Persona: Jo In-Seong

Until now I’ve watched quiet enough Hanguk (Korean) derama and movies, I think, and so far Jo In-Seong is still the best for me. Not only good looks, he has the acting and charisma possessed by big stars. In fact, remembering almost three years ago, he was the Korean star who made my head turned and then my heart fell for Halyu (Korean Wave) itself.

Though of course---just like in other postings I’ve put in this blog---I’m opened for other opinion, this is a little warning: where Jo In-Seong is concerned, it will be hard to ask for objectivity from me. Hehehe ;-p

BASICS:
Date of birth: 1981 July 28
Height: 186cm
Weight: 70kg
Star sign: Leo
Blood type: B

TRIVIA:
Family: Parents, 1 younger brother
Education: Donggu University (acting major)
Specialty: Taekwondo (he was to be an instructor, if not for his acting career), Basketball
Hobby: Collecting Hats
Debut: December 1998 Georgio model


TV SERIES
Too bad that I haven’t saw these titles, so no comment:
School 3 (KBS1, 2001), sitcom Drama City "Like An Innocent Comic" (KBS2, 2001), New Nonstop 2 (MBC, 2002), Piano (SBS, 2002), Daemang (SBS, 2002), cameo Shoot for the star (SBS, 2002)

What Happened in Bali (SBS, 2004)

Also known as Something Happened in Bali, this was the derama on which I first “met” Jo In-Seong. In fact, this was the first Hanguk derama that I actually watched, even though, if I’m not mistaken, there were already Winter Sonata, Hotelier, etc back then.

Jo In-Seong was fantastic as Jong Jae-Min. He played as a spoiled rich guy that fell desperately on a poor average girl (played by Ha Ji-Won). His chemistry with her was very powerful; I couldn’t get my eyes off him. His sobbing scenes were definitely unforgettable; they were heart ripping and chest crunching! No wonder that he got that year Best Actor Award from this derama.

In this derama, he looked super with his stylish leather backpack, colorful leather sport shoes, and—the trademark for him in this derama—flowery shirt underneath dark or light colored jacket; oh, and also white pants. Never though that flowery shirt can still make a man looked masculine, but it definitely worked for In-Seong.

The sight of him walking through the cubicles to his office with that tottaly cool moves… omo omo, congmal mositta!!!

Spring Day (SBS, 2005)

After Something Happened in Bali, I was craving for more In-Seong, so thank god for this derama.

Once again, In-Seong played as a rich guy who used to having economy privileges. But unlike Jae-Min character who was confident and strong-headed, in this derama, In-Seong put on top acting by becoming a young doctor who was afraid of blood (!) and powerless against his very strict father.

His character was a bit weak and even cowardly sometimes, many times he chose running rather than facing his problems. That is until he met a simple girl who happened to be his big brother’s girlfriend (played by Ko Hyeon-Jong: lucky woman! So far I’ve watched her playing opposite to two yummy young guys, in this derama and in What’s Up, Fox?) Watching In-Seong tried to win this girl’s heart would definitely reminded you to his efforts in Something Happened in Bali. But I liked those efforts better in here.

My favorite memorable scene was when he followed the girl he loved quite far from behind, watching her went home without trying to see her—because the girl was after all, his brother’s lover. Not in a stalker kind of way, but watching to make sure she arrived at home safely. And then of course, after the girl had realized In-Seong was following her, their kissing scene. So sweet…

More of his derama, juseo!!!!

MOVIES

Titles I haven’t watch: Public Toilet (2002), Madeleine (2002)

Classic (2003)
Watching In-Seong as a university student, a sonbae, was undeniably a treat! He looked great with basic campus look: sweaters, jeans, and jackets. Too bad he didn’t have many scenes in this movie. Even so, he managed to leave deep impression with the beautiful scene of him protecting the girl he liked from the rain.


Love of South & North / Love Impossible (2003)
Okay okay, so nobody’s perfect. But I blamed all the poor performances on the director and the leading lady. In-Seong was sadly not funny in this supposedly comedy drama, nor showed any good memorable acting, but there was the time when he showed after a few years (in the story) looking great with glasses.

A Dirty Carnival/Mean Streets (2006)


Already made a review on the newest In-Seong movie on this blog. Have you read it? If not, go ahead and click here


AWARDS

2006 5th Korea Film Awards Best Actor
2005 41st Baeksang Art Awards: Popularity Award
2004 SBS Acting Awards: Best Actor Award
2004 SBS Acting Awards: Top 10 Stars Award
2004 40th Baeksang Art Awards: Best Male TV Actor (What Happened in Bali)
2002 SBS Acting Awards: Popularity Award
2002 SBS Acting Awards: Top 10 Stars Award
2001 SBS Acting Awards: New Star Award
2001 MBC Broadcasting Awards: Sitcom Acting Award
2000 KBS Acting Awards: Young Actor Award

SOURCES:
http://people.empas.com/people/info/jo/in/joinsung/
http://wiki.d-addicts.com/Jo_In_Sung
http://gallery.asianfanatics.net/