The quality of a K-drama production heavily relies on the casting of its actors. There have been numerous instances where viewers have been disappointed by miscasting, resulting in negative feedback and criticism.
In recent K-dramas, there have been 5 notable examples of poor casting choices for leading female characters.
Hong Su-zu: The Impossible Heir
Hong Su-zu made her debut as the main character, Na Hye-won, in “The Impossible Heir” . She portrayed a stunning and diligent woman who came from humble beginnings and gets caught up in a dispute over inheritance with two male protagonists.
Despite being aired, “The Impossible Heir” was unable to gain popularity and faced harsh criticism from viewers. Hong Su-zu’s performance was deemed the most disappointing aspect of the project, with her acting being heavily criticized for its lack of emotion and wooden delivery. Korean media even went as far as likening her dialogue delivery to that of reading from a textbook.
2. Jeon Do-yeon – “Crash Course In Romance”
Despite her reputation for versatile acting in Korean cinema, Jeon Do-yeon was criticized for being miscast in “Crash Course In Romance”. The film follows Nam Haeng-seon, a retired national handball player who shifts her focus to cooking and caring for her niece.
Despite receiving critical acclaim for her performance, Jeon Do-yeon’s appearance as a woman in her early thirties with a teenage niece was criticized by many viewers. Furthermore, her on-screen pairing with the much younger Jung Kyung-ho in this romantic comedy raised concerns about the director’s casting decisions.
3. BoA – “Marry My Husband”
In “Marry My Husband”, BoA took on the role of Oh Yu-ra, the antagonist known for her beauty and manipulative ways. Although her performance received widespread backlash, it was not only for her acting but also for her physical appearance.
Despite being dubbed the “Queen of Kpop,”many viewers at the time believed that BoA did not embody the typical image of a wealthy heiress in her role. Her co-stars often outshined her character, and her overly plump lips and artificial expressions sparked controversy. In fact, some viewers even confessed to feeling the urge to change the channel whenever BoA appeared on screen.
4. Go Ara – “Hwarang”
Despite the strong performances by male actors such as Park Hyung-sik, Park Seo-joon, and V from BTS, the historical drama “Hwarang”drew criticism for the casting of Go Ara as the female lead. Many viewers felt that her limited acting abilities were a mismatch with the dynamic male cast, leading to suggestions that the show could have been improved without a female lead altogether.
5. My Demon by Kim Yoo-jung
Despite the positive reception of the main actors’ visual appeal, critics were disappointed with Kim Yoo-jung’s performance in “My Demon.”Many felt that, as a 1999-born actress, she appeared too youthful for her role as a cold heiress, leading to accusations of miscasting.
Origin: K14
Leave a Reply