" He took one of the easiest characters to like in Boys Before Flowers, nay, in all of kdramas — the very archetype of the likable second lead — and made him a joke."

I didn't know this, it was him that 'took' the role?. From what I read in the news, he didn't even know he was considered until he saw an article about it. His agency had made the deal with out telling him first.

Well....it made him a joke...
and it made a lot of money for some people...I feel so sorry for him.

As for "the very archetype of the likable second lead", let's advice every one not to take this role.....according to this post, it seems to be the worse role....and for "the easiest character in all K-drama" let's advice every one not to take this also, as according to this post you'll be automatically hated for taking this !

someone said : Our Idol? Sorry but most of us don’t want Idols in our dramas. Especially Idols who don’t even want to act and barely make an effort.

I wonder ...why did he act in BOF if he doesn't want to...why did he met with BYJ if he doesn't have interest in it...why did he take the trouble to consult with his acting coach by telephone from Guam to get pointers for acting in BOF if he's really barely making an effort?

Has anyone read what his character is like in BOF ??

here it is from wiki for Hana Yori Dango :

Rui has Asperger syndrome, which makes socializing difficult for him. He has trouble recognizing facial expressions: for example, when trying to draw Tsukasa, he drew an expressionless egg with curly hair. These are personality traits which he still holds.

ok, let us see
Asperger syndrome :

Individuals with AS experience difficulties in basic elements of social interaction, which may include a failure to develop friendships or to seek shared enjoyments or achievements with others , a lack of social or emotional reciprocity, and impaired nonverbal behaviors in areas such as eye contact, facial expression, posture, and gesture.

Hmmm...."impaired nonverbal behaviors in areas such as eye contact, facial expression, posture, and gesture."...

seems KHJ read all this even if we didn't..

Well, to bad nobody advised him to act out of character, and be like Jun Pyo with loads of expressive emotion, with no impairment what so ever ....maybe he'd be more well thought of then...

you must be happy, you got all the rants you wanted...

Very well said Sense ! I've commented on the character of Rui/Jihoo same way as you did before . It is unfair when an actor has been criticized without the critics full grasp of the context of the role.

Acting with restraint because that is what the role calls for is different from not knowing how to act . It seemed there are people who think real acting is forceful emoting or as you state bent on unloading expressive emotions . If the role calls for it why not , but if the role calls for a different approach to give life to the character , so be it .

I've read somewhere that there are ethics regarding blogging . Bloggers according to these ethics have responsibility to their readers as well as the people they write about .

if

@51 Sense & 52 aprilborn

"Hmmm….”impaired nonverbal behaviors in areas such as eye contact, facial expression, posture, and gesture.”…

seems KHJ read all this even if we didn’t.."
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I think you guys miss some thing very important. Oguri Shun played Hanazawa Rui, the same character and he did that character justice. And as bad as Vic Zhou was with his first acting chop in Meteor Garden, I still like that more than what KHJ did in BOF. So tell me the same roll, 3 diff portraits of the same character.... tell me who is worse.... got my drift?

and @52 aprilborn, I don't care a crab about blogging ethic just because Dramabeans expressed her own opinion about your fav idol. SHE, the owner of this blog owns you nothing. HER BLOG, HER RULES

and for those who blab about his huge fan base that won him the nertizens choice of popular actor award, so what? He is a bad actor and that still remain fact till he's proven himself otherwise.

Oh, no no no no no . NOT HIM !!!!!!!!!!

@ gonie
Oguri Shun played Hanazawa Rui, the same character and he did that character justice. And as bad as Vic Zhou was with his first acting chop in Meteor Garden, I still like that more than what KHJ did in BOF. So tell me the same roll, 3 diff portraits of the same character…. tell me who is worse…. got my drift?

Oguri Shun started taking roles in TV shows in 1995, since then he's had about 32 roles [or more counting movies] before acting in HYD....how to compare with KHJ ??

Glad that Vic Chou's career took off after Meteor Garden

You like them better ?....Good For you !!
We like KHJ.....Good For us !!

That's my drift....
don't have to get hot and bothered over it, right?

@aprilborn
you are right, ! it's called responsible blogging

Thank you, Javabeans.

I stand corrected.

