Since the world of CFs and brand endorsements live and die by buzz, stars do need to capitalize when hot and accept it when not. Last week Han So Hee had two of her brand endorsements end without renewing, and one of them was a big soju brand which has now selected Kim Ji Won as its new spokesmodel. Kim Ji Won is currently top of the buzz and search charts, even at times more than her Queen of Tears male lead Kim Soo Hyun, thanks to her performance in that drama as rich bitch on the outside but marshmallow soft on the inside Hong Hae In. After landing the CF brand, she’s also been announced as the spokesmodel for an insurance company. Good for her as this is her biggest drama to date as female lead and she’s really put in over a decade of hard work.
So happy for Kim Jiwon, she’s mega talented and such a versatile actress.
She worked hard for yearssss in supporting roles before Fight My Way got her to the A list and she’s been working steadily in mostly successful and well-received roles ever since but Queen of Tears is a revelation and I can totally see why she’s no. 1 on the buzz list even ahead of Kim Soohyun (rarely happens for female actors and especially not opposite actors as hot as him). It’s so good to see her rise even higher, her Hong Haein is a revelation and really shows off her abilities as an actress – comic, dramatic, tragic, thirsty she’s flawless at all of those lol!
(also many thanks to the styling, lighting and cinematography team she looks absolutely incredible in every frame)
I wish she got the hype during fffmw, she was going viral then even idols and big stars were parodying her, but I think her agency didn’t capatalise on her hype then she took a long break. Alas better late than never.
When the announcement for this drama came out, I remember production saying they’re looking for an A list actress even as a fan I didn’t for a sec think jiwon my mind went straight to goeun and eunbin (cause of rumours), I guess i underrated her star power. So yh it was unexpected made me proud following ggh, syj and jjh as a fl
@Alyza – her previous agencies really wasted her hype but in Korea, she’s been firmly A list since Fight My Way – the level of the productions and drama writers seeking her out after that says it all. Especially since most of those connections were built through her previous works and not her agency’s efforts. She may have been underrated internationally since she wasn’t doing standard romcoms with the latest pretty boy but in Korea, I think the fact that she took some risks with different types of projects and wasn’t sticking to ‘safe’ projects helped her (QOT is her first proper romcom since FMW)
Kim Jiwon+Kim Soohyun is a combination I’ve been hoping for since 2017, so happy to see it at last and in a drama deserving of their talents <3
@royalwe
Agreed, I love that she went for unconventional roles with flawed characters. Her lovestruck in the city character got so much undeserved hate, but I loved her character and the drama. It’s not a well loved drama but it’s a comfort drama for me.
Now I’m excited for her on what’s to come next since she filmed for a yr will she take a long break, I really hope not. I want her in a non romance drama or a movie next. Also want her to work with more women, since she’s already proven to have chemistry with every man.
@royalwe
Was having this discussion with my friend the other day, I though Kim ji won was A list until my friend pointed out examples like song hyekyo and park minyoung, I think she’s right she’s not at their level, she needs more hits. But maybe with queen of tears being a hit now shes on her way.
@Serene – Song Hyekyo and Park Minyoung are older than her and had that much more time to build their status though
I’d say the more fair comparison should be to her own age group (within 3-4 years of her age), like Park Eunbin, Lee Seyoung, Park Boyoung, Park Shinhye and the like.
I think KJW is most definitely not an A-lister. In fact, she hasn’t had a ratings hit as a lead until now. The A-listers in her age group are Kim Tae Ri, Shin Hye Sun, Han Hyo Joo, and very newly added Park Eun Bin. These are actresses who have a certain guarantee for the dramas they do. Similar to how Kim Soo Hyun or Song Joong Ki does. I think the word A-lister is thrown around way too lightly. Someone can be a good actress and not be an A-lister. KJW is an example of that, but it’s most likely going to change by the end of this drama. That’s great, but going in, she was definitely not an A-lister.
@Butterfly I totally agree with your comment, but isn’t Han Hyo Joo in her late 30s already? Wouldn’t say she’s in the same age group as those actresses you’ve mentioned, I would replace her with Kim Go Eun.
