Many idols have gone from idol-ing careers to acting and some have achieved good success too. S.Korea had some prejudice against idols getting acting roles, but the producers/PDs do like them cast them, for the ready made fandom idols will bring to the project. So it is largely the case of leveraging idol fame to boost the acting careers. But does it work the other way too? Can acting roles boost the recognition of the idol/singer? The only case I can think of is "IU", who had a good boost to her international popularity, when "Hotel Del Luna" became a hit on Netflix. Even with "When Life Gives You Tangerines", there are posts of people finding out she is famous singer. And Sejeong, who could do a strong Asian concert tour for her album "Door", even though it did not do well on Korean charts, because of her acting fame. Of course, most idols drastically reduce their idol-ing once they have success in acting. IU, Sejeong, D.O are the rarer cases. But are there others? Where their acting roles has caused a noticeable impact on their idol/music careers?

Idol boost actor career way more and the examples are extreme. The biggest examples are Cha Eunwoo and Rowon, both are/were from active groups and their acting career did almost 0 boost to their group career. Why? Tbh acting and singing are 2 completely different areas and kdramas fans are 90% movie/series fans, not kpop fans, they are there to watch a fantasy, they like couples, comedy, etc. The thing is kdrama fans and kpop stans are different demographic. While kpop stans are more open to watch kdramas bc of their faves being on it, kdrama fans have no need to keep up with the idol life of an actor when the actor already does the fan service and fan meetings.

Acting and Idol-ing, which better boosts which?

sonemariam

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Apr 6th 2025
- #21
Quote from bbgc

Indeed an understatement sonemariam

He was the "Triple treat" in acting, singing & hosting, winning awards in all.

Just that he isn't Kpop, so isn't mentioned much in these forums

Is he still as active as a singer as he was before? I mentioned him because I know how great a singer he is.
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