[have read these 10 rules/suggestions for responsible blogging in wiki blog and no1 is Responsibility for our own words. Guess we can only hope this will be carried out by bloggers.].

You are right....you totally have the right to your opinion
as we also have the right to give negative or positive comments.

I'm just a dork that believes frankness does not have to mean lack of civility.
Of course people are free to poke fun at me now^^

Ji Hoo Sunbae is not a easy character to portray cos he is a character who hasn't have much reaction and emotion shown on the face. It is difficult to be expressionless and don't look stupid. I agree that Kim Hyun Joong didn't act well in the beginning but I think he improved in the last few episodes. It was his first time acting and we can't expect him to be perfect and act as well as the veteran actors. Kim Bum and Lee Min Ho are actors who have acted in several dramas before they acted in BOF, so it is expected that they should perform better than Kim Hyun Joong in BOF. We should give him chance to improve and not condemn him straight off that he will not act well before we even see it.

bakit ba ang dami nyong reklamo ha ??
sige, kayo na direktor !!!!
mas marunong pa kayo sa direktor ah !!
kala nyo kung sino kayong magaling ..
kung makapanghusga kayo kala nyo napaka PERPEKTO nyo !!
porket ba hindi sikat hindi na sila pwedeng isali sa palabas ??
sumosobra na kayo ah !!
pano nila mapapatunayang mag-iimprove sila kung hindi sila bibigyan ng chance umacting ??
nakakaloka kayo !!
tumigil na nga kayo sa panlalait kay lee ji ah at kim hyun jong !!
kung ayaw nyo sila manahimik nalang kayo !!
NAKAKALOKA kayo !!

"But Kim Hyun-joong — really, Athena?...Because Kim Hyun-joong is not a good actor, not close by a mile. He took one of the easiest characters to like in Boys Before Flowers, nay, in all of kdramas — the very archetype of the likable second lead — and made him a joke."

Javabeans, thank you for this. I thought I was the ONLY person who disliked Ji Hoo's character on BOF but so liked the similar character in "HYD". And you're right - as much as it hurts me to say it (well, it doesn't really, but I feel like it should), Kim Hyun-joong just ISN'T a good actor. And I agree that Big Bang's TOP wasn't too great either in "Iris" but he seemd to at least have a faint glimpse of potential to be a good actor. Aren't there ANY young-ish actors who are avaialble to be in this? How about the young actor who was in "Will It Snow for Christmas"? Or Kim Bum? Or...ANYBODY ELSE?

"srndpty - May 11, 2010 at 3:36 pm
c’mmon guys, give that guy a break…. how can he improve if he will stop on trying."

He should "keep trying" not by taking on roles that will only make it painfully clear he's fish out of water but by taking serious acting classes that will help him with his acting roles. Viewers shouldn't be expected to watch people "trying to learn acting" by actually being in a prime time drama. That needs to be done BEFORE he gets cast. When an actor's deficiencies are transparent, it just makes the situation that much more acute because there will be inevitable comparisons to (obviously) better actors. It would be in KJH's best interest to train to be an actor by taking acting classes to show people that he's serious about being an actor and not just get by with a pretty face.

"jm126 - May 11, 2010 at 6:59 pm
EVERYONE CHILL!
I’m pretty sure he’ll just be playing a supporting character! I’m not a fan of his acting but that doesn’t mean I don’t enjoy seeing him on TV"

If you're not a fan of his ACTING, then what exactly do you find enjoyable watching him DO on TV? Just curious...

"Mar21 - May 11, 2010 at 7:58 pm
After reading all the comments, I guess I feel bad for the guy now.. I really wish now he gets a supporting role and prove to us all that we’re wrong about his acting skills… I can’t wait to see if who would triumph…. Is it going to be KHJ fans or javabeans? Lol…."

Hmm...my bet is with Javabeans, unless you have some inside information that KHJ has been training in earnest to improve his acting skills.

"aprilborn - May 11, 2010 at 10:48 pm
I’m amazed how this blog create all this discussion over nothing -KHJ was not yet offered any role at all. He may not be interested in this drama or his schedule does not permit being in a drama at this time .Granted that he did not do a good job in BOF at par with your standards of quality acting -should you condemn him for the rest of his acting days ? "

It is gracious of you to try to protect KHJ. But this isn't an informational blog. It's also one where people can come and share their ideas, whether people tend to agree or disagree.

