Cha Eun Woo and Song Kang are Criticized in K-media for their Lack of Improvement in Acting and Coasting on Top Level Good Looks
I would say that a good drama goes a long way to making me have a soft spot for less than stellar stars and Song Kang and Cha Eun Woo fits that bill exactly. I’ve liked them despite their admittedly limited acting skills because when each plays the right role it just works and the performance is entertaining to watch. Currently Cha Eun Woo is just so sweet and straightforward in A Good Day to be a Dog while Song Kang is shooting off fireworks of chemistry in My Demon. Unfortunately the K-media has higher standards than me haha and this week roasted them both in the same article for still bad acting after years in the industry and coasting on their top shelf good looks.
Dont know much about Song Kang. But with Cha Eun Woo, if the role he get is okay for him to take on, watching him is still enjoyable. Just dont set any expectations. I know what sort of mind set I have when I do watch his dramas. But if it is too bad, I will just drop it.
He may be a eye candy for many but I current K favourite is Park Seo-joon. His whole image appeal to me more.
CEW has a boring speech, it sounds so flat… His face barely moved in the first episodes of A Good Day to Be a Dog… But he’s pretty.
For Song Kang, it’s kinda the same. I don’t think he’s very good at comedy, I think it works thanks to the writing and the other actors. But he’s not bad in My Demon and has a nice chemistry with KYJ.
Well at least they are being called out consistently by K-media and netizens. Every couple days, there’s an article or post about Song Kang, Cha Eun Woo, Ahn Hyo Seop, and Rowoon haha. Coasting on looks is not going to cut it anymore. With the exception of Lee Min Ho, the previous decade of popular hallyu actors had better acting and ratings pull. Current gen is lacking in comparison.
Good that male leads with limited acting are also being called out. And agree with Lee Minho, his level of acting is still not commensurate with the number of acting years and most of those years taking lead roles. Cha Eunwoo might benefit from taking cold villainous roles where the character won’t need to show much expression. Song Kang and Ahn Hyoseop have issues when their characters need to show their character’s inner pain (nuanced kind). I’ve seen Rowoon in his current drama, and generally, he was fine though there is still the sense that you can see that the actor is acting and not his character. But I would think that that kind of acting, goes with more years and depth of characters.
Agree, AHS was meh in a time called you, I can’t feel anything from his character, they’re not distinct enough by how he acted it
. Are we watching different drama though? Thrutfully, HyoSeop wouldn’t get cast as male lead KIm Dok Ja if he is that inept. He is landing a movie right now by BIG production. his character is the MC in original webnovel. PD trust him to land him a a leading roles.
If he doesn’t know how to show inner pain well, He wouldn’t get cast as male lead in dr romantic 2 as woojin who constantly has inner pain throughtout the show. he won best new actor in there.
Ahn Hyo Seop is fine, but not SK or CEW. I don’t get the visuals of the latter two either.
And yet they still get lead roles one after another and haven’t made the big boy move to movies yet… and same generation actresses don’t. It’s so unfair.
Yeap, nothing beats the older generation.
I don’t get the cristism towards Ahn Hyo Seop and Roo Woon, They are very fine actor. in fact, one of reliable male Actor in their generation. I think those article is just haters because some article praise Hyoseop and Roowoon acting.
It’s because their performances are still uneven. They are lucky they get good dramas under their belt but they are average at its best. Hyoseeop got Han Suk kyu in dr romantic and PDnim in A time called you. He was able to hide his weaknesses, thanks to PDnim and support from sunbaes. He is also backed up by good promotions and capable management. Rowoon isn’t consistent too. Also he is lucky bec he chose good projects too. Just because they did good in your eyes doesn’t mean people also see what you see. There are a lot of actors that fare better than them if given the same material to work on. Rowoon’s advantage is that he has good stage presence…AHS looks awkward a lot of times.
From the korean netizen comments to that article, they seem to consider Song Kang better than Cha Eun Woo.
For CEW, there were times when his acting was fine, depending on the character he played. Even though Song Kang is not an excellent actor yet, I deem him a better actor than Cha Eun Woo because he consistently tried a variety of roles and genres and had several shining acting moments.
Idk but I think Song Kang in My Demon is good enough for me to wait patiently for Friday to come!! It’s enjoyable and the plot is plotting.
