”; Oh Man Seok in “King and I”
Question
Taking a look, those are most of the leads in the currently popular sageuks, but fortunately it seems as though Bae Yong Joon, about whom there was some worry before the premiere of Legend, has integrated well into his role. Aside from lead roles, has there been criticism about supporting actors?Answer
Kim Mi Ryeo, who appeared in King and I yesterday, is one example of that. Kim Mi Ryeo has yet to do much acting; she appeared as a comedian and began pop singer activities some time back, and gained lots of anti-fans through suspicions of faking tears [on a televised program, viewed by many as a publicity stunt].
In the midst of this, news that she would take on the role in King and I as a widow attached to her son clashed with strong negative response: “It’s unfathomable why Kim Mi Ryeo, with so many anti’s, would be cast in a drama” and “Forcing Kim Mi Ryeo into the drama, who hasn’t proven her acting skills legitimately, would disrupt the flow,” etc.
Question
That’s true. There was a lot of talk about Kim Mi Ryeo a while back when she said she’d undergone a lot of plastic surgery to debut as a pop singer, but now that she’s suddenly appeared as an actor, it’s a bit perplexing. But truthfully, the criticism about miscasting isn’t just about that.Answer
Even actor Choi Su Jong, who’s been called a sageuk specialist, had encountered constant casting criticism when he acted in Emperor Wanggun and Emperor of the Sea, for the reason that his thick double-eyelids didn’t suit the appearance of the character. [Meaning he looks too modern, not suiting the look of the day.]Also, in Immortal Lee Soon Shin, there was speculation at first that Kim Myung Min might be weak in acting skills and charisma, but he cast those concerns aside with his exceptional acting. In Dae Jo Young, Shim Eun Jin also encountered much criticism, and it was said that Kim Hye Soo looked too modern and healthy for Jang Hee Bin. Aside from those, there was also viewer discontent over casting Song Ji Hyo as Lady Ye in Jumong.
Song Ji Hyo in “Jumong”
Question
So it seems like the casting criticism is just for sageuks.Answer
In any case, that’s likely because audiences have their own preconceptions about the characters in dramas based on history. They have ideas of what a sageuk actor should be like — he should look Korean, for instance — and when casting runs contrary to these concepts, opposition arises. In addition, perhaps the actor has shown a strong personality in modern-day dramas; there’s often a lot of criticism when someone who’s been in trendy youthful dramas then acts in a sageuk.It’s because Moon Sori has a strong personality that there’s a negative reaction to her role in Legend. There were preconceived ideas about actors like Song Ji Hyo and Shim Eun Jin not being able to convey serious, weighty roles. And Kim Mi Ryeo was the topic of criticism even before appearing in the drama due to her light image as a comedian.
Question
Those who bear the burden of being called miscast must feel quite troubled. How do they feel?Answer
First, their reactions are mostly disappointed. However, they also use that to spur themselves to work doubly hard at their roles. Oh Man Seok explained his position: “It’s frustrating when people say I was miscast. Hearing that makes me feel a stronger sense of responsibilty. I feel that the best I can do is to not take the criticism too strongly and slowly work out my part over time.”Gu Hye Sun answered: “The child role took up the first eight episodes, so I think the connection will come through in the adult role. This is a drama that requires endurance, and so even though there are things I would like to show now, there are many instances where I hold back because it’s not the right time. … In the past, I was hurt by negative remarks about my acting, but now, I tend to agree. I’ll fix the parts that should be fixed.”
Choi Su Jong in “Emperor of the Sea”
Question
However, looking at past examples, there have been many cases where actors initially thought to be miscast changed people’s minds and turned out to be well-cast instead. There’s the possibility for today’s miscast actors to encounter the same situation.Answer
As with Choi Su Jong, Kim Myung Min et al., there were many situations where an actor’s normal image didn’t seem to fit with a sageuk, and that’s the case now. Because sageuks are long-running dramas, as time goes on, I believe actors are able to shed their former images and take on new ones. In all likelihood, these actors will reach the end of their dramas and hear about how they weren’t miscast after all.Of course, that’s assuming that these actors put forth good performances. However, because actors like Moon Sori and Oh Man Seok have already been recognized as being skilled actors, I believe they’ll be able to sweep aside these criticisms with positive performances in due course.
Also, as with the case of actors like Kim Mi Ryeo coming up against resistance even before their performances have been unveiled, in the past when Shim Eun Jin was added to Dae Jo Young, there was much opposition, but just as she won viewer sympathies by working hard at her acting, I believe that giving a good performance is enough to dismiss those negative responses.