"Credible critics of movies, dramas, live performances release or issue their judgement after the fact not before. The basis for the current comments that are in truth pre-evaluation was on a previous performance . A person can always improve based on constructive criticisms . I understand the meaning of expectations and disappointments on the part of the viewing public regarding the artist’s output . But remember artists or any professional as they carry their portfolio of achievements -do not only show an instant flashpoint of success but also how they progress along the way. ."
We are not credible critics of movies or dramas BUT it doesn't mean that we also don't have opinions. And I am basing my judgement on KHJ on "BOF" because it's the ONLY memorable role he's had in a television drama. He's had one other stint in a daily drama several years ago but his role was rather insignificant. If that's the case, then I would hope that KHJ has done himself a favor and taken serious acting lessons. The progress an artist makes should be most important to the artist, not to the viewer. What the viewer should watch is the FINISHED product, not one that's in progress. Does a negative criticism sting any less after we watch him in "Athena" and he's still a bad actor? Yes, I suppose it's possible that he could be better in "Athena" than he was in "BOF". But then, ANYTHING is possible, isnt' it?

I"’d like to see the day when blogs would be informative and instructive rather than fomenting scathing remarks about a person’s or persons’ abilities .I would also like to see the day when the power of social media is devoted to the creation of a productive milieu not a destructive one ."

Well said. But in a democratic state, like the one I live in, freedom of expression is valued, whether the majority is in favor of it or not. That's what makes a democratic state a democratic one. You don't have to like it. That's just the beauty of forums like this (or blog, in this case). Obviously, you've come here and expressed YOUR opinion on this very issue. It just seems fair to allow OTHER PEOPLE to express theirs, whether you like them or not. That's freedom for ya - love it or hate it.

"sense - May 13, 2010 at 8:45 pm
You are right….you totally have the right to your opinion
as we also have the right to give negative or positive comments. I’m just a dork that believes frankness does not have to mean lack of civility. Of course people are free to poke fun at me now^^"

Really? Most of the comments I've read here have not been uncivil. They HAVE been rather negative and people seem to think that KHJ needs to improve his acting before he should be considered casting for such a sophisticated drama as "Athena". I would hardly go so far as to say the criticisms have been "uncivil". Of course, it will seem like that to you becuase clearly, you are offended by these comments You're probably a fan of KHJ, and you've read quite a few negative comments about him and you feel it's your duty as a fan to defend him, good for you! But please note that just because I don't happen to agree with you doesn't make me necessarily uncivil. That's just my way of being frank.

"Because Kim Hyun-joong is not a good actor, not close by a mile."

I couldn't agree more. He is a great tv personality (loved him in We Got Married) and a good idol too but damn he canNOT act!

Another thing...

I think that most people will realize he can't act after watching Athena. Unless his acting improves (which I hope to God it does) or unless his character has Asperger's again...

@VIPRIMADONNA: if you have nothing to say good for hyun joong, will you shut up! DON'T EVER WATCH HIM IF YOU DON'T LIKE!!! just simple as that! DON'T YOU REMEMBER THAT HIS ACTING IS THE ONE WHO MAKE HIM FAMOUS ALL OVER ASIA? I WONDER THOSE PEOPLE WHO DON'T LIKE HIM BUT ALWAYS WATCHING HIM, -SIGH^-^

It is true that Kim Hyun Joong may not a good actor.

But, don't you all agree that good actors need experience? Not everyone is as versatile as YKS. Stop being so skeptical and give him a chance. Let him experience different roles. I don't think it's fair to judge him even before he act!

And, I don't get what's all that comparisons made with BOF. This is a new character. Maybe he can empathize with this coming character more than the character as jihoo? There may be disbelief and shock coming from audiences. But do you think it is fair to judge him now?!

Besides, I don't really get why people compare his personality with his acting abilities. IT'S ACTING!!!!! And you're suppose to act!

And you think Jihoo sunbae is easy to act? Do you realize that this character has much more inner monologue than the rest of the characters? I'm a theatrical actor and I feel that I can take on Lee Min ho's role and Kim Bum's role better than KHJ's role!

