Esther Yu's Love Game in Eastern Fantasy domestically beats Zhao Lu Si's The Story of Pearl Girl
One fine day, while I was going through this beautiful person's photographs and videos, a thought crept into my head to write a Stalker's Guide about him (a feat, since whenever I start thinking of him, there's little that can make my brain think about something else). So I thought, why not put all the time I spend watching and stalking him to good use :P Therefore, here's a little insight to the kind of actor and person he is -
A Stalker's Guide to Jang Geun Suk
Skeptic much?
My first encounter with Jang Geun Suk was in You're Beautiful -which I saw about 4 months back - I had no idea someone like this even existed. OH LORD, what had I been missing! This powerhouse performer is only 26, soon to be 27 and has already done so much. It's admirable.
He can act, sing, and is a stunning model. He began working at the age of 5. My only achievement by that age was being fully potty-trained and being able to feed myself.
Oh, who wouldn't want him as a model for kid products an such *o* 
Just look at him
He's fluent in Japanese - because of his love for Japanese music, he learnt the language on his own. How awesome is that?! He can converse comfortably in English as well, because of his studies in New Zealand - apparently he had a girlfriend there with whom he needed to talk of course :P. So here comes the list of his works. Sit tight - it's LONG. This guy has done a shipload of versatile work in the past 7 years he's been in the spotlight.
Dramas (in order of viewing):
You're Beautiful (2009)
Jang Geun Suk plays the role of the lead singer of a boy band A.N.JELL - Hwang Tae Kyung, who is the personification of a coconut - you know - hard shell, but soft inside. The drama itself is one of the best I've seen. It's got amazing comedy and a nice plot as well. But what made it really special was Geun Suk. This guy OWNED the drama, his performance as Tae Kwang was a memorable one - he brought the character to life. I cannot imagine anyone else as Hwang Tae Kyung. His expressions were just brilliant throughout, he gets imprinted in your head. He's got a truck load of adorable moments in the drama. The way he says "Go Mi Nam"...GAHHH!! I wish my name was Go Mi Nam XD
Beautiful Man/ Pretty Boy/ Bel Ami (2013)
In this show, we see Jang Geun Suk as a man who gets what he wants with the help of his good looks. Dok Go Ma Tae is a son of a middle class mother whose husband has left. Thinking that his father is in the US, he wants to find his whereabouts and reunite the family, but he needs to earn money to do that. The only quick means he has to do so are his looks that get him wealthy women. Along with a dozen different hairstyles - all of which look stunning on him, except for one, but who doesn't have bad hair days! Hehee. Ahem. - we see the character changing for the better too and by the end of the show we have a mature and grounded person in our midst and still a gorgeous one. The various transitions of the character are portrayed nicely by Geun Suk and though this might not be his best drama, he has done quite well.
Mary Stayed Out All Night (2010)
Another show in which Jang Geun Suk plays a musician, but this is starkly different to the character he played in You're Beautiful. Kang Mu Kyul is a carefree lead singer of an indie rock band, who would rather stick it out with his mediocre comrades than rise to fame on his own. I don't think the drama was anything great, but he was able to sell his performance. Geun Suk plays his role amazingly as far as the music is concerned. He has amazing vocals - you really fall for him every time you hear him sing and play. The OST's "My Precious" has become a personal favorite of mine, you should listen to it too.
Love Rain (2012)
Ah, this drama is a whole different story. This was the turning point for me. This is when my crush on Jang Geun Suk turned into a full-blown love. There are two love stories that are followed in this drama. The first 4 episodes are from the era of 70s - Jang Geun Suk plays the role of a talented art student Seo In Ha, who also sings in a band with his best friends as a hobby. He comes across a girl in college and it's love at first sight for him. Their story is a prime example of the pure, serene love that is rare to see these days. Geun Suk totally nails it as the shy and thoughtful painter, who is in love for the first time and possibly the last time as well.
The second part of the story starts in the present day with the return of Geun Suk, now as the son of In Ha, Seo Jun - a man who is aware of his charms and effects on women and knows how to use them as well. This is somewhat a familiar zone for Geun Suk, but this character is much more than that. We see the change he goes through after he falls in love with the daughter of the woman his father loved and lost. How his character becomes mature is evident in his acting. Jang Geun Suk says that this drama 'burned' him, but personally I think this is one of the best romances I have ever seen and one of his best performances, because he was able to develop his character so much. Seeing that he has two roles in the same drama, you'd think there's bound to be similarities but trust me, apart from the appearance, you won't say it's the same guy.