But anyway, this might be an unpopular opinion, but the other commenter mentioned Park Min Young, and I don’t think Park Min Young is an A-lister either, she’s just very popular internationally. I don’t know what category she’s in, probably A- or high B? But most of her projects have not been prestigious, they’re mostly just rom-coms that hardly anyone expects to do well. Her co-stars are rarely top of the top A-listers either. IDK, I just feel like most of her projects have this B-list feel to them… I don’t know how to explain it but yeah lol. I like her, but definitely wouldn’t put her in the same category as Song Hye Kyo in terms of star power
@Mikrokosmos – yes I see where you’re coming from in regards to HHJ. She’s an 87er so a bit older than the group to be sure. It’s hard to lump her with SYJ, JJH or SHK as she’s too young. She’s a bit of a lone actress in that age group who’s an A lister (and I missed missed Kim Go Eun).
Also, 💯 with you on Park Min Young. She’s most definitely not an A-lister. Her drama have hardly been high rated. She has a couple every few years like Secretary Kim or MMH, but she’s never been consistent in delivering numbers. She’s also not known to be an actress that can deliver Baeksang worthy performances which is a huge hallmark of being an A-lister. Again, I think the word “A-lister” is thrown around way too lightly by some. Not every good actor is an A-lister. However, every A-lister is a good actor. “It” actors =/= A lister. And it doesn’t take just 1 drama or performance to get to that status, it’s multiple high rated drama, or multiple Baeksang nominations, or multiple Chungmuro hits, etc.
@Butterfly – South Korea still holds movie actors to higher standards (and status) than tv ones so I can see what you mean, but there’s ‘movie A list’ and ‘tv A list’.
Jun Jihyun, Son Yejin, Han Hyojoo, Kim Taeri and Kim Goeun should be considered both because they have been consistently successful at both film and tv but for the most part it’s very hard for actors under 30 and especially women, to reach that status in chungmuro. Won Bin was A list even in his 20s but that’s with his flawless (and too short!!) filmography, he was basically retired by 33. KSH himself became such a huge star in his 20s because he was so young and was in two movie smash hits on top of his multiple hit dramas, extremely rare for an actor that young even if after military service he’s now mostly doing series and not movies.
so yeah when the QOT production said they wanted an ‘A list’ actress they meant ‘tv A list’, this being a tv production – i.e. they wanted someone who had some public recognition + at was lead in least two recent-ish series with decent ratings and good reviews + established and known as a good actress (not all tv A list are good actors) + worked with big name writers before. Song Hyekyo and Shin Hyesun are tv A list, so is Park Shin Hye, Park Eunbin, even Park Minyoung given her track record+ that her most recent series was a hit and she’s the biggest name in it+biggest draw (I’m not her fan btw, I agree her costarring with too many nobody actors cheapens her image). On the guys’ side, Song Joongki, Namgoong Min, Lee Jongseok, Park Seojoon, Park Bogum etc are it.
Remember, they offered the QOT role to IU first – she’s tv A list for sure. If they were keeping their options to actresses not too far from Kim Soohyun’s age, I can see how Kim Jiwon was the next viable candidate especially given the character.
@Royal We
Sure! I wasn’t talking about A-listers on the Chungmuro side at all, otherwise, there’s a much longer list of actresses (Bae Doona, Moon So Ri, Kim Hye Soo just to name a few). I meant that Kim Ji Won is not an A-lister in the drama side of things before QOT. IU is. Not because she’s necessarily a better actress, but she’s more bankable with a lot more successful projects to her name and someone who’s also known to be a very good actress.
KJW is undoubtedly the right choice (likely due to the adjustment in how the character is written to fit her style). She also has very strong chemistry with KSH which really matters for this sort of drama that is highly dependent on the leads. It makes complete sense for her to have been offered this, because frankly, they didn’t need an A-lister at all. KSH and the writer was enough of a draw. Add to that the PD duo, and this was a drama well on its way to success. It’s just extremely fortunate that KJW is so good. It helps the drama be better and helps her career too.
I like when discreet actresses get recognition for their talent like Park Eun-Bin with EAW and now Kim Ji-Won. They deserve it!
+ one
We should add Lee Se young to that list. She’s quiet and discreet, but I don’t know if her breakout roles parlayed into commercial success into CFs like Kim Ji Won.
I agree about LSY. Nonetheless, The spotlight mostly went to Junho in her breakout drama The Red Sleeves. The impact on viewers wasn’t as impressive as KJW in this drama. Since Kim Soo Hyun was already a top A-list, ppl wouldn’t be that surprised by his great performance and the attention could be well diverted to his FLs when they delivered. I felt the same about Seo Yea-ji in It’s Ok Not to Be OK.
Love this for her. KJW has been quietly working hard for years, talented, elegant and a natural beauty. Very happy that she’s receiving more recognition
What an upgrade for the soju company with KJW as their new model. From trash to class.