Yes me too. Its been a while that I’m so obsessed with a drama that i keep rewatching the episodes, especially certain scenes, looking for new videos (bts, ost, interviews etc), and reading all things related to it. I hope My Demon continues to be this fun and captivating <3
I thought Song Kang was really good in Sweet Home, part 1 (haven’t watched part 2).Cha Eunwoo is prettier, but yeah, still can’t act, not really. I do have a soft spot for him, but looks will fade, eventually. He needs acting lessons asap, but it may also be possible that he is just not cut to be an actor.
I mean, have you seen the comments of some fangirls on this blog? Some literally said they don’t care about the acting, they’re just there for the visuals lol. So long as there are fangirls who only care about looks, these kinda actors will always be cast because the industry knows there will always be a huge demand for them, even if K-netz are criticizing them. Supply, demand, and all that. It’s been happening since the days of Kim Hyun Joong and whoever the visual-who-can’t-act was in the previous decades
Cha eunwoo is very pretty indeed. but for the life of me, I just can’t see the supposed “good looks” of Song kang, he looks like a kid to me and his face is too short for my liking. I think his height and body are what makes him seem more attractive than he really is. i know that’s a really unpopular opinion, but I just don’t think he’s good-looking enough to justify casting him in dramas despite his abysmal acting
i think song kang is cute but “top level good looks” is stretching it lol
I think K- netizens seem to have a grudge against Song Kang because he is ‘Netflix’s baby’ and seems to star in a great many of their productions, meanwhile there are plenty of other K-actors his level who have worse acting skills, but they hardly complain about them.
I agree that Cha Eun Woo is just coasting on his good looks and hasn’t shown much improvement in all his years of acting. And I also agree that considering Song Kang’s numerous projects over the years, he ought to have better delivery by now. But Song Kang does have moments where he shines in each project. His delivery in My Demon is merely passable, while sometimes he captivates and dominates the screen in Sweet Home2 that it takes my breath away.
What I think he needs is some time away from acting to reflect on his acting and evaluate himself honestly. Thankfully, he has the army as a break from acting to do this. Army stints do two things for entertainers: either they come back hotter and better than ever, or their acting/singing is exposed to all for their weaknesses and they are truly never able to make a comeback to what they were pre-army. Because of the steady churn in the K-ent machine, replacements can be found in no time. There’s no shortage of handsome men willing to take their spots and competition is fierce. I can think of several K-actors who could just never find that ‘Rizz’ factor when they came back from the army. Still, there must be something to him that makes Netflix keep giving him lead roles in their productions.
I don’t know much about Song Kang but CEW is my idol.He is really handsome guy.His acting skills getting improved in wonderful world kdrama.I didn’t mean that his other kdrama are not watchworth.i have watched all of his kdrama and even the movie decibel . I believe he will become great actor one day because I can see some of his talents and hard work in wonderful world tv series and I also like his songs,especially ‘ Stay’.
what the… just what? I don’t know what’s wrong with these people, but you hypocrites talk sh*t about K-pop idols when you yourselves watch their dramas and drool over there faces. I don’t know much about Song Kang, but Cha Eunwoo isn’t just visuals, idiots. If you’ve been watching his dramas properly, you would notice that he is indeed improving, and his hard work is not to waste. He’s working like hell and here you are criticising him. It’s not just him, either. Because of people like you, K-pop idols commit suicide. Stop pressuring them like you’re the ones in charge, they have enough to deal with on their plate. And they’re humans too. Don’t be a coward, hiding behind a screen and shooting insults, go say it to their faces instead. oh wait, you can’t. You’re too scared. Exactly. So shut up if you don’t have anything better to do than waster your life on criticism to make you feel better about yourself.
I agree. And I’m not just saying this as a fan, because I’m not one- but a multi-fan- you guys should seriously find something better to do. If it weren’t for these two’s acting, those Kdramas would never exist. So be grateful and just watch them, no need to die young worrying yourselves about other peoples lives, it’s stupid. Stop insulting them, they are humans, they have emotions. Say, how would you feel if you were Cha Eunwoo or Song Kang, and you stumble upon this article? You’d be deeply hurt. So don’t say things that you wouldn’t want others to say to you. Period.
Their job is to act and if they are not good at it they are gonna be criticised. Just because they are hardworking doesn’t mean they are devoid of criticism. You are in an entertainment site defending someone who doesn’t even know about your existence so, I guess you also need to find something better to do. If people were talking bad abour their looks then yeah you could say people are being too much but most commenters are only talking about their acting which I guess is a fair thing since they are actors.
