mdt

I'm not sure if I understood you right but if you're insinuating that SM pulled some strings for him, wouldn't it make more sense for them to give him a film that, IDK, will guarantee a boost to his acting career instead of a film that will only likely be watched by people who already keep up with him? you're willfully ignoring that major point. how important is billing if you compare the scale of production of the films? who is privileged? the one leading in a small-mid budget film (which will be released only on OTT mind you) or the ones in big production films with literal A-list actors and mammoth distributors? you do the math.

when you get past your made-up metrics, only then will this conversation go somewhere. yoona is yoona, suzy is suzy, and jaehyun is jaehyun. there's no one path for idol actors to take so i suggest you stop comparing. your problem here is you simply can't wrap your head around the fact that casting directors/writers/producers wtv want him as a main lead. anyway, right now he's filming another drama where, you guessed it, he is the main lead again. so cope.

it's not SM power. if they had any, you would be seeing this with every nct actor member. but so far it's been only him who has been consistently casted for main roles (even the project that was cancelled). interesting that you talk about privilege when yoona's film debut was a big budget movie with a-lists actors and an established director. this movie's director doesnt even have a wikipedia page. why create conspiracies when it's clear casting directors just want him.

and suzy's film debut WAS a main role (look it up on this very website) which was also big budget with a-list actors so what narrative are you trying to paint here lol

must every idol actor to come out of SM follow the exact same path? What is confusing to you? go ask the casting director