Good for KJW – QoT is a career making sort of drama. She’s talented and has been in the industry long enough – deserved breakthrough.
She’s taking over from HSH for the soju CF. Which goes to show just how precarious an image can be. HSH’s scandal (and in this case, the word is used correctly by the media) was definitely going to affect her. And she’s still not done… she posted yet another blog accusing Hyeri. I was with her initially but my god, she needs to get a drip. All these female celebs losing their every loving mind is crazy.
@Butterfly – yes, QoT really is THAT kind of drama, she’s A list already (the list of writers who work with her before, says enough) but this is the kind of drama and level of success that will cement her as A++ list – she’s genuinely a co-lead, not effectively a supporting character to the male lead as many female drama leads often are. But that’s Park Jieun dramas for you, they don’t use female leads as accessories and that’s how you end up with so many of her FL roles becoming iconic.
the latest episode of the HSH drama is ridiculous and made me want to smack my head against my desk like girl PLEASE I understood her initially but she’s just shooting herself in the foot by continuing to post. Not a bad person, just badly in need of PR lessons. The scandal was just starting to die too.
She did? I think you’re mistaken I don’t see another post or blog about Hyeri.
KJW is seriously deserving of all the attention! She got this role to a T! I’m finding it hard to imagine IU was slotted for this. Always been a fan of KJW and she continues to be a revelation! What a match with KSH!
@Liz – yeah she posted again now. I understand HSH is upset but she really needs PR training and to be told when to let things finally die down lol. I don’t want her to be witch hunted but she does need to get off the internet for a while!
I’ve been a Kim Jiwon fan since her Yoo Rachel days and Fight My Way made her a star but I’m so happy this is the role that’s making her a superstar, she deserves everything and I hope she continues to get great dramas going forward!
She did post. And then deleted it. I wish I was mistaken because I’d love for this to just die down. Every site I go to, it’s all that’s being talked about and it’s getting tiring.
She targeted Hyeri once again with “what’s so fun?” – then goes on to deleted it saying she was driven by anger. Girl is literally losing the plot. I thought by now after losing CFs and gaining so much criticism, she’d learn. But nope. Not even a bit.
@Butterfly – it’s the kind of behaviour that probably has a few people wanting to smack their own heads against their desks.
I understand if HSH’s feeling emotional but this is not the appropriate way to deal with things, she really needs to think before she posts, 29 years old is too old to be this messy in public in an industry like k-ent.
Yeah I just saw it on my feed after I replied. Tsk tsk. I completely understand her frustration stemming from the reality that she is being slammed for being with a “cheater” or cheating allegations against her or being rebound. That does hurt but alas her making these statements are also going to backlash against her even more.
@Royal We, Liz
I understand where HSH is coming from (at least initially). No one likes being called a home wrecker, or a rebound. And especially not publicly when she wasn’t quite ready to reveal their relationship. I was completely on her side when she wrote the initial apology blog post. She was honest and real and accepted blame. She even apologized to Hyeri which I thought was very mature of her considering Hyeri started this mess.
But too much happened since and she’s completely gone off the rails. I’m unsure as to what is even triggering her now. What exactly made her mad enough to post in rage, then delete it almost immediately in mortification? Such lack of control over emotions is messed up for someone that old. If she wants answers from Hyeri, why not contact her personally and communicate like a proper adult? So many dating news came out this week (so so many!) and her fire was starting to dwindle. It’s like she wants to stay in the news for this almost.
@Butterfly – same, I understood HSH initial reaction since no woman would like being called a home wrecker or the ‘other woman’ when she believes herself (this much is clear) to NOT be one. Fair enough if she wanted to defend herself.
I give her this, she seems to be trying to be honest or put her point of view across but her playing out all her messy emotions so publicly, is not going to help her at all and that’s without even talking about the potential cost to her career. It’s clear the criticism she got really did affect her, it’s just not good for anyone’s mental health to be looking at that stuff or trying to respond to it.
She has the flashier character dealing with the initial crisis in the drama’s first half so it’s bound to get more attention. It’s very similar to how LOTBS, MLFTS and CLOY all went. Particularly when the PPL in this drama is heavy towards the fashion aspect of things. But just to point out – the difference in search results is mere decimals vs KSH. both leads are the talk of town.
Personally, I find KJW’s character extremely frustrating. however since this is not a post on the drama itself, I’ll leave it with she’s doing a good job and has amazing chemistry with KSH.
