Scorecard: How did IRIS’s stars measure up?
by javabeans
Lee Byung-heon
IRIS‘s scorecard
December 17 saw the finale of KBS’s IRIS, which offered a tragic close for its two male leads.
It averaged a 27% viewership rating. As though mocking the troubles afflicting Wednesday-Thursdays dramas since last year, it met its end with high ratings in the 20s, producing a variety of hot topics with each episode. As it entered its latter half, it was marred with scandals and gossip, but there’s no need to undermine the drama’s ratings record with those issues.
One more thing. One of IRIS‘s noteworthy points is that it offered its actors a chance to make a comeback as well as to reach higher. Here’s a list of the actors’ personal scorecards at the drama’s end.
Kim So-yeon, Kim Seung-woo
EXCELLENT
Lee Byung-heon, Kim So-yeon, Kim Seung-woo: Class is eternal
A keyword of the year 2009 is decidedly the return of the top star. Mysterious stars Go Hyun-jung and Kim Nam-joo returned to television successfully through Queen Seon-deok and Queen of Housewives, respectively, proving the adage that “class is eternal.” And standing right with these two “queens” is Lee Byung-heon.
Although he was embroiled in an unhappy scandal when ugly rumors arose, in IRIS Lee Byung-heon was magnificent. With his intense charisma and gravitas, Lee Byung-heon showed why he was able to move past other prominent star actors to stand tall as one of South Korea’s representative actors.
As one of IRIS‘s greatest beneficiaries, of course Kim So-yeon cannot be left out. She was much-loved for playing a villain in 2000’s All About Eve, and she once again caused trouble. As North Korean spy Sun-hwa, she monopolized viewers’ love with her lethal appeal.
On December 9 when the much-talked-about Gwanghwamun gunfight aired, it wasn’t the gunfight but Sun-hwa’s tearful farewell scene that viewers picked as a favorite scene. There was no longer any need to tack on qualifiers to Kim, who gave an impassioned performance in every episode.
Lastly, Kim Seung-woo shed his “comic actor” image and made a successful acting transformation. Since his debut 19 years ago he has appeared in many different projects, but his successful roles left him with a strong comedic image. In this blockbuster, he radiated his own light and proved his worth. Emitting an explosive energy from within the drama’s center, he succeeded in widening his acting range.
Kim Tae-hee
GOOD
Kim Tae-hee and TOP had weak starts but they shined at the end
For Kim Tae-hee, it seems that IRIS leaves her more meaning than any of her other projects. This drama gave her a stepping stone to leaving behind the stigma of being a CF star and reaching for the title of actor.
In contrast to her previous roles where she played passive roles, she was abuzz with life. Her love scenes with Lee Byung-heon were well-portrayed and she was the lead figure in the melodrama storyline. She also earned positive reviews for her action scenes with Kim So-yeon.
However, Kim Tae-hee was unable to completely cast aside the prejudices against her. Every time an episode aired, she was assailed with acting criticism and unable to shake off the tag of “CF star.” Inasmuch as has been called CF star rather than actor all this while, she was measured against a strict standard. IRIS essentially handed her a challenge for the future.
The same goes for one of the drama’s central characters, Big Bang member TOP. Following 2007’s I Am Sam, this is his second time taking on a conventional drama, and he wasn’t able to shake off the image of idol star. His role as a killer within terrorist organization IRIS fit his image, and the clothes seemed to suit him perfectly, but he was only effective when he kept his mouth shut.
He revealed his weakness in delivering dialogue, and in order to reach for the next step as a real actor, he still has to make sure to get down the fundamentals thoroughly.
Jung Jun-ho
NOT GOOD
Jung Jun-ho, where was the charisma from Public Enemy?
IRIS was a golden opportunity for Jung Jun-ho to cast aside his image as a comic actor. Jung has taken on many various characters and effectively took on the role of a frightening villain acting with Sol Kyung-gu in Public Enemy 2. However, because of the The Mafia – The Salesmen series, his image as a comedic actor was strong.
Of course, he did shed his image. But he failed to draw audience praise. It wasn’t so much a problem with acting ability, but because his character lacked persuasiveness.
As Jin Sa-woo, Jung’s character was set up to be an appealing No. 2, but that appeal didn’t fully come out in the drama. His sudden betrayal wasn’t believable, and left Jung Jun-ho with a negative influence.
IRIS produced lots of hot issues and buzz. One wonders what twists these six will show in their next projects.
TOP
Via TV Report
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Tags: IRIS, Jung Jun-ho, Kim Seung-woo, Kim So-yeon, Kim Tae-hee, Lee Byung-heon, TOP
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51 sceptic
December 22, 2009 at 5:23 PM
Nice Spoiler!
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52 JustMe
December 26, 2009 at 6:24 PM
I feel the other way around. LBH not good, but JJH very good. LBH always have tears in his eyes each time he wants to show some emotion but I just don't feel for his character. He tried too hard it becomes unnatural. On the other hand, JJH as Sa Woo makes me hate him. So he succeed and did a great job being the antagonist. KTH just an eye candy in this drama.
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53 Opinion
January 20, 2010 at 9:58 PM
KSY+KSW are the best,excellent in IRIS..although they are supporting casts but their performance just outshone the leading casts such as LBH,JJH+KTH!!!
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54 Mickey
January 21, 2010 at 8:09 AM
It is such the stupid report from stupid reporter.
This report does not worth a cent because it just shows the bias of some audiences. Audiences who saw KTH in drama “stairway to Heaven” has big bias on her & put unreasoned stricter standards on her. In “stairway to Heaven”, director assigned KTH the role of “the bad sister, the evil”. Audiences hate the role of bad sister & translate to they hate KTH. It is the confusion of some audiences.