@ryme, "DON’T YOU REMEMBER THAT HIS ACTING IS THE ONE WHO MAKE HIM FAMOUS ALL OVER ASIA?"
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ROFLMAO with that statement, I beg for a big difference. He's 'famous' all over asia cuz he's from a popular boy band, his pretty face & a good showing in We Get Married. In the ACTING department, most people will remember him as stiff as a rock in BOF till he improves otherwise

it's not that we don't give him a chance or prejudge him for his upcoming rolls, but if he decides to take up rolls from high profile projects, he opens himself up for praises or critisims, and you fans should prepare for that too. It's fair game and part of the biz

@ Kikky, it's not an easy roll to act but it's all coming down to knowing one's limitation. If the shoes don't fit, don't force it.

Yuppıduuu!

I be happy ! I love him very much! He is a good actor :)

You're very biased ! Stupid People !

Hyun is great !! FOREVER HYUN JOONG!

i know that you are all free to judge who you want and who do you not want, but please don't be too harsh on your comments, i mean why do you all have to be angry and irritated and fight, if ever hyunjoong takes the offer why not give him a chance? i think he can improve a lot. and if you're not satisfied with what he can give then dont watch! simple as that!

@gonie

it is true that "If the shoes don’t fit, don’t force it." How will you know if the shoes will fit until you try them? And how do you know if that's his limit if you don't give him a chance?

Oh and btw, it's role*.

@gonie

And in your reply to ryme, "he opens himself up for praises or critisims"

Of course. He should be open to criticisms and praises, but criticism even before he acts? Oh Jesus.

Just like what you've said, "you fans should prepare for that too." Preparation. We have yet to seen him act, yet to be prepared and those skeptics have been circulating already.

woah AWESOMMMMEEEEEEEEE!!!!!
i dun care wot u guys say...nw i ll defly watch dis show...even if he just stands der and do nthg...he just has to smile (melting already ^_^)

@71 Kikky
about the shoe reference, it wasn't directed at his possible up coming rolls, it was in reply to your comment about Ji Hoo roll was harder and you wouldn't pick it yourself.

@72 Kikky,
again you didn't read my comment correctly. I'm not passing judgment before seeing him act. It's a general comment that IF KHJ decides to participate in another high profile project like Iris2, he & his fans should prepare for the MAGNIFIED praise/criticism heading his way. Isn't it fair to say that in general, it's true for every one, specially high profile rookie idol-turn-actors

I agree. I don't like his acting at all.

I think, well... if they want to use good-looking people only without talent, the drama will be bad. If they looking for good-looking actors with special talent, I think they can consider some like Jang Geun Suk, Hyun Bin, Han Hye Jin, Kim Byul, etc.

Still anticipate and waiting for this though~ 8DDD

soo-ae .. soo-ae soo-ae ......
i'm a girl..but i love her so much!!
she is the best korean female actor!!
i love her more than korean persons!!in actors and singers!!

@Gonie

I didn't say I wouldn't take on that role. To obey the law of inertia, I would very much like to take Min Ho's role or Kim Bum's role. I know my acting limits too. But isn't knowing how to improve and surpassing your limits why we have to know our limits in the first place?

Before KHJ takes on Jihoo's role, he probably had already known his limits. Taking on jihoo's role is an opportunity to test his limits and improving on his weakness to scale greater heights which links back to "How will you know if the shoes will fit until you try them? And how do you know if that’s his limit if you don’t give him a chance?"

And, if you think that we should all do what we're best at and to leave our limits as it is, then we should all agree to disagree.

My apologies for not reading your comment correctly.

But, do you not agree the fact that skeptics and criticism exists before he takes on this role?

Hi, im an instant fan of KHJ here in the U.S. ever since i saw him in BOF. and Nope im not Korean either, but i like him he's very charming and i say he can def. act.. and i didn't know then that he's got a band which is SS501...he's a magnet, i tell you!

@gonie: honestly, most of other country didn't recognize khj as a leader of boy band..we recognize and become an avid fans of him through BOF..if you are his true fan, i think you accept him no matter what choices & path he made.

@kikky: """it is true that “If the shoes don’t fit, don’t force it.” How will you know if the shoes will fit until you try them? And how do you know if that’s his limit if you don’t give him a chance?

