When Boy Meets Boy
by javabeans
I admit the first thing that struck me about Kim Hye Sung was his adorable baby face. But although he’s part of the newest generation of good-looking, trendy young stars, he seems to be slowly differentiating himself from his peers and taking some personal care (and risks) into his acting choices. He’s one I’ve got my eye on for the future.
“Kim Hye Sung’s transformation from pretty boy to hot-tempered youth to gay lover”
By the time 2003’s hot uljjang trend had blown over, some new stars had appeared on the scene: uljjangs. [What’s an uljjang?] The first-generation ulljangs included Park Han Byul, Gu Hye Sun, Nam Sang Mi. Second-generation ulljangs: Kim Ok Bin, Bae Seul Gi, Lee Yeon Hee. And also Kim Hye Sung and Kang Eun Bi.
They rose to fame not via television or movies, but through the internet, causing a shake-up of the currently existing star-making system. Uljjang stars weren’t discovered through television station tests, new-actor auditions, talent agencies, or streetside castings; they were made into stars by audiences and consumers themselves.
Five years later. …
SONG OF THE DAY
Deb – “Dopamine” [ Download ]
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Boys and girls in their teens are now youths in their twenties. During these years, those who’d ventured into television and films have all encountered some criticism of their acting abilities, almost like a rite of passage. Although many following these stars have attempted to knock on the doors of the entertainment world, the newcomers haven’t been able to gain interest from the public.
Even before Kim Hye Sung had made his screen debut, he already had a fan cafe as an uljjang star with a membership exceeding 100,000. He debuted in the film Jenny, Juno after moving to Seoul from Busan in 2004. It was considered an obvious choice to have an uljjang star appear in a movie that wrapped everything in pretty packaging. But his next film was the hard-boiled action film Gangster High.
There, he’d held in his hand an axe dripping with blood. And now, after becoming known to viewers through MBC’s sitcom Unstoppable High Kick, he’s in the midst of filming Boy Meets Boy, a short film about homosexual love directed by Kim Jo Kwang Su [also starring Yeh Jiwon, last seen in Mixed-up Investigative Agency].
From hard-boiled action to homosexual relationships, he’s not just a cute-faced uljjang star, but widening his acting scope little by little in an effort to become a “real actor.” I met with Kim Hye Sung on March 29 at a cafe in Seoul’s Cheongdamdong neighborhood.
How do you feel about the label of ‘uljjang star’?
“Because the uljjang title has given me the opportunity to act, I don’t think of it in a negative light. It’s just a little disappointing to be looked at as Pretty-Faced Kim Hye Sung rather than Actor Kim Hye Sung. But that’s something I’ll have to conquer on my own.”
It was a surprise that you took a role in the hard-boiled action movie Gangster High.
“I wanted to cast off the child-actor image of Jenny, Juno. It was at that point that I read the screenplay for Gangster High, and without hesitation, I sought out director Park Ki Hyung for an audition. I was once satisfied with the title of being an uljjang, but after Gangster High, the thought came to me many times that I wanted to become a good actor.”
Your face became known through Unstoppable High Kick, a role that’s the direct opposite of that in Gangster High.
“Actually, my personality is closer to that of Jung Il Woo’s Yunho character than my Minho character, but that’s not important. What’s important is that whatever the role, I do my best. Filming every day for close to a year, I could feel my acting improve gradually.”
Boy Meets Boy is a short film about the topic of gay love. Did you find it burdensome?
“It’s difficult acting without a single line of dialogue, acting solely through looks and facial expressions. However, I think it’s an opportunity for me to grow as an actor, and so I took the role without hesitation. Actually, director Kim Jo Kwang Su said he thought I wouldn’t take the part. Because there was no pay. [Laughs]”
What kind of actor do you want to be?
“Right now, I’m only concerned with being a good actor. To an actor, the acting is the most important thing. That’s how I can become known to more people, and give them more laughs, more tears. These days, I’m happy acting.”
Via DongA.com
RELATED POSTS
Tags: Kim Hye-sung, netizens, uljjangs, Unstoppable High Kick
Interview with Kim Yoo-jung
Hello Dramabeans series
![[2022 Year in Review] The Bean Count](https://www.dramabeans.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/beancount_2022.png)
Required fields are marked *
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *
1 Miki
April 11, 2008 at 2:09 PM
God, I love him!!!
