I never really liked any of the dramas she was in, seemed to drop every one i watch, new heart, strike love, but im hoping that'll end for hero. cuz im REALLY looking forward to it!

I'am agree with you JB. I don't hate SHG, but seriously her acting in world within lack of charisma . I don't believe lenght of hair = profesionalism.

Lee JUNgi i'am not his fan but i 've watch all of his projects. I think he is a few actors in KOREA which his acting skill growth rapidly. i hate his face but his acting realy entertain me hehe ~i'am sorry fangirl. So i will definitely wait for this.

I agree, that hairstyle in the pic doesnt suit her well. Maybe if the hairstylist would comb it in a different way, it might work.

The cut is similar to Kim So Yeon's (IRIS)... but KSY looks sooo cool with the hairstyle...she rocks it!

Seems like this kind of hairstyle and short hair are the trend nowadays...

Also love Lee So Kyung's (love you 1000x) shorter, bob(?) haircut...she looks like a doll!

Oh my word. Not only is the haircut atrocious, that outfit makes me want to beat her up and steal her lunch money -- and I am as anti-bully as one can get!

I now officially have a terrible feeling about this drama. Maybe a kind soul will extract all the Junki scenes so I can just watch just him in slow motion, on mute, zoomed in.

Song Hye-gyo's hair in The World was a radioactive version of ugly though. That one was truly shudder-inducing.

"(Face it, kdrama watchers are a critical bunch — who like characters to be pretty or comically ugly, but not really anywhere in between — and paired opposite an uber-popular actor often remarked upon for his pretty features (Lee Junki, that is), I don’t think the look does her any favors.)"

Well, it's not like we've been offered a great variety to choose from. There is some set of rules about the girls in kdramas that every show I' ve seen follows.First, everybody is pretty. I have yet to see an ugly heroine in kdrama land. Second,the difference is in their style. If you are a female protagonist and you are intelligent and successful in your job your style would probably be plain and boring. You get to look good only if you are an ultra feminine damsel in distress or a princess type of character. If you are a female antagonist you will be fashionable but you'll probably be a femme fatale or/and a whinny b*tch.

Woe to any poor girl who has to share screen time with Lee Junki. No matter who she is or what hair style she has, that's just too much beauty to compete with. It's not really fair!

I really hate to admit this but i really don't have a good feeling about this drama, i wish it turn out to be superb however after all it has Lee Jun Ki in it.

why does everyone think Lee Junki is beautiful? Even as a man, he looks average.

I'm looking forward to this drama only due to the fact that she played an amazing part in "New Heart". One of my fav dramas!!

I think the only woman who looks satisfactory with this hairdo is Dorothy Hamil, the figureskater. Afterall, didn't she invent it? :-O

That haircut looks horrible. I agree about the whole "successful women who are intelligent" always seem to have bowl cut or some other ugly sense of style/hair as if making the female character more masculine will somehow make them more serious as well. Really says something about our perception of women.

"The cut is similar to Kim So Yeon’s (IRIS)… but KSY looks sooo cool with the hairstyle…she rocks it!"

It's more suited for her face shape, I think.

Having said that, Kim Min Jung started out her non-child acting career with short hair. In fact, that was part of her sparkplug persona, and I guess she's going back to that for Hero.

I don't understand the weird generalization between professionalism and ugly hair cuts. The majority of Korean workplace dramas involve female actresses with various kinds of haircuts. Kim Min Jung played a coldfish doctor in New Heart, and she rocked long hair.

That middle pix of him is GORGEOUS!!!!

He is truly a beautiful man.. as a girl I'm envious I'm not as pretty. ;)

That haircut on Kim Min-jung is not very attractive... however I wonder if it's our own perspective that girls (especially Asians) look more beautiful with long, flowy hair. Therefore when we do see short hairstyles it just doesn't appeal to us.

Perhaps they're trying to make the actresses look uglier so they would seem more like normal regular folks? If SHG sported long flowy hair in World's Within, she would probably look more like an actress than a director. But then again, Hyun Bin looked hella hot in WW and no one recruited him to be an actor.

