JYJ Members Unable to Appear on Music Programs, Turn to Popular Dramas

Though it’s normal to see idols taking on a side job as actors, the situation of JYJ  (Park Yoochun, Kim Junsu and Kim Jaejoong) is quite different. Other singers appear on music and variety shows while having roles in dramas. However, JYJ can only be seen starring in dramas.

The first member who made a drama appearance was Park Yoochun, who from last August till November, appeared in the historical drama “SungKyunKwan Scandal” (KBS) and made his mark as an actor that drama producers wants to work with. Afterwards he began filming “Miss Ripley” (MBC) which started filming in May and wrapped up in July.

Kim Junsu appeared shortly on “Scent of a Woman” as Asia’s top Hallyu singer “Junsu”, who Lee Yeon Jae (Kim Seon Ah) wanted to see before she died. “You are so Beautiful“, the OST that Kim Junsu performed live during the drama, drives into the viewers’ ears whenever an emotional scene takes place between the two leading roles (Kim Seon Ah and Lee Dong Wook).

Kim Jaejoong is currently playing the role of Department Head Cha Mu Won in “Protect the Boss” (SBS) who is the creator of the love triangle between him, No Eun Seol (Choi Kang Hee), and Cha Ji Hun (Ji Sung). Critics have stated that though his acting was a little awkward at the beginning, he is improving as the episodes progress while other critics state that he is doing extremely well when portraying a financial character.

A member of the Board of directors, Park Jin Hyung, of the production company for “Protect the Boss” and “Scent of a Woman“, which is AStory, stated “Kim Jaejoong was chosen as the first person for the role of Cha Mu Won, and we felt that Kim Junsu was the appropriate person to take on the role of a Hallyu star in the drama, as well as to sing the OST,” and “SM Entertainment‘s influence doesn’t reach the drama industry, unlike the entertainment industry, so we were able to cast JYJ in their respective roles without any problems.” SBS PD Nam Tae Jin of “Scent of a Woman” stated: “No interferences took place in the casting of JYJ.”

While Baek Chang Joo CEO of C-JeS Entertainment shared some words regarding Kim Junsu’s short appearance in the drama: “As Junsu has already made his mark in the musical industry, he doesn’t want to take on dramas just yet. But Jaejoong and Yoochun will continue to appear in them.“