Kim Myung Min, old-fashioned (“Immortal Lee Soon Shin”) and modern
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Tags: Bae Yong-joon, Gu Hye-sun, Jumong, Kim Mi-ryeo, Kim Myung-min, King and I, Lee Seo-jin, Legend, Moon Sori, Yi San
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1 Eve
October 18, 2007 at 7:25 PM
Hmm I rarely watch saeguk dramas but just have a small comment about Kim Mi Ryeo - she's an amazing singer - I just wish people would put her tears thing aside - who cares if it was a publicity stunt - she obviously went through a lot. She's a better singer than so many out there today - can't wait for her songs! =]
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2 marzy
October 18, 2007 at 8:02 PM
Hmmm.. well im not so familiar with moon sori.. but the other actors i feel have removed that initial complaint.. i mean they have shown in completion that they can take on the saeguk and such. well, for me, im watching yi san so i can see why some scenes are fit for LSJ.. but honestly, he is a great actor.. and i think he will prove well in saeguk's just that now.. i think his acting seems a bit off in some scenario's.. it's a bit more modern in some sense.. but i think he does it well.. so does han ji min despite the fact that they says its lacking in chemistry yet.. i believe these actors will either eventually flourish in their roles or just cause disinterest.. normally, i think people have their own judgement about these things and feel this is whats right as opposed to something else.. but really u cant win them all.. there will always be a fraction that will have their complaints.. so just learn to take everything with a grain of salt..
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3
October 18, 2007 at 9:33 PM
hehehe, I don't know about others, but I think Song Ji Hyo is the reason why I can continue watching Jumong until its 81 eps. I love her character. And eventho in some parts we can see her weak acting, I think overall she's the perfect choice for that role.
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4 Ssang
October 19, 2007 at 12:21 AM
I never questioned Lee Seong Jin's role as King in YI SAN. He plays well as a King in the movie SHADOWLESS SWORD. He gives off a lofty, regal appearance, imo.
I can understand the criticisms for Kim Mi Ryeo. I know her as the "Samunim" ("Driver Kim, oonjeon hae~!"). Funny at first but played out.
As for Moon Sori, she's a priestest in the TWSG. It's probably true that she doesn't play a pitiful character very well but over a few episodes I've gotten accustomed to her character and the appearance MSR gives as a delicate, studious heroine. She reminds me of Sigourney Weaver.
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5 JO
October 19, 2007 at 6:43 PM
NO way.
Kim Myung Min was PERFECT for Immortal Yi Soon Shin...just in the begging it was a bit awkward, but after he grew a beard it was fine.
(His jaw is really ...how should I say this, firm? um...angular? Well, SQUARE> there you go.)
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6 robbo4
October 20, 2007 at 11:24 AM
Did I read that right, Oh Man Seok is miscast because the "fans" don't like the way he looks with braids? Gu Hye-Sun ill-suited in accordance with her "image?" Gu Hye-Sun is an actress/personality of considerable talents (as is her co-star Oh Man-Seok) who's career has only just begun much like her character's appearence in The King and I. It seems that fans suffering from a short attention spans are not allowing these professionals to grow into their complex characters for roles that the series' writers have alloted several weeks to transpire. Even in "real" life, how many of us truly resemble the people we were as children or adolescents? Are any of us miscast as the people that we grow up to be? Cuteness usually wears off and is replaced in one way or another by another work-in-progress as we age and, in most cases, mature. Filling up blogs with complaints and negative remarks based upon one's own vision of the ultimate reality is the work idle hands, idle minds, and professional critics. (I'm not refering the DRAMABEANS here, just to the self-proclaimed experts and "antis" who continue to make life miserable for artists and their fans alike.)
There are plenty of things to complain about in this life. Torturing one's self with misgivings for others when relief is but a mouse-click or a channel change away shows a lack of common sense. Spewing negative venom to a world that refuses to bend to one's own will is downright despicable. These are elected officials we're talking about here. They're just people doing a job in the best way that they know how.
Besides, who among us on this planet is actually suffering from the opportunity to spend time in the company of the lovely and ebullient Ku Hye-Sun?
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7 robbo4
October 20, 2007 at 11:28 AM
Whoops! I meant to say that, "...these are not elected ofiicials that we're talking about here."
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8 robbo4
October 20, 2007 at 11:32 AM
Make that ,"...officials..." Doggone that spell-check! I've grown accustomed to my crutch!!