Beethoven Virus (2008)
This is the most recent drama I've seen with Jang Geun Suk. He plays the role of Kang Gun Woo, a traffic-police officer who is also a genius musician unaware of the extent of his talents. He plays the trumpet as a hobby. Then he becomes a part of an orchestra conducted by Maestro Kang (His name is Kang Gun Woo too) whom he loathes. After that he starts to conduct himself. Geun Suk was a delight to watch in this role. Being only 21, it's evident he was still learning to act, but his improvement was visible with each passing episode. It was refreshing to see him as a musician again, but the feel and character were very different from his other works. I consider this as one of the best roles he portrayed.
Other dramas he's been a part of, that I haven't gotten around to watch yet (but I will!):
Movies (in order of viewing):
You're My Pet (2011)
Even recalling the movie makes me chuckle. It was such a light and breezy movie! Jang Geun Suk takes up the role of a musical dancer/singer who is in need of a place to live. He imposes upon his friend's sister's house and insists on staying there, even if it is only as a pet. Literally. The friend's sister, Ji Eun Yi (a.k.a Mistress) names Kang In Ho (Jang Geun Suk) Momo and treats him like an actual pet and Momo is more than happy to act the part. He is adorable, funny, pouts when unsatisfied, wants attention, loves his mistress unconditionally - all in all a perfectly believable pet. It's hard not to fall in love with him! It was fun to watch Jang Geun Suk play the role of Momo, thoroughly enjoyable! I definitely want a pet like him *O*
Baby & I (2008)
Jang Geun Suk on screen with a baby?! Yes! Yes! Yes! He plays a role of an accidental teenage dad, who is unaware that the baby left at his doorstep is actually not his own. Jang Geun Suk won my heart with his portrayal of the irresponsible high school student, who learns to value things in life after having to take care of the baby he has come to love as his son. You can clearly feel the emotions he feels in the movie, because he acts the part so well. Great performance and a great movie! He should do more stuff, where he is not just a singer or a pretty face.
Budapest Diary (2011)
This short movie is based on a heartbroken guy's journey as he explores and sees Budapest through the eyes of the girl he loves, with the help of a travel diary she left for him. We see Jang Geun Suk make transitions from one phase of heartbreak to another with an endearing skill. To carry the whole movie on his shoulders alone was a feat in my opinion. The narrative style, the emotions and the expressions on his face all reflect in your heart, as you really feel everything that is going on with him. He gets the child-like wonder in his eyes while he is exploring the gorgeous city of Budapest; you see the anguish he feels when he is heartbroken - everything is directly transmitted to you. It's a beautiful movie along with really amazing acting done by Jang Geun Suk.
DoReMiFaSoLaTiDo (2008)
Another one of his earlier works which I watched recently and I was really surprised by it. He plays a high school student and the lead singer in a band, (yes, again, but I'm not complaining! :D) who falls in love with his new neighbor - another student. He meets her accidentally at an amusement park, when the girl spills coffee on his head for making fun of her. He doesn't have much screen time during the earlier half of the movie, but that's the thing that gets you in the end. His character slowly creeps up on you and catches you unaware. But you find yourself shedding tears for him in the end. Eun Kyoo (Jang Geun Suk) becomes mentally challenged for a portion of the film, but even in that short period of time you are bowled over by his acting. For a young actor, I'd say it was a pretty good work.
The Case of Itaewon Homicide (2009)
This is, hands down, one of my all-time favorites now. Amazing movie based on an amazing true-to-life case about a murder of an innocent student, whose culprit is still at large. Jang Geun Suk plays the character of Robert J. Pearson who is a US citizen with the heritage of a Mexican father and a Korean mother. He is suspected, along with his friend AJ, for the murder of the student. He cannot speak or understand Korean, so we see Jang Geun Suk conversing in English throughout the movie. Having heard many Korean actors try their hand at English, it was refreshing to watch Geun Suk speak in it, because he did a fairly good job (If there had to be one Korean actor other than Rain, who was not part American and could speak English properly, I'd say it was Geun Suk). It was an edgy performance and Geun Suk acted brilliantly. The kind of bipolar character he played seemed very natural, he took the role to a whole another level. It has to have been the most challenging role he's done. A must watch movie for anyone - very underrated in my opinion.