It makes sense for a police detective to have a short hairstyle so as to give off a tougher image, but KMJ doesn't look tough at all. Even with the hairstyle, she still has that cute baby face. But her role is described as a "cute, passionate detective" and not a "tough, passionate detective" so maybe it'll work out.

I definitely think it depends on the cut. This Dorothy Hamill wedge doesn't flatter Kim Min-jung too much, but Park Shin-hye is completely rocking her short do!

Agree with you Javabeans....pretty guys are a dime a dozen in Hallyu but there's something about Lee Jun Ki that makes him stand out, I just can't put my finger on it. Kinda like a mysterious air I think? Or the fact that he doesn't try to project one image and is open to doing wacky things (like in his fan meets).

But I digress...I think that stylists usually give that cut when they want to make a character appear professional and hardworking. Because said character is too busy/serious she would most likely have a hairstyle that doesn't require much maintenance.

KMJ looks little more sporty for this haircut. Although i thought she would have more tough look BUT her role is a police who still has cute side. So maybe this style suitable... and stylist can change the look, depend on how they set.. i have no problem with it.

I had some chances to see LJK in person. As some of you said, he has something which is different from other pretty boy. Sometimes he looks fierce because his long +sharp eyes, but his face line is beautiful like a woman.. so it's really unique. But his personality is playful and kind to everyone. Maybe this is what attractive side of him.

I never like all Kim Min Jung drama. I hope this drama different.

I like SHG hair and character in WW. It suit her.

They also make them wear turtlenecks with the Julie Andrews haircut. It's awful. It makes them look so butch.

LJK 's magic is he exudes sheer masculinity in spite of his delicate feminine face.

"LJK ’s magic is he exudes sheer masculinity in spite of his delicate feminine face."

Actually I don't feel that way at all. To me, what makes Lee Jung Ki interesting is that, despite his feminine face, he exudes a smarmy charm. Much like mid-era Leonard Dicaprio.

"is it my generalization you have a problem with, or the media’s?"

Your generalization because I don't think it's validated by sufficient evidence. Cuts of various length are worn among workplace female and male leads in shows. Kim Min Jung also has rocked short hair really for the majority of her acting career. It's just typical press material, made after-the-fact. She could just have easily kept the long hair, and they would have said the same thing. After all, they kinda when promoting New Heart. Same applies with the boys. Whether it's Jang Geon Seok rocking an idol look (albeit a very strange, greasy one), KMM sporting Beethovenfro, or Lee Jung Ki chopping his locks to look "manly" for Time of Dog and Wolf.

"In fact, I’d think you and I would actually be on the same page since my point here was that I find that point (that short hair evokes a professional image) silly."

Yeah, but what I'm saying is that the point is just typical press release stuff, and the reasoning is always after the fact. If she had long hair, they would say "long hair evokes professional image." If she wore blond hair, they would make that correlation too. The Time of Dog and Wolf promo made a lot of woohoo about Lee Jung Ki cutting his locks and losing a little weight to credibly play his role. That doesn't actually make sense, but that's fine. Just promo stuff -- discussion about the image presented by the leads will always be there.

"See, now, I don’t agree with that."

Was in some of the New Heart promo stuff . . . Is what it is.

"because I’ve never felt moved by his performances but I think technically he’s solid. "

Mmm . . . his main problem with his TV work is that he can't relax. Could be the pressure of being a lead, but he can't simply deliver a line and simply be the character. Overthinks the part and thus is too deliberate. Which comes across sometimes as overacting.

Never bland though. And he's getting better with each role.

His movie work is so much better, and that suggests he benefits a lot from extra rehearsal or direction.

yeah i reread all of your comments several times and i have no idea what the heck the argument was about lol.

Unlike many of the commenters here, I actually love her haircut. She looks adorable with that short do and great smile, IMO! I admire her for going all out and cutting her hair instead of playing it safe with long hair to preserve a pretty image like many of the other actresses! Wish I have the courage to chop off my hair that much! BUT OH DO I SOOO WANT TOO!!!!!

