In last week’s entry, I mentioned briefly how Korean artists, at least those of the pop music scene, often branch out into acting and other such activities between – or even during – albums. This week, I thought I would expand on that.

Something that I always found interesting to note about many artists in the pop music scene is that they aren’t just singers, but entertainers. Many of them at least dabble in acting, while many others have an acting career that seems to be as much a priority as their singing career. Their extra activities don’t stop there; some of the most popular artists can be seen on variety shows week after week, and many also take up positions as radio show hosts and music program MCs, or even have their own TV shows.

I really don’t know where these people get all that energy from. They seem to be doing everything all at once, and I think I’d die just from half a day in their shoes, I really do XD

I think it’s a pretty smart move on the one hand, since it keeps people interested, it keeps your fanbase with new things to constantly be involved in or keeping an eye on. In the case of dramas and movies, it can bring new script writers or new actors into public eye due to everyone watching because of a bigger name in the cast. For variety shows and programs with MCs, it can raise the ratings and viewers, and with radio shows, it can increase listeners, and both of these things are of course best for the company running it.

It’s also a great way to gain international fans. Korean dramas air in many other Asian countries, as well as in other countries that may have cable TV and the right channels. I’ve known quite a few people who haven’t been into Korean music, but have been into Asian dramas, and have ended up being fans of an artist because they saw him in a drama, went to find out more about him and realised he was a singer, and tried some of his music and really enjoyed what they heard.

I also think it’s kind of good that they have something to “fall back on”, and as well as that I think it’s just good that they get to have that sort of experience, they get to branch out and do something different, and decide just how much importance they want to place on it in their career.

So if anyone is interested in checking out some singers-turned-actors … here’s a few of my favourites! What are some of yours?

정지흔, better known as 비 or Rain, is one of my favourite singers as well as one of my favourite actors. He has starred in four TV dramas: Orange, 상두야 학교가자! (Sang Doo! Let’s Go To School), Full House, and 이 죽일놈의 사랑 (A Love To Kill, or Ijuksa … my favourite k-drama!) He’s also starred in 싸이보그지만 괜찮아 (I’m A Cyborg, But That’s OK), a movie directed by my favourite movie director, Park Chan-wook, the guy behind amazing movies such as Oldboy (awesome movie!). 비 also has a part in the upcoming Hollywood movie Speed Racer, directed by the Wachowski brothers, and I believe it’s scheduled for release in early May this year.

윤은혜 (Yoon Eun Hye) is probably one of my favourite female celebrities. She used to be a member of the girl-group Baby V.O.X, but now she’s mostly an actress. In fact, I didn’t even realise she used to be a singer until sometime last year when it finally clicked. She’s acted in the TV dramas 궁 (Goong, or Princess Hours), 포도밭 그 사나이 (The Vineyard Man) and 커피프린스 1호점 (The 1st Shop of Coffee Prince, a favourite of mine last year). She also starred in the movie The Legend of Seven Cutter also known as Escaping Charisma.

문정혁, better known to Shinhwa fans as the group’s leader Eric Mun, has been in the TV dramas Breathless, The Phoenix, Super Rookie, and Que Sera, Sera (another one I enjoyed last year, even if I did want to strangle the script writers at the end!). He also had a small part in the movie A Bittersweet Life (I love that movie!), and was the co-star in Diary of June which is also known as Bystanders. That movie had a pretty powerful message about bullying, you should take a look if you get the chance!

이민우 from Shinhwa, and rapper/funnyman 하하 both starred in the movie 원탁의 천사 (or Holy Daddy). I really, really adore this movie, it’s hilarious but also really touching. They’ve both also acted in other things, but for me 원탁의 천사 is the one most worth mentioning.

You can also find a bunch of artists acting in the sitcom Nonstop (also known as Rainbow Romance). That one has been going on for ever, I think since 2005? In the past, it’s had people such as Tablo from Epik High, Andy and Minwoo from Shinhwa, Yoon Eun Hye, and I think the current season has Kim Kibum and Kim Heechul from Super Junior, both of who have also acted in TV dramas.

There’s also something called Banjun Drama, or Reverse Theatre I think was another name for it. These are basically just short little episodes, each one unrelated, and each one has a “reversal”, some kind of odd twist in the storyline that completely turns things around. Lots of artists have participated in these, including members of Shinhwa, all of TVXQ, Bae Seul Gi, Kim Junghoon, MC Mong and Kim Jong Kook.

As for radio shows, I don’t listen to any but I do know that ballad singer 성시경 has one called 푸른밤, 그리고 성시경입니다. Super Junior’s Eeteuk and Eunhyuk host Super Junior Kiss the Radio (Sukira), and Yesung hosts (hosted?) M.I.R.A.C.L.E for You, and Kangin was hosting a radio show as well. I think he’s now replaced Tablo on 친한친구 라디오, with Jo Jungrin.

So there you have it. Korean pop singers are very busy people, and there is a lot more to their career than just singing.