Crazy Waiting / The Longest 24 Months/ Going Crazy Waiting (2008)
The movie is about 4 men who are recruited for their mandatory military service and how each one of them and their girlfriends go through the 2 years that follow - hence the title. Jang Geun Suk plays the role of a young man freshly recruited for the army. The focus wasn't primarily on Geun Suk, so I consider it a feat that despite that, he didn't lose his foothold and still managed to keep his own. He plays a crazy-in-love youngster, who grows up a lot during the 2 years he is apart from his love and becomes a man that deserves the woman he chose. There is still an innocence about him that is very endearing. He suited well the role that was given to him. The movie was a really good experience too :)
The Happy Life (2007)
The first Korean movie he ever did! The movie is about a band that got disbanded as its members moved on in life to do other things. They reconcile 20 years later, after the lead singer dies. The remaining members of the band are bums, who are just getting by in life and are not really happy. They try to get the band on the market again, but fail as they seem to be lacking something fundamental. Enter Jang Geun Suk - the son of the late lead singer, who has badass style and a killer voice perfect for a rock band (No, seriously, he has this gritty voice when he sings and it's just perfect). The movie shows the journey of these misfits who bonded over music and dissatisfaction with life. Jang Geun Suk looks and breathes the part of a rock singer. Gruffy, aloof, devil-may-care, but fiercely loyal and the key that holds the band together; he plays the character with top-notch realism. Watching him perform on stage was a delight, as if you were really looking at a rock band perform (With a really hot lead singer ;P ).
Music:
He has been singing songs for the OST of almost all of his dramas and they've been all received well. You should listen to his songs from You're Beautiful and the title track of Love Rain if you haven't! It's absolutely lovely.
He's got a deep and soft voice, that melts you every time he utters something. You can imagine what condition I must be in when he sings. Though I cannot understand the language without translation (yet), there's something about his voice that always calms me down and pulls me into the emotion of the song. I have cried, I have smiled, I've even head-banged to his songs. Even his laugh - oh heavens above, his laugh makes me feel like I'm floating in the clouds. He's got a very beautiful voice that I could listen to forever. I do not exaggerate.
Apart from the OSTs, he has a rather successful music career in Japan where he has released 2 solo albums, as well as various singles. He works with the Korean Rapper Big Brother as a duo named Team H and has released albums in Japan, China and Taiwan. He's received MANY awards for his music in Japan plus he's topped the chart many times as well ( Impressed yet?)
If he's not shooting for dramas, movies or CFs, he's either in fan meetings or on tours. He's always working on something. A person this famous, this busy and this over-worked has to have some quirks.
He still looks beautiful to me *O*
His style is unique just like him. Some call him crazy, some call him loony, some may even say he has lost it completely. But being thrust into the world of showbiz at such a young age and seeing fame up and close for so long doesn't leave you unaffected. He's not the most humble person you'll meet or the brightest - he IS really funny though - that doesn't stop you from loving him! (You should watch the Star Date episodes of KBS World TV he's been in!)
If you need any proof, you can watch any of his videos on the Internet. Here is one of my favorite videos of his:
He's the only actor I've seen so far who has been able to don almost any kind of role with ease and finesse.
Jang Geun Suk is a person who is as he is - with no pretense, and he's beautiful that way. You can't blame a person for being honest, frank and doing things his own way. If that's the side effect I have to go along with to be able to appreciate the amazing and brilliant work he does (not to mention his sigh-worthy good looks and locks), I'll take his quirks any day. Anything is worth for being able to look at those soulful eyes and angelic smile *O*
If all of this isn't enough of a reason to stalk him, I'm afraid I'll have to use the secret weapon I was holding out on..
Ta-da!
NOW can you resist him? Can you!? *wiggles eyebrows*
After finishing Beautiful Man/Pretty Boy, Jang Geun Suk is currently focusing on his (Team H's) recently released album Driving To The Highway (You can listen to it's single Take Me) and there have been no updates as per new dramas or movies so this would be a good time to catch up with his earlier works, while waiting for new ones to come out!
If there is an actor or an actress that is worthy of a Stalker's Guide in your opinion, and you have watched enough dramas of his/hers to prove it, please contact Elisabetta about it.