I'm really, really looking forward to this series. We haven't seen the series so it's kinda hard to say if the haircut will work or not, but I'm confident KMJ (with her excellent acting) will totally rock it!

Where is Han Ji-min ? I was all worked up because I thought they would be in this drama together. Now, I'm glad it's another drama off of my list!!!!!! I really wanted to watch Lee JunKi with a super awesome gal like HJM. Oh, well ... life goes on ... Next Please.

@ 21 Sonam "LJK ’s magic is he exudes sheer masculinity in spite of his delicate feminine face". You nailed it perfectly for me. Despite that masculinity, I've never lusted after him (even after TODAW), precisely because he's beautiful. Or maybe he needs kissing lessons from LBH or Kimura Takuya.

As for hair length, it's more practical for active and busy professionals to have short hair. Less maintenance is needed. Long hair is okay; only it needs to be tied up while working, e.g. Kim Tae-hee in IRIS.

I liked Kim Min Jung in New Heart, but my wife did not. She thought that Kim Min Jung wasn't pretty enough for Ji Sung. I think maybe KMJ isn't the "cutest" or "most pretty" but a lot of drama and movie watching is about dreams and fantasies. If the actor / actress can make you believe in the character, that's really what it's about, right?

I would never contradict my wife in anything, but she and I really, really differ when it comes to k-drama opinions.

- I thought Lee Jia was watchable in Style, my wife... did not.
- I really like Jang Nara, and my wife can't understand me.
- I think Sung Yuri is a pretty good actress, given Snow Queen and HGD, and my wife wonders what it is about SYR that makes me think this.

And, I liked New Heart, and I really thought Kim Min Jung did a good job (with a lot of heart!), and my wife sort of took a few looks and said, "meh." Granted, I also said "meh" but New Heart really took off after Ep 9-ish...

***

Another topic - just curious. Would Lee Jun Ki be considered just a pretty face? I thought he was pretty good in Dog and Wolf, and, in My Girl - two... really different roles... (shows range and depth?)

Frankly LJK has never been beautiful/pretty to me...because I'm an 'eye' girl, so I love them big as ponds. It's me, not him.
I think we'll all agree he has feminine features, but do we consider those ''pretty' because they r usu found on faces of a female?! .... because I think if LJK crossdresses as a girl, as far as I can imagine, I don't consider that a pretty girl in the same breath as say KTH.
LJK and 'sheer masculinity', I still have a hard time every time I see him to not notice the femininity.

One of the many things that didn't work for me in MG was that he was overacting there, and PSY was not struck by some lightning bolt in acting yet. Time of Dog and Wolf as well. I agree he is technically there, but his characters were not believable to me with his OTTness (esp noticeable in Ijimae). I actually prefer DH's 'non'-acting if I had to make a choice.

For some reason Lee JiAh reminds me of his style of acting. I can watch LJK, he can deliver, but LJA...thanks but no thanks. Again, it's just my preference.

"I liked Kim Min Jung in New Heart, but my wife did not."

I really liked her in Ireland and Fashion 70s. She and Yoon Kye Sang had good chemistry in the movie Flying Boys. A ratty, pre-K&C Lee Jung Ki was in that one too, so this drama is kind of a reunion. I know a lot of people wanted to see Han Ji Min, but I think the chemistry between LJK and KMJ could be potent.

"Would Lee Jun Ki be considered just a pretty face? I thought he was pretty good in Dog and Wolf, and, in My Girl – two… really different roles… (shows range and depth?)"

LJK's a legitimate 20-something matinee idol along the lines of Kang Don Wan or Jo In Sung. I'm thankful that he didn't switch over to a movie-only career (which became the case for KDW and JIS), but he's gotten dibs on the best TV projects. Nevertheless, he's done his best work in film, and I still associate him more as film actor than TV drama actor.