Obviously you agree with yourself. Zara = Ella. You can tell by the square icon being exactly the same…
Contrary to your statement, without these two, the kdramas they’re in would still exist. There’s a plethora of actors out there willing to take on these projects. While I agree with you some people on the internet are very vicious with their words, but I still think constructive criticism is fair game for celebrities.
If they easily get hurt by criticisms about their acting, then this profession isn’t for them. It’s their job and they get paid millions to act. Kmedia already said it out loud with their articles talking about their lack in acting talent last week. Hardwork is more than just doing drama projects every year. Hardwork is also taking time to improve the skill you are being paid for.
Saying someone is not a good actor isn’t hate. It’s legitimate criticism and there is nothing wrong with it.
On the other hand, frothing at the mouth like this just labels you an irrational stan so even if you had any good points, they won’t land.
Lol yeah the comment is so funny
And saying that ppl legitimately criticising an actor’s acting skills leads to them commiting suicide is….. such a leap. Yes ppl shouldn’t mindlessly hate but Anyone can be criticised if they aren’t good at their job, something they are Paid for lmao
@Hyuk
It’s part of the fake excuse that they are working and improving and we should all tolerate their numerous lead roles because of that. It’s such nonsense made up to cover the pretty people who can’t act to save their lives.
This mindset isn’t exclusive to Korea, it is the same in China too and I hate it. Work your way up by taking minor support roles then move on to support and then to lead IF your skills are really improving. Not this where they get lead after lead while their acting is still terrible. This is also why when you mention acting skills you automatically get labeled a hater because that induces an emotional response in the fans who them go wild. They don’t want rational discussion because that they lose.
@Meh, talking about actors taking supporting roles for years and then moving up to lead roles, I used to see those K actors in the past like Namkoong Min always as 2nd ML in several dramas and see where he is now. Nobody dares mock him not a good actor.
I’d really like to commend good acting. But sorry for fans! I just can’t get Song Kang’s acting in My Demon.
to SK & CEW’s fangirls, just admit that you’re gonna forgive your oppar(s) for their non existing talent cuz of their good looks.
it’s hella embarrassing to see their fangirls go cussing around and try so hard to deflect the facts when their fav really can’t act for most of the time. I can actually forgive SK cuz at least he got Sweet Home to prove himself but for CEW, you’re delulu as hell if u say he can actually deliver a line cuz he can’t.
anyway SK is entertaining on variety shows so if u wanna enjoy his best performance, just go and watch variety instead.
Their acting is still less than average . Cha Eun Won plays puppy roles and Song Kang ‘s acting lacks death, he don’t convey emotions . Someone talk about RoWoon, and i beg to disagree as RoWoon has a good timing for comedies , and his stare isn’t blank . He has a develish side . i see him as a reminiscent of Choi Si Won when he was young ( 18vs29, Oh my lady with Chae Rim). Pretty faces aren’t enough for me to watch a drama unless they have good actresses to back up them or a good script . Lee Jun Ho , Seo kang Joon, Woo Do Wan, Kim Min Jae …already have potential when they debuted . And i see them as great looking men .
I agree on Rowoon, it’s a pity people like to lump Rowoon in with these 2 because of his looks and background but he’s actually pretty decent with great comedic timing like you said, although he does tend to overact once in a while. I’m thoroughly enjoying The Matchmakers right now.
I agree. I only saw him in Destined with you and I thought he had great comedic timing, which isn’t easy.
Rowoon’s acting is still very green, but I definitely think he’s better than these two. You’re right that his comedic timing is much better. My Demon is supposed to be funny, but I feel like Song Kang just isn’t. I can’t help but compare him to Goblin or Reaper, but the delivery just isn’t there. Meanwhile, Rowoon was pretty hilarious in Tomorrow.
How about the women who coasts on their looks with bad acting. They still be getting praises for their beauty and excuses for their bad acting. Double standards.
Actually, I think women have it harder than men and they are raked over the coals for bad acting, looking plastic and a host of smaller infractions. The hate towards actresses is almost vitriolic and men have it easier in comparison. If there are double standards, it benefits the men more than women.
1000%. It’s because most drama fans are women. Actresses have it much, much harder in comparison because they can’t get popular off shower scenes.
Life is hell for female actors compared to their male equivalent. The audience consisting of mostly women, some of them absolutely ready to cut some serious slack on their “oppas”.
