"Model-idols": Impeccable acting and good looks

They are good looking and great at acting. Actor-turned models are standing out. They are called 'model-idols' because they are as popular as idols. They are Lee Jong-suk, Kim Woo-bin, Sung Joon, Ahn Jae-hyun, Kim Young-kwang, Hong Jong-hyun and Lee Sung-kyung. It's telling us a lot when more management agencies, who are putting weight on finding new talent, are also merging with model agencies.

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- The top of the casting list, they are good looking and great actors

A drama planned for the end of the year failed to cast both Lee Jong-suk and Kim Woo-bin. Lee Jong-suk is starring in SBS "Pinocchio" coming in November and Kim Woo-bin is starring in movies "Twenty" and "The Technicians".

Ahn Jae-hyun who starred in the drama "My Love from the Star" as Jun Ji-hyun's brother, is starring in "Fashion King - Movie" and Lee Sung-kyung who starred in "It's Okay, That's Love" as Lee Kwang-soo's girlfriend, is also increasing her values.

Sung Joon and Kim Young-kwang are the next 'romance comedy kings' as they are standing out in the KBS 2TV drama "Discovery of Romance" and tvN "Plus Nine Boys". Hong Jong-hyun is also busy with MBC weekend drama "Mama - Nothing to Fear" and TV show "We Just Got Married".

Their strong points are good looks and model-heights. They are not the best looking but they have character and is good looking enough to catch anyone's eye. They're also outstanding in acting and have gone on top of the list for casting.

SBS Drama Department Director Kim Yeong-sup says, "In the past, former model actors were only known for their good looks, but these days they learn how to act in their model agencies as well. Like Cha Seung-won, Lee Jung-jae and So Ji-seob who are good examples, the new model-actors are expected to do well".

- Possibilities of development? Unlimited

Ahn Jae-hyun and Lee Sung-kyung have two agencies. Ahn Jae-hyun belongs to a model agency named S Team and HB Entertainment which houses Ji Jin-hee and Lee Jia. HB has merged with S Team and is responsible for Ahn Jae-hyun when he's acting.

Lee Sung-kyung is part of YG Entertainment which merged with K Plus at the end of June and launched YG K Plus. YG is home to Lee Sung-kyung and 50 other male models including Nam Joo-hyuk from the tvN drama "The Idle Mermaid". Cha Seung-won who is also another former model also moved to YG this year.

YG director Yang Min-seok said, "The models these days have great potential as they are as popular as K-Pop idols". There's possibility that they might head overseas soon. China and the great Hallyu drama boom has lead to the focus on stars like Lee Min-ho, Kim Soo-hyun and Park Hae-jin. IHQ Acting Academy casting director Ahn Hyeok-mo says, "Tall and rich men are a great hit in China. The models are likely to succeed in China with their looks alone".