Much is made about LJK's prettiness, but for me, his idol status better recalls the idol actor-singers of golden era HK. Outside of his actual acting, there's something vaguely colonial about his disposition. Worldy, naturally intelligent, a little decadent but exceptionally polite.

In terms of his TV roles, the smarmier the better.

I am intrigued about KMJ's chemistry with Junki - will it be potent like NSM or chaste like HHJ? It's time to move on from HJM dropping out of the project and wait for the first eps to discern whether the drama and casting is spot on. I agree that Junki gives off a smarmy vibe, but it's very tongue in cheek and playful, rather than sleazy. His drama vibe is just adorable to me and I acknowledge his OTT tendencies. It just doesn't bother me because he always connects with his viewers. KMJ short hair here is styled too butch, as opposed to sleek in Fashon 70s.

"I am intrigued about KMJ’s chemistry with Junki – will it be potent like NSM or chaste like HHJ?"

Yeah, see, I didn't like either couple that much. I thought Nam Sang Mi's character was just dreadful in TODAW, and HHJ was, well, a beauty pageant candidate playing a noblelady. Preferred his chemistry with Lee Young Ah (aka the spunky girl from Iljimae), but then again it was easier to root for her character.

I actually don't understand the clamoring for Han Ji Min. I think she's a good actress, but her chemistry with her male leads is really hit-and-miss. I liked this matchup between KMJ and LJK, because Kim Min Jung herself goes OTT in a lot of her performances (though not in New Heart.)

"I agree that Junki gives off a smarmy vibe, but it’s very tongue in cheek and playful, rather than sleazy"

Lee Jung Ki was pretty sleazy in Flying Boys. Very unattractive in that movie, but that was true to the part.

"Lee Jung Ki was pretty sleazy in Flying Boys. Very unattractive in that movie, but that was true to the part."

And....I a-gonna skip that movie then, I hate ruining my image of an actor. Just kidding, for some reason, I've never been interested in movie-Junki. No reason why, just haven't had the urge to watch any of his movies, but glad that I'm missing a movie with sleazy Junki.

I liked his chemistry with NSM, but I also didn't like her character - she was not very well-crafted or memorable, definitely the boy/mens in that drama took center stage. TBDAW is in the end a exceeding male-centric drama. After hearing you discuss Rondo, and with my newfounded enjoyment of Choi Ji-woo after Beautiful Days, I'm planning to watch that soon. I also lurve Yutaka, so bonus points.

Illjimae's best chemistry is Junki with his like five different personalities.

Yeah, I mostly associate Lee Jung Ki with his movie work. King and Clown. Virgin Snow (loved the chemistry between him and Miyazaki Aoi.) May 18th (Lee Yo Won also had a small role, but very good.)

"After hearing you discuss Rondo, and with my newfounded enjoyment of Choi Ji-woo after Beautiful Days, I’m planning to watch that soon."

Ahhh, Choi Ji Woo wasn't very good in Rondo. She kinda went through what I call the "Daniel Henney Experience." You work with a foreign crew with a different workplace culture and you're getting your direction through translation. Finally, your rehearsals and line reading sessions mainly amount to "foreign guy says lines." You end up having to "self-direct" your own performance. Some people are better than others, but she struggled.

But I did like Yutaka here. First off, he's . . . sigh . . . Yutaka. :D Second, he doesn't try to exude tortured masculinity or Leung-esqe sadness. He's just simply a guy in a terrifying situation. Both Shin Hyun Joon (Stairway to Heaven, Cain and Abel) and Ishibashi Ryo (Audition, heh heh) are wonderful here.

The first episode of Rondo was, at the same time, the most expensive episode ever made. It also launched singer Ayaka's career. I think for me, for its flaws, Rondo still worked for me, because I appreciated that the show tried to have it both ways, Infernal Affairs-meets-Choi Ji Woo Melodrama. That may seem like a crazy conceit, but they went for it. And in the opening, you really do believe that this fusion could work. Here's the opening:.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ibPm6-9yB24