I’m surprised by KJW’s character, she’s not really the ice queen the trailers or even episode 1 lead you to expect? I like how direct Haein is with showing interest to Hyunwoo lol her reaction to the almost-kiss and his running away from her in ep 5/text telling her to sleep first, being that she goes out to drag him back to bed….lol. And in the same week we have her absolute heartbreak on finding out about what he was planning.
I honestly find both leads frustrating but KSH/KJW chemistry saves it for me, even if I think we’re going to have a week of more frustration. but I appreciate that PJE dramas often have FLs who openly express interest in their man or even make the first move (Cindy in Producers, another iconic character). It’s rare in kdramas.
I think KSH is already made so whoever he gets paired with gets pulled up unless they don’t deliver. Seo Ye Ji was getting all the spotlights and elevated to queen status during It’s Ok to not be Ok, too bad her ‘attitude’ caught up with her and she was canceled. She could have been a big star now. This time around KJW’s character is also a kick-ass bitch so I see some similarities, except that KJW seems to have a more low-key, amenable vibe so she’s getting a lot of love. The only thing I wish is that they date in real life like when it happened with DOST and CLOY. That would have been fun to watch. 😀
@GF – it’s usually the opposite with an actor so established and hot.
if you look at recent dramas from other actors in his age group, the female lead tends to be kinda secondary or more of a supporting role and the story focuses more on the male actor/the man is the one who gets most of the attention (see what happens in dramas starring actors in the same age group like Park Seojoon, Song Joongki, Lee Jongseok etc – incidentally all previous KJW costars! But I will say Fight My Way wasn’t like that).
Usually this is because the actress isn’t as established or can’t really carry a story, it’s KSH whose dramas really don’t follow that pattern and consequently the female leads and the actresses who play them receive a lot of attention and not just as ‘starred in a Kim Soohyun drama’ but as the character in their own right.
Classic PJE drama. Female leads shine in the first half, the male lead takes over in the second. I’m more concerned about why the other actors aren’t given more of role. How is Dong Yeon a lead?? He’s been given nothing so far. Sung Hoon also is just there. At least Joo Bin had a turn of events last week. Prob too many characters specially when the viewers just want to see the leads. Hope some ppl get killed off 😂
KDY is a supporting character as he was in Vincenzo (same PD).
The drama has always been clear who the leads and second leads are (no real second FL and I appreciate it tbh it’s enough for ML to be the one who’s jealous). But yeah there are too many characters and we spend too much time with ego-blinded grandpa, his Camilla and her villain squad.
but I love crazy leopard auntie, her scenes with both Hyunwoo and Haein are great. and of course she’s also the character no one listens to!
I know KJW from Heirs but it was fight for my way which made me her fan. I even watched Liberation Notes for despite it being very slow. I am honestly veryy happy for her. I cannot imagine any other actress as Hae In cause KJW is literally perfect in this drama. And her pairing with KSH is a chef’s kiss. I love KSH from his YWCFS drama so, I was really excited for this pairing and I am not disappointed.
As for drama, while I like our leads I am not really a fan of Hae In’s family drama and the way it seems there is gonna be a misunderstanding from epi 7. I hope they won’t stretch it though cause misunderstanding without any communication will be frustating to watch.
I yet have to watch the drama to have my own assessment. Although I like KSH enough and he was the main reason for me to check out all his dramas, I did find his leading ladies more impressive than he was in all those dramas except for The Moon Embracing the Sun in which the FL had less impressive performance. I know nothing much about KJW other than her supporting role in Descendants of the Sun.
* My liberation notes” KJW is really good as all the cast too
I checked tidbits of My Liberation Notes on Youtube. The plot looked very heavy-hearted. Sad story?
You won’t regret watching this! I am more a Ji Won fan than KSH. I’ve watched almost all of her dramas (except Arth and I hear good things about it too) and she always delivers. I also like that she’s not afraid to experiment and is not pigeonholed into a type. They have a lot of chemistry. It seems like she also gets partnered with really established actors not just “pretty boys”
Fan of his since Dream High and of hers from DOTS and FMW. I guess there are 3 categories of ‘A Listers’. First those who get nominated for Baeksang awards, second hallyu actresses who are popular internationally and third, those that the domestic audience like. In the generation of K actresses between the ages of 28 and 35 there are perhaps quite a few well respected/ popular ones but not as dominant as Kim Soo Hyun who has had huge success since his early 20s. Also not as dominant as actresses like Song Hye Kyo or Jun Ji Hyun were at that stage of their careers. KJW was paired with some big stars (SJK and CJW) but for whatever reason those series weren’t big hits. Anyway I love both KJW and KSH and am glad she’s finally getting the recognition she deserves.