mysunandmoon 2,266 Posted November 21, 2014 Share Posted November 21, 2014 I've been watching a couple of dramas lately, and the acting was kind of questionable, so I went and watched two with no Idol actors in it (He Who Came From the Stars and Temptation) to see if I sided with the popular opinion that idol actors are crap. Somehow, I didn't reach that conclusion. Because, is it me or do Korean actors generally over react all their emotions? Kind of "Days of our Lives" style, everything is very big and, sure, it makes their intention clear, but it also makes everything kind of cheesy and weird. It's like there's no subtlety in their emotion at all. Maybe I'm just being picky cause I'm a theatre kid. Have you noticed this? Even in my two favourite Korean movies the acting is like this, is it an actual thing, or am I being hypercritical? And if it is an actual thing, why do k-netz act as if the actors standards are so high? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arsene Lupin 3,500 Posted November 21, 2014 Share Posted November 21, 2014 its not just the acting but the story too its always someone falling in love then some rich snob asshole ruins it for them Police tv show: Police chases criminal Korean Police drama: Police chases criminal, falls in love Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GoneGirl 2,737 Posted November 21, 2014 Share Posted November 21, 2014 I've been watching a couple of dramas lately, and the acting was kind of questionable, so I went and watched two with no Idol actors in it (He Who Came From the Stars and Temptation) to see if I sided with the popular opinion that idol actors are crap. Somehow, I didn't reach that conclusion. Because, is it me or do Korean actors generally over react all their emotions? Kind of "Days of our Lives" style, everything is very big and, sure, it makes their intention clear, but it also makes everything kind of cheesy and weird. It's like there's no subtlety in their emotion at all. Maybe I'm just being picky cause I'm a theatre kid. Have you noticed this? Even in my two favourite Korean movies the acting is like this, is it an actual thing, or am I being hypercritical? And if it is an actual thing, why do k-netz act as if the actors standards are so high? No, I think you're right, but I think that it is something you can get used to. It's also a matter of preference, I personally don't mind it when it's not excessive. For example, my favourite actor is Jang Hyuk and though he does overact sometimes, he is versatile and I enjoy his characters a lot. Some idols are pretty bad and suck, that's true, but there are also actors who do a terrible job, on the top of my head, Han Ga In, who's incredibly wooden. I prefer someone who "overacts" and at least causes an emotion, rather than wooden playing that makes the character completely uninteresting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
denizen mars 5,911 Posted November 21, 2014 Share Posted November 21, 2014 Yes. Lol. It's a little better in the more serious drama movies, but the Korean viewpoint of what makes for great acting and storytelling is definitely different from the western ideal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mysunandmoon 2,266 Posted November 22, 2014 Author Share Posted November 22, 2014 Yes. Lol. It's a little better in the more serious drama movies, but the Korean viewpoint of what makes for great acting and storytelling is definitely different from the western ideal. You have to wonder what their ideal is exactly, because as a westerner, it definitely does not match up with mine. I still watch these shows and movies because I like them, but I prefer more low key acting. I feel as if, while western culture really held on to themes of naturalism and realism, Korean acting and pot lines are stylistically more absurdist in nature. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seulchu 9,452 Posted November 22, 2014 Share Posted November 22, 2014 the best dramas and actors are in the cable or in movies. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luna 721 Posted November 22, 2014 Share Posted November 22, 2014 You have to wonder what their ideal is exactly, because as a westerner, it definitely does not match up with mine. I still watch these shows and movies because I like them, but I prefer more low key acting. I feel as if, while western culture really held on to themes of naturalism and realism, Korean acting and pot lines are stylistically more absurdist in nature. Their ideal is a variety of facial expressions and good diction, even if they're a total ham, i.e. Jo In Sung. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regina 8,123 Posted November 22, 2014 Share Posted November 22, 2014 I agree, and this is the exact reason I cannot get involved with Korean dramas. The scenarios aren't realistic. Furthermore, the characters don't act realistically when they're put in an unrealistic situation. Instead, they make it even more exaggerated and unbelievable. This is more or so the fault of the screenwriter. Paired with the lack of character development, Korean dramas are duds in my book. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irrelephant 4,710 Posted November 22, 2014 Share Posted November 22, 2014 It depends on the genre. Watch Secret Love Affair with Yoo Ah In and Kim Hee Ae. Lots of serious acting going on there. But then again, the drama is all about restraint lol. I do feel that the expressiveness is a matter of style (especially in rom-coms). However, it's not in all dramas. I do want to mention that the idol actors v. actors misconception is really just a complex, deep-rooted (and unfair) bias that people try to justify by saying that many idols slide into the acting scene with their fans and not their talent (compared to struggling rookie actors) which means they must pass a threshold of talent before they can be "accepted". If you don't see a huge difference between some idols and actors, I don't blame you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joon 8,222 Posted November 22, 2014 Share Posted November 22, 2014 I like Kdramas but yeah....overacting and overused tropes are some of the biggest issues IMO. But not all actors are like that, for example Kam WooSung is really good imo at expressing emotions subtly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
indigo 16,433 Posted November 22, 2014 Share Posted November 22, 2014 Most dramas are melodramas so the acting is melodramatic. A lot of Asian tv/fim is still rather melodramatic. I think the melodramatic is very cathartic once you get over the bias against it. Indie stuff is where you'll find more realism. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Temptastic VII 6,473 Posted November 22, 2014 Share Posted November 22, 2014 This is why Bae Doona is the only Korean actress/actor I like. She knows what's up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charmy 6,317 Posted November 22, 2014 Share Posted November 22, 2014 This is why I'm not a big fan of Korean and Japanese dramas. The exaggerated emotions and cliche scenarios are such a turn off. I can't tell the good actors from the bad tbh. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chizuru 1,387 Posted November 22, 2014 Share Posted November 22, 2014 I agree with you, I find their expressions and actions abit over the top at times. It's as unrealistic as the scenarios but it's something I've gotten used to. Basically a requisite to achieving success in the ratings. I also don't see why the standard of idol acting is held in such low regard when there are actors who aren't that great either. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StanHyorin2015 3,979 Posted November 22, 2014 Share Posted November 22, 2014 Their act is pretty basic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abinh 4,542 Posted November 22, 2014 Share Posted November 22, 2014 even their top stars suck. Knetz overpraise them so much that sometimes i think Korea is full of Oscar-level actors Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seulo 4,828 Posted November 22, 2014 Share Posted November 22, 2014 You're not the only one who thinks that way~ Does anyone else notice how child actors are often much better than the adults in kdramas sometimes? What's even worse is when they grow up and their skills get worse instead of getting better. I think it's a cycle of awful/mediocre acting that continues because it goes unchecked. No one ever calls out these mediocre/OTT actors for their performances but instead praise them There are times when k-netizens would complain about actors over acting and I don't understand why. Especially when the person they're choosing to criticize acts like everyone else/the actors they praise on the regular basis Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Schmoop 166 Posted November 22, 2014 Share Posted November 22, 2014 This is why I can't get into Korean dramas, I can predict the plot easily and their acting is crap. I've tried one of their movies they claimed was good, Man from Nowhere and that was also crap. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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