These days, pop idols are taking over top roles in movies and television dramas. Idols are building their careers by occupying leading roles in just about any genre of movie or drama. Due to their popularity, they are instantly recognizable and as a result, they are the most sought-after talent to appear in movies and dramas.
Idols are not always good or even betters actors than those people who invested their time and careers in the profession, but there are some that can act well.

Acclaimed actors with years of experience and accumulated know-how such as Choi Min-sik show what real acting is in her movie ‘Roaring Currents’. It took the actor nearly 8 years to land this leading role while some idols get these coveted parts after just a few month. It is hard to believe that Choi Seung-hyun was chosen to play the lead role in ‘Tazza 2’, ahead of Yu Hae-jin and Kim Yoon-suk who are both known for their acting skills. The idols will never be as competent as major actors who have the potential to bring popularity and respect to the Korean movie industry despite having excellent acting coaches and sometimes
even a little skill for acting.

An idol with good acting abilities can sometimes make the program more popular, driving up ratings through the support of their fans, but far too many of them have little talent for acting. As a result, programs lose their popularity and viewer ratings decrease. The popularity of these idols initially draw viewers, however their lack of acting ability resultd in audiences switching to other programs. For example, the drama ‘For You in Full Blossom,’ has seen their ratings drop recently. In this drama, idol singer Minho, a member of Shinny and Sulli, a member of f(x), were focused by public attention initially. Though it didn’t maintain interest from viewers. This program had only a 4% viewer rating. Producers blamed the London Olympics, so the drama was televised at the
beginning of the new school term.

Last march, actor Go Kyung-pyo pointed out the realities of new actors through social media. In an exchange with an acquaintance who wanted to become an actor, the acquaintance wrote, “If I am born again, I want to become an idol or a model,” he said, It is a tragedy that our industry has come to this point. Imagine there was a person who wanted be an actor, and that person made every effort to learn to act.

Finally, he becomes an actor but he can’t land any leading roles because they are all taken up by popular idol singers, even though he put his heart into his dream. The appearance of idols or models in this industry is stealing their dreams. If a person who has put his heart and soul into achieving his dream of performing a leading role, the quality of the production will be better and audiences will gladly appreciate the performance.

Popularity is important, but focusing too much on popularity will lower the level of the Korean movie and drama production industry. That’s why producers have to cast actors based on ability and not simply popularity. It is a problem that every singer who wants to be an actor must think about seriously.