I think this really isn’t the case anymore, atleast not in current fandom spaces where stans latch onto female celebrities with the same passion they do onto male ones
Look at the stan wars on twitter. Most of the vitriol thrown at any celebs are by stans of female idols, singers or actresses (though the latter group is smaller than the others I’ll admit)
Women are criticized the most in kdramaland since most of the viewers are female and will defend male actors as long as they are good looking.
I agree with you on this. Acting seems to be one of the fields where good looks for women trump good looks for men when it comes to critical acknowledgement of their skills.
Even the kpop idol circus doesn’t have this weirdly warped double standard. From what I’ve observed, if you’re a good looking male actor and you give a bad or mediocre performance, you will be raked over the coals for it, probably for the rest of your career. And even if, years later, you improve your skills, this improvement will not really be acknowledged and you won’t be considered a “true” actor in comparison to your colleagues who are less “conventionally attractive” than you. Ironically enough, I think this double standard traces back to misogyny bcs when these male actors are just unskilled pretty faces, their fans (who are mostly girls) will overhype them which will lead to general annoyance amongst non-fans. This leads to the actor’s later improvement being discredited bcs ppl still write it off as their fangirls doing more of the same.
On the other hand, actresses with pretty looks are much quicker to be given acclaim and their improvement acknowledged. Their crying is praised for its “aesthetic” value and if they do even a passably “tough” tomboy role they are lauded for their ~transformation~ and girl boss-ness. Could give examples but don’t want to start a fanwar lol
This isn’t a set in stone though, I’ve seen some exceptions to this but generally this is a trend I’ve noticed
This isn’t me talking about CEW and SK btw
I think both of them still have faaaar to go till they really improve but I think SK atleast has shown some potential
CEW otoh well….. he looks the way he does so I don’t think his career is going away anytime soon lol
Female actresses also have a shorter shelf life. If they act with younger co stars they get hate too. K dramas have a lot of fans from conservative South Asia, south east Asia and Middle East. These people sl@t shame and call these actresses prostit@tes even when they star with younger men. I remember that hate comments female actresses get on mydramalist it’s totally wild. People make such horrifying comments that’s it’s scary.
Well @Zara, it is not cowardice that stops me from flying to Korea, somehow locating Cha Eunwoo and telling him he needs to try harder 😉.
Seriously, I see what you are trying to say, but as someone who is not hating on any actor and being (relatively, I guess neutral on all of them, I think I have the right to say being an entertainer is a line of work that one chooses to do. Noone actually forced Eunwoo to profit off of his godlike visuals. I accept that maybe it wasn’t really a free choice when he entered the system, but if at age 25 he chooses to stay in a business where he’s under constant scrutiny, well, it’s on him, isn’t it. As long as people are not being crazed antis, I don’t know why Eunwoo must have it easier than, I don’t know, a teacher who’s shit at teaching or a crappy lawyer.
I can’t warm up to CEW or SK,, either visually or acting-wise. I did check out CEW’s dramas several times without knowing who he was but he was boring in those dramas. I’m currently watching My Demon not because I appreciate SK’s looks or acting, but because the plot has enough suspension for me to follow and I love mystery too. That’s the only drama of SK I’ve ever watched. So my observation may be limited. But based upon My Demon alone, SK’s acting is a bit awkward, not natural. That’s also part of the reasons that I’m not enthusiastic about My demon although still following the drama.
They’re in the lower rung of the talent ladder, but there are enough people who eat up their good looks and that contributes to their marketability. And that in turn, bring in viewers and investments. The money to produce a drama has to come from somewhere. Drama productions are unfortunately just as much business/investment decisions as artistic ones.
I do think CEW and SK have some good moments here or there, when appropriately cast and directed. So not completely dead-weights acting-wise.
I may be in the minority, but I actually quite enjoy CEW in A Good Day to be a Dog and in Island (haven’t seen any of his other works) – I think he did what was asked of him pretty well, especially if paired with stronger actors. Song Kang on the other hand looks like he should still be playing the lead’s brother or son – he was hard carried by Park Min Jung in FLW, and his combo with Kim Yoo Jung makes a very weak lead pairing on the acting front
Song Kang did Love Alarm and Sweet Home for Netflix and neither of those demand that much from acting wise. He’s been overshadowed by his female leads in all other dramas he did outside of Netflix. Even his Navillera co-star suggested that his company get him lessons to improve his diction and enunciation. He’s handsome but his acting is very limited.
CEW is handsome. He’s pretty to look at and some people are fine with that. Unfortunate that he hasn’t improved at all even with all the lead roles handed to him on a silver platter.