Audiences hate the role of “bad sister” a lot, so it proves KTH plays the role of “bad sister” well & successfully makes audiences dislike the role of “the evil, the bad sister”. It is exactly what director wants. So, KTH acts well.
3) The fact, audicences had big prejudice on KTH since seeing her on drama “stairway to Heaven”, so later, they criticize her for anything she did regardless what she did was great.
4) It is stupid to believe everything on the newspaper, internet. It is stupid to follow the unreasoned judgment of other people.
5) I am from USA, well developed country. Regardless of what you say, I believe what I saw on drama IRIS. Asian Americans here like KTH’s acting & beauty.
In IRIS, Kim Tae Hee acts excellent, far more better than kim so yeon.
LBH, Kim Tae Hee is THE BEST Korean actor & actress so far.
6) I agree with some comments in other webpages about issue "audiences have prejudice about KTH", so I copy some sentences, so I do not have to type. Sorry, I am lazy.
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Dinna
November 8, 2010 at 10:58 PM
I think u really obsessed with KTH till makes you blind.
She is "far more better" than KSY?? This is the most dumb opinion i've ever read.
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55 BlueMoon
January 21, 2010 at 12:43 PM
"Scorecard: How did IRIS’s stars measure up?". This article is just the garbage. This webpage posts it here to have many visits from fans of Iris. Fans have different opinions & post more opinions, this webpage will have more visits & they like it.
My opinion: Iris team works hard & results in the success of IRIS.
Kim Tae Hee & Lee Byung Heon is such the great couple in IRIS. Great job.
Perhaps, the more men admire Kim Tae Hee & comment that she has good acting skill, the more women criticize her. Megan Fox has the same situation.
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56 Katy
February 9, 2010 at 1:05 PM
La verdad no se que decir, estoy probando si saldra el comentario o no. Soy vietnamita y me encanta esta serie.
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57
February 14, 2010 at 7:25 PM
TOP's a bad actor. He's not convincing at all, but his good looks give him a boost I guess.
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58 Victoria Stuard
February 15, 2010 at 4:35 PM
Kim So-yeon and LBH- Her love for LBH appeared to be deeper and more honest then Kim Ta-Hee's. With Kim Ta Hee one never knew where she stood. She seemed to be a person with a lot of secrets, and it was set up that way from the beginning when she scouted LBH for the organization. I felt like she had a double agenda all along, but the viewers were not privy to her inner thinking. ONe had to deduce from her actions. I felt the same way about Jun Jun-Ho who also had a secret agenda and was less forthcoming about his ambitions and who he was. He also operated on two levels, and I believe that he had a competitive drive that overshadow LBH and their friendship. Because there was no dis-simulation with LBH, in other words, he honestly spoke and acted from his heart and feelings and like an open book, though KTH and JJH were polar opposite from him. In all aspects, I felt like Kim So-yeon was more of a soul-mate to LBH, but he couldn't see that because he was blinded by his so called feelings for Kim Ta-Hee. KSY had a depth of loyalty and she was deep like a river which was a perfect off-set to LBH. Once she committed her heart, it was committed. There would have more depth for LBH and KSY in a love relationship if the plot had gone that way and much more intensity. Park Chul Yong ? over-looked that aspect and did not see her as a woman, which was unfortunate for him. I think at the end... he realized that he valued her more and saw her as a woman instead of a machine. I also believe that one of the mysteries is the KTH father is the founder of IRIS. Sau's betrayal of LBH was unexplainable. They needed to shed more light on his ambitions and his ambition to out-class LBH on everything. I enjoyed IRIS although the end is rather idiotic. I hope that even if LBH doesn't come back the second season... they will resurrect him in season three with So -Yeon.
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59 Lilian
May 21, 2010 at 10:40 PM
I enjoyed the whole series but always felt it could have been better. I totally agreed that TOP's image fitted the character. Oh well....let's see his next show.
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60 DENISE
July 23, 2010 at 2:53 AM
@MICKEY
I think the only one bias here is you.. what you see is the beauty on the outside but no the talent.. KTH maybe more famous than KSY at the moment but it is changing rapidly nw... and there are thousand and probably had increase to millions now that confirmed and appreciate KSY acting is better than KTH. So please respect KSY as an actor.
And I don't care where you come from. so just keep quiet about criticizing KSY as an actress.
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WilliamJ
September 1, 2010 at 1:27 AM
KSY is better than KTH ? ABSURD
Millions & Millions confirm KIM TAE HEE is better.
U do not respect KTH, no one respect u. Shut your mouth.
Stop wrongly criticizing KTH
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61 lalala
August 29, 2010 at 2:20 PM
i agree LBH is A list korean actor for me ! but i think TOP was pretty good too..im a little biased but he completely convinced me! However, he did still have a sort of idol-boy feel haha
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62 Jacky
September 1, 2010 at 1:20 AM
Kim Tae Hee's acting is really GOOD. I like it.
LBH is great!
KSY looks old & boring & her acting is dull. KSY's acting is monotone. She looks down almost all drama as if there is only 1 way to portray her character.
TOP, JJH is ok
KSW is BAD. His action is clumsy & slow.
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63 Dinna
November 8, 2010 at 10:52 PM
So totally agree with these cards. Lee Byung Hoon and Kim So Yeon rock!!
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64 thaya
January 28, 2012 at 11:36 PM
Agreed with most of you, I don't like TOP's act in IRIS. He is cool, but I don't know, there's just something wrong when he talks.
I love Kim Seung Woo, Kim So-Yeon, and Lee Byung-heon! They did such a great job! Oh, I love Seung Woo ahjussi so much, he really did a great job every time he act.
For Kim Tae Hee's acting.... umm.. I just don't like it. She is not suitable in action drama.
But overall, this is a worth-watching drama!
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