^_^ He seems to be a person that really knows what he's doing. Being good-looking helps A LOT, but he's taking chances, giving him a much wider audience than just fangirls. If he pulls off the gay lover film well, with great emotions and sensitivity, the film industry will definitely be looking seriously in his way.
Required fields are marked *
2 belleza
April 11, 2008 at 2:34 PM
Bae Seul Gi and Lee Yeon Hee were uljjangs?
Required fields are marked *
3 innocentsteps456
April 11, 2008 at 3:28 PM
wait, you actually met him in person? that's sooo awesome!
Required fields are marked *
4 choram
April 11, 2008 at 5:35 PM
^^^
No, that was a translated article. lol....or else I'm sure javabeans would be spazzing out right now :)
I like this kid! He has some guts...not contented with just being a pretty face and striving to be the best actor he can....won my support already!
Required fields are marked *
5 jippo
April 11, 2008 at 5:37 PM
Thanks for sharing! Keep up the good work!
Required fields are marked *
6 kamee
April 11, 2008 at 6:40 PM
i keep spazzing because in the first pic whenever i look at it, it always looks like some huge hickie on his neck!! haha...
he is adorable though. him and kimbum!
Required fields are marked *
7 stercus accidit
April 11, 2008 at 6:46 PM
I've watched Jenny and Juno but sadly didn't pay this guy much attention. After reading this article I too will keep an eye out for him. Seems very determined as an actor. I've never watched Unstoppable High Kick but they must have a thing for young pretty boys. I know Jung Il Woo (My Love) and Kim Bum (Some Like It Hot) were on it. I like the fact that he's not afraid to venture into new territories rather than playing it safe like some of his fellow counterparts.
Required fields are marked *
8 cartman
April 11, 2008 at 7:12 PM
he's soo effing hot!! :>
Required fields are marked *
9 shro
April 11, 2008 at 8:24 PM
it's great that he's breaking away from the jenny, juno image. and since its the same director from no regret, i'm sure this movie will be a success for him. actually i'm really surprised koreans aren't exactly as conservative as i though. at least the film industry.
Required fields are marked *
10 angie
April 11, 2008 at 10:03 PM
does it mean he's not gettign paid for boy meets boy?
or he's just kidding?
no regret is fine beautiful movie,
so i hope this will be as good or even better
Required fields are marked *
11 Tran Tran
April 11, 2008 at 11:11 PM
I fall for him since watching him MC-ing with SOSHI's Tiffany. Cute and charismatic.
And think its weird these days to find an actor that is blessed with a distinctive passion in acting.
I would root for him, and hope that one day he will be the next Ji Sung in my heart haha
Required fields are marked *
12 ♡ ♡ ♥♥ALICIA♥♥♡ ♡
April 12, 2008 at 9:40 AM
HWAITING.....
imma watch the movie...^^
Required fields are marked *
13 EEvEE
April 12, 2008 at 8:34 PM
oo i didnt know nam sang mi got famous through the internet.
Required fields are marked *
14 lheia...
May 25, 2008 at 7:35 PM
love you hye sung... kip it up....^_^
Required fields are marked *
15 Ana Kim
June 27, 2008 at 7:45 PM
You Very Handsome.............................^_^
Required fields are marked *
16
June 30, 2008 at 10:43 PM
hi cute
Required fields are marked *
17 laila
July 30, 2008 at 1:40 PM
is he gay?
or does he ust acts like dat in the mvie?
cuz he is really cute =)
Required fields are marked *
18 Avience
August 22, 2008 at 8:57 AM
Seul Gi was Uljjang, but she is successful nowadays because she trying hard to improve herself and she is getting better and better in her singing, acting and etc. not only on the fact that she was uljjang.
Required fields are marked *
19 lheia
October 12, 2008 at 11:40 AM
its HE not SHE he's a man not a gurl ok????
Required fields are marked *
20 melodY
December 12, 2008 at 6:56 PM
i disagree of the fuss that he's a gaY!!!
or is hE?
juju..i realLy like him..
if he's a gaY..i"m sure there are tHousaNds
of giRls who'lL cRy..
iT's juSt a moVie..bUt it maY haVe aN
efFect oN him,,(pOor hYe seOng)
nO waY..no wAy!!
