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2nd-generation K-pop idols head to big screen
- September 01, 2021 | Music
2nd-generation K-pop idols head to big screen
Updated : 2021-08-30 09:02
By Kwak Yeon-soo
While the third and fourth generation of K-pop stars are gaining widespread international recognition with sizeable global audiences, a number of former performers from K-pop's second generation ― those who debuted 10 years ago or more ― have recently been starring in film projects.
Bang Min-ah, also known as Minah of Girl's Day, will play shy and angst-ridden teenager Kang-yi in director Lee Woo-jung's debut feature, "Snowball."
Set for a Sept. 1 release, the thriller teen drama centers on a complicated friendship between three high school best friends. For her role in "Snowball," the singer-actress won the Rising Star Asia Award at 2021 New York Asian Film Festival.
Bang made her acting debut in 2011 in MBN's sitcom, "Vampire Idol," and since then has appeared on many hit series, including, "Beautiful Gong Shim" (2016) and "My Absolute Boyfriend" (2019). Earlier in August, she starred in MBC's mini-series, "Check Out the Event," (2021) in a lead role.
Han Seung-yeon of the now defunct K-pop girl group, KARA, will appear in the horror-comedy film, "Show Me the Ghost," which will hit theaters on Sept. 9. The film revolves around job seekers who move into a rental flat together but soon realize their house is haunted by a ghost. Han plays the role of Ye-ji, a penniless local university graduate who is unable to find a job.
Han received a special mention from the jury in the acting category of the Korean Fantastic Competition section at the 25th Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival this year. Previously, she played a supporting role in JTBC's "Hello, My Twenties" (2016-2017) and tvN's "About Time" (2018).
Im Yoon-a, better known as Yoona of Girls' Generation, is set to appear in the moving film, "Miracle," by director Lee Jang-hoon, who is well-known for his 2018 romance film, "Be with You." Set for theatrical release on Sept. 15, the film tells a story about villagers who attempt to build a train station in their hometown.
Im plays Ra-hee, who encourages her best friend, Joon-kyung (Park Jung-min), a math prodigy to write a letter to the president, asking for permission to make a railway station in their village.
Im launched her acting career in 2007 through MBC's series, "Two Outs in the Ninth Inning," and later was featured in high-profile films including, "Confidential Assignment" (2017) and "Exit" (2019). She is also set to star in "Confidential Assignment 2," alongside Hyun Bin and Yoo Hae-jin.
Han Sun-hwa, a former member of K-pop girl group Secret, will also enter the world of film acting by taking the lead role in "Street of Movies," which will hit cinemas on Sept. 16.
Directed by Kim Min-keun, it follows a film location manager and a filmmaker who used to be lovers. The pair meet again in Busan after their breakup. "Street of Movies" is Han's first main role in a feature film.
While the third and fourth generation of K-pop stars are gaining widespread international recognition with sizeable global audiences, a number of former performers from K-pop's second generation ― those who debuted 10 years ago or more ― have recently been starring in film projects.
Bang Min-ah, also known as Minah of Girl's Day, will play shy and angst-ridden teenager Kang-yi in director Lee Woo-jung's debut feature, "Snowball."
Set for a Sept. 1 release, the thriller teen drama centers on a complicated friendship between three high school best friends. For her role in "Snowball," the singer-actress won the Rising Star Asia Award at 2021 New York Asian Film Festival.
Bang made her acting debut in 2011 in MBN's sitcom, "Vampire Idol," and since then has appeared on many hit series, including, "Beautiful Gong Shim" (2016) and "My Absolute Boyfriend" (2019). Earlier in August, she starred in MBC's mini-series, "Check Out the Event," (2021) in a lead role.
Han Seung-yeon of the now defunct K-pop girl group, KARA, will appear in the horror-comedy film, "Show Me the Ghost," which will hit theaters on Sept. 9. The film revolves around job seekers who move into a rental flat together but soon realize their house is haunted by a ghost. Han plays the role of Ye-ji, a penniless local university graduate who is unable to find a job.
Han received a special mention from the jury in the acting category of the Korean Fantastic Competition section at the 25th Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival this year. Previously, she played a supporting role in JTBC's "Hello, My Twenties" (2016-2017) and tvN's "About Time" (2018).
Im Yoon-a, better known as Yoona of Girls' Generation, is set to appear in the moving film, "Miracle," by director Lee Jang-hoon, who is well-known for his 2018 romance film, "Be with You." Set for theatrical release on Sept. 15, the film tells a story about villagers who attempt to build a train station in their hometown.
Im plays Ra-hee, who encourages her best friend, Joon-kyung (Park Jung-min), a math prodigy to write a letter to the president, asking for permission to make a railway station in their village.
Im launched her acting career in 2007 through MBC's series, "Two Outs in the Ninth Inning," and later was featured in high-profile films including, "Confidential Assignment" (2017) and "Exit" (2019). She is also set to star in "Confidential Assignment 2," alongside Hyun Bin and Yoo Hae-jin.
Han Sun-hwa, a former member of K-pop girl group Secret, will also enter the world of film acting by taking the lead role in "Street of Movies," which will hit cinemas on Sept. 16.
Directed by Kim Min-keun, it follows a film location manager and a filmmaker who used to be lovers. The pair meet again in Busan after their breakup. "Street of Movies" is Han's first main role in a feature film.
Reporter : yeons.kwak@koreatimes.co.kr