Oh and btw, it’s role*."""" I AGREE THIS STATEMENT!!!!

Wow. Why so harsh? I thought he did great in BOF and I am not even Korean. Before you think I am some fanatic you should know I had no bias towards him because I didn't even know he was a singer when watching BOF. I found his character believable and I actually thought he was one of the better actors out of the entire bunch. I'm no expert and don't pretend to be but I really think he did great. I watched him on several variety shows after filming and I have never seen anyone as stressed out and worried about doing a good job as he apparently was. Everyone who worked with him said he worked extremely hard and took direction and advice really well. I am just really baffled that anyone says he can't act. I obviously don't agree and apparently neither do others since he won Best Actor for Seoul's International Drama Awards. I suppose that just irked those of you who thinks he can't act. Oh well I suppose it's to each their own.

i love kim hyun joong,, i think he has the right to decide what he really wants to do.. dont judge someone and say harsh things about them.. we do have our own opinion but dont say things that is below the belt... you may not like him but dont say things that is offending... well but i love choi siwon great for him that he was chosen to be in this project... i love SJ and KHJ...

i totally agree with what javabeans sadi.
@80: really? o w o; Well, I guess you're entitled to your own opinion, but I really disagree with your statement.
I HONESTLY do not have anything against Kim Hyun Joong. I actually really like his personality in variety shows and I like his singing. However, he's a terrible actor. He didn't show emotion for most of the drama, and I'm not going to just let that slide because he's handsome and it was his "first drama." Also, like Javabeans said, there are plenty of idol-turned actors who did exceptionally well on their first drama (i.e. Min Hyorin). I don't think anyone should be excused just because they're idols and acting isn't their primary job. If he was in a main lead role, he should be critiqued as a professional actor. Because folks? That's what he is, if he's in a drama.

Btw about the International awards... aren't those based on votes? He also won the Popularity Award for the Baeksang Awards so that's no surprise. The man is overwhelmingly popular in Asia, and his fans seem to excuse his acting. :o So I don't think that's a fair indicator. Had he won a "Best Actor" award in something not voted on by fans from Korea, I would find it much more credible.

Lol, yes really. I watch a lot of Korean dramas and I found his acting quite believable. Actually I watch a lot of Asian dramas and have been watching them for quite some time. I honestly don't care about the idol status or even really know who is who or what they do outside of acting. All I care about is if I find the actors portrayal believable. I guess I need to be upfront and say I didn't even really like BOF. Several times I almost said 'forget it I can't watch this anymore' but I forced myself to finish it. I could not stand the two main characters (not the actors just the characters) or their portrayals of those characters. The minor characters and the JiHoo(?) character were much more interesting to me. Like I said I am no expert and I don't pretend to be, but I believe it is quite easy to critique an actors performance without being quite so harsh about it, especially when it is just an opinion anyway. I mean if I am not mistaken this is just an opinion blog about dramas correct? To say he can't act just because you or anyone else says so does not make it fact. I simply stated that I think he can act which in turn does not make it fact just because I say so either. It's all our opinions. I just got a little put off by some of the rather harsh comments because I did not find it necessary. As for the awards, I do not know if the fans vote for those, but if so I suppose you could be right and that wouldn't be a true indication but then again it just might be since all awards are based on someones opinion anyway. Still in my humble and non expert opinion I think he acted quite well. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

You guys are bad. Well you are entitled to your own opinion... but i will still stand for him. I like him very much in the Boys over Flowers. For me he is totally, amazing. Not only because he is handsome but most especially because he is good in acting.

Let's face it.
Kim Hyun Joong didn't do so well in BOF.
I guess he was okay in Playful Kiss, though.
But anyways, he doesn't even LOOK like some dangerous spy person.

It 's really strange to read the article above . It's so bias and unfair to KHJ. I 'm surprise how you are so underestimate his acting ability . It's sound like you are not professional in what you are doing . I personally don't like KHJ in his sweet and polite role in BOF but I admire his ability to act opposit his charector and his charismatic on screen. I defenitly beleive he has a very high potential to be a very good actor in the future. He might need a few more but he definitly will be there. You are so wrong to judge people in one drama bases on your own bias.

its goood