Required fields are marked *
21 lheia
December 23, 2008 at 6:20 PM
haha! funny melody... its just a film, he's not a gay, alright? please read the article carefully,.=)
Required fields are marked *
22 lullabies!
February 19, 2009 at 2:49 AM
annyeong!!
i would like to commend hye-seong for being such a versatile acto!!
for me he has really proved that he is a, if not the finest, one of the finest and interesting actors Korea has had!! He is so amazing, not just the looks but his promising style of acting!! i wish him luck, prosperity and happyness!!!
by the way, to the writer of this blog, may i know if you are a Korean..
please reply as soon as possible!! im a filipino!! and im a great fan of korean movie industry!! tnx!!
Required fields are marked *
23 lullabies!
March 6, 2009 at 7:21 AM
ei!!!
did you really meet him in person??
ohh!! that's brilliant!
ive always wanted to meet him!!
i wish i would!!
anyway, have you guys watched the BOY MEETS BOY!!
the concept of having no dialogues at all was so hypnotic!!
ohh!! i envy you for meeting and talking to him in person!!
and one thing more, whats the title of the song played at the last part of BOY MEETS BOY??
may i just know!
im having a hard time forgeting about it!!
you know, last sound syndrome!!
very romantic and sincere!!
Required fields are marked *
24 yo
April 14, 2009 at 1:25 PM
The ulzzang generation right now is so much better looking than the generations back then. Some are only pretty while the rest are like"blahhhhhh"!
Required fields are marked *
25 Pepper Mori
April 16, 2009 at 7:52 AM
i found boy meets boy fanmade mv using one of the song from boys before flowers ost2.. it was very sweet .. have a look and you cannot agree more ;)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iE7PBUTMHzU&feature=channel_page
Required fields are marked *
26 sophisticatedly random :P
April 26, 2009 at 11:20 AM
GOSH!
whatever role he does he really is soo cute!
and he really have the determination of a very good actor. :))
saranghe kim hye sung!!
Required fields are marked *
27 syuu
May 10, 2009 at 6:58 AM
do you know the ending song for boy meets boy?
i love that song very much...
if u can tell me, i'd be really happy..thanks in advance <3
Required fields are marked *
28 anri
June 7, 2009 at 9:36 PM
i love Boy meets boy.. and i wish kim hye sung would be paired ip with kim sung soo they'd do a live action of an anime called OKANR GA NAI
kim hye sung as ayase and kim sung soon as kanou
[IMG]http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x209/tishriweirdo/clow%20cards/photo30173-1.jpg[/IMG]
Required fields are marked *
29 markneil348
June 28, 2009 at 7:41 PM
were do i find this film i want to watch it pls help Y_Y
Required fields are marked *
30 markneil348
June 28, 2009 at 7:42 PM
were do i find this film i want to watch it pls help Y_Y
any one know? pls
Required fields are marked *
31 syasz
July 10, 2009 at 8:18 PM
the boy meets boy film is a very short one isn't it?
i watched it, and it was only like, half an hour..
and the sweet ambiance of the whole movie
is ruined by some annoying 'fairy' who pop out
of nowhere and started singing and dancing!
the acting was good though, and the
short film (without some strange apparition hopping round)
is really the sweetest, i'll give it that..
Required fields are marked *
32 KIM SO EUN
July 17, 2009 at 2:26 AM
u look like a womanizer....
u look like a mamy girl
u look a daddy girl
u look SO "BAD"^_^
Required fields are marked *
33 david
August 1, 2009 at 5:35 AM
kim hye sung is such a cute lil bottom and hyun jim siuts him well but id rather see kim hye sung with kim sung su
[IMG]http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x209/tishriweirdo/kimhyesung2.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x209/tishriweirdo/boymeetsboy.jpg[/IMG]
kim hye seong as a cute bottom and kim sung soo as hes huge brutal top
Required fields are marked *
34 kim sungje
December 23, 2010 at 2:56 AM
i am so in love with kim hye seong ><
Required fields are marked *
35 Regih2
June 1, 2011 at 1:46 AM
Hi!!! @ all as a pilipino teenager !!!
I Love Kim Hye-sung when he act
He is so cool!!! And im here no#1 I Mean only One fans in the world!!!!
I hope one day I Meet him some day!!
Hhehehehhehehe
!!!
Required fields are marked *
36 junaliza
August 28, 2011 at 11:43 PM
Your very cute guy!!!!!!..........
Required fields are marked *