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9 thunderbolt
October 21, 2007 at 7:21 AM
"In MBC’s Legend, Moon Sori, playing the role of Kiha, is one such actor. In her role, she plays fire sorceress Kajin reborn as Kiha, and many viewers have pointed out that Moon Sori’s personality and strong image are an ill fit with the mysterious and pitiful Kiha role."
I thought Moon Sori was fantastic as Kajin. Then she got reborn as Kiha, lost that fire in her eyes, and went about the next few episodes looking like someone's dowdy auntie. "Pitiful" is the perfect word to describe her. She has that slight but permanent grimace on her face, like someone trying stoically to suppress the dull ache of tummy cramps. I can't decide if her acting is restrained or just bad. I hope something happens soon that will make her mad as hell so that we can see the old Kajin in her.
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10 Kiongna
October 22, 2007 at 4:31 AM
*Waves* Javabeans!
Have not been around since the last Cup of Coffee Prince! *shame faced* ....but have been so busy too!
But just had to drop a line when I saw my Kim Myung Min featured! Met him in "More Beautiful than a Flower" and simply adored him since and now watching The Immortal Admiral Yi Soon Shin -.....he is awesome! Have seen some of the unsubtitled White Tower which is definitely another great drama...yeah KMM - he the man! *chuckles* I seem to be going after alot of Ajusshis! - Park Shin Yang, Lee Beom Su, Kim Myung Min...but also very un Ajusshi Sung Il Guk - U LA LA...
I'm an ardent Saguek fan! From Damo to Seodongyo to Emperor of the Sea, and now following IYSS (as far as chingu sends to me, she faithfully downloads, the one sold in Yesassia are cropped down from 100 over episodes to less than 50! I practically love them all, Saguek, Bring it on!
Thanks always for what you do Sarah and Hugs, you always provide such interesting and charming updates/stories, love em!
AJA Fightin' - Hugs, E
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11 Skangrrl
November 15, 2007 at 3:33 AM
I kind of agree that Moon Sori is miscast. Perhaps as Kiha she was a perfect fit but as the tragic, demure & delicate Kiha ...er ... Although she is a fine actress she is just too sturdily built, stoic and gestalt to be convincing as Kiha.
Also, and here I am not trying to be rude because I am probably older than both of them (but then I am not trying to act like a 17-yr-old), both her and Bae Yong Joon simply look too old to be playing 17-year-olds in the early episodes. It just made me crack up. The only one that was a credible looking and acting teen was Sujini.
Sometimes I htink it would be smarter to use age-appriate younger actors/actresses for such episodes till the characters become more mature instead of making the obviously mature-looking actors look ridiculous.
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12 lord_jedi
October 16, 2008 at 12:43 AM
Lee Seo Jin is perfect as Yi San. Just like Song Il Gook as Jumong. Like his other drama, his amazing as usual. i wonder why some fans said that he is miscast. Did they actually watch the drama by appreciating the story or thinking that the modern Lee Seo Jin in the drama? You supposed to have the ability to judge the actor in his character not his real personality. Did I make any sense?
Song Ji Hyo as LeSoYa surprise me at first but I love her character. I mean baby Yuri totally treat her like she is her real mother. I don't like the Legend because Moon Sori + Bae Young Jun's characters bad decisions & actions. Plus, the whole drama is crappy. Sad to read that they did spent a lot for it....
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13 may
February 1, 2009 at 5:45 PM
well im from u.k and i think song ji hyo who played the wife of jumong did a great role...the lady soseno? was over acted in every role she did...and she dont have a chemistry with jumong....
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14 4thDimensional
March 28, 2009 at 4:20 PM
MOON SORI,
Not only you are arrogant about Historical Dramas, you are surely nothing close to their actresses' skills and humility. They are sweet and skillful.
Actually Historical Dramas are not silly. They are my faves in KDrama.
They also are full of educational facts, concepts and applications for modern life. History lessons on the any large platform or stages wiill be embraced and faved Like " Wild Wild West" around the world.
So Go Read more of your country's History and see if there are sillies that you can learn from.
I love Jumong, Kingdom of the winds and others....As an American, I invested in these Kdramas ....but won't be supporting you (ms. not so pretty as KTH anytime soon
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15 Javabeans
March 28, 2009 at 4:30 PM
Uh, 4thDimensional, did you misunderstand the article? Moon Sori never called the dramas silly. Not sure where you're getting this from.
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16 lionking.king7
September 7, 2009 at 1:23 AM
I like Jumong(series).I more like Han Hye Jin & Song Ji Hyo because they are very beautiful and sexy.I want to know that they have lover or husband.If they do not have,I am very happy.So I want to become Jumong who